Chapter 103 Chapter 103
Adalia
Nothing was working!
Nothing, absolutely nothing.
I knew I kept it here.
My dress, I was sure I kept it here, and not this dress that looks all branded.
How did this even get here?
“Isabelle!” I yelled, looking at the door. Isabelle rushed in.
“Young miss.” She bowed her head.
“Where is it?” I pointed to the wardrobe.
“What’s what, young miss?” Her voice broke.
“Are you blind! Where is my black dress?! I always kept it here.”
She looked at the wardrobe and slowly, relaxation washed over her.
“Young miss, Madam must have taken your dress. I saw her leaving your room with a black dress yesterday.” She bowed again.
“What?”
Anger spread all over my veins. How dare she enter my room? How dare she take what Father gave to me?
“I can ask Madam if you are ok—”
I pushed past her, not caring if she fell.
“Mother!” I yelled, my voice loud in the large house. I marched to her room. But it was empty.
“Where could she be?” I turned back and headed for her office. And just to confirm it, I heard sounds coming from the office.
I don't bother to knock before barging the door open. “How dare you take my—”
“Shhh!” Mother sat on her chair, her glasses on the bridge of her nose. She raised her head from looking at the desktop in front of her. Her brows creased as she placed a finger on her mouth.
I smirked. “I don't have to follow your command now. It’ll be better to end your call.” I spoke, my voice high, intended to be heard.
“Adalia!” She snapped.
“If you don't end the call, then I'll speak here.”
“Adalia!” Hebrows furrowed.
“Do it now,” I said, holding her gaze. The lines on her face tightened as she clenched her fingers on the table.
She looked down and flashed a smile to whoever she was speaking to.
“I have some personal matters to work on, so the meeting is adjourned.” With that, she slapped the laptop shut, and I placed my hands on my chest.
“What’s wrong with you, Adalia? Can't you tell I was having an important meeting! You can't just come in here, and disrupt my work!
I rolled my eyes. “Why? It’s not like it belongs to you, Mother.” I dragged the last part.
Redness spread over her face immediately. “You! What’s wrong with you? It’s so still early in the day to provoke me!”
I rolled my eyes. “Is it?” I asked. “Since you knew I was trouble, why do you keep touching my stuff?” I yelled, each moment I spent looking at her enraged my soul.
“I didn't say you are trouble, Adalia.” She sighed, like I was some toddler she was speaking to. But I wasn't done.
“Oh spare me, mother. You don't have to pretend, no one is here. But then, no one has ever been here to witness your pretentious act.” Yes, that was it. A point I knew she had always broken at, because I caught her.
And just as I predicted, her lips pressed together, her eyes, a shade redder. She stood up slowly and walked to my front.
“I don't know why you are acting this way this morning, but I’ll listen to you. What’s it, Adalia?”
Disgust.
Disgust at how she could easily fool anyone with her act. My hands clenched against my gown. Yes, that was the type of person she was.
She has always been like that.
An evil woman who had torn down a home, with a Disguised kindness.
I rolled my eyes. “ My black dress, where is it? I know you took it, so don't bother lying.”
“Is that why you are angered?”
I scoffed. “Dont pretend like you don't know what I’m talking about. You know how much I’ll be needing the dress tomorrow. So where’s it?”
She sighed.
“It’s time you forget about that dress. Tomorrow, wear the new black dress in your wardrobe to visit your father.”
She walked back to her chair and sat on it, then she pulled out a document..
Just like that?
Just like that, she dared to ignore me.
“What right do you have to tell me to forget about the dress?”
She stilled.
“Just because you got the chance to be called my mother, doesn't mean you truly are my mother and you get to do anything you want. How many times do I have to tell you that you shouldn't overstep your boundaries in my life?” I snapped, my fingers trembling.
The gown was the last thing Father gifted me. I was twelve then.
All these years, I have merged it with other pieces to get my measurement.
“Tell me where it is,” I asked, my voice cold. Hopefully, she had just let me be. But instead of telling me, she stood up again and walked to stand in front of me.
“I’m not your mother, but what do you call me?”
“That isn't the most important th—”
“No, it’s Selena. What do you call me?” She doesn't raise her voice, yet a shiver ran through my veins.
“Mother,” I answered.
“Exactly, Adalia. Mother. That’s what I’ve always been to you!” She yelled and I flinched.
“What….what are you doing?” I took a step back as she dropped her glasses.
“Do you think I don't get tired of you? I’m holding myself up, Adalia.” She placed her hand on her waist.
“Right from the moment I stepped into this home, I’ve been trying my best. Your father asked you to call me mother forever on his sick bed, but there’s not a day you don't make me regret it. I’ve tried my best, every day. I’ve done everything, only for you to end up disrespecting me. What’s your problem, Adalia!”
“I… I..—”
“Speak! What, cat got your tongue? Now let me tell you young lady. Maybe it’s time that I put a stop to all this behavior of yours. Go to your room now, and tomorrow you’ll use the gown in your wardrobe. Till then, and after, you are not allowed to leave your room.”
“What?! You can't do that.”
“Yes, I can sweetheart. I can because I have the power to, and I’m your mother. If you don't listen to me, then you leave this place.”
My brows furrowed. “Leave? This place doesn't belong to you. It belongs to my parents! You have no right over here.” I squared my shoulders as I looked at her, then, she smirked.
“How about you go ask your parents, Adalia?”