Lucky parents

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them back. Crying wouldn't change anything. Her family were who they were, and she couldn't waste her energy trying to change them.

She left the window to sit on her bed and that was when she remembered the mall. It wouldn't be polite not to show up after getting hired. However, she had been tossed a new and better opportunity – all thanks to Davis Montgomery whoever he was.

Even though she wasn't greedy like her parents were, she wanted a good life still. Taking a deep breath, she pulled out her phone and dialed the mall's number.

"Hello, Mall Management Services, this is Sarah speaking. How can I help you today?" A cheerful voice answered.

“Hi, this is Evelina Avalon," Evelina stated with a firm voice. "I was supposed to start as a sales associate tomorrow, but I've come across another opportunity I can't pass up. So, I wanted to inform you I won't be able to take the position."

There was a brief pause, then a polite, "Oh, I see," from Sarah with a hint of disappointment in her voice. "Well, thank you for letting us know, Evelina. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors."

"Thank you, Sarah," Evelina said, feeling a surge of relief. She hung up, finally feeling free from the chains of a job she never truly wanted.

Now, about that money…

She had the cheque. Working with high-end fashion brands demanded a wardrobe upgrade. She glanced at her reflection - her clothes, hand-me-downs or thrift finds, wouldn't cut it anymore. She couldn't be rocking last year's trends anymore.

“Time for a shopping spree!" she declared to herself, a smile finally gracing her lips.

Perhaps, these kind gestures from Davis Montgomery were going to come in handy. She was grateful for the gift of him.

As she rummaged through her wardrobe, Susan barged in, surprised to find her preparing to go out. “Evelina, darling! Where are you off to?"

“Shopping," Evelina replied curtly, pulling out a worn-out blouse.

“Shopping?" James echoed, entering behind his wife. He eyed the cheque on the bedside table. "But you don't need to spend that yet, do you?"

“I am.”

James's eyes widened. "You're cashing it already?"

"Well, why not?" Evelina shrugged. "I need some new clothes for my new job."

It was when Madeline sauntered in that Evelina discovered that her sister had an interest in her affairs regardless of how nonchalant she made it seem. With a haughty air around her, “And who exactly are you working for, miss goody-two-shoes?"

Like she didn't already know. Evelina rolled her eyes and shut her wardrobe. “A reputable fashion brand," she answered, avoiding eye contact with Madeline. "Unlike some people, I won't need Jordan to buy me clothes."

Madeline scoffed. "Please, darling. Jordan would gladly shower me with diamonds if I asked. Unlike some people, I don't need to work my ass off to get what I want. All I need is my pretty face.” She hung her head high.

Evelina raised an eyebrow. "Diamonds from a desperate boyfriend who publicly embarrassed and dumped you? How romantic."

She didn't mean to bring that up as Jordan had come for redemption but she couldn't help it. She needed to show Madeline that she would not allow herself to be bullied.

Susan gasped. "Don't be rude, Evelina! Jordan is a fine young man."

Fine? He was practically camping on their porch! Speaking of which, a sudden suspicion chewed at Evelina. After all of what happened, did Jordan genuinely love Madeline, or was he coming back for a different reason?

But what other reasons could there possibly be besides that Madeline had done whatever she does with men to him? As she had done with Davis that made the poor guy to remain with them despite all the maltreatment.

“Whatever.” Evelina rolled her eyes and began to walk out.

Susan and James both scurried after her. “Wait, Evelina, love. We're coming with!”

“Come on, girls," James boomed, rubbing his hands together. "Let's all go shopping! We need new clothes too."

“Because Dad said it, I'll come along.” Madeline tried to make it sound as though she wouldn’t cry if she were left back at home and wasn't taken to shop with them.

Before Evelina could protest that she didn't want Madeline to tag along, Susan and James ushered her out of the door, practically dragging her along.

They found Jordan still slumped on the porch swing, looking increasingly dejected. He perked up slightly when he saw them, rushing over.

"Madeline! There you are!" he exclaimed, extending a small bouquet of flowers. "I wanted to-"

James cut him off with a booming laugh. "Hold on there, young man! Didn't you know? We're all going shopping today, thanks to Evelina's new admirer!"

"Evelina has an admirer?" Jordan stammered, his gaze flickering to her.

What was the shock he carried on his face? Did he think of her as unworthy of having one?

Evelina ignored him, focusing on her parents who were already making a scene, attracting the attention of their neighbors.

"Look, everyone!" Susan shrieked, waving the cheque in the air. "My daughter got a big cheque! Her new admirer gives her so many gifts and even a job that pays so much!"

James added with a voice equally loud, "And wouldn't you know it, the same Jordan who dumped our precious Madeline is back begging for her forgiveness!"

The poke nosers among the neighbors all ran to them, ready to take in the full gist.

“Wow, is that correct?”

“He's really here!”

“I guess Madeline is that precious!”

“I knew it, Madeline is so beautiful that she can't be dumped!”

Evelina felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. Why did they have to make a spectacle of everything? The residents were all making a big deal of Madeline, completely ignoring the gist about her.

It was funny how used she was to being a pushover.

“Mom! Dad! Please stop!" she yelled, mortified. “Why can't you just behave like adults for ONCE?!”

It was the first time she’d audibly yelled at her parents in public. Better, she didn't feel bad about it.

Some of the neighbors muttered amongst themselves. Some of their voices were laced with disapproval while some, approval. Evelina could hear whispers like, "Such arrogance" and "Poor girl, having to deal with that lot."

Overwhelmed with frustration, she pushed past her parents and stormed down the street, leaving them shouting after her.

“Wait, Evelina!”

“We are all going for that shopping together, young lady!”

.

In the end, they ended up visiting almost all the shopping malls in the town because Madeline couldn't find what she wanted on time. After a long day of shopping they returned home with a taxi.

Madeline and her parents did all they could to flash the shopping bags just enough for the neighbors to glimpse that they had gone shopping.

“He's gone.” James commented as Susan unlocked the door.

Susan shook her head. “Hopefully, he returns with more gifts for our Madeline tomorrow.”

“He will!” Madeline affirmed, scurrying into the house first.

Evelina, on the other hand, was exhausted. She had barely spoken a word the entire day, and she couldn't wait to get to her room and take off her shoes.

As she walked past the living room, she saw her parents sitting on the couch, counting the shopping bags.

“Look at all these bags!” Susan exclaimed. “Our Evelina have spent a fortune for us!”

James chuckled. “We are worth it, Susan love. Our kids are all grown and doing well now.”

“Aren't we the luckiest parents in the world, James?” Susan cooed his chin.

James beamed with a big smile. “Oh, we are! We definitely are!”

Evelina rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe her parents. They were so obsessed with material things.

She went into her room and shut the door. She collapsed onto her bed and let out a sigh.

Today had been a long day, but it had also been a good day. She had finally stood up to her parents, and she felt good about it. She would have more confidence to face Juliana Starkwood who seemed to know Davis Montgomery – her suitor.

For all she knew, Davis could be watching her from afar. He should see the result of his money on her. A blush crept on her face and she giggled silently, clutching her pillow to herself.

She had decided not to be her family’s doormat any more. She was going to live her own life, on her own terms.

And she was going to start by finding out who Davis Montgomery really was. It was very questionable that he answers the same name as Madeline’s ex husband. However, if she were to be realistic, there was no way Madeline’s ex husband could have gotten so rich in such a limited amount of time. Hell nah. An idea struck her suddenly. What if this was just an imposter impersonating the real Davis’s name?

Argh. She’d know if she saw his face. She needed to see what the billionaire looked like.