POV: Victoria
"How could you afford so much food, Vee?
Did your billionaire boyfriend give you some money?" Claire teased me when I got back with a bowl of chicken soup, some rice, and some fruits I found in Ralph's refrigerator. I was so pissed at him for calling me mean names and treating me so badly before his staff. I did not just pack my soup like he ordered, I packed way more than that. I raked his fridge and took whatever I wanted.
I loaded my bags with enough food to last is a while. When I walked past him, I half expected him to stop me from leaving with his food and groceries. But he only scoffed and called me a gold digger. I didn't flinch at his words this time, I think I'm getting used to it already. He can call me whatever he likes, but I have enough food to take care of my family until I resume work on Monday.
"You should not have asked him for money for our groceries. We were doing just fine without him, don't sell yourself cheaply. Don't make him think you are simply after his money." Mom reprimanded me firmly.
"A little late for that, don't you think?" someone responded from the door. We all turned in the direction of the voice, and we saw Cindy standing by the door, dressed in a short black gown that stops right below her ass. She wasn't alone, two ladies followed behind her as she walked into Mom's hospital room.
"This is not the time not place for your trouble, Cindy. Please take your friends with you and get out." I told her firmly, my face scrunched in anger.
"You see that, Mrs Hawkins?
This is exactly what I was talking about, this is the rude girl your son chooses to be with. She is my half-sister I know everything about her and her desire to be with every rich guy in the city." Cindy said to the ladies behind her. One of the ladies is a bit older than the other two. She wore a red long gown that swept the floor and I could tell that she had a striking resemblance to Raphael and I heard Cindy call her Mrs Hawkins too.
That is his surname too, so I wonder if he does this ladies, maybe they are related somehow. My eyes shifted to the other lady who looked as if she was going to tear me into shreds any minute now. She is around the same age as Cindy, and she is wearing a silicon gown that perfectly highlights her beautiful features and makes her so desirable. Together they all look rich and angry, I have no idea why they are so angry though.
"Tell her what you do for a living, Victoria. Tell her you are a stripper and a prostitute. You pleasure men for money, that's what you do!" Cindy yelled at my face as if she wanted me to admit to being a stripper or a prostitute when I was not one.
"I don't know what you are yo to this time, Cindy. But if you don't leave here, right now, I'm dialing the emergency number and I'm calling the cops." I warned her fiercely.
"There will be no need for that, I just want to have a word with you and hopefully we'll come to an understanding." The elderly woman let out with a sharp tone that made me squint my eyes to look at her again, sizing her up with my eyes. From her voice and accent, I could tell that she was not someone I should be messing with. She looks and sounds like a wealthy boss lady. I couldn't even counter her words because it carries some weight, and sounds more like an order and not a request.
"You look vaguely familiar, but I can't seem to place your face. Who are you?" I asked curiously.
"You see that, mother?
She doesn't care about your family, she didn't even take her time to know the mother of her supposed fiance. She doesn't care about him or his family, she just wants his money. You have to handle this mom, I can't let her have him. I would die if Raphael leaves me." The other lady let out furiously as she hugged the elderly lady and threw a tantrum like a child. All the while I just gaze at them both as if I was staring at some clowns performing in a show.
"It's alright, my dearest Charlotte. I've told you not to beat yourself up about her, she is just a trenches girl and no son of mine will get into a relationship with a girl from the trenches. You are my choice of wife for my don, and that is exactly how it's going to be. Nothing and no one will change that." She assured the lady, cuddling her as if she were a child. The lady pretended to sob in her arms, but she gave me a look that told me that she was just putting up an act. She even winked at me, smiling evilly while prompting the older lady to scold and abuse me.
"To answer your question, young lady. I am Look Laura Hawkins, the mother of the famous billionaire, Raphael Hawkins. You are not welcome in my family, young lady. Charlotte and Raphael have known each other all their lives, and they are meant to be together. I know girls like you, and I know all you want is my son's money.
So I'll make this easy for you, just tell me your price and I'll pay you off so you can leave my son alone." She told me fiercely, sounding mean and forceful. I smiled at her, forcing out a smile so I don't cry. Now I know where Raphael got his mean attitude from. It's all the same with these rich folks, they all think that their money is the answer to every question. They think their money can buy everything, including love and happiness.
"You don't care if I have feelings for him, or not. You don't even care about his feelings too. What if he loves me genuinely, does that not matter to you?" I asked her, scoffing at the end as I realize that she doesn't give a damn about his feelings or mine.
"You bitch!
You have guts, you know. So, you actually thought you would be welcomed into the Hawkins family?
So stupid," Cindy laughed proudly, enjoying this moment.
"I am not with Raphael for his money, and I do not need your money either. So why don't you take your sidekick and get out of here before I get really angry with you. Trust me, you don't want to be here when I'm that pissed. I could roughen you up the way we do it in the slumps." I told her, more like threatened her actually.
"How dare you speak to Mom in that manner, who the hell do you think you are, do you know what I can do to you?" Charlotte fought back, sounding fierce as if she really cared.
"Don't roll in the mud with pigs, my dear. Let me handle the girl from the slumps." Laura Hawkins told her, treating her like a daughter in law already.
"I came here in good faith, young lady. And I suggest you take my offer because once I get out of here, that offer is off the table and I'll make your life a living hell before kicking you out of my son's life. Here is a check for fifty Million. It's enough to take care of your family and stop leeching off my son!" she urged me.