Meeting Her Enemies

Nora could see the violets she had planted a long time ago again. The flowers seemed even more delicate and lovely than before. But her naive self had given her all her time in admiration of these flowers while waiting for the time and a knight in shining armor to save her. This time, she would not wait for anyone. 

"Ah sister, are you looking at flowers again." a girl with a tender smile on her full lips walked toward her. She had a heart shaped face with bright and watery eyes. Her lean body could compete with models. But she had freckles all over her nose reaching up to her cheeks. She tried her best to get rid of that flaw. This was her cousin sister Pennelope. 

"The guests would be here any moment. Mother had sent me to remind you that you would be the one to open the door and greet them first." she smiled softly. In the past, Nora had believed in the smile of her sister blindly. She had completely ignored the commanding tone of her voice. 

Nora's lips curled into a sinister smile. "It had been so long, Penny." Long time? Penny frowned and looked at Nora in bewilderment.

"Long time? We will play together tomorrow. Did you forget that? Or did the fall make you foolish?" She checked the wound that was hidden by makeup now. Last night, she had told Nora to stay in the dark, yet the girl had taken all the limelight from the tea party. Raged, Penny had pushed her on the stairs later. A hint of fear and guilt had hurt her chest but when her mother assured that it was not a big deal and perhaps Nora had deserved it, she felt better. "Or you are angry because of the push? Nora, you know that I would never hurt you. It was just an accident so you should forget about it already. Or are you that petty that you want to take revenge for a mistake? A mistake that could have taken her life?

A mistake that would have left her sick for weeks in the past. But this time, she was awake all day. Not only that, the Withermore had come earlier. What else has changed from the past?

 It did not matter what had changed or what had not. Her desire to take revenge had only gotten stronger looking at their faces. 

Not even a hint of guilt or worry on her face But this time, she did not need it. 

"Of course, I will not miss this opportunity." eyes squinting, Nora smiled software and her smile reached her crystal clear eyes. "I have heard that WIthermore is a handsome man with a lot of wealth. If I left a good impression, he would marry me." she bluish and played with her hair making Penny frown.

"Ha! One can only dream." she spat with rage when Nora feigned shock.

"Oh dear, you do not know." she gasped and then leaned closer to Penny. "Withermore are your father's boss. Do you not know that? The man holds ownership of many businesses. As long as I will please him tonight, he will choose me as his wife. Then I would be the boss of your father.

Your family had to take my permission to extend your business or spend money. Think about it, Penny. You would need my permission to spend every single penny.'' Her voice was soft, like a flowing stream but it made a havoc of a storm in Penny's mind.

She had indeed heard her father telling her mother that the man was her boss and should be treated with utmost care.

As long as he would leave happily, her father would get the promotion he needed. But she could not believe that her parents had asked Nora to help them instead of hers.

As if she had spoken the last line aloud, Nora laughed and patted her shoulders. 

"Do not worry sister. Since you and your family had treated me well all this time. I would not keep the favor away. I will treat you well if you work in my company later." she laughed more thinking about it as if she could already imagine the scene.

But it was not only Nora who could imagine it. As Nora painted it, Penny was able to imagine the scenario where she was working in an office and Nora was the owner there. It was so humiliating that she could not accept it. 

She could not bear to be under a dog they had bred. Her eyes went cold. But..

"Why would mother ask you not to take care of such an important person?" she asked in a cold voice and Nora paused. She was trying her luck but she could not believe that Penny had already taken the bait. She was such a foolish woman.

"Because.." she turned and chuckled that looked mocking in the eyes of Penny who gritted her teeth. Her hands clenched into a fist as she glared at her elder sister.

"Because you are too young. They are sure that you do not have it in you. But me, they are sure that my beauty can win the heart of any man. I am sure they didn't even see you as a woman but only their daughter.'' The words hurt Penny like lightning.

Her mother did not give her the role because she think she is not good enough.

"Ha!" She walked closer to Nora and slapped her tightly on her cheeks with a look of dominance in her eyes. Nora was nothing but a slave in her eyes who could never go above them. She was meant to bow and rub her neck in front of their feet. 

"Slap." the sound of the slap roaming in the whole room loudly. "I will be the one welcoming the guests and even at home I will fill their glasses. You will keep your mouth shut and head bowed. Did you get it?"