18 Fractures
18 Fractures
18
Fractures
“Yes, it’s her. I don’t even know what she’s doing here. She is so out of place.”
A ripple of cruel laughter followed. Tessy’s cheeks burned, but she stood upright, refusing to let herself be walked on, ready to talk back.
“Ronda! I am not a slave. I’m just here helping,” Tessy defended.
Victoria snickered. “Helping? Well, I didn’t know help was invited tonight. Or did you confuse the café with the ballroom?”
Tessy gulped, her gaze wavering on Victoria. Ryan had told her she wouldn’t be coming, but the moment she saw her, Tessy knew it was only a matter of time before trouble brewed between them. Ryan didn’t even know about the conversation she and Victoria once had. Tessy had decided not to trouble him with it. He’d been surprised when she asked if Victoria was coming to the party but she had dismissed it quickly, refusing to explain.
Victoria stepped closer, her heels clicking like a predator circling prey. She tilted her glass lazily, her eyes gleaming.
“Tell me, Tessy,” she said, her tone dripping sugar and venom. “Do you always drop trays in front of rich men, or is that your specialty?”
The crowd gasped, hanging onto every poisonous word.
“Enough, Victoria!” Grams’ voice boomed as she moved closer to Tessy. “She is not a slave. I asked her to help me serve the drinks. Watch your words.”
Victoria scoffed, eyeing her mother lazily.
“Now you can talk to me? You scold me because of this misfit?” she snapped. “Who is she to you? And why are you defending her over me?” Her eyes burned with anger before snapping back to Tessy. “Who are you?”
“Don’t be too harsh on her, Victoria. She’s used to serving drinks, not holding them. After all…” Ronda’s eyes locked on Tessy, sharp and unrelenting. “…some of us were born to be guests. Others, to be the help.”
Laughter erupted again, cruel and merciless. Tessy’s hands curled into fists at her side, humiliation burning hotter than the spilled wine.
“Who are you?” Victoria asked again, moving dangerously close. “Where are your parents?”
The question hit Tessy like a block of stone. She shook, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, her body fidgeting. She was an orphan and Victoria must have known it.
“What is your family name?” Victoria pressed, her voice like a whip. “No answer? Then you don’t deserve to be here.” She spat the words at her and glanced towards Grams “I don’t know why you keep rolling with these people, but that is the…”
“Victoria!” Ryan’s voice boomed as he pushed through the crowd, cutting off her words.
Victoria froze. She turned, forcing a soft smile for her nephew.
“Oh… Ryan.” Veronica called nervously.
“What did you do?” His eyes swept over the scene, sharp and dangerous, fury burning in them as he pulled Tessy safely behind him. Tessy, still in shock and trembling from what happened, barely registered that she was being shielded.
“What do you mean? I’m just letting her know her place,” Veronica replied smugly, feigning innocence.
“Ryan, she poured drinks on me. I’m sure it was intentional.”
“What are you doing, Veronica? You should have stayed at home. And where’s Dad? He should be keeping you on a leash.”
Veronica’s eyes flared at the disrespect.
“Since he agreed you could come, I knew it was bad news.”
“I’m your aunt, Ryan, so you will listen to me! I’m the eldest daughter of the Smiths. Why should my younger brother keep me on a leash?”
“Then act more like it,” Ryan shot back warningly, then pulled Tessy with him as they walked away.
Veronica stomped her feet angrily, gritting her teeth as whispers rippled through the crowd. Every eye was on her, replaying Ryan’s words.
“I can’t believe he spoke to me like that. In front of everyone,” she fumed as she stormed inside.
“It’s Tessy. She’s the cause of everything.”
“What do you think you’re doing, Veronica?” Alex’s voice boomed across the living room as he stepped in, eyes blazing. “Drawing attention like that? Letting our family’s cracks show in public? What if this makes the news? Our reputation must remain untarnished.”
Why does his sister always act so irrational?
“Oh, don’t lecture me,” she snapped. “You’re the one in charge of the company, so pay to wave the rumors aside like you always do. Do your job.” Her gaze snapped to Grams, who had entered silently behind Alex. “You brought him here to handle me because you can’t. Just like you handed him the company instead of me.” Her jaw clenched tight.
“Ryan told me to act more like the eldest daughter. Fine. I’ll start now by getting rid of that malicious girl who caused all this.”
She spun on her heel and stormed off, rage and embarrassment fueling her steps, with Ronda scurrying after her.
At the hallway entrance, Margaret stood frozen, having witnessed it all. She felt a gentle tug at her hand and looked down to see Patricia staring up with wide, solemn eyes.
Her golden gaze struck Margaret deep. It hurt, pulling memories she thought she had buried. She frowned, studying the girl. She looks so familiar.
“What’s happening? Are they going to fight?” Patricia asked softly, her voice laced with fear. She had never witnessed such anger before. The atmosphere.
Margaret jolted from her thoughts, forcing a soft smile as she bent to Patricia’s level.
“No, no. It’s resolved. Alex will handle it,” she reassured gently.
“Alex? Ryan’s dad?” Patricia’s face brightened. “I like him. He’s handsome.”
Margaret laughed despite herself.
“You’re Patricia, right?” She squinted. From what Ryan had told her, this must be the girl but why did she look so painfully familiar?
“Yes. How did you know? Are you Margaret? Ryan talks about you. A lot.”
Margaret grinned. “He sure loves me.”
If this was Patricia, then she was indeed an orphan. Ryan had mentioned it.
“You remind me of someone, but… it shouldn’t be.” Margaret whispered, her thoughts drifting far away.
“What? Who?” Patricia asked curiously.
Margaret shook her head quickly. “Nothing, nothing. Come on, let’s go back outside and have some fun.”
“Will Tessy be okay?” Patricia asked, worry softening her little voice as she followed Margaret, hand in hand.
“I’m sure Ryan will take care of that ”