redeeming alyson | ongoing

a retired mean girl

As soon as Kayden left, I started pacing in my room. I tried calming myself down with a guided meditation to no avail. I texted Diana instead.

Are you busy, Di?

Her reply came within three seconds. She was an early riser and went on solo trekking to waterfalls every morning by herself. I was glad she still had some reception wherever she was.

No. What do you need me to do?

I sent her the details explicitly. Within an hour, I got the response I needed. 

Satisfied, I changed into my workout gear. It was a red racerback romper fit that fit me like a glove. Not bad. I swiped on some lip balm, and sunscreen all over my face and body.  I brushed my hip-length straight jet-black for the fifth time, and clipped on my pink belt bag. Finishing the look off with a sun visor, I went downstairs.

I might as well go for a run. I preferred walking most days, but this morning begged for a run where my surroundings blurred and all I could focus on would be the surroundings. I needed to stop thinking for awhile.

I released a breath of relief when I saw that everybody was still asleep. The house was so quiet. I was about to step out of the door when a figure caught my attention.

"Did you like my gift?"

I whipped my head around to see Nina at the entrance of the dining room. Her arms were crossed on her chest, and she was smiling at me with that sinister smile that never left her lips.

"Bitch," I gritted out, walking towards her. 

Her eyes widened slightly. She must have been surprised to see a reaction out of me, but I was a raw nerve this morning after my exchange with Kayden.

She cupped a hand to her ear and mocked me. Her reaction betrayed her though because her lower lip quivered. I internally smirked. "What was that?"

I narrowed my eyes, moving my face close to her. Gently, I touched her chin and lifted it. The key was to never break eye contact. "Do you want to be sent to rehab soon?" I whispered.

The smile dropped from her lips.

"You're so silly, Nina. Of course I know. Count yourself lucky I respect our father."

Thank God for Diana's head's up.

"He isn't your father," she spat. "Your mother's a gold digging whore! Why else would she marry my father?!"

I rolled my eyes. "Please. How many times have I heard this line? If my mother was as evil as you thought, why hasn't she poisoned your father and forged his will to keep you from inheriting anything?"

Her eyes blazed fire and hatred. "One of these days, she'll do that for sure. I wouldn't be surprised. You bitches came from the backwaters of Burra. There's nothing you wouldn't do to rise in society."

I burst out laughing. "You judgmental cow. My mother takes care of your father's lifestyle. Do you even know that she arranges his meal plans, his doctor's appointments, and even your tutors when we were in highschool?"

"So?"

"So?" I placed more pressure on her chin with my thumb. "You think her contributions are nothing just because she's a stay at home wife?" 

"Oh please! She does that with his money! What's so hard about these things?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Of course. Should she use her own money? She saves everything your father gives her. Besides, your mother stressed out your father so much with her gambling debts and cheating scandals, she gave him a heart attack. My mother's presence alone already increased his lifespan. Without her, he probably would have succumbed to another heart attack."