"Forget it, Mom. I refuse to go to that jungle you insist on calling school,'' I snapped, my voice firm.

I've made up my mind and nothing anyone tells me is going to change my mind. I was humiliated just because I attended that goddamn party I wonder what's going to happen by the time I'm been admitted there.

Ethan's girl or whatever, had referred me to a lowlife, if you can imagine? But that's not even my concern she wasn't even wrong calling me a lowlife because that's what I am and even if my mom is married to Ethan's father, it won't change anything.

Only God knows how much more embarrassment I'll face by the time I start going to that school. I need to spare myself further embarrassment. And the only way to do that is not going to that place. There's a lot of bullies there.

"What's the meaning of this?" My mom asked me frowning. "I thought we've discussed about this before?"

"I know we did but apparently, I've changed my mind.." I told her bluntly.

She scuffed. "Are you being serious?"

Valentina can be funny sometimes; she's my mother, and I'm surprised she doesn't even know when I'm serious.

"Yes," I nodded folding my hands round my chest.

"You're such a big disgrace to me and your late father," she hiss coldly.

"Because I'm telling you that I don't want to go to that school, you're now calling me a disgrace? Is that what mothers does?" I asked her feeling irritated.

"If you don't want to go, no big deal,'' she said with a dismissive tone. ''You can stay here and let me know when you find a suitor. Being a full-time housewife suits you perfectly.'' Her words felt like a punch to the gut. The implication was disgusting – reducing my future to domesticity.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

***

The silence that followed my mother's departure was broken by the maid's gentle voice: ''Dinner is ready.'

I came into the dinning and I must confess everyone here is pissing me off. Starting from my mother down to that motherfucker call Ethen.

I pulled out a chair and sat on it. I collected a fork and I just couldn't eat. I've lost my appetite and I think it's best I leave.

I got up and was about leaving when Mr Francis asked. "Aria what's the problem?"

"Nothing," I shrugged my shoulders.

I appreciate the fact that he's trying to be kind to me but I'm not comfortable with it.

"Your mom told me that you said you don't want to go to Ethan's school, why?" He asked me, his voice laced with concern.

Should I tell him the reason why I don't want to go there any more?

"Dad you can just ignore this girl, she doesn't have any plan for her future..." Ethan wasn't even through when his father cut him off guard.

"Will you shut the fuck up!"

"That's not a place meant for her and I believe that she has realised that fact," he said getting up from his chair.

This kid's really getting under my skin. I wish I had the guts to punch him in the face. I swear to God, one more word from him and I'm going to give him that punch. He should learn to mind his business and stay away from me.

"Who's talking about place?" Mr. Francis asked him. "Do you think you're better than her? The fact that you were fortunate enough to be born into a rich home doesn't make you superior to those born in the slums."

"If it's that easy,'' he said to his father with a challenging tone, ''then why wasn't she born into a rich family?''

His irritation simmered as he added, ''Is it because you're smart or powerful, like some kind of Oz figure, that you ended up in a wealthy household?''

"Dad it's high time you chose between me or her," he told his father sternly.

"I can't believe I raised someone like you," he spat and walked out of the dinning.

If I'd known, I wouldn't have come here in the first place. I shouldn't be the cause of their daily quarrels. It's all my mother's fault, and I won't stop blaming her for it.

"Happy now?" My mom screamed at me. I know she's still going to find a way to blame me for this. The last time I checked, I didn't said anything that was supposed to have made Mr Francis angry but his son did, so why's she blaming me?

"What did I do?'' I demanded, my hands spread wide in a helpless gesture."

This is exasperating!

"Why should you be the reason why someone has to suffer or be hated by his father?" My mother yelled.

If you can imagine! She's saying this bullshit right in Ethan's presence, what do she wants? For him to see me as a bad person? Is she trying to solve the problem at hand or increase it?

"Am I the one who got on his father's nerves?!" I shouted back at her.

"You're acting like a witch and I guess that's what you are!" She told me.

Anger flushed my face. Had she not been my mother, her words would have earned her a slap – she'd actually called me a witch.

Goddamnit!

Then my mother turned to Ethan. "Please Ethan, I apologize on her behalf."

Is this her attempt at being a good stepmom – by completely dropping her guard? Honestly, my mom's behavior disgusts me.

"There won't be peace in this house until you take this your witch of a daughter out of this house!" He said authoritatively.

" Call me that name again and I'll give you a slap," I told him meaning the word.