4| Table manners

"I want squid calamari, and this is not it." Rebecca complained on her meal.

"And I need more ketchups. My pasta is going plain white." Billy murmured.

I sighed tiredly. These kids won't kill me. At least, couldn't they appreciate what they have in front of them? Most it have to be complains all the time? Their father left this mansion without telling me of his whereabouts. He didn't even drop anything for me, instead, he stock all the money needed for the kids upkeep to Nylah Kyle.

This is usually their favorites.....okay, I understand they have various likes and dislikes, each of them. Especially Rebecca. She complains alot like her parents are the presidents.

My mother didn't pamper me, so i won't pamper my kids if not, they'd become spoilt brat tomorrow, who knows?

I kept massaging my temples, knowing fully well that am out of words at the moment. I poured in the cranberry juice from the medium jug into my martini glass and took a deep gulp from it. It surprised Isabella how i finished it in one gulp as her eyes bugged at me.

She's the only one who doesn't care about what food is prepared. She eats anything eatable without a single complain. But you see these two grownups? They'll make you talk and preach morning till night.

Am fucking tired. I don't want to freak out or else..... they'll bust out in tears. And you already know where that will lead me. My ass will be kicked when he comes back.

I want to end the story there for now.

"Nylah?" I called out the middle aged woman whom is our maid since I got married to my husband.

She strolled out in a dash. Hands clasped together underneath her abdomen as she stood straight, looking good with the cooks outfit. "Yes ma'am?"

I gesture my hands towards my kids who are busy waiting for manna from above as they tap their fingers on the table impatiently, except for Isabella my five years old baby who can't stop munching food in her mouth.

One is not finished yet and she's adding another one into her mouth. God, please don't turn her into glutton or else, i won't forgive myself for not putting her on diet.

Oh, here she goes. Splashing pasta on herself. Too hard to slurp as a little kid. Now look at all the oil stains on her little white floral t-shirt. Even the little yellow napkin pegged round her neck is soaked of oil stains.

If an outsider sees her now, what would they think? Like I didn't wanted to feed her or something? Isabella is quite stubborn. She refused my helping hand offer when I demand to feed her. She likes to eat by herself, rather than getting fed.

"Is there still cereal in this house?" Even before I manage to slur out the last word in frustration, Billy frowned and Rebecca played along.

"Geez, cereal?"

"What else do you want me to do?" I freaked out, causing them to jolt from the unexpected snap. "For now, that's the only thing you guys can have. Caramali or calamari... whatever you call it, can't be ready in a short moment, perhaps you two never mentioned what you want for dinner in the first place." My gaze turned to Isabella who was busy gushing her meal in silent, "Look at your little sister, she doesn't give a shit bout what is for dinner or not. Can't you be like her for one day?"

Billy's face turned weird as he gaze at Isabella who was now scrapping her empty plate of pasta, "Yikes, she doesn't even have table manners."

"Then teach me, psycho." Isabella pouted her lips at him. I try to hold back the urge of busting into laughter. Nylah and Rebecca almost did the same as me too.

I completely ignored them and faced Nylah. "Nylah, you know what they want. Please fix it for them, I'm off to bed." I stood up. Nylah nodded and was about to leave but them i added, "And don't forget to clean Isabella before reading bedtime stories for her."

"Okay ma'am. Do you need anything? You haven't eaten since you arrived. Should i dish something and bring it to your room—"

"Don't bother." I quickly interjected with a fake smile. "I don't have any appetite right now." The last time i checked myself and my weight, I'm getting smaller in size and turning light in weight too. I'm a light eater. Food is the last thing I want right now. What I want......is peace, freedom and joy. Just these three things and my problems are solved.

After nylah left to make food for my kids, I was about to leave too but then.....

"Mommy, when is daddy coming home?" Isabella's words felt like a bazzuca bomb blast in my chest. My heart broke in pieces, hearing her little charming tone. I turn around, tears gathered in her kitty eyes. If anyone misses her father, I'd be Isabella.

I leant down to her height, planting a kiss on her forehead. Her face lits up from the pecks, despite the oil stains on her pink chubby cheeks. "Soon, my love."

"But I miss him." Her lips pouted like she's gonna cry.

I let out a sigh, smiling as I stroke my fingers through her long brunette hair that has a bang at the front. "I know, sweetie. He misses you too and you know what?" When she nods vigorously, I chuckled and kissed her forehead again. "He's buying a lot of goodies and icecreams for you, Becca and Billy. So he needs time to buy a lot of them."

"Will he take us to the roller coaster when he's back?"

"Yeah, sure. Of course, why not?!" I exclaimed, excitedly, patting her head softly, "Now, you and your siblings be good. No fighting, so when he comes, he'll give everyone a gift, okay?"

She beamed, nodding her head vigorously. I'm happy when my kids are happy. They're the only commitment I have left in this bondage called a marriage.

Nylah walked out of the kitchen area with a tray filled with three bowls of squid calamaris. She placed it at the middle of the table and dished each of the kids their potions.

Including Isabella whom already had double potions of pasta. And this made Rebecca stunned. "How many more times does she have to eat to get filled?" She gasped.

"I think an elephant left his footprint in her stomach." Billy answered his sister as he enjoys his squid calamari. Isabella on the other hand completely ignored them as she focused on her meal.

I took the opportunity to walk out of the dinning room. I need a cold shower and a good sleep.