Under the Mistletoe

Reality Check

Early the next morning, I found myself on a plane heading toward my family home—the same house my mother had lived in. A wave of resentment surged within me at the thought of my step-family residing there now, as if they were intruders in her space. I wondered if my father would even acknowledge my recent achievement, or if he would continue to act as if I didn’t exist.

I often questioned whether my resemblance to my mother was the reason for his coldness. With my blonde hair, brown eyes, heart-shaped face, and towering height of 5 foot 8, I was a living reminder of her. Or perhaps it was the twisted version of myself that my stepmother had shaped through her lies and manipulation. A sense of doom settled over me as I thought about what awaited me at home.

My stepmother, Jennifer, looked more like my father—both sporting dark brown hair and piercing grey eyes. Adaline, my stepsister, resembled her mother, with her own brown hair dyed platinum blonde and those same icy eyes that seemed to hold an unspoken entitlement. The two of them shared a disdainful attitude that made my skin crawl. Adaline flaunted her wealth, spending a fortune on clothes, jewelry, cars, and makeup, all funded by my father's generous allowance. Meanwhile, I received a mere fraction of what she had, forced to work for every penny I earned.

But it didn’t matter. I was determined to find a rental as soon as possible. I couldn’t wait to see Jeff, the owner of Buttercakes Bread, who had always been like a grandfather to me, and my best and only friend, Rachel.

I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the emotional turmoil that awaited me once I landed. The plane touched down with a jolt, and I felt a knot of anxiety tighten in my stomach. Gathering my bags, I stepped off the plane and into the bustling airport, the sounds of travelers and announcements swirling around me like a chaotic symphony.

I hurried outside to catch a cab, the cool air hitting my face and momentarily clearing my mind. I gave the driver the directions to my father's mansion, my heart pounding as we pulled away from the airport.

The familiar streets flashed by, each one a reminder of my childhood, both comforting and painful. As we drove deeper into the neighborhood, the houses grew larger, more imposing. Finally, we turned onto the street where my father’s mansion loomed ahead, an ornate structure that seemed to cast a shadow over everything around it. The grand façade, with its towering columns and intricately carved details, felt both majestic and suffocating.

When we arrived, I paid the driver and stepped out, taking a deep breath before approaching the massive front door. The house stood like a fortress, its grandeur a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me. I hesitated for a moment, my hand hovering over the doorbell. What if my father was in one of his moods? What if Adaline was home, ready to flaunt her superiority in this lavish setting?

But I reminded myself that I had accomplished something significant, and I wouldn’t let them undermine that. With a deep breath, I pressed the doorbell, the chime echoing through the cavernous halls.

The door swung open, revealing my father, his expression a mix of surprise and something colder that I couldn’t quite place. “May,” he said, his voice lacking warmth.

“Hi, Dad,” I replied, forcing a smile as I stepped inside, the air heavy with the scent of polished wood and expensive perfume. The grand foyer opened up before me, its high ceilings and opulent chandeliers making me feel small and out of place.

As I crossed the threshold, I felt the familiar mix of nostalgia and resentment wash over me. I was home, but it was a home that felt foreign, tainted by the presence of my stepfamily.

A silence stretched between us as we stared at each other, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. My dad hadn’t changed much during the few years I’d been away—just a few more gray hairs and stress wrinkles etching deeper lines into his face. He stood there, looming, with an impassive expression that felt like a wall between us. He had lost weight, looking less bulky than I remembered.

“Honey, who was at the door?” came a sickly sweet voice that cut through the tension.

In strode Jennifer, clad in a sparkly red designer dress that shimmered under the mansion’s opulent lights. Her hair was perfectly styled, and her face was a canvas of expertly applied makeup. But her smile faltered at the sight of me. “Oh, May. You’ve returned,” she said, a forced cheerfulness laced with disdain.

“Jennifer, it’s lovely to see you again,” I replied, my voice dripping with forced politeness. “I did inform you that I would be returning today, as I have finished my degree.”

Jennifer rolled her eyes, a dismissive gesture that sent anger coursing through me. “How lovely. Adaline was just expressing the need to hire an assistant to help with the workload,” she said with a wicked grin.

My stomach dropped. So I wasn’t becoming the CEO of our company after all. Adaline, with no degree and no clue about running a business, was being positioned as the star while I was pushed aside. The assumption that Adaline could step in while I was away felt like a cruel joke. My eyes flicked to my father, who remained cold and unmoving.

“Dad? I thought I was taking over once I returned?” I questioned, my voice tinged with anger that slipped through despite my efforts to maintain composure.

I saw something flicker in my dad's eyes, a brief moment of uncertainty, but before he could respond, Jennifer stepped forward. “Plans change, dear. Adaline has kept the company afloat. She’s done wonders. I don’t see why we would need to jeopardize anything with a change of CEO. Right, Ralph?” She turned to my father, fluttering her eyelashes like a schoolgirl.

“That’s right,” he replied, his voice devoid of warmth. “Go put your bags in the guest room in the east corridor and meet me in my study to discuss the new arrangements.”

“Wait, east corridor? Can I not put them in my old room?” I asked, confusion and disbelief washing over me.

“Oh, May, darling. That’s Adaline's room now. She needed something bigger to work from home occasionally. I’m sure you understand,” Jennifer said, her grin wicked and triumphant before she swept out of the foyer with my father in tow.

I stood there, my mouth agape, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. How had my life become such a mess where I was constantly overlooked and stepped on? Anger bubbled up inside me, mixing with despair, and I hurried toward my new room, brushing away the tears that threatened to spill.

I would find a new place and get out of here—ASAP.

I took a shaky breath and made my way toward my father’s study, my heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and determination. As I approached the door, I could hear muffled voices inside, but I couldn’t make out the words. Gathering my courage, I knocked lightly, but the sound was swallowed by the thick walls.

After a minute I pushed the door open and stepped inside, only to be greeted by a scene that knocked the breath from my lungs. Jennifer and my father were locked in a passionate kiss, their bodies entwined as if they were the only two people in the world. My stomach churned at the sight, and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.

“Oh! I’m sorry to interrupt,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm as I forced myself to keep it steady.

They broke apart, Jennifer smoothing her dress and flashing me a brief, smug smile. “Caught in the act, I suppose,” she said, feigning innocence before turning to my father. “Sorry for the disruption, darling.” With that, she shot me a leer and slipped out of the room, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor.

The door closed behind her, and I turned to my father, anger boiling over inside me. “What the hell was that?” I demanded, my voice rising. “You’re just going to let her waltz in here and take over everything? You’re letting her dictate your life—and mine!”

His expression hardened, and he slammed his hands on the desk, making the papers jump. “May, this isn’t the time for your dramatics!”

“Dramatics?” I scoffed, fists clenching at my sides. “You think this is drama? I’ve worked my ass off for my degree, and now I come back to find that Adaline is being positioned as the CEO? You promised me this!”

“Plans change, May,” he boomed, his voice echoing off the walls. “Adaline is my daughter too! She has been learning from me and managed to keep the company afloat during your absence studying. We can’t just disrupt everything because you decided to come back.”

“Keep the company afloat?” I shot back, disbelief flooding my voice. “The company is on the brink of ruin! How is she managing that? With her shopping sprees and social events? She has no idea how to run a business! You know that!”

“I wanted you to get that degree so you could take over!” he roared, his voice shaking the room. “I know how long it takes to earn it, and you think I’d just let that go because of some whim? Adaline has proven herself, and she’s been invaluable to this family and the business. Now you can help by being her assistant and teaching her more. Learn your place!"

“Valuable? She’s a spoiled little girl with no experience! You really think she woukd listen to anything I have to say. This honour you claim to give me with being her assistance is just another manifested idea so she can ridicule me” I shouted, my frustration spilling over. “You’re letting her take everything from me! I have every right to be here, and I deserve a chance to run the company!”

He ran a hand through his hair, his face a mask of anger and disappointment. “You need to accept the reality of the situation, May. This is how things are now. You start tomorrow, Adaline will be expecting you at 9am sharp.”

“Things are only this way because you let her manipulate you!” I said, my voice shaking with emotion. “You’re choosing her over your own daughter!”

“Enough!” he boomed, slamming his hands down again, the sound reverberating like thunder. “I will not have this discussion any longer. Adaline is my daughter as well. Come to terms with that May. Adaline is CEO and you are her assistant. You need to get used to it.”

I stood there, my heart racing, feeling the weight of betrayal crushing down on me. It was clear that this fight was not just about the company; it was about everything that had changed since my mother’s passing. I turned on my heel and stormed out of the study, my emotions swirling in a tumultuous storm.

As I walked down the hall, I felt tears prick at my eyes again. I would not let them win. I would find a way to reclaim my life, my dreams, and my future. No matter what it took.