CHAPTER FORTY THREE

"The princess has finally decided to wake up," Cynthia said mockingly.
Lia didn't take it to heart and just smiled at Cynthia.
"Hello, mother-in-law," Lia said.
"Who are you calling mother-in-law, I haven't given you permission to call me that yet"
"Uhm, sorry. What should I call you?"
"..." Cynthia said nothing.
"Well, can I call you elder?"
"I'm not withering" Cynthia snapped.
"What about Matron?"
" Call me whatever you want to call me but not mother-in-law," Cynthia said stubbornly.
" Where is Leo?" Lia asked.
" I don't know. The last time I saw him he looked angry. I'm guessing you probably did or said something you weren't supposed to" Cynthia said and walked away.
Lia went into the kitchen to fix something to eat, seeing as she was starving.
The sweet smell of food attracted Cynthia who was busy arranging and settling in.
"Is that for me?" Cynthia asked staring at an already dished plate.
"Do you want some? If you do I can get some for you to eat"
"And suffer from food poisoning, not a chance"
"Ok then"
Lia ate silently while Cynthia stared at her almost drooling. Her stomach fiercely growled.
"Are you sure you don't want some?" Lia asked her again.
"Fine, I will eat. But only because you keep insisting"
"Great, I'm sure you will love the food"
"Keep dreaming" Cynthia scoffed.
Lia served Cynthia a plate of food.
Cynthia took a spoon full and put it in her mouth. She unconsciously moaned loudly and covered her mouth out of embarrassment.
"It looks like you are enjoying it" Lia smirked.
"Don't be silly, I have had better. Besides this meal is completely tasteless. Where did you even learn how to cook?"
"My father thought me" Lia stated proudly.
"It's no wonder it tastes horrible," Cynthia said.
"Sure, whatever you say. There is more in the pot if you want. Feel free to eat as much as you like" Lia said.
"I doubt I will," Cynthia said.
Cynthia ate painfully slow until Lia had finished her plate and left. She immediately rushed the food and went to the pot to take her second round.
"So good" she moaned as she stuffed her face.
Unknowingly to her, Lia stood in a silent corner and watched her before she got tired and left.
Cynthia was about to go for the third round when her phone rang. It was Mr. Black that was calling.
"Hello," Cynthia said into the phone.
"How are you doing?" Mr. Black asked.
"I'm doing great, where are you?" Cynthia asked.
"That's not important right now, have you met with Mr. King yet?"
"Yes I have, I moved into the house today"
" I hope you are getting along well with Mrs. King?"
" I'm trying my best, I don't see why I have to get along with her. There is nothing so special about her" Cynthia said and took another bite of the delicious food.
"If you don't want to get on bad terms with Mr. King again, it's best that you do so. Also weren't you the same person who happily rejoiced when I told you that Leo was married and had moved on"
"Marrying a look-alike isn't moving on," Cynthia said.
"Well if that is what you feel, fine. But try your best not to anger Mr. King, at least not until I come back and you have someone to beg for you"
"Silly boy. So when are you coming back?"
" Unfortunately there was a flight delay, so I couldn't come back today. But I will be back soon enough"
...
" Miss Liana what's wrong?" The nanny asked Liana who was throwing a tantrum.
" Brother hasn't come to see me yet," Liana said.
" Ah yes, your brother will come and see you very soon," The nanny said.
" Liar. Brother is angry with me, that is why he won't come to see me"
" He is just busy with a few things"
" Does brother hate me?" Liana asked saddened.
" No Liana, your brother loves you very much"
" I want to see my brother. Liana shouldn't have called him a badman and now Liana won't see brother again" Liana said as she threw one of her favorite toys on the floor.
" Miss Liana please calm down"
"Get out of my room" Liana said.
"Miss Liana?"
"Get out now, get out" Liana yelled and pointed at the door.
"Ok I will leave, please stop yelling okay. If you need anything just call my name"
Liana walked back and forth engulfed in her thoughts and fighting with the voices in her head.
***Brother doesn't want to see you***
The voice spoke.
***He is angry with you and he hates you now***
It said again.
***Do you want to know why? Because you are stupid***
***No one wants a sister like you***
Liana got on her knees and used both palms to cover her ears.
"Stop talking"
***Just die***
"Shut up"
***Die***
"I said shut up" Liana yelled and hit her head several times with a fisted palm.
" Brother will forgive me, I know he will. I just have to find him and apologize. Yes, Liana will find him and he will forgive her"
...
Lia yawned and stretched her body. She had just woken up from her nap and felt a lot better than she did a few hours ago.
She took her phone and scrolled through her messages. She found a message from Mary who had said hi.
Lia replied,
'Hello'
' what are you doing right now?' Mary texted.
' I'm home '
' can we meet up? '
' Is something wrong?'
' No, I just wanted you to meet someone '
' oh, cool. Who is it? '
' My boyfriend '
' I never knew you had a boyfriend '
' We got together not long ago '
' congratulations. Where would you like us to meet? ' Lia replied.
' The same place we met last time '
' what time? ' Lia asked.
' six o'clock '
' I will be there ' Lia texted and dropped her phone.
"I still have an hour and thirty minutes to prepare," Lia said and snuggled into her pillow.