As the party kept going, bantering and showing off here and there to impress Mama Christina, it was time for gifts. Julius's family, known for their pretense and conspicuous displays of wealth, began presenting the old grandma with a collection of extravagant gifts. Each gift was meticulously chosen to impress and flatter their grandmother. A vintage bottle of aged wine from an esteemed vineyard, accompanied by crystal wine glasses, a collection of luxurious silk scarves and shawls, each piece bearing a unique design, showcasing the family's commitment to fashion and style. A custom-made, designer evening gown, meticulously tailored to the grandmother's specifications, crafted from the finest materials and embellished with genuine pearls. Each gift was met with admiration and applause from the guests, who reveled in the impressive displays of wealth. The family members from Julius's side congratulated themselves on their ability to please the grandmother and reveled in their ability
As Isabella hurried towards their car in the dimly lit garage, the weight of the tumultuous evening bore down on her. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she felt an overwhelming need for space and solitude to gather her thoughts. Sebastian, driven by concern and remorse, abandoned the banquet and hurried after his sister. "Isabella!" he called, but his voice carried both an urgent plea and a tinge of regret. Isabella slipped into the driver's seat and swiftly locked herself inside the car, creating a small sanctuary where she could process the maelstrom of emotions that swirled within her. Sebastian, his anxiety mounting, approached her vehicle and rapped gently on the window. After a few moments, Isabella relented, winding the window down, her eyes red and tear-streaked.Desperation clung to Sebastian's voice as he tried to explain himself. "Isabella," he began, "I understand that we've been tough on you, and I'm so sorry for my earlier words. But please, just hear me out." Isabella g
As the party continued, the grand hall buzzed with laughter and merriment. Guests reveled in the festivities, savoring delicious food, exquisite wine, and dancing the night away. Yet, as the evening drew to a close, guests gradually started to bid their farewells, departing from the opulent venue. Amidst this flurry of activity, Eleanor and Sebastian found themselves quietly collecting souvenirs and unopened bottles of wine from the banquet tables. They carefully stashed these items into bags, preparing to take them home. Their efforts, however, did not go unnoticed.One of the sharp-tongued cousins, who had previously taunted them, couldn't resist the urge to add another jab. With a sly smirk, she called them "leeches." Eleanor, determined to maintain her composure, offered a diplomatic explanation. She responded, "It's for my neighbor," all the while subtly swaying to the music playing in the background. The cousin's attempt to insult them slid off like water off a duck's back, as E
As Eleanor and Sebastian sat in the Uber, heading home from the grand, eventful birthday celebration, their spirits were lifted. The turn of events at the party had left them with a sense of satisfaction and an upper hand. They reveled in the irony that what Mama Christina had intended as a show of power had instead showcased their resilience and wit. Eleanor chuckled, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "I really like how the event turned out in our favor," she said.Sebastian, sharing her sentiment, grinned. "I know, right? Those useless lots thought they could bring us down with their extravagant gifts to Mama Christina." Their laughter filled the car as they reflected on the unexpected turn of events. Eleanor couldn't resist poking fun at Annabelle, the cousin with the rich fiancé. "But Annabelle, though, with her rich fiancé, I don't believe that girl." she said, shaking her head.Sebastian raised an eyebrow, remembering past episodes involving Annabelle. "True, Mum. But
Sebastian's observation about Isabella's absence didn't go unnoticed by Eleanor. Concerned, she summoned Tes, who was still visibly upset from her earlier confrontation with Eleanor. "Where is my daughter?" Eleanor inquired impatiently. Tes responded quickly, "She's upstairs in her room, ma'am, and it's locked. She specifically told me not to disturb her or allow anyone to disturb her." Eleanor snatched her towel back from Tes and turned to Sebastian. "Sebastian, tell that girl to open her door right now. I need to speak with her."Sebastian nodded and called up to Isabella, "Isabella, Mum needs to talk to you. Open the door." Tes, undeterred by her earlier dressing-down, quickly began preparing Eleanor's bath, knowing that any delay could result in another round of harsh words from her employer. Sebastian's persistent knocking on Isabella's door, along with his calls, went unanswered. He returned to his mother and reported, "She's not answering, Mum. I tried."Eleanor, feeling a mixt
The next morning, Alexander was up at the crack of dawn, eager to start his day without the looming threat of drama from Eleanor or anyone else in the household. He quickly got dressed, ready for another day of work at the clothing factory where he labored diligently. As he quietly prepared to leave the house, he noticed that his wife was still sleeping soundly. Isabella, in her own way, was his anchor in the chaos of the household. She had gifted him a Toyota, a symbol of their love, but today he chose not to drive it. The tensions from the previous night's party had created an emotional distance between them, and he decided to leave the car parked.With a heavy heart, he made his way to the nearby bus station. Public transport had long been his mode of commuting. Sitting in the bus, Alexander couldn't help but dwell on the events of the previous night. The memories churned in his mind like a tumultuous sea. Mama Christina's humiliating comments at the party and her dismissal of his
As the conversation continued, their supervisor, Mr. Chun, stormed into the weaving section. "Get to work, get to work, stop unnecessary chit chat!" he barked, his stern gaze scanning the workers. "Get to work!" Alex and Daniel exchanged a knowing look and quickly refocused on their machines. They were well aware that Mr. Chun didn't tolerate any distractions during working hours. The lunch break at the BnN clothing factory was always a welcome escape from the relentless noise of the machines. Alex and Daniel made their way to the factory's modest cafeteria. It was a no-frills place with fluorescent lights, plain white walls, and long, well-worn tables and chairs.They joined their regular group of coworkers – John, Zac, and Aaron. The guys were already engrossed in a spirited discussion about last night's game, a topic that offered some respite from the monotony of their work. Alex and Daniel each ordered a plate of the daily special, which was usually some variation of meat, rice,
The sun had barely begun its ascent, casting a gentle morning light through the windows as Isabella grumpily stumbled into the kitchen. Her tired eyes and disheveled hair hinted at a night of restless sleep. She reached for the coffee maker, intent on brewing a cup of much-needed caffeine. As she fumbled with the coffee grounds, Tes entered the kitchen quietly, her presence almost as unobtrusive as a whisper. With a respectful tone, she spoke, "Ma'am, you should have called me to help you get your coffee." Isabella, still bleary-eyed and in a morning haze, managed a faint smile. "Oh, Tes, you're always so kind. But I didn't want to bother you." Tes replied, "It's no bother at all, ma'am. I'm here to assist."Isabella settled into a chair at the kitchen table, appreciating the warmth of her freshly brewed coffee as it began to chase away the remnants of her morning grogginess. She looked at Tes and made a decision. "You know what, Tes? You are free from me today. You can attend to ev