4

 

 

Arabella Rivera 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Goodmorning Arabella.” Gertrude greeted me as I entered the kitchen. 

 

 

 

 

I wanted to point out that there was nothing good about the morning, especially the day ahead. But of course, I swallowed it down and murmur a soft greeting in return. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“You’re here so early?” I asked, throwing my bag on the island. I fixed myself onto the stool and let my eyes stray to Gertrude. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My eyes drop to stare at the broken wine glass she was quickly sweeping in the dustpan before disposing it into the bin. My stomach drops already knowing without having to ask. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

” Yeah, your mom needed me to come early to clean up.” She answers, pushes a cloth under the running pipe and wrings it before wiping down the spilled red wine on the floor. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“They had a rough night huh?” I asked. It was no secret that my parents never saw eye to eye. 

 

 

 

 

Funny that they complain about the Cross’s while they were no saints themselves. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. At least the Cross’s didn’t hide behind the facade of a perfect family. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gertrude doesn’t answer confirming my suspicion. I should not be surprised, in fact, I wasn’t. This was normal, it was normal. But that didn’t help the lurking anger I felt knowing that my parents never cleaned after themselves. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They treated Gertrude like a slave who should always do their bidding. Yes, she was practically our maid but no one should be worked to the point of exhaustion. ” Maybe one day you should have them clean up their own mess.” I couldn’t stop the hint of anger that slipped when I spoke. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

” Who needs to clean up their own mess?” A hoarse voice speaks. 

 

 

 

 

I looked over at mother who entered the kitchen, fingers pressed to her temples like she had a massive headache. When her eyes fall on me, I took note of how red and swollen they looked. It appeared like she had been crying for hours. At this point, I wouldn’t doubt it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She was also dressed in her normal formal attire, white blouse, pencil skirt with deathly high red stilettos and a black Prada bag clutched in her hands. She looked like the epitome of a hot wicked boss whose personal life is falling apart day by day. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In her case it was true. I could vouch for that since I was living in her world. The one where I am supposed to be perfect just like her. Or as perfect as she portrays to be. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

surface. She groans rubbing at her temples. ” I have a massive migraine. Can you pour a glass of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gertrude replied and throws the soaked up wine cloth in the sink then walks over to the

 

 

 

 

 

 

asked purposely. I observe how both Gertrude and mother stiffen upon hearing my question.

 

 

 

 

she orders Gertrude. ”

 

 

 

 

 

 

an orange juice kind of person on mornings.” I said flatly, mildly irritated that she forgot I was allergic to citrus. Then again I should not be

 

 

 

 

 

 

least eat before you head to school Arabella.” She sighs grasping the glass of orange juice Gertrude handed to

 

 

 

 

line of vision, I could see how quickly she took out what looked like pills from her bag and popped one in her mouth before gulping the

 

 

 

 

 

 

buy my favorite

 

 

 

 

 

 

the clock on the wall and she turns to me. “Is Gwen picking you up or do you need a ride? I have a meeting in a couple of hours and I could drop

 

 

 

 

 

 

most successful designers in our state. I remember the younger me dancing around with the many different materials before

 

 

 

 

 

 

didn’t care back then, because those materials knew more of my feelings than either of my parents. So I’d do it over and over again until

 

 

 

 

 

 

nodded playing with the straps of my bag. “Yes Gwen should be here any second now so no need to drop me off.” It was not like I hated my parents, they were

 

 

 

 

 

 

our veins. Besides, a car

 

 

 

 

 

 

would really have liked to see you off on your first day being a senior. Like the first day I dropped you off in kindergarten. My

 

 

 

 

 

 

was not actually her who had dropped me off in kindergarten but

 

 

 

 

I nodded. “Right.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to see you off but he got called in at work earlier than expected, he has

 

 

 

 

 

 

now she wants to talk about

 

 

 

 

 

 

Same old same old, be the perfect daughter with good grades while they act like the best parents when they’re, not. Sometimes I felt that my parents saw talking to me as a chore which was rather draining on both our

 

 

 

 

 

 

I should be going now. Arabella don’t stay out late and if anything

 

 

 

 

 

 

had been eavesdropping while pretending to wipe down the countertops, walks over to where mother was a few seconds ago and reaches for the

 

 

 

 

Don’t look at me like that Arabella. You

 

 

 

 

 

 

at me and read my mind. Note my

 

 

 

 

my phone as I waited for Gwen to text

 

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