Chapter 11

My day had already begun on a terrible note, but helping those little munchkin brats to prepare for the day made it ten times more horrible. I’ve worked at two high end restaurants where I’ve had to adapt to mounts of pressure in order to adequately deliver a service, but all that was way easier compared to dealing with these two offspring of the devil.

It was about nine o’clock in the morning when we finally all went down and coincidentally the rain had also stopped. I was really hoping that it would rain all day and I wouldn’t have to accompany Brianna and Aiden to the park. Alas, no such luck!

Breakfast was served to the expectations of the Queen of the Ice Castle; I presume because apparently, she was such an overall tyrant and wanted everything done to the tee. But I had to play truant if I wanted to make it under her radar today. Her eyes were fixated on me, every mood I made and it annoyed the hell out of me.

“So, I heard you were parading around the house this morning almost stark naked,” she began as she sipped on her tea with loud sips. I freaking hate it when people do that.

I wanted to roll my eyes at this. Damn the grapevine in this house. It was probably Meredith who had done this no doubt. “I was not parading. I went to settle the score with your grandkids who had taken all my stuff. What did you want me to do? Bow down and thank them for it?” I droned sarcastically and she set her cup down. Her expression suddenly became grim.

“You will watch your tone, young lady,” she warned me and I then actually rolled my eyes. Is this woman for real? Hadn’t she ever heard of sarcasm?

I inclined my head towards her. “My apologies, your highness. I by no means meant to offend you. Please do forgive me,” I mocked in my horrid fake British accent and she glared at me. I was pretty sure she was about to wring my neck if it hadn’t been for Meredith walking in.

“Let’s go get your coats for the park children,” she said to them charmingly and they both nodded their heads at her. It amazed me that these children could comply to instructions. When they were all out of the room, Ms. Duke began to tap at the table as she basically looked at me with contempt.

“You think you’re so smart, don’t you? Let me tell you this, throwing yourself at my son won’t get you anywhere. I’m afraid he is way out of your league and I can safely say that he isn’t interested in commitments. If he were, you wouldn’t even make it to the list,” she fired with a wintry smile.

I tsked. “Well, news flash grandma, I’m not interested in your promiscuous son anyways. I know that we may not be in the same social circles but if anything, your son isn’t my type. I guess he is more suited for Yolanda. Snobby, rich and arrogant just like Mr. Duke,” I spat acidly and then rose from the seat with my plates. That ought to show her who she is messing with.

This was absolutely outrageous! Why did everyone in this damned household think I was some cheap hussy who liked throwing herself at rich guys? I don’t even like rich guys. If I had had a choice in this matter, then I would have opted to not be here. But it’s my dumb bad luck and twisted fate that landed me here. I bet the universe was having a field day, laughing at me from above. Why couldn’t Mr. Duke have been a bachelor living alone. I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle this.

In the kitchen, I all but placed the plates in the sink with a clutter, earning wide eyed looks from both Matt and Ann. I pointed my finger at them, warning them not to speak. My temper was flared and, in these circumstances, I tend to utter despicable things so just this once, I’d like to keep my mouth shut. Meredith came back down with the twins and we left for the driveway, where a Jaguar SUV was waiting for us. Helping them into their booster seats, Meredith then turned to me with a stoic expression.

“They can be a handful, I know, but just be gentle with them. I’m sure they’ll warm up to eventually,” she told me sincerely and I nodded absentmindedly. As if that crap will actually happen… “I’ve packed some lunch for them, sunscreen, wet wipes and other essentials. They really enjoy the playground there and have quite a lot of friends there. It’s not too far from here, but it’ll do you good to familiarise with the area. You should be back by three.”

I nodded my head and then got into the passenger seat, next to a young man wearing a driver’s uniform. He eyed me with curiosity, and I eyed him right back. Granted, he was quite cute but that didn’t mean I’d excuse his rude behaviour. I flipped my hair and looked to the side. I just decided that he wasn’t worth the effort. I don’t need to interact with him anyway, I really don’t need another judgemental person in my life.

He chuckled to himself and started the car, heading straight for the open cast iron gates. Aiden and Brianna were chatting to each other all through the ride, whilst I remained silent, observing the passing scenery. England was a lot different from America. Especially this suburb; it was so affluent and aristocratic. The smell of old and new money wafted in the air. The well-manicured lawns and gargantuan lawns almost made me nauseous.

I think I’m allergic to wealth.

Was that even remotely possible?

When we got there, the unnamed driver stationed the car on the curb and went out to help the children exit. I too jumped out, grabbed the stuff Meredith packed. As soon as they hit the tarmac, the little brats basically sprinted into the open space occupied by couples, old folks and a whole bunch of children.

“You guys! Wait up!” I yelled out loud but they had already gone so far. I huffed in annoyance, to which the driver laughed. I glared at him. “Why are you laughing?” I snapped at him.

He just grinned. A stupid charming grin. Ugh, I already hate this guy. “Because I can tell you and the tiny Dukes don’t get along. It’s rather refreshing to watch your beautiful face scrunch up in irritation,” he teased me and I rolled my eyes. He might have called me beautiful but I didn’t give a damn about it. It meant nothing to me because I’d heard that from the most jerkish men.

I waved him off. “I liked you better with your mouth shut,” I told him saucily. He moved closer to me.

“I like you better with your mouth open, darling,” he purred at me seductively and I almost slapped him. Almost. I knew better than to cause a scene.

My eyes narrowed to slits. “You know what? I don’t have time for this or you!” I spat and then started to go after the children.

Everybody seemed to want to get onto my nerves today! But the one who made me so angry up to now is Theodore. Why did he seem like he was mad at me before he left? How had I offended him? He was the one who outright overstepped his boundaries by holding me in his arms.

You sound like a bitter ex-lover, by conscience taunted and I swear if I could, I would have punched it in the face. I finally got to the twins, who were by a carousel, laughing their lungs out with a group of children their age. I must admit, they looked so adorable like that. The sight brought a warmth to my chest, I had no idea why. I just wish things could have gone differently between all of us. Maybe one day they will warm up to me.

Spotting a vacant bench, I sat down and put the luggage I was carrying beside me. The air was still moist from the previous rain and the sun’s rays weren’t too lethal. I doubt they’d be needing sunblock anytime soon. I’d been sitting for an about half an hour when my phone went off. I fished it out of my pocket, only to see an unknown number flashing across my screen.

Hesitantly, I answered it. “Hello?”

“How are you, Maya?”

Oh, I knew that voice from anywhere. In fact, I loathed that voice with every fibre of my being. “Where did you get my number?” I fired rapidly, eliciting a snide laugh from the caller.

“Is that anyway to talk to your mother?” she taunted arrogantly and I gnashed my teeth. I cannot believe that this woman gave birth to me. Such vile creatures have no business having children.

“You disowned me, remember? I technically don’t have a mother,” I replied in a low voice, hatred and disgust oozing from my voice. “What do you want? Unless either you or dad have a terminal disease, there would be no other reason for you to call me.”

She tsked. “Your father and I are both fine. Believe it or not, I called just to check up on you.”

I guffawed at this. That’s rich. Since when had she begun to care about me again? “I think you know I’m alive. Now, why don’t we cut the chase and you actually tell me why you called?”

“Alright. Your father and I are hosting a social dinner with our close friends and partners. They’re bringing their children, and your father has requested your presence. I had told him that we could just hire an actress to stand in for you, but unfortunately, you’ve met some of these people so they’d notice it right away,” she said calmly and my heart clenched. Did she hate me that much that she’d have someone else pretend to be me? I must be a huge disappointment in their eyes.

I blinked away the tears that threatened to fall. “I can’t make it,” I said in a steely voice.

She paused. “Why not?”

“Because I am currently in England with my new multi-millionaire boyfriend. Thus, I am unable to attend. Tell father I send my regards,” I voiced in a syrupy tone and then ended the call. Afterwards, I blocked her number.

Even though it was just a silly white lie, I could imagine how shocked she was. I could almost envision her jaw dropping as I announced the news. That ought to show them that I am up to big things, well, fake big things.

I might as well make the most out of my stay in London, right?

___________________________

Greetings fellow earthlings! I know this is a little late but hopefully it is well delivered.

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See you all on Friday!

~Deetronite.