Chapter 3

Lucia’s POV

We finished going through the papers after an hour. Right now, I’m so tired, but thanks to Ava I didn’t have to go through them on my own.

Ava was lying on the couch. I took the lunch pack and walked to join her.

“What’s that?” she asked as I sat down next to her.

“What?”

“What is in there? I can smell the delicious aroma from here.”

“Ooh. Some muffins Yvonne prepared in the morning.”

“How did you find her? You are so lucky. She is the best chef,” she said, and I nodded.

I took the dishes out and placed them on the table. I was surprised to see that she had also packed some juice and yogurt for me.

“Wow. I now know the reason why you are gaining weight. She really takes good care of you,” Ava said.

“That she does.”

“I’m coming to stay at your place for a week until they cool down,” she informed me.

“That’s not a problem. There are so many rooms in the penthouse so you are welcomed.”

“When are you leaving?” she asked.

“Why should I leave?”

“To go and meet your parents, dumbass.”

“Since I have completed today’s work, I will leave immediately after we finish eating these. But first, I will have to go back to the penthouse and get ready.”

“But you are just okay with the way you look,” she said, seeming confused.

“I will not be going to a meeting, Ava, I’m going to my parents’ house; therefore, I can change to something comfortable and not so formal. Right now, I’m wearing a formal outfit,” I explained.

“Okay. Then we will go together to the penthouse. You will leave me asleep,” she said, and I shook my head.

“Why? It’s so healthy to sleep,” she said.

“Yeah. Yeah. Whatever. Now let us eat.”

We ate while talking about different things.

If our moms entered right now, we would get into trouble since they hated it when we talked while eating. But we never listened to them. As long as they were not present, we always did what we felt like doing.

After half an hour, we had finished. We picked up our handbags and left the office.

I drove to the penthouse. When we arrived, I went to my bedroom to get ready. My mom did not inform me about any visitors; therefore, I chose black ragged jeans and a white crop top which had ‘Bitch’ writing at the front. I took a warm bath and then wore the clothes. I tied my hair into a ponytail and left two strands to fall on my face. I applied dark red lipstick to match with the outfit. I finished with a simple make up and wore my black boots. The weather was warm, so I did not need any coat or hoodie. I picked up the white handbag I took to the office.

I walked towards the bedroom where Ava would be sleeping so that I could inform her that I would be leaving, but unfortunately, I found her already asleep.

I walked downstairs and met Yvonne in the kitchen.

“I’m going to my parents’ house, and Ava is sleeping in the guest room. Please prepare dinner for her. Inform her that I already left when she wakes up. Ooh, I will be coming back quite late so do not wait for me.”

She had a habit of waiting for me until I came back instead of going to sleep.

“Okay, Lucia. Drive safely,” she said.

“I will,” I said before leaving.

It was a twenty-minute drive to my parents’ house.

When I arrived, I parked my car at the garage and walked in. I did not knock since it was where I grew up, and I did not feel like knocking in the first place.

I walked directly to the kitchen where I found my mom and nanny preparing dinner.

“Hello, family,” I said.

“Lucia,” mother acknowledged my presence and went back to what she was doing. I could sense that there was something wrong, but I pushed the thought away.

“My baby,” my nanny said as she came to hug me.

“I have really missed you, nanny.”

“Me too, dear.”

“Why don’t you go and sit down? We have already finished cooking,” mom said.

I looked around and saw that they had prepared a lot of meals. Were they expecting other visitors apart from me? I gave a mom a questioning look, but she shrugged it and continued doing what she was doing. I looked at my nanny, and she avoided my eyes. I knew that they were hiding something. But what could they be hiding from me?

I opened my mouth to talk, but mom glared at me.

“Just leave already.”

I have never seen her like this before. What was she hiding? What have I done wrong? I had so many questions.

I turned and went back to the living room, but I was honestly getting bored. I came earlier than she had informed me so that I could have some quality time with her, but in return, I received a cold shoulder from her.

I decided to go to my room upstairs. They would call me when they needed me. I did not feel like greeting dad. My mind was already preoccupied.

When I reached my bedroom, I found my teddy bear still on my bed. I walked towards my shelf and took out a novel which I was quite sure I had not read. I lay on my bed after turning on the music and started reading the book.

I did not know how long I had been here reading. I had just completed the book, and nobody cared to see me. Did they really want me to be here? Four hours had passed since I got here, and none of them seemed to miss me apart from my nanny. I had really had enough. I hated feeling as if I was not wanted in a place and especially in my parents’ house.

I decided to go back home. I walked downstairs. As I got nearer, I heard laughs and voices. Great! They were clearly having nice moments when I was staying in my room all alone.

I walked in the living room and saw that the Knight family was here, but right now I did not care even a bit. I was angry. No. Furious will be the most suitable word.

“I’m leaving,” I said with a cold voice. This seemed to alert them that I was already in the room.

“But you just got here honey,” dad said.

So, mom did not tell him that I was in the house!

“Am sorry, dad, but I came four hours ago. You can ask mom,” I stated.

Mom looked down clearly ashamed. We had never had the perfect mother and daughter relationship. I did not know why she hated me.

“Esther, tell me she is not telling the truth,” dad said angrily.

“I’m sorry, but I forgot that she had arrived,” she said.

“Forgot!” he shouted.

“You see? That is clear evidence that I’m not needed here, so I will be leaving,” I said and started walking towards the front door.

“Do not go, honey. I’m sorry for your mom’s behavior,” he said, but there was no way I was going to listen to him.

I felt thirsty and decided to drink water, so I turned to the kitchen.

“I thought that you were leaving?” mom said, her voice was full of venom.

“Yes. I will be leaving this house in a few. No need to get mad. It’s not like I will take the house away and throw you to the streets,” I said.

“Stop, both of you,” dad said.

“Don’t tell me to keep quiet. Tell that to your wife,” I said and walked past him.

I walked towards the fridge and took out a bottle of water. After drinking it, I decided it was time to leave.

“What is wrong with you? How many times do I have to tell you to talk to her nicely?” dad asked.

“Do I have to?” mom asked.

“You will have to and also learn to respect her if you do not want me to throw you out of my house. She is my daughter, and you can never change that,” dad said.

“You can’t do that to me!” she said.

“Try me,” he answered.

He was really mad to talk to her like that; even in the presence of the guests did not stop him.

“Dad, I will be on my way, call me when you need anything. I love you,” I said while hugging him.

“I love you too, but please do not go,” he said.

“I’m sorry.”

I walked to the front door and opened it ready to leave. The Almighty, Lucio Knight was standing there.

“Aah, Lucio, my son, finally you have decided to grant us your presence,” his dad said when he saw him.

“Can I come in?” Lucio asked, and I stepped aside, giving him a way to get in.

“Lucia, dear, since you are so adamant about leaving, I have something to tell you before you leave,” dad said.

“Go on,” I encouraged him.

“Lucio and you will be getting married in two weeks,” he said.