No More A Pushover!

Kliantha already had her things packed in a navy blue duffel bag. Her sentence expired today, and soon she would breathe in the air of freedom. Her cellies spoke to her with envy, wishing to be in her shoes. However, in contrast with their sentimental looks, she had a stoic expression, eyes fixed on the bars of the cell's gate. A few minutes later, a rangy male officer arrived. Unlatching the padlock, he opened the cell's gate and said with a tone devoid of emotion. "Miss Melsberth, you're being discharged. Come with me," Without a word, she got up from the bed and made her way to the stern-looking officer, ignoring the pleas of her cellmates who asked her to come visit whenever she could. After going through the releasing process, she changed into the provided clothes and received $150 gate money. Next, a female officer known as Mrs Smithward drove her to the nearest bus station, which was a 20-minute walk away. Upon exiting the vehicle, Kliantha expressed her thanks with a deadpan face. The bubbly officer ignored her coldness and waved at her smilingly. "Good luck out there," the portly lady said before reversing the vehicle. With a bus ticket in hand, Klianta padded towards a bus heading for Quietville city. ... 4 hours later, She alighted from a taxi, paid the fare and accepted the change. As the vehicle sped away, she turned to face the gigantic black gate before her. With her jaw set and eyes reflecting resolve, she took steady steps towards the wicket gate and knocked. Soon after, the gatekeeper—an unfamiliar face—opened the small gate and stepped out, brows drawn together. "Who are you, Miss, and what is your purpose coming here?" the brunet in his early 30's asked, directing a contemptuous gaze at her. "I’m Kliantha, and I'm here to see my uncle," she responded, doing her best to appear calm. The gatekeeper scoffed and folded his arms. "And you think I'll just let you walk right in? Is 'Moron' written on my forehead, huh?" She didn't reply to his words, maintaining her calm. "What are you dawdling here for? Get lost! There's no uncle of yours around here. You'd have better luck finding your uncle in the gutters." He said, making air quotes, his tone full of disgust. However, she remained in her spot, displaying zero intent to leave. "Are you deaf?” he barked, “Get out of here before I take drastic measures against you, you wretched thing!" Releasing her grip on the duffel bag, Kliantha quickly advanced, closing in on the gatekeeper. The man felt an instinctive fear and drew back, but then he reproached himself internally for his display of cowardice before a woman at that! So, steeling himself, he glared once more at Kliantha. So what if she was taller than him? The fact remained that she wasn't even worthy of carrying his shoes! "Miss, leave before I do something you’ll forever regret." He warned, wearing a deep scowl. "And what would that be? A slap perhaps?" She asked, a brow raised. "I don't hit women, but if you push me, I'll ruin your already ugly face with my two hands. Don't push your luck with me, young lady!" "I see,” she gave a casual shrug, “Then, hit me if you dare." "You..." The man was stunned. Even with all his warnings, this wretched lady refused to leave? In this age, if he hit her, she could call the cops on him. Even if he didn't get jailed, he'd pay a fine and perhaps, even worse, he could very well lose his job. It was a lose-lose situation for him. No way would he be foolish enough to take the bait. Not wanting to entangle himself with this crazy peasant anymore, he decided to go back inside and lock the gate. She could stand outside for all he cared; he would not answer her. He believed no matter how obstinate she was, she would eventually leave. However, just as he turned his back to her and took a few steps towards the wicket gate, a hand yanked the collar of his sky blue uniform, making him reel backwards, letting out a gasp. "You think I'm here to play?" Kliantha asked, her tone full of murderous intent. "You...let go of me this instant!" the man demanded, trying to extricate himself from her hold, to no avail. Fear flashed through his eyes. She clearly looked like a frail chicken, but how come her grip was so strong? Without further words to him, she took his phone out of his pocket and then tossed him to the side carelessly. Smashing the phone against the ground, she kicked it towards the brunet who was trying to stand after being flung towards the street lamp earlier. "My phone... How dare you!" He cried, one hand holding his aching head. With a scoff, Kliantha grasped the handle of her duffel bag and entered the residence, not forgetting to lock the small gate, leaving the gatekeeper outside. As she made her way towards the impressive mansion before her, she heard heavy knocking behind her. "You b***h, how dare you?! Open the gate this instant!" The man bellowed, putting more effort into knocking on the gate. However, Kliantha ignored him, continuing on the pathway, flanked by vegetation, flowering plants and random trees. The soothing breeze caressed her skin, made her clothes sway and caused her hair to flutter. However, it failed woefully at soothing the brewing storm on her insides. The intense knocks of the distressed gatekeeper soon attracted two people out of the mansion. "What's going on, Roberto. Why are you making noise?" said a chubby brunette with a displeased look. "Do you want to get fired?" said the equally unhappy bald man as they descended the entrance steps. However, both froze in their tracks upon sighting Kliantha. The corpulent woman even rubbed her eyes, wanting to be sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her. "You...? You're out?" the bald man said to the blonde, his tone laced with sheer disbelief. Both were Kliantha's relatives—her uncle, Martin, and her aunt-in-law, Carmelia.