Perfect housewife
1265 Words
For a few seconds, my brain refuses to make sense of what I’m seeing or hearing.
The arrogant jerk from earlier, the one who almost flattened me with his bike is standing at the front door, staring at me like I am some intruder trespassing on sacred ground.
And what did he just say?
His house?
I turn toward my mother waiting for her to correct him, but she doesn’t.
Instead, she straightens her dress as if she is auditioning for the role of ‘ perfect housewife’
She blatantly pretends not to notice the tension stretching between us
I am about to say something when a deep voice cuts through the air. The authority in it is unmistakable.
“Jeremy.” The name slips out like a warning.
And then, a man steps forward looking like someone straight out of a business magazine.
He is tall and fit for his age, with neatly styled dark hair and eyes that seem to hide something sinister.
His presence fills the hallway effortlessly and even Jeremy stiffens.
“Is that any way to speak to your new sister?” the man says.
His tone is subtle but with an edge that makes Jeremy instantly look away.
Sister? My stomach twists.
He turns to me, that warm and seemingly rehearsed smile spreading across his face. “You must be Mia. I’ve heard so much about you.”
I can’t tell if that’s supposed to make me feel good or nervous. Heard a lot about me? From my mother who complains about me at every chance she gets?
“Uh… yes,” I manage to say softly.
He chuckles, the kind of laugh that sounds too perfect, like it’s meant for cameras.
“No need to be shy. I am Richard, your mother’s new husband. That makes me your stepfather. You can call me dad if you like.”
The words sound unpleasant in my ears. He can be whoever the f**k he wants but my dad? Only the man lying six feet under deserves that title.
I don't say that out loud though. I still remember my mother's warning earlier and the last thing I want is to get on her nerves for the second time today.
I spare a glance at Jeremy and he is scowling at me. He looks like he wants to murder me. Unable to bear the intensity of his hateful glare, I look away.
Mr Richard extends a hand to me and I shake it.
He is still smiling at me but there’s something in his eyes that doesn’t quite match it .
It's a calculative flicker, like he is measuring me.
I sense it instantly.
The smile isn’t warmth, it’s performance.
Besides me, my mother clears her throat and sends a glare my way.
I am about to step back and make myself as small as possible when Richard places a hand on my shoulder in what’s supposed to be a comforting gesture.
“I know this is all sudden but you’re part of this family now, Mia. I want you to feel at home here.” He says. I don't know why he is going too far to play nice with me. It's definitely not to please my mom because he is doing a poor job at that. His attention on me seems to grate her nerves and I don't know how long until she snaps.
I force a small nod. “Thank you.”
“Good.” He turns toward Jeremy, whose jaw is still clenched tight.
“ She is your sister now. Treat her like part of the family.”
“ I got no sister so don't tell me that bullshit.
My mother never gave me one. Don't expect me to accept anyone.They are your family, not mine.” Jeremy retorts angrily.
He doesn't bother to hide the fact that we disgust him.
Richard looks embarrassed for a moment before his expressions darken.
“ That's no way to talk to your father,boy, and definitely not how you treat your family.”
There's a warning in his tone and Jeremy heeds to it immediately.
“ I'm sorry,” He whispers but I can feel it's forced
Richard smiles and turns to look at me.
“ Don't mind him. My son can be headstrong at times. Don't take it to heart.” He says.
“You’ll both be seeing a lot of each other. I expect you to get along.”
“Of course,” I say automatically, because that is what's expected of me.
However, my mother’s glare slices through me again, her lips pressed tight as if she can already sense I will ruin this act she is so desperate to maintain.
“ Jeremy, why don't you show Mia to her room?
I had one of the guest rooms remodeled just for you.” Richard instructs.
Remodeled? For me?
Before I can say anything, Jeremy starts walking upstairs without sparing me as much as a glance.
I bow at his father and hasten my steps to follow him.
Between Jeremy who is cold and the fake kinded Richard, I'd rather be in the former’s company.
I manage to catch up with him, choosing to follow him at a distant.
He comes to a stop outside a room at the end of the hallway and points at it.
“A remodeled room. For the stray.” He announces, his tone crowned with disgust.
My chest tightens. “Excuse me?”
He looks at me with that same mocking grin he had earlier by the road.
“You heard me. One minute I am living a normal life, the next, Daddy dearest decides to play charity case and bring in…” He gestures vaguely toward me. “Whatever this is.”
I blink, stunned. “I’m not a charity case.”
His lips curl into a mocking smile.
“That’s exactly what a charity case would say.”
I take a step forward, anger bubbling up despite my best effort to stay calm. “You don’t even know me.”
He keeps making remarks like he knows me. What gives him the right to say such s**t about me?
“I don’t need to.” He says, struggling.
“I saw enough when you almost threw yourself under my bike.”
My jaw drops in disbelief.
“You nearly hit me!” I practically shout. He is the one who almost run me over so why try to shift facts?
He tilts his head and observes me.
“And yet, here you are still alive, ungrateful, and standing in my house.”
His house again. I bite my tongue, remembering my mother’s glare, remembering her voice whispering in my head to not ruin this for her.
Still, I feel my patience wearing thin.
“You know, for someone who thinks he is above everyone, you are rude.”
He chuckles, a dry and humourless chuckle.
“ There's a difference between being rude and honest.
You don’t belong here, princess. Not in this house, not in that school, and definitely not in my life.”
His words sting more than I want to admit. “ I never asked for this. I have zero interest in being part of your life either.”
If my father was still alive, I wouldn't be dragged and thrust in a whole new life I have no idea about.
Jeremy takes a step closer, his eyes narrowing.
“Keep it that way. I warned you, stay away from me.”
With that, he turns around and walks away.
- Writer
