ROUND ONE

CHAPTER FORTY TWO

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Her mother belongs to a family of nine. The first children are triplets, both the second and third births are twins. And much to her grandmother's anger and disappointment, all seven children are girls.

Not giving up, her grandparents kept on giving birth hoping to have a son that could carry on their family name. God must have had enough of their nagging ---which her grandmother is best at. They finally hit the jackpot and gave birth to twin sons ---the 8th and 9th child.

They have many children but food is scarce and life is hard. So they decided to give away some of their daughters like unwanted puppies.

They would have wanted to give away the two sets of twins. Alas! They are afraid their neighbors would report them as selling their children. Prison is more terrifying than lack of food.

So the couple thought deep and hard, analyzing their options.

The triplets are old enough to help farm the fields. And they are hesitant to loose their 'laborers'.

The second set of twins, the 6th and 7th children are too young to be given away. So they stayed at home.

Their first twin, the 4th and 5th children, were their best bet. But the 5th child, is frail and sickly and no one wanted this medicine jar. In the end, only the 4th child was given up.

Her mother is the 4th daughter and her Aunt Lorrie is her mother's twin, the 5th sickly daughter.

And this sickly Aunt of hers is the most despicable of all her offenders. She is the cancer that slowly destroyed her parents relationship.

Now her daughter Mimi, she is a chameleon worthy of an Oscar award. She has the thickest skin and fast changing face she has ever met.

Reliving past events, Adrianna just stood in place staring blankly at the mother-daughter pair.

Liena, who just came from the kitchen, placed the platter of roasted chicken on the table. She smiled at Adrianna.

"Good, your here. I was about to call you down for dinner."

Adrianna diverted her focus to her naive mother. She smiled bitterly. How can such unscrupulous grandparents give birth to such a sweet tempered daughter like her mother?

"Where is papa?" She stood on tiptoe and peeked outside the front door.

"Out drinking. He will be back in a moment. Entertain your Aunt and cousin first. I have to cook additional dishes." Without waiting for Adrianna's response, Liena went back to the kitchen.

Adrianna transferred her attention back to her Aunt. Who was also looking at her with those harmless smile and innocent eyes. A deceitful face that fooled her into their trap like a lamb for slaughter.

Adrianna squinted her eyes and snorted inwardly. "Aunt. Cousin." She called out with a fake smile of her own.

"Adi..." Aunt Lorrie called in a saccharine voice, almost making Adrianna puke with distaste.

Keep on acting! Adrianna scolded inwardly but her lips were still smiling widely. As if she is seeing her most favorite person. She spared a glance at her cousin Mimi ---who is busy checking out the things in their house like a thief planning what to rob. Adrianna sneered. Nothing changed.

"What brought you here?" Adrianna walked to the nearest solo couch and directly asked, her lips twitching. Getting numb with all the forced smiles.

Aunt Lorrie's smile slipped at Adrianna's curt question. But she right away pasted a slight smile on her face with eyes swimming with tears. Looking like a pitiful woman trying to act strong.

Adrianna sat and unconsciously leaned back as if she received a blow. Her Aunt immediately paraded her acting skills?! Adrianna scoffed and wanted to throw the table towards this mother daughter pair.

"I..." She glanced at her daughter Mimi. Seeing Mimi busy surveying the gadgets around the house, Aunt Lorrie gritted her teeth in annoyance. She looked back at Adrianna's sharp, eagle like eyes. Her hair stood on ends. She feels like her niece eyes are gutting her skin into shreds. She closed her eyes tightly. Thinking its just her illusion.

How could her foolish and gullible niece be capable of such intense gaze?! When she opened her eyes again, she breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Adrianna's childish wide smile, she regained her balance again. She has to take advantage of her sister's absence and gain this stupid girl's sympathy. If she brainwash this stupid chit, her stupid sister and her chivalrous husband is not far behind. Their wealth would soon fall into her pockets!

"You see, Adi. Your uncle broke his back during the harvest and we have to rush him to the hospital. He cannot even st..."

"tsk.tsk. How can uncle be careless. The more he gets...mature, the more careless he is. The last time he slipped and broke his legs, then he got involved with an accident and then he got scammed by someone." Adrianna muttered softly as if she is just talking to herself. But her voice is enough to carry into her Aunt's ears. "Its a wonder my uncle is still alive with all his heart stopping adventures and mishaps. I don't know if Uncle is blessed or..." Then Adrianna "snapped out" from her reverie. She looked confused and bothered as if she did not mean to interrupt her Aunt's tirade.

"I'm sorry, Aunt. My Uncle's life sure is interesting like a...rollercoaster ride. Go ahead, please. Do tell me more." Adrianna nodded her head to encourage her Aunt to continue her story.

Hearing Adrianna's summary of her husbands "misfortunes", Aunt Lorrie's face has gone pale. Her eyes glinted with malice as she cursed Adrianna silently. She bowed her head, pretending to wipe the non existent tears. "Your uncle is such an upstanding, virtuous man. I don't know why he has to suffer such injustices."

"Wasn't my upstanding Uncle also got beaten by his creditors? Hmmm.. Maybe I'm wrong. It couldn't be my virtuous uncle, right Aunt?" Adrianna tilted her head in child-like innocence.

"Adrianna!" Aunt Lorrie almost shouted in anger. The veins in her forehead almost popping one by one. She wants to stuff Adrianna's mouth with her sandals to plug her mouth from spouting nonsense!

Does this idiot know something?! Lorrie gritted her teeth in exasperation that she almost broke her molars.

"Is this how you talk to your elders?!" She reprimanded.

A sneer flashed across Adrianna's face. Her Aunt's face is twisted like a hemp rope and she can see her losing her composure.

"How did I disrespect you, Aunt? I didn't curse you. I was worried about Uncle's life that's why I'm....Is what I said wrong? Uncle was indeed beaten silly by gangsters. I'm talking like a demure, cultured woman. Its you who is shouting like a shrew." Adrianna whispered brokenly as if she is near tears.

"ADRIANNA!" Lorrie violently lashed out. She can feel the sweat on her back running down her spine. What does this bitch know?!

Lorrie is itching to double slap Adrianna's face. With her eyes red with anger and agitation, she unconsciously raised her hand and moved close to Adrianna.

"What are you going to do to my daughter!" Andrei's voice boomed like thunder.

Adrianna secretly smiled. She heard her father's footsteps getting close. That's why she is trying to goad her Aunt's anger.