Chapter Eleven
Gianna
If I had the superpowers to choose which family to be in, I would never choose to be in mine.
Don't judge me, I have every reason not to.
The clatter of dishes echoed through the large almost empty dining room as I tapped my fingers on the wooden table impatiently, my husband was seated beside me along with my two children Hudson and Maeve.
I was irritated and also the throbbing pain at the back of my head from last night's fight with the newest maid I had just employed, reminded me that I needed to take life easy and not fight with just anyone.
I caught her massaging my husband's legs and that didn't sit right with me. I waited for no explanation. I just walked towards her and slapped her hard on the cheek. I had expected her to be scared and apologize but to my surprise, she hit me back with so much force that made me fall to the floor allowing me to hit the table, leaving a permanent blush on my cheek.
Robert did nothing but stand over me, blaming me for what had happened, he couldn't defend me instead he watched the witch leave untouched.
How can a man stand and watch his wife being beaten?
Did he even have any affection for me at all?
I glanced at the wall clock. Five-thirty. Too late for this nonsense.
"Good evening Mr and Mrs white," the new maid that we had replaced greeted, setting down a tray filled with plates of scrambled eggs and toast. Her hands shook slightly as she placed mine in front of me. I frowned immediately, taking offense at her lack of professionalism and expertise.
"What is good about the morning?" I asked, eyeing her from head to toe in anger.
She almost rolled her eyes, " I'm sorry ma'am!"
"Be sorry for pathetic yourself!" I snapped picking up a fork and driving it into the eggs in anger. "ew it has no taste!" I exclaimed, throwing the food at her and glaring up in anger at the maid. " Were you sent to poison me and my family?"
Robert said nothing but continued eating, they knew not to interrupt me whenever I disciplined my workers
The maid bowed in fear." I'm sorry ma'am I'll make another one."
"You are lucky I am in a good mood today, if not, I would sack you instantly and write to your agency telling them what a terrible cook you are and I promise that no family in New York City will hire you, ever!"
"I'm sorry ma'am I will not do that again." she pleaded, her legs trembling.
"If this happens again, don't bother asking for your salary!"
The maid's face grew pale and mumbled an apology, but before she could hurry away like a scared little girl scolded by her parents, I smiled to myself Robert caught me, and then I frowned immediately.
"I didn't realize I was married to a bully!" He mumbled under his breath.
"What did you say, Robert? if you are going to talk about me, speak louder!" I challenged him.
"When is this going to end Gianna?"
"When is what going to end?"
He placed the fork down and fixed his gaze on me. "Must you make a scene with every worker in this house? Just yesterday you got into a fight with Ife and now she is gone, you have no one to torment no more so you decided to employ a new maid so you can terrorize her, leave that poor girl alone!"
I burst into uncontrollable laughter, arching my brow. "Oh, defending her now, are we?" I leaned back in my chair crossing my arms. " How sweet, always defending your little whòres! Or maybe it's because you are sleeping with them!"
Robert slammed his knife onto his plate in anger making Hudson and Maeve shiver in fear. " Stop! I command you to stop this instant!"
"Or what? What will you do? Will you beat me up like your mistress did yesterday? Common, tell your children how you let that wench lay a hand on your wife, and also tell them how you just stood over me blaming me and laughing at my downfall."
"How can I defend a woman who has no respect for herself? You need to stop disgracing yourself in front of the kids. Have you ever thought to yourself if they want all this drama you are giving? You accuse me falsely of sleeping with the maids when you are the one who threw yourself at Owen when he was still alive."
I let out another loud laughter that seemed to echo in the room. " Oh please! Is that your comeback? I was drunk that night. Everyone knows he tried to force himself on me and I couldn't fight back because I was weak and helpless. "
"The dead cannot defend themselves can they?"
"Agreed. But, what is your excuse for being all over Esther like a lovesick fool?"
" First of all, my brother would never force himself on you, you are not his type."
"And you are not Esther's type, even a crippled like her has a type and it's not you. You need to stop wishing she would love you back, she is your latest brother's wife for god sake have some respect for his memory."
"Can you both stop?" Hudson cut in, his voice filled with anger. At Eighteen, he was starting to sound so much like his father and it creeped me out. " Can we just eat in peace like a normal family and stop fighting?"
I let out a dramatic sigh stretching to pat his hand. " You are right Hudson, I'm sorry, it's just your father who seems to annoy me all the time." I smiled then my eyes caught sight of the maid still huddling over the doorway like a lost puppy. "Get out of here. You are lucky my son is here, if not you would be packing your bags, and don't think I'm letting this slide, a large amount will be deducted from your salary."
The maid nodded quickly and fled the room and suddenly there was silence.
Robert cleared his throat loudly, clearly trying to change the subject. "Hudson, when was the last time you went to school?"
Hudson grunted, pushing his plate away slightly. "Dad, we're on break. I told you this already."
Robert didn't look convinced. "For the past three months you have been on break, when I was in college this wasn't how it was. "
Hudson kept staring down at his hands." We are not in the 90's, things change."
"I hope this is not a lie because I'm calling the vice chancellor to confirm."
"Why do you hate your son so much?" I shot at Robert, leaning forward. "Why is it so hard for you to trust him or believe a word he says? Oh, that's right—because you're too busy devoting all your time to Esther and her precious little Emily. Tell me, do you even remember that Hudson is your son and rightful heir to your properties including White Nova Robotics?"
"Don't start, Gianna," Robert warned, his voice low yet stern. "At least Esther and Emily are responsible people who would treat the company with all seriousness. I don't have to worry about them causing trouble in the company or Emily skipping school. Emily graduated with a first class. She is a role model to every teenager out there. What can you say about Hudson, the only thing he knows how to do is dance like he has epilepsy, is dance even a sensible profession?"
"You see what I keep saying? You don't love your children," I argued
"Emily's back, by the way," Maeve said suddenly, interrupting the argument. "I heard she's in town. I'd like to see her so we could catch up on old times."
I stared at her angrily, my blood simmering with anger."Are you serious Maeve? Do you want to go running after Emily like a low life? She should be the one coming to visit! Have some sense and self-respect, I know your dad has disgraced us enough in front of them several times but don't prove to her that we are beneath her."
Robert got on his feet," Shut up Gianna. Emily just came back and she is recovering from an accident—"
"An accident?" I scoffed. "She was at work the very next day. Her body is fine. She's probably just itching to get that CEO position she's been eyeing. I see through her little games." I spiked a finger at Maeve. "Forget about seeing Emily unless she comes here first. You hear me?"
Maeve looked away in anger and then I remembered something important.
"Speaking of you," I said, pointing at her, "we're going to the hospital right now."
Maeve frowned. "Why?"
"To check if you're still a virgin," I announced, ignoring the shocked gasp from her and Hudson. "I'm marrying you off to Mr. Smith. He's a billionaire, and he only marries virgins."
"Gianna, stop this madness!" Robert exclaimed, his face reddening in anger.
I faced him cutting him off with a wave of my hand.
"You have no say in this. Unlike you, I'm thinking about this family's future. You're too busy throwing our money at Esther and Emily while neglecting your children. I won't let us end up begging on the streets because of your stupidity. Maeve marrying Mr. Smith is the best solution and there is nothing you can do to stop me."
"You're Preposterous," Robert muttered, running a hand through his hair.
"No, Robert," I said, standing up. "I'm doing what is best for the family. Someone has to step in, while you're busy playing the hero for everyone except your own family."
Since befell the room, and I glanced at Hudson who was busy operating his cellphone, and Maeve who looked like she would burst into tears any moment from now.
"Well," I said briskly. " I think breakfast is over, I have more important things to attend to."
"You would not take Maeve to the hospital!"Robert objected.
"Stop me if you can!" I shot back at him and with that, I walked out of the room dragging Maeve by the arm.
It won't be long before they appreciate the decision I made.