SHATTERED ILLUSION

Chaptertwo

I missed dinner yesterday, Gia and I had both slept off in that position. Though most of my clothes were already neatly arranged in my wardrobe, courtesy of my mother.

Now it was breakfast time, and I was beyond nervous. Everyone’s going to be there, and I hope I don't say or do the wrong thing.

But most especially, I was worried about Gia. Not everyone could handle her, especially since she was on the spectrum, and sometimes acted like a child.

Breathing out to calm my nerves, I turned towards Gia, making sure she was dressed properly.

“Gia, listen, don’t say anything unless spoken to. And if you need anything, let me know OK?”

“OK,” Gia replied, bouncing on her feet in excitement.

I breathed out again, taking Gia’s hand as we walked down the staircase.

The dining room was packed, Mr Richard sat at the head of the chair, my mum next to him. Miss Fallon sat at the far end, along with a slim, exotic-looking lady who I can only assume is Amelia, judging by the slight resemblance to Mr Richard.

All heads turned towards us, Mr Richard and my mum smiling brightly, while Miss Fallon and Amelia looked at us with indifference.

I smiled back, taking the chair close to my mum, Gia sitting down beside me.

“Hello Mr Richard.” Gia screamed out, clapping her hands.

I sigh, shooting her a quick look.

“Hello Gia, how are you today?” Mr Richard asked, a smile on his face.

“I am fine, I like my new bed.”

Amelia scoffed loudly, dragging my attention towards her.

“And you Susan, how are you? I hope everything is comfortable for you?” Mr Richard asked.

“Yes, thank you.”

Light discussion carried on, while I served myself and Gia.

“So, your mother tells me you applied for the Beauty-spy ongoing teaching program,” Mr Richard says.

I chuckled in embarrassment, shooting a quick glare at my mum. “Well, yes. I am still waiting to hear from them. Hopefully I get in.”

“If you want, I could talk to Mr Joseph. A friend of mine works at Beauty-spy.”

Mr Joseph.

As in Joseph Crown, CEO of Beauty-spy, number one fashion designer in New York.

Wow…..

“No, that’s alright. If I get in, it should be because I deserve it. Let my designs decide. I appreciate your help though.”

“It’s alright. I admire your courage and determination. But if you need my help anyway, let me know. Matter of fact, Amelia here also applied and has gotten the offer already. She could put you through on what they might be looking for.”

I turned towards Amelia, taking her in.

She looked delicate, very beautiful. But nothing like a designer, not that we had any particular look.

She just didn’t strike me as someone into designing.

I stretched out my hand. “Hello, my name is Susan. I unfortunately didn’t meet you at the wedding, but I hope we could get along, especially since we share the same passion.”

Amelia scoffed, dropping her cutlery loudly, still ignoring my hand. “Look here, I don't know what part of me shows that I condone whatever is happening in this house. I don’t, and would like you and your brat of a sister to stay the hell away from me.”

“And dad,” Amelia says, standing up. “I don’t know why you couldn’t have just slept with her, paid her off and called it a day. Instead, you chose to marry her, and also bring this shameless gold digger inside this house, despite my objections. If you know what’s good for you gold digger, you better go back to wherever you are coming from.”

I stood up, my chair falling back, the sound echoing through the dining room.

“Do not speak to my mother or my sister that way. You might not like us here, but in no way do you have the right to speak so rudely.”

“Read my lips,” Amelia says slowly, leaning forward. “Your mother is a lying, dirty, money-hungry gold digger. And if she thinks this household is going to welcome her or her children with open arms, then she is even dumber than I thought.”

“Enough!!!!!” Mr Richard screamed out. “I have heard enough from you. I sincerely hoped you would see the reason, but instead you keep behaving like a spoiled child. I will no longer tolerate this nonsense. Do you understand me? You will never speak like that to Camille or her children.”

“I hate you………” Amelia screamed, slamming her hands on the table. And just to prove how spoiled she really was, she took the glass of juice beside her, poured it at my mother.

I slapped her, hard. Before I could even register my actions.

My palms were stinging at the force, yet my eyes held dark fury.

“Listen here b***h. You can say whatever you want, but don’t you dare try to hurt me or my family.”

“Susan, it’s OK.” My mum says calmly, standing up also.

“No, it’s not….” My words were cut off as heavy metal slammed into my skull.

I fell backwards, my head narrowing, missing the dining table glass.

Amelia stood there, the big dinner pot in her hands.

Miss Fallon pushed her chair back, running towards Amelia, holding her back.

While my mother and Mr Richard ran towards me.

Gia, on the other hand, ran towards Amelia, hitting both her and Miss Fallon. “Bad, bad… bad girl…” she kept screaming out, struggling as Miss Fallon tried to hold her back.

Mr Richard left my side, striding fast towards Amelia. He stared back at me briefly, before dragging her out of the room, Miss Fallon following behind them.

“Are you alright?” my mum asked, tears already sliding down her cheeks.

I touched my head, wincing at the throbbing pain. “I am alright, I think. What a spoiled bitch.”

I stood up slowly, with the help of my mum.

“Susan….” Gia cried out, hugging me. “Are you OK?”

“I am fine Gia, see…. It's going to be OK.”

“I wanna leave. Mum, can we go back home?” Gia cried out.

“Come here,” my mum says tiredly, opening up her hands for Gia.

“It’s fine, baby,” she says, stroking Gia’s hair, her eyes flickering to me.

My phone starts ringing loudly, disrupting the atmosphere.

Still rubbing my head, I took my phone out of my pocket, answered it.

“Hello.”

“Hello. Am I speaking with Miss Susan Jackson?”

“Yes, who is this?”

“Congratulations. I am a representative of a beauty-spy company. Your admission has been accepted, further information will be sent to your email. Good luck.”

Before I could say anything else, the call ended, leaving me utterly speechless.

“I can’t believe this,” I whispered.

“What is it?” My mum asked worriedly.

“That was Beauty-spy representative. Mum…., I just got accepted.”

Smiling brightly, despite the tear stains on her cheeks. My mum hugged me tightly, along with Gia.

“I am so proud of you sweetheart. You will see, coming here will be a blessing to us.”

I smiled, excitement quickly overshadowing the unpleasant events moments ago.