Love or Hate

chapter 2.

The air is tense. Mr. Kevin and his wife, Ruby, sit side by side, both stiff and unreadable. Pearl perches beside them like the perfect little daughter, her fake smile in place, sometimes she scowls at Clarrisa when their parents aren’t paying attention.

Meanwhile Melinda shifts awkwardly beside Clarissa, glancing around the dining room, most of the time all eyes were on her. Clarrisa notices it and felt a tad bit guilty, it was her fault she’s her. If she were in her friend’s shoes, she’d be uncomfortable too everyone’s eyes are fixed on Clarissa. The silence stretches until Melinda clears her throat and looks away from their demeaning gazes.

Clarissa studies their outfits instead. Ruby is draped in a blood-red, bodycon dress paired with black stilettos, her crimson lipstick glinting under the chandelier. Her makeup is flawless as usual, perfect you’ll say, almost too perfect. Pearl wears the same dress, only in green. One would think she was the bride, she looked beautiful, very beautiful. But behind that beautiful face was something sinister.

Then, the doorbell rings.

“Ding dong.”

Everyone sits upright. The guest has arrived. Mr. Kevin shoots Clarissa a warning glare, a silent threat. Mess this up and you’ll regret it. Rising to his feet, he walks to greet his visitor, Melinda holds her hands squeezing it gently as if assuring her, Clarrisa swallows nodding her head at her friend.

A hearty laugh echoes from the entrance, followed by the heavy footsteps of a round, bald man. Mr. Roderick Elnor , her father’s business partner. Ruby and Pearl immediately rise with practiced smiles exchanging coded glances, while Melinda’s composure starts to crack. Clarissa avoids her friend’s eyes, afraid her discomfort might show.

“Ahem, I’m sure I’m getting married to the one in green, right?” Mr. Roderick chuckles, pointing at Pearl.

Pearl’s eyes widen in panic. Shaking her head furiously, she forces a nervous laugh and steps closer to her mother.

“Oh, Mr. Roderick, you’re funny,” Mr. Kevin says, laughing nervously. “You’re talking about Clarissa the one in blue, my first daughter.”

Clarissa feels his words like a slap, he knows the gravity of his decision, he just wants her to suffer for his decision. Mr. Roderick’s inquisitive gaze turns sharp and predatory, as if he is already undressing her In front of everyone, She almost recoils in disgust.

“You didn’t tell me she’s this beautiful,” he says in awe stepping closer to touch her.

Before his hand reaches her, Melinda steps in front of Clarissa, glaring at him. “I suggest you keep your hands to yourself, sir.” Her voice tight and clipped. Caught unaware, Mr Roderick face turns red from shame, he awkwardly clears his throat.

Mr. Kevin’s face hardens. Grabbing Melinda by the arm, he quickly excuses themselves as he drags her aside, hissing, “I don’t know why Clarissa brought you here, but if you don’t behave, I’ll throw you out. You should be happy your friend is getting married, if you ruin this for me....”his words hang on air unfinished, He storms away. Melinda pulls out her phone, typing furiously, eyes darting between her screen and Clarissa.

“Mr. Roderick, let’s eat,” Kevin says stiffly.

Everyone moves to the dining table. Mr. Kevin shoves Clarissa toward a seat beside Mr. Roderick. “You need to get used to your husband-to-be…”

Before he can finish his statement, the front door bursts open.

A middle-aged woman storms in, her face flushed red with fury.

“Roderick! I thought you went on a business trip to Rome!”

The color drains from Mr. Roderick’s face. Suddenly, the room feels too hot.

Before he can stammer an excuse, Melinda stands, her expression calm but her eyes gleaming. “Mrs. Elnor, please ..have a seat. Mr. Roderick was just telling us how he plans to take my friend here as his second wife.”

The room freezes. Forks pause mid-air. Ruby and Pearl stare in shock yet their eyes glint with something else.

Mrs. Elnor blinks rapidly, disbelief and pain flashing across her face. “This is how you repay me, Roderick? After everything? What about the kids? Our Marriage?” Her voice cracks. Then she turns on Clarissa, fury in her eyes. “You!”

Clarissa instinctively steps back, but Melinda pulls her behind and points straight at Mr. Kevin.

“This is the man you should be angry with,” Melinda snaps. “He’s the one behind all of this, not my friend, she’s the reason you are here.”

For a moment, no one moves. Ruby and Pearl smirk in amusement, enjoying the drama. Mr. Kevin and Roderick stand frozen, caught red-handed.

“You’ll be hearing from my lawyer,” Mrs. Elnor says coldly, grabbing her purse and storming out.

Silence follows. Then chaos.

Mr. Kevin marches up to Melinda, seething. “You did this, didn’t you?!” He grips her arm so tightly she winces.

“Father, you’re hurting her!” Clarissa cries, trying to pull him off.

He shoves her aside. “Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?!” he roars.

“Ahem.”

All eyes turn to Mr. Roderick. Straightening his tie, he forces a tight smile. “Mr. Kevin, you’ll also be hearing from my lawyer. Good day.” He storms out, ignoring Kevin’s desperate pleas.

Melinda winks at Clarissa, snatches her purse, and bolts out before Kevin can react while Clarrisa could barely keep it together.

Pearl slams her hand on the table. “You think this is funny, huh? You don’t know the gravity of what just happened”

A vase shatters against the wall. Everyone flinches.

“SHUT UP! EVERYONE JUST SHUT UP!” Mr. Kevin screams before storming upstairs.

The silence that follows is deafening.

Clarissa quietly leaves the dining room, trying to avoid her father’s wrath with Pearl’s angry footsteps following her.

“I’m talking to you..”

“Enough!” Clarissa snaps, turning sharply. “I’m tired of your antics. Just stay away from me! You can marry him on my behalf then...”

Pearl freezes, stunned. Clarissa locks herself in her room, her heart still racing. She flops onto her bed with a heavy sigh.

“My goodness… what a day,” she murmurs, pulling her hair from its bun. Her fingers massage her scalp, and she exhales in relief.

Sitting up, she checks her phone several missed texts from Melinda.

Mel: So how did it go?

Mel: Did you guys have a fight?

Mel: Did he hit you?!!!

10:30 PM

Mel: Are you alive?? Should I be worried?

Mel: Am I overthinking? Hello!!!

11:00 PM

Mel: If you don’t text me back, so help me God.

Clarissa giggles softly and types:

Risa: You know you’re dramatic :)

Mel: Well, you weren’t answering! I was worried :(

Risa: I’m fine. He just got mad and flung a vase.

Mel: Is the vase okay?

Clarissa laughs and calls her immediately.

“It’s good to know you care about the vase,” she teases.

“I’m sure it was a pretty vase,” Melinda laughs back.

They both giggle for a moment before Clarissa’s tone softens. “Thank you for always being there for me. I love you so much.”

“I love you too,” Melinda says warmly. “Now go to bed, troublemaker.”

Clarissa smiles faintly and ends the call, letting the quiet of the night wrap around her like a fragile peace.