Love or Hate

Chapter 1.

Clarissa stood before her father, tears streaming down her cheeks, arms folded in defiance.

“I won’t marry that man, Father.”

Mr. Kevin Reynolds the proud, cold owner of Addam’s Tech Co. barely looked up from his phone. His eyes stayed glued to the screen, voice flat and cruel like his heart after the death of his first wife.

“You know Mr. Roderick Elnor is one of my biggest clients. This isn’t up for debate, Clarissa. It’s either that, or you finally do something useful with your life.”

“ Then let me do something useful with my life”

“ And what could that be?.. Baking?”

He sneered without a flicker of emotion.

Clarissa’s hair was pulled into a tight bun, soft baby curls framing her face. Her hands clenched the fabric of her baby blue sundress a little too tight for comfort. The maids had dressed her up under her father’s command. His “guest” was on the way.

“What do you think Mum would say about this..”

Before she could finish, he rose in a flash and gripped her arm so tightly she winced.

“If I were you, I’d think before I speak,” he hissed. “I don’t want to ruin that pretty face with a slap. Fix your makeup and look presentable for my guest.”

He turned and walked out, leaving her trembling in fear and pain, mostly pain.

It had always been this way since her mother died. After Mrs. Amanda Addams was gone, her father buried himself in work, building his company into one of the most successful tech empires in the country. Then came the money, the arrogance, the coldness… and Ruby Kastor the woman who became his wife and Clarissa’s nightmare.

Together, Ruby and her daughter, Pearl, made it their mission to make Clarissa’s quiet life miserable.

Flashback

Ruby’s voice floated up the hallway, sharp and grating. “Clarissa! Hurry up. Try not to embarrass your sister this time. For someone like you, drama follows everywhere.”

Clarissa swallowed hard, throat tight. For someone like her..? She thought to herself. It was Pearl’s twenty-first birthday. The mansion glittered with gold and laughter all for Pearl and only her. Her 22nd Birthday, they were both turning 22 and They shared the same birthday, but Somehow it got lost in the air, no one remembered hers.

She told herself she wasn’t jealous. Jealousy meant hoping for something she believed she could have, the luxury of wearing a tiara, dressed in a beautiful dress and standing in front of the camera with a wide smile admiring her beautiful cake, was something she knew she couldn’t have. Clarissa was built for quiet rooms, for books, and the soft smell of baking dough not for attention.

But still… it wouldn’t hurt if someone other than Melinda remembered.

When she finally descended the stairs, Pearl was radiant in a red gown that clung like a second skin. Her hair, her smile, her makeup perfect.

Clarissa, in a modest emerald-green dress, felt invisible beside her. Standing next to Pearl was like standing in the shadow of a queen.

Ruby clapped her hands. “Perfect. Now let’s not keep the photographer waiting. Thankfully, the Queen has decided to grace us with her presence.”

Ruby sneers In her direction.

Clarissa sighed softly, forcing herself to stay calm. As soon as the photos were done, she turned to escape. But fate had other plans as always.

She bumped into a maid carrying Pearl’s cake.

Time slowed.

The tray tilted. The cake crashed. Then heavy Silence filled the air.

Then Pearl’s scream ripped through the air.

“Did you just do that? That’s my cake, you witch!, I know you are jealous but you’ve got some nerve”

Clarissa’s face burned with shame... “I..I’m sorry,” she whispered.

She turned to leave but her foot slipped on frosting, sending her crashing to the ground. Laughter rippled through the crowd, she turns towards her supposed family, her father shakes his head in disgust while Pearl and Ruby’s laughter were the loudest. Trying to pull herself together, she shakily stands to her feet, Her chest tightened as she ran from the room, tears blurring her vision. She fled to the garden, to her mother’s grave.

Here lies a beautiful soul, pure and priceless.

Late Mrs. Amanda Addams.

Clarissa knelt, tracing the letters.

“Happy birthday to me, Mum,” she whispered.

“ I have a lot to say but I don’t want to bore you” she sniffs.

End of Flashback

Pearl strutted into the sitting room now, Ruby following close behind.

“You know you’re selfish, right?” Pearl sneered.

Clarissa blinked, confused, “ What do you mean..?” she inquiries

“Keep acting this way,” Pearl continued, “and if Mr. Roderick pulls out of Dad’s company, the losses will all be on your head. You’re already useless to him at least try to be useful for once.”

The words stung like poison. Clarissa wanted to say nothing, and just turn and walk away, her silence louder than any argument, but she refused. “ Why can’t you marry him dear sister?” she tilt her head to the side raising an eyebrow,

“ You seem to care about Dads company that you are willing to watch it go down the drain so why can’t you step up, be the perfect daughter. Daddy’s perfect princess, hmmn?”. She walks out leaving a stunned Pearl. In her room, she grabbed her phone and dialled the only person who’d ever cared.

“Hey girl, what’s up?” came Melinda’s voice.

“I need help,” Clarissa whispered.

There was a beat of silence.

“Alright. I’m on my way.”

Twenty minutes later, Melinda burst into her room, breathless.

“Okay, I’m here......whoa. This is new.” She eyed Clarissa’s tight dress and elegant hair. “You look like a hostage at a beauty pageant, I mean woahh.” Melinda lets out an exaggerated laugh.

Despite not feeling herself, Clarissa gave a small laugh.

“My father wants to marry me off to one of his business associates,” she said shakily. “He doesn’t even care if the man is married or his age, he doesn’t care if he pimps me out, all he wants is for me to get married to him. I don’t want to marry him.”

Melinda frowned. “Wow. Father of the Year right there.” She hugged her tightly. “Don’t worry. Leave this to me, plus you’ve broken a record.” Clarrisa stares up at her confused, she nods before responding. “ Since I’ve met you, you only speak when spoken to, so I’m glad this arrangement is working out for you” Shaking her head Clarrisa couldn’t help it, a tiny laugh escapes her mouth. “ You are something else Mel” she muses.

Mel snatches up her phone, fingers flying across the screen.

Clarissa blinked. “You’re attacking your phone...why?”

Melinda smirked. “Nope. I’m tracking his family and in about two hours, his wife will show up with their kids hopefully”

Clarissa’s eyes widened. Relief and disbelief flooded her chest. She threw her arms around her best friend, tears welling again.

“Thank you, Mel. I love you But why hopefully?”

“ Extra drama duhh?” she rolls her eyes for dramatic effect.