CHAPTER 18

"sweetheart help me set up the table for the guess." My mother said handing me a whole stack of plates.

I took the plates and sighed.

"you know mom we could have just gone for a hot pot or something."

"terrible you do you really expect me, me your dear precious mother to meet my son's girlfriend in some hot pot.what picture would that point dear,"

"I told you that Jen does not care even if we ate cereals,"

"well, I do so hurry up and set up as I finish with the icing the cake."

"you made a....you know what I don't even want to know," I said getting back to the plate and spoon arrangements.

I looked over at my sister Kim on her phone probably scheming her way into making things even more difficult than they already were.

"why don't you come and help me out."

"your girlfriend, your house, your table in no way I'm I obligated to help you."

"a simple yes or no is always appreciated thank you. you would not even be able to do right anyway."

"What did you say?! " she said shooting me with the eyes that spelled out that she was clearly offended by my words.

"you heard me," I said smiling.

she immediately took the plates from my hands and continued with the arrangements trying to prove a point. she was clearly offended by my worlds.it was even surprising to me how easily Kim could be manipulated by me. Sometimes it was difficult to deal with but at that moment it saved me so much time and energy.

My mother was adamant about making sure she had dinner with Jen Blue, or in other words, she wanted to dissect her brain and slowly break her down to the point that she was the victor. I do not know why every single person in my life was two steps away from madness, maybe it was my scent that attracted chaotic personalities.

My mother insisted on making the dinner at home since she claimed it was more heartwarming and welcoming, maybe to also show off her impeccable cooking skills that could rival even the best chefs in the world, her words not mine.

Miranda said she could handle her and I just went along with whatever she said. Both of them were in their own league of verbal conversing, but this time round Glenn trained Miranda to conceal her identity better, we all knew my mother was intelligent and it would be bad if she suspected that Miranda was alive. Kim was not an idiot either but we all knew that she wanted. I knew after that she would go looking for a girlfriend who was some miss universe or something just to prove a point.

I honestly wanted to distance myself as far as possible from the conversation. If I could i would have chosen to completely disappear and let them talk it out. I was already exhausted by the tournament and the executive, I did not need to put more energy into anything else.

The bell rang signaling Miranda's arrival, I was prepared to finish up the entire dinner as soon as possible. I rushed to the door and before me stood Jen Blue with her hair in a bun with a simple black dress that managed to scream out elegance.she was holding a small purse in hand and her entire posture and presence felt like a silent dominating spirit wanting to enter and greet the humans in that household. As usual, I was impressed by Miranda's disguise and commitment to the role. It did feel different from her usual self which would be enough to trick my mother.

"Good evening," she said politely in a crispy clean voice,

it was definitely different from her usual self

"oh you came early than we expected." my mother said in the kitchen.

"I thought i would come help out before the dinner began. I was too eager to wait."

"How kind." my mother said plastering on a scary smile.

i looked at the both of them and my intuition told me that it would be a longer night than usual.

"I guess that us your invitation to enter," i said with an exhausted smile.

"thanks."Miranda said entering.

Miranda helped out with the placing all the food in the serving dishes and arranging them on the table.I knew in reality she was dying inside. Miranda always questioned the aspect of taking food from a pot or pan,placing them in serving dishes and then putting it on a plate.If it was her she would probably eat straight from the pot just to reduce the dishes. she was probably doing that at her apartment.

sitting down to the meal already felt like i was in an exam that the teacher wanted me to fail miserably. i read the mood of the room and it was pure tension starting from my mother throwing unsettling glares at Miranda. as much as my mother was a paranoid control freak,that day was different i felt an unusual uneasiness from her.I bet Miranda could notice that feeling. Kim was the same two dimesional self as she had always been, it was clear she just wanted to judge for herself if Jen Blue was great or possessed pleasing qualities. For a smart person like Kim sometimes she could just be an obsessive idiot.

as much as i claimed that i would not participate in the dinner, they all had to make difficult for my weak soul.

"well the food will get cold if we all continue looking at each other the entire time,"i said taking a serving spoon.

"let me serve you Jen,"

"thank you." she said handing me over her plate.

"it seems like someone likes being served by others,pertuating gender inequality i see."Kim said under her breath which was louder than it should have been.I shot her 'it is not the time look'

"what does that even mean?"i said concerned at her already trying to start trouble.

"yeah i would also like to her what that means."Miranda said crossing her hands.

"Well it seems like a male serving his female mate can send messages that the female is not capable of the job."

we all give her a blank look from her statement.It seemed like she was just trying test Miranda's patience and tempermament with what she said. Kim would be the last person who would care about gender equality clearly she already achieved more than expected despite her gender by sheer brilliance with a hint of obsessive energy. she just wanted to say something proactive to arouse a reaction from Miranda. Miranda clearly was a thoughtful person and could never just give a impulsive response. well most of the times.

"Serving someone is a sign of humility and kindness despite the gender so he offered and i said yes, that's all." Miranda said.

"okay fair enough." Kim said after her stupid little test.

"well let me just serve all of you then to make it fair." i said smiling

After Kim's moment of trying to make Miranda impulsive, we proceeded with our dinner and it was actually peaceful. My mother asked the small questions like her hobbies, previous jobs, experiences and how we met. Miranda lied in every single answer.It was impressive to see someone lie through their teeth so easily. she would not even hesitate. I was simply there to nod and say yes or no. It was as if i had disappeared for a moment when the questions started turning from simple questions to a full blown interrogation.Miranda handled every single one of them well and she was making it through.watching was enough for me.

Slowly and slowly food appeared and disappeared from my plate. it felt like i had been there for hours on end.Kim,Miranda and my mother managed to be in their own world of interrogation.i was just the table who was there as a side piece.We had already finished dessert and i was celebrating the end of the dinner in my head.

Just as i was going to take my last bite and call it a night.something just had to happen.

"sweetheart,i taught you never to lie so i wanted to pose this question to you since you have been quiet the entire time."my mother said looking at me.

"yeah sure whatever."i said tired.

she glared at me with the nastiest of eyes.

"i mean yes,yes i would love to answer any question you ask me."

"okay do you think this relationship is beneficial and worth the time for the both of you?"

"yes of course it is." i answered.

"well i don't" she said breaking my bubble of peace.

after that bold statement my mother continued to eat her desset and i looked at her as if she had finally lost it. no one says that to their child and then proceeds to eat a sweet treat.i looked over Miranda in shock and disappointment. I doubted if my mother noticed it was Miranda,she would have already said so.I was curious to why she already distrusted her even after bombarding her with so many questions.