The Game of Love

10

Stepping into the building, the choir's song instantly struck a nerve within Jade.

She would joke with her friends that she was born and raised in a church building. Her mother took her every Sunday, even when she didn't feel like it.

Until eventually the four walls of the church grew on her, it was like a second home for her. She could see the backs of her mother and sister's head.

Row four, seats one and two. It were the same seats they say in every Sunday. Her stomach churned, her mother's and sister's words still fresh in her mind.

Jade would rather sit anywhere that beside both women but she knew better. Her mother lived for appearances and not allowing the outside world to know what was going on behind closed doors.

So she took a deep breath in and made her way to both women.

"Aunty."

Kayden's smile was infectious as he wrapped his arms around her legs, Jade combing her fingers through his short curls.

Her mother gave her a tight lipped smile as her sister's eyes held sympathy in them. Jade looked away, her eyes focused on the singers and the music that was fulling her.

She was not ready to open the can of worms with her family, but she grew tired of being the one that everyone tried to control.

After service, her mother wasted no time in stating her disapproval for Jade's tiger print, mid knee length dress.

"Jewel I told you to tell her to dress nice."

Her mother fussed.

"And no makeup, she doesn't even have time to go home and change."

Jade's eyebrows arched, confusion etched across her face.

"Why do I need to go home and change?"

"You have a date."

Her mother said matter of factly as if Jade planned the event herself.

A chuckle escaped Jade's lips, disbelief coursing through her veins.

Instead of apologizing for her words to Adrian, her mother found her a suitable man.

"No, I don't have a date."

Carol's eyes cut into slits at Jade.

"Yes, you do and I put in a lot of good words to get you this date with one of my good friend's sons so you'll be on your best behavior."

"My best behavior?"

Her mother nodded as if Jade was a child that needed to be told what to do.

"Mom..."

Carol's hand rose halting Jade's speech.

"I don't want to hear the whining Jade. I've put up with your disrespect for too long."

Disrespect?

Jade was mind blown, how was she always the villain.

"You think I could have spoken back to my mother at your age. Tell her no and not answer her calls?"

Jade looked up at the ceiling, she had to be missing her correct age.

"You are too spoilt and privileged, and it's time I put a stop to that before you embarrass me even further. I know you hate this mother of yours but trust me I will do what's best for you regardless of how you feel."

Jade's fingers gripped onto the sides of her dress, she bit her tongue to keep herself from exploding because as usual, she'd be the bad one. She'd be the villain for not being the poster child for good behavior. For not obeying.