Return To Paradise

2

'i have so much homework but I don't mind. Its going to be worth it in the end' entering her extravagant six bedroom home, Brielle dreaded her father coming home. Sitting down at the dining table, Brielle pulled out her home work. 'seven pages. That can be easily done. Hopefully I can complete it before dad gets home then I will start on dinner. I know he doesn't appreciate what I do anymore but I still love him' blocking the thoughts about her home life, Brielle got started on her homework. 'andragogy. I swear i did this last year. Any way.. continue'.

"Can I take a break?" "You haven't earned one nor do you deserve one. I told you this all needs to be completed" "all I have done.." "IF YOU DID IT INSTEAD OF FLIRTING AND TRYING TO ACT POPULAR IN FRONT OF YOUR FRIENDS, YOU WOULDNT BE SITTING HERE NOW" "ITS UNF.." "ENOUGH CLAUDIA" 'My father has never spoken to me like this'.

'my dad has always liked European cuisine. Maybe I can make it for him. Chickpea, chorizo and spinach stew' preparing everything for the stew, Brielle grabbed out the big soup pot and followed the directions. 'this smells delicious. I can't wait to try it'. Closing the screen on her phone, Brielle put it back in her pocket knowing no one will contact her then stirred the stew. Hearing a car arrive, Brielle shut off her emotions. 'he doesn't care how I feel. He never has. She's always been the loved child'. The front door opening, brielle grabbed out three bowls. "I MEAN IT CLAUDIA. ALL OF IT" "ITS UNFAIR.." "GO DO IT OR I DO IT AND YOU LOSE A LOT MORE" knowing her father won't hesitate, Claudia rushed to her second room while Shaun took in the smell of brielles cooking. 'brielle has made dinner again. It smells devine' Shaun entered the kitchen while loosening his tie only to see Brielle dishing up a stew. "Evening Brielle" "evening dad. I'm just dishing up now" Shaun looked at the meal then at Brielle as his eyes softened "I need to speak with you" "before or after dinner?" "After. This looks and smells devine" "I hope you enjoy it" 'im sure I will'. Brielle grabbed out the cutlery and took it to the table before returning to the kitchen to collect the bowls. 'my daughter is always so quiet. I thought it was because she was avoiding getting in trouble' placing the bowls down, Brielle then sat down waiting for Shaun and Claudia. "Dad.. what the hell is this.? Are you.." "SIT DOWN" Claudia slumped in her seat. "THE KEY" Claudia lowered her head and removed the key from her key ring. "This looks like shit" "THEN GO TO BED HUNGRY" "dad.." "YOU HEARD ME. YOU ACT SO SPOILED. BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THIS, YOUR LIFE HAS JUST CHANGED DRASTICALLY. I MEAN IT CLAUDIA. ONE MORE ACT LIKE THIS TOWARDS YOUR SISTER OR ANYONE ELSE AND I WILL TAKE ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. EAT OR DONT BUT WHEN YOU LEAVE THIS TABLE, YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR WORK UNTIL NINE" Claudia swallowed hard "let me taste this" when Shaun picked up his spoon, Brielle then did the same not wanting to be rude. Both eating their meals in silence, Claudia continued to glare at Brielle but to her disappointment, Brielle never looked her way. "Are you eating that? Or am I?" "You" Shaun grinned "then starve. The kitchen is closed. Brielle, is there any left?" "Yes" "I will take some for lunch tomorrow too. Your lunch card has been opened. Only you can use it, so take your ID" Brielle didn't know what to say. 'i haven't been able to use the cafeteria, ever' "and mine?" "Closed" "WHAT?" "you can make your meals. You don't get rewarded if you don't earn it. That's life" "YOU FUCKING BITCH" "YOUR IPAD. NOW" "NO.." "GET ME YOUR IPAD. IMMEDIATELY. YOUR PHONE TOO" claudia ran to her room With tears in her eyes. "This is delicious, Brielle. How did you learn?" "Followed a recipe" "you have never made anything like this before" "a change in food" "I've always been a fan of European cuisine. Save this one" "I can". "I'm going to clean this and I will find a container" Shaun nodded 'for years I have blamed her and now.. I don't even feel like she is my own daughter. She's very distant. Claudia has always craved my attention and I pushed Brielle away'. Claudia placed her iPad and phone down "dad, I really am sorry" "sorry doesn't give you anything back. What you have done is unforgivable. Unless I see a real change in you, this is the way your life will be. You have homework to do" "I'm hungry.." "I stated you are to eat your meal or not and you can starve. The kitchen is closed" "she is in there.." "cleaning. Which is something you need to learn" "my nails.." "YOU WILL LEARN. THEY WILL FALL OFF ANYWAY. IM NOT REPLACING THEM" "THIS IS.." "YOUR HOME WORK. RIGHT NOW". while Brielle cleaned the kitchen up from cooking, Claudia slumped in her seat and began her school work. "you have no respect and no care for anyone besides yourself. This will change. You have lost your privileges already, don't push me further or I will have you separated from your friends as well. Do not even think about harassing your sister either" Claudia groaned.
Finishing the cleaning and packing her father's lunch for tomorrow, Brielle exited the kitchen and grabbed her bag then headed for her room. Entering her room, Brielle sighed. 'dad wanted to speak to me. I don't know what I have done this time' a knock sounding on her door, Brielle spoke "it's open" Shaun walked in and looked around "where are all of your belongings?" "Here" Shaun slightly lowered his head 'her room is mostly bare' "this is all you have?" "Yes" "there is so much we need to discuss. May I?" Brielle gestured for her father to sit at her desk then faced him. "Since your mother left, I have been very hard on you. Even prior. I have been very misled. You have received punishments that weren't deserved. I can recall many times you had pleaded for me to listen and I didn't. And that leads us to today when the truth came to light. Your principal was very open and honest with me. It wasn't you failing" Brielle only nodded "and it hasn't been you causing the problems is it?" "No" "I have rewarded your sister for her bad behaviour when I punished you and that.. is a fault of my own. I was fooled. Now I know the truth, I need to apologise" 'my dad.. apologise?. It's unlike him' "a lot of good years lost due to my negligence of my role. A lot of punishments were handed out when they weren't deserved and for that, I really am sorry. When speaking with your principal today, he kindly offered a spot for you to go to Cambodia. It's a three week trip. I believe you are ahead in your studies" "yes I am. I want to finish in time" "something we have never discussed. What do you want to be when you finish school?" "An architect" Shauns eyes softened "more schooling but a very good career. I'm proud of the woman you are becoming. Your studies are very high and you should be proud of yourself. Will you take the opportunity to go to Cambodia?" "I have always wanted to go on school trips.." "I know. I will speak with your principal and pay for it. If you have finished your homework, get some rest" "okay" "good night Brielle" "good night".
For the first time in a long time, brielle grinned 'hes allowing me to go to Cambodia. Oh I have prepared myself..' "you wait until you go to school" "AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? LOSE EVERYTHING?" Claudia rushed back down stairs with worry 'my dad is watching my every move. If I make a move at school and he finds out, I'm in so much more trouble' 'this kid thinks she can bully her sister. Let's see about that'.