Chapter 34 Disaster
KIA
I got out of bed and walked into the kitchen, where I could smell the aroma of freshly prepared coffee, just like every other day. Early in the morning, my husband was up making breakfast. Even though I'm not a morning person, the aroma of that coffee easily roused me this morning. I wouldn't have woken up so quickly if it had been any other day. This day didn't really feel like any other day for some reason. Perhaps because Ares will finally meet my dad, my annoying stepmother, and my half-sister on this day.
Ares stood in front of the stove with his left hand on his hip, his right hand holding a spatula. Golden batter bubbled on the griddle. I stood to his right, leaning against a cabinet. He watched me watch him.
Although I now eat browned pancakes, knowing that the color delivers taste, I craved golden pancakes. I couldn’t stomach a touch of darkness. The front pancakes on the griddle would stay yellow, but each pair leading to the back carried a tan hint. My husband stacked those at the bottom, hoping that I would someday become less picky. After he finished cooking the breakfast, I spread butter across the light pancakes and drenched them in syrup.
“Are you ready to meet them?” I suddenly asked.
Ares looked at me clueless, “Do I need to get ready for that? Don’t worry, hon. I will not disappoint you!”
“No! That is not what I meant… It’s just that… You see, the devil lives inside of my stepmother and half-sister. I hope nothing happens later.”
He holds my hand and slightly massages it with his right hand, trying to comfort me and make me calm down. “If something happens, I will handle it for you. Okay? Just relax. We got this, I am here for you.”
-
The Saavedra’s Residence
The both of them arrived at the Saavedra’s Residence. They were warmly welcomed by his dad, Mr. Saavedra. As they entered the house, it seemed like Kianna’s family had been preparing everything perfectly.
“Nice to meet you, uncle and aunt. Here is a small gift that my wife and I prepared for all of you. We hope you like it.” Ares said while placing a lot of gifts on the table.
“Darling, he is so humble...” Mrs. Saavedra mumbled.
“This is too much. You don’t have to spend that much money. It looks like you have a stable job that has a big salary. These brand supplements are very expensive. Anyway, I heard that you are a top student at Harvard University. You are really something, Mr. Vuertalejo!”
“Thank you very much, uncle! I am very flattered by your kind words,” Ares answered.
The maid served them snacks and tea as they were busy with their conversation. Kianna looked so worried about her husband and just stayed quiet while watching Ares answer all of his dad's questions.
“Well… Ares France Vuertalejo, right? I will be honest with you. I did some background checking but I didn’t find a lot of information about you. You are a very mysterious person, and I am quite worried about my daughter since I am her father and my responsibility is to protect her from people. Since you are married, why don’t you come to work for the Saavedra group? I really want to know more about you, Ares, and besides, we are a family now.”
KIA
What kind of offer is that? I think something is wrong here. Dad looks like he's planning something. Why does he want Ares to work for our family? Is it because he is from the Vueravista Company? If Ares worked for our company, he might take over the company... But why would Dad want to do that? Is it because he wants to use Ares for the sake of his company?
“I appreciate your kind offer, but my work is quite stable. Let’s just say I am happy where I am, and I don’t want any change. Right now, I think my position is enough to support Kianna, and besides, it really helps me to have time to accompany her.” Ares refused and smile at them.
I can see my dad clenching his fist. It seems like he didn’t like what Ares said. “...You!” He was about to say something when suddenly Asteria stood up, focusing everyone’s attention on her.
“Ah, you must be thirsty, right? Brother-in-law let me serve you some tea.” Asteria said while rushing towards Ares.
What the f*ck is she trying to do?! This sl*t can’t really hide her true colors!
“No need, thank you.” Ares answered. I could feel his coldness towards her and his expression suddenly changed. I can tell he's pissed off at Asteria by the way he looks.
What is going on?
Ares grabbed the cup and poured some tea on top. He was about to take a sip when Asteria suddenly held his arm and touched it gently.
“Brother-in-law, come on! Make yourself comfortable. You can consider this house yours since you are part of the family now!" she said in her most annoying voice.
I can't stand this b*tch anymore. She was obviously making advances on my husband, but it appears like our parents don't mind. Still, it seems that my stepmother approves of what her provocative daughter is doing. I must take action now!
I was about to stand when Asteria suddenly slapped Ares' hand, making the tea cup fall. “Ah—! It’s hot!” Ares complains and pushes Asteria away from him.
“I am sorry, brother-in-law! It is my fault. I will take you to the washroom and help you wipe it.” Asteria offered.
“What did you say?!” I suddenly said. I looked at my dad, but they didn’t really care. It seems like they even like Asteria’s action! My dad was just enjoying his tea while my stepmother was watching Asteria like she was watching her favorite romance drama.
“No, thanks. I can do it myself! I am married. It is not suitable for me to be with other girls alone. Have some decency.” Ares said and started walking in the wrong direction.
I immediately stood up and called to him, “Hon, the bathroom is on the other side. You are going in the wrong direction. Wait, I will take you there—”
“Sister, my hand is burned. Please help me get some ointment.” Asteria said while pulling my dress.
She’s really something. She did the same when my ex-fiance Vince, came here. She was deliberately looking for reasons to drive me away! At the time, I was too stupid to see her scheming.
“Asteria, I am warning you! Keep your hands off of my husband or I am going to lose my sh*t on you!”
She let out an annoying laugh as she was still pulling my dress, “Yes, you are right, I have a crush on him. So what? Ares France Vuertalejo is such a good-looking man. How could he be willing to be your husband forever?! He will kick you away for the sake of money and power. So if I were you, just give him to me. I will promise that I will take care of him better than you, sister!”
“Don’t be ridiculous! Do you think everyone is as bad as Vincent Rivera? My husband is not like that! And stop dreaming that you will be like me, Asteria. I am not like you and you will not be like me. You will never find someone who will truly love you because you don’t even know how to value anyone!” I screamed at her face, making her stunned. She just stood in front of me and a minute later, she rushed towards her protective mother.
“Mom! Kianna is bullying me!” Asteria said, making her mother furious, “Kianna Myst! You are the elder sister! How can you treat your sister like this? Stop being so rebellious! This is not what we taught you! Brat!”
I was trembling in rage. I could feel my heart pounding and my blood pressure rising as I did all in my power to push down the rage and not break! “What sister?! I never had a sister! You both are identical! You are indeed her mother! Both of you like stealing other men's families! Don’t you feel embarrassed about stealing a man’s family?!”
Dad suddenly stood up. His eyes darkened. “Kianna! You are being disrespectful! You don’t even have the idea of respecting the elderly! She is still your mother!”
“No, dad! She is not my mother! Mom is dead!” I shouted and took a moment to gather myself before speaking again, “Anyway, since I am an outsider in this family, there is no need to pretend that we are okay! From now on, I will not consider myself your daughter. Are you happy now?”
“Hon?”
Ares called me, but I ignored him and stayed focused. “My mom is gone and I don’t have the reason to come back here again… Ares, let’s go!” I said and immediately grabbed his hand.
“Never come back! Brat! We didn’t need you!” Dad screamed.
We immediately got in the car and drove away from that house. I thought that dad and I were doing fine since the Saavedra group crisis was resolved. But it turned out to be like this.
