The Jilted Bride

Chapter Three

“You didn’t even passed the exam, Ivien. Why can’t you be like her? She’s beautiful and intelligent, is it hard to be like her?” I shifted my gaze and began to bite my nails. The anxiousness is killing me, it sucks. I always tried to be the perfect daughter she always wanted but I guess it is not enough for her. To her, I’m just a useless, ugly and dunderhead daughter she had to keep in the dark, she wasn’t proud of me.

She was still blabbering about our differences and I’m just here, containing myself from talking back at her. I remained emotionless while pretending to listen at her frustrations in me. Having this kind of mother makes me sick. I wanted to get away with this kind of life. I just wanted to be free.

“Are you even listening to me, Ivien?!” My mother angrily asked me, she face palmed herself and exhaled sharply. “Get out of sight this instant. Don’t ever show yourself to me ever again. I’m so disappointed in you…” I didn’t let her finish her sentiments, I quickly stood up from my seat and stormed out of her room.

“See how disrespectful you are?! I should have kill you when you’re still a kid! You’re such a disgrace to this family!”

I sigh deeply as I remember that scene with my mother. My mother Felicita is just like Kenji’s mother Margarita. Felicita Morris is my adoptive mother, I didn’t had a chance to meet my biological mother nor even my father. I was left by my mother in the orphanage when I was three, I do not know the reason why she did that. All I know is I have a sister, but we’re not close.

The doorbell of my apartment started to ring. I walked towards the door and took a peek at the peephole. I instantly smiled upon seeing Kenji, he visited me. I hurriedly opened the door to welcome him with a warm hug.

“You missed me that much?” he messed my hair after giving me a light forehead kisses. So sweet! I giggled and hugged his waist but I was taken aback upon seeing her mother. She was just standing at Kenji’s back and watching us. “I didn’t know that you’re with your mother.” My body tensed by the way she stare at me.

“Is there anything wrong?” Kenji whispered in my ear, he must’ve felt the tension between me and his mother. I laughed nervously and tapped his cheeks. “Can you go inside first? I’m just going to greet your mother.” He nodded his head before heading inside my apartment.

“You two are very sweet. I can see that you really love my son but I still don’t like you.” She look at me from to toe, typically judging my whole existence. I bit my tongue before showing my awkward smile, “Come inside, Ma’am Margarita. Just make yourself comfortable.” I lead the way going inside my apartment, gladly she followed me quietly. She sat down on one of the old couch that I owned. Base on her expression she’s not pleased to see everything that’s in my apartment.

I left her for a moment to get a complimentary drinks, just to show her my hospitality. I stopped entering the kitchen when I heard Kenji’s voice, he is whispering to his phone and he seems irritated. I cleared my throat to get his attention, he quickly faced me with a pale face and dithering to hid his phone on his back. I pretended that I didn’t see how nervous he was, I just walked towards him slowly to give him a peck on his lips.

“Work?” I asked him, he nodded slowly and hugged me tightly.

“I love you, Ivien.” He whispered with full of adoration, I am ticklish because of his hot breath that hitting on my flesh. “I know how much you love me, Kenji.” I playfully pinch his nose but his mother’s voice interrupted our sweet momentum.

“What’s taking you both so long? I’m bored, I need to go to the mall. Do you want to come with me, Ivien?” it took me to long to digest her question. Kenji tapped my back making me flinch.

“Ah, yes! I mean no! I’m going back to the university to meet with one of my student.” Then I giggled to hide my confusion. I thought she hates me, but why did she asked me to come with her. I’m not paranoid but it’s a little suspicious. Margarita arched her eyebrows to show her disappointment upon hearing my response.

“Well then, I guessed I’m coming alone. Kenji, can you give me a ride?” she turned her attention to Kenji, the latter just nodded happily then winked at me. His mother just stared at me before turning her back to walk out of my apartment. She didn’t even bother to say she is going to left.

“I apologize for my mom’s treatment. She’s just not feeling well.” I wanted to roll my eyes. Your mother clearly doesn’t want me to be your fiancé, that’s what I wanted to say but I choose to shut my mouth. “I understand your Mom, don’t worry. You should go now, love. Drive slowly and please wear your seatbelt.” He just chuckled and lean to kiss my forehead.

I wonder when was the last time that he kissed me on my lips. It’s not that I’m complaining but… I just want to feel his lips pressed into mine, I want to know how it feels.

“What are you thinking?” he asked me, worry is visible in his eyes as he cupped my cheeks. I hesitated to tell him but with that look on his face, I know I can’t keep anything from him.

“Can you kiss me…on the lips?” I feel my cheeks heated up because of that question. Never in my whole entire life I ask for a kiss from my partner. He chortled with delight but only for a few minutes. He gazed at me seriously and I can see that he was staring at my luscious lips. What was he thinking?

He move his face few inches to mine and was about to kiss me when his mother interrupted us once again.

“My friends are waiting for me, so move faster. And why are you too close to each other? You’re still not married so put distance in between.” His mother said in a strict and firm voice before signaling Kenji to get out. He look at me apologetically and as a response I smiled cheerfully.

“Go with your mom, I understand. Drive slowly, Hon. I love you.” I hugged him tightly before letting him go. His mother was just eyeing the both of us, she’s being a pain in the ass.

I watched them outside as they go. When they’re completely gone I get back inside to prepare my personal things such as laptop, student’s record and my other stuff. I wash my face and strip off my baggy clothes to change it. I wore my black blouse that has a cute ruffles paired with a tight jeans. I choose my three inches black stilettos to finish up my outfit. I just let my hair flow over my shoulder and I put on some lipstick in a rose pink shade.

I put a contented smile on my lips as I stare at my reflection in the full length mirror that is hanging on the wall. “You look stunning, Ivien.” I praised myself and turned around to have one last look at myself. After preparing I readied my belongings and I hailed a cab going to the school that I work with.

A cab stop in front of me so I hurried up. I sat in the back and put down my bag beside me, I gave him the address of the university. I am looking outside the window, watching the tall buildings around the city. There are a lot of trees in this area that’s why they maintained the air. It is still fresh, unlike any other cities that has a polluted air.

The cab stopped in front of the university so I hurriedly went out and walked in a faster pace going to my advisory room. I slowly opened the door when I arrived but no one is here, which is what I like. I don’t want to see anyone when I am about to work. I want to focus on my task so I can finish it promptly.

I sat on the ladder back chair and placed my laptop on the table, opened and it to start working with my students records. I am in the middle of concentrating when my phone started to beep like there is no tomorrow.

Who would call me at this moment? I reached for my phone inside my handbag and answered the call without even looking at the caller ID.

“Ivien Morris is speaking,” I politely said and put it on a speaker.

“I need money.”

I automatically took a peek at the caller ID to make sure that it was her. My brows furrowed as my forehead creases in annoyance.

“I told to save it!” I shouted because I can’t contain my anger. She is really getting unto my nerves, what an imbecile!

I heard her sighed problematically, “can you just do me a favor?” I rolled my eyes and ended the call. I focused on what I’m doing but I heard my phone getting a message notification. Why won’t she just stop pestering me for the rest of my life?

I picked up my phone and read her text out loud.

“I need only 50 bucks, I will pay you back.” It sounds like she is promising to revive me when I’m already buried deep. That was way too impossible to happen but because I feel sorry for her, I decided to lend her some money of my savings. I don’t have any expenses and I am just saving it for our wedding.

I texted her back saying that I’ll be the one to give the money to her personally, she responded a message stating that she’s already in my house.

I was stilled for a moment but when it already sunk in my mind I quickly fixed my belongings and hurriedly went back home.

I barged on my own house and she was really telling the truth. Zarria is comfortably lying on the couch while watching the television without a sound, that was her hobby. She loves to watch movies with no sound because she loves to read the actors lip movement.

“Zarria!” I shouted in fury but she just lifted her left hand to wave at me.

“You are home,” she said casually without trying to look at me. I come near her and pulled her hair gently, just trying to annoy her.

“Ouch!” she exclaimed but she is not really hurt. I wouldn’t dare to hurt her.

I sat beside her so I can open my bag. I got my purse to take out some cash and handed it to her.

“Now leave,” I said coldly trying to scare her but she smirked and tapped my back before picking up the remote control to switch the television off.

“Thanks.” She waved her left hand and she covered her face with a mask before going out of my house. When she left, I slowly crawled on the couch going to the side where there’s a window, I opened it slightly and took a peek but she’s already gone. No traces of her. I touched my chest and let out a contented sigh.

I didn’t know how much time has passed but I flinched when I heard my phone beeped.

“I safely arrived,” says the message she sent to me. I did not bother to respond. I throw my phone away and picked up the remote using my feet and opened the television to watch some latest news.

“My life is boring,” I whispered to myself and closed my eyes to take some nap.

I woke up when I heard someone knocking on my door. I am rubbing my eyes as I walk closer to the door to open it, but when I opened it, there’s no one. I only found a small red box with a cute yellow glittery laces tied on it.

I wondered who sent me a gift at this hour, it’s already past eight in the evening. I picked it up and checked to see the sender’s name.

“No information?” I asked in confusion but just shrugged it off, maybe the sender forgot about it. It doesn’t even matter.

I went back inside and closed the door using my right feet. I stopped midway and remove the laces and opened the box but I shrieked when I saw what’s inside of it. I throw the box away from me and my body began to tremble in fear and disgust.

Who the hell would sent me a dead cat and there’s a letter on it but I did not bother reading it.

It was just a waste of time. I was fuming mad as I cleaned the floor stained with cat’s blood, the white tile turned into a crimson red color. Disgusting, whoever did that will surely pay a price.

Why would someone threaten me? I have no enemy, well if there’s someone who hates me secretly, they’ll just talk behind my back and not to do cheap things like this. I mean, it’s too old school.

After cleaning the floor, I wore a gloves and picked up the dead body of the cat and placed it inside the box again so I can throw it on the trash bin outside.