Chapter 14: Stepmother Surprise
1089words
I didn't wait a second before snapping. 'Get this woman out of my house right now."
'Scarlett?" My stepmother's voice trembled as she called out to me. Tears welled in her eyes as she stared at me in disbelief. 'My child is alive," she cried, lifting her hand to touch my cheek.
'Get your filthy hand off me!" I swatted her hand away. 'Gabriel, if I see this woman in my house in the next minute, we are both going to jail for murder," I threatened, storming past them.
'You can't do this, Scarlett, please. I have nowhere else to go," my stepmother pleaded, hurrying after me. I ignored her cries and headed upstairs.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. 'Come in," I permitted. The door creaked open, and Gabriel stepped inside.
'Is she gone?" I asked, removing my necklace.
'No."
I whipped around to face him. 'What do you mean, no? Why is she still here?"
'You need to calm down, ma'am. You are better than this. Just because someone hurt you doesn't mean you have to make them your enemy. She needs help, and you should help her, please," he said, closing the distance between us.
'I don't want to argue with you, Gabriel. Get her out of my house," I ordered, retreating to the bathroom to freshen up.
When I returned, Gabriel was still in my room. 'Is she gone?"
'No."
'What's wrong with you, Gabriel? Why are you defying me?" I snapped. He stood up from the couch and walked toward me.
'I'm not defying you, ma'am. But if she leaves, I'm going with her, and I never plan on returning."
I chuckled. 'Is that a joke?"
'I can't work for a cold-blooded woman."
'How dare you!" I lost it and slapped him. The sound echoed across the room. 'You know nothing about those people. You always see me as a cruel, heartless woman. You judge me based on what I have become because of them. But you know what? I don't care what anyone thinks. If you want to leave, then fine, go with her. I don't need you anymore," I spat, wiping away my tears.
'Fine," he said, and walked away.
My legs wobbled beneath me, and I collapsed onto the floor, breaking down into tears. No one understands the pain I'm going through. All they see is the vengeance inside me.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, its warm glow peeked through my curtains, casting light on my vanity table. I got out of bed and closed the curtains. I turned on a dim blue light and played some soft music. Pouring myself a glass of vodka, I sat on the couch, humming and drinking my sorrows away. Maybe I was meant to be alone. Loneliness has its perks; no one to judge, nag, or scold you. It's just you and the walls of your room, locked in a silent battle.
'Ouch!" A sharp pain shot through my abdomen.
I tried massaging it, but the pain only intensified. The glass of vodka slipped from my hand, smashing on the floor and sending shards flying. I nearly collapsed onto the broken glass in agony.
Scrambling to my feet, my knees buckled. Sweat drenched my clothes.
'Help! Gabriel!" I cried out, clutching my belly.
I dropped back onto the couch, grunting in frustration.
'Ma'am?" One of the servants rushed in. 'Are you okay?"
'Get someone; any man you can find! Call security!" I cried, gasping for breath.
'Oh my God! Who can I get?" she stammered, and ran out.
'Ma'am?" The door burst open.
'I said call a man!" I groaned, curling my toes in pain.
'It's me. I'm here."
'Gabriel?" I grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer.
'Just do it, Gabriel. It's killing me, please," I sobbed.
'I won't let anything happen to you. Come on," he reassured me, lifting me in his arms and pressing his lips to mine.
'I'm here to take care of you," he said. I nodded through my tears.
'She can stay," I told Gabriel the next morning. We were still half-clothed on the bed. 'You don't have to leave."
'Why? I have made up my mind."
'Come on, Gabriel. Why are you being so stubborn? I already apologized."
He sat up, facing me. 'Do you know what your actions yesterday meant?"
I shook my head. 'No."
'It shows that I'm just your puppet, and you can discard me anytime."
'That's not true," I said, caressing his cheek. 'You are my friend, Gabriel. You mean a lot to me, and you know it."
'Is that why I'm here? Just to save you whenever you need help?"
'Stop saying that. It's not just about sex, Gabriel. You are my only friend, and I care about you. What I said yesterday was out of anger. I just want your support. You keep siding with them, and it's not fair."
'I wasn't taking sides, ma'am. I just want you to be a little kinder sometimes. It's better to overlook people's actions and help them when they need it. She lost her home, and the least you can do is offer her shelter. Let their conscience be the consequence."
'I can't promise much, Gabriel, but I will try. Are we good now?" I asked.
'Fine," he agreed.
'Thank you," I smiled, kissing his cheek. 'I have a meeting with the board of directors. We are running late," I said, wrapping the bedsheet around my chest.
'It's still 6:00 AM," Gabriel whined as I hurried to the bathroom.
I met my stepmother downstairs on my way to work. 'Good morning, Scarlett," she greeted.
'You don't know me, so address me by my proper title: Miss Guzman. Am I clear?"
'Y-yes, Miss Guzman," she stammered.
'Good morning, Miss Scarlett," Razi greeted as she descended the staircase.
'Good morning, my angel. How was your night?" She didn't respond and walked past us.
'Hold on, Razi. Meet your new nanny."
Razi looked her up and down with a grimace. 'I hate nannies," she groaned, then headed outside.
'Gabriel will explain your duties when we return. And remember, if a single hair on my daughter's head is harmed, I will end your lineage," I warned, then walked away.
'Um, Scarlett… I mean Miss Guzman?" Her voice stopped me. 'Can you forgive me, please?"
I turned to face her. 'Forgiveness was erased from my vocabulary years ago. I can't give what doesn't exist," I declared, then left with Gabriel.
