Chapter 17: Serious problem

Tiffany was happily idly passing the time dreaming of Gabriel when she was startled out of her reverie by a sudden knock on the door of her bedroom.

"You witch! What the hell are you doing inside? Come out and clean up this mess you have created!" Jacob yelled from outside and continued to bang on the door until she opened it.

"What is wrong, Dad?" Tiffany said, gritting through her teeth. She detested this so-called father of hers, but she also knew that if she persisted in her disobedience, Jacob would eventually beat the shit out of her.

Gazing through Tiffany's angry eyes, Jacob glared at her and yelled, "What kind of girl are you? Don't you know how to keep the house clean? Where the hell have you lost my lottery ticket?!"

Tiffany scowled at Jacob's irrational outburst. She realized her father wasn't intoxicated and sober enough to slap her if she answered him back rudely.

"What lottery ticket are you talking about?" Tiffany inquired, trying to sound as normal as possible.

Jacob had stolen some cash from Susan's wallet and was getting agitated trying to locate the ticket he had bought. But what frustrated him more was Tiffany's innocence.

He remembered that he had the ticket in his jeans pocket the other night before he got home drunk, but when he woke up this morning, he could not find it. Ever since, he has been searching every nook and cranny of the house for it.

Refusing to put up with Tiffany's ignorance, Jacob grabbed her hair, dragged her from her room into the living room, and shoved her to the bed.

"I am aware that it is your responsibility to keep the house clean. Search for my belongings before I beat the living daylights out of you, or else you and your mother will be reduced to nothing," Jacob yelled, kicking the stool that was lying on the ground and running out of the house.

Tiffany sneered and shot her eyes in the direction where Jacob had just walked out. Then she reached into her pocket and withdrew the lottery ticket.

"You think I am a fool to let you enjoy the money you win with this shit." Tiffany snarled, smashing the ticket in her hand. "How dare you abuse me for this shit, huh?"

Tiffany furiously threw away the ticket, wiped her tears, and got to her feet.

Tiffany hated being taken advantage of, especially by her father who had never loved her at all. Her mother had been the only one to love and support her, but that love was destroyed the moment Tiffany started working for the Millers.

Yes, the Millers, and the one with whom she shared her love and attention was Eveline, her innocent and kind young miss.

Tiffany recalled going to the Miller mansion when she was four years old. It was after the death of Eveline's mother that Susan brought her along to play with her young miss. She does not remember that incident, though, or else she would have known Tiffany was her nanny's daughter.

Back to the point, Eveline had refused to talk with anyone and kept calling for her demise mother.

Watching the girl cry day and night worried everyone so much that Susan decided to bring Tiffany along. She thought the girl would benefit from having someone her own age assist her in forgetting her suffering and helping her recover from the trauma.

Susan's suggestion was well received by Jonathan as well, who allowed her to bring her daughter along.

Eveline was able to overcome her loneliness thanks to Tiffany's presence, but it also planted the seed of greed in Tiffany's heart. She was astounded by Eveline's extravagant lifestyle and princess-like treatment.

She was loved not just by her family but also by the people who worked for them, and her mother proved to be one of them. She would take care of Eveline as if she were her own daughter, making sure she received proper care.

Sadly, Tiffany's visitation was short-lived because her father forbade her from leaving the house the following day and forced her to help with household chores while her mother worked to support the family.

So callous was the man that he asked Susan to allow her daughter to work as a maid there for her to make money as well.

Those words from Jacob caused a huge rift between the couple, to the point where he used his hands on Susan, forcing her to listen to him.

"Wait and see how I will put an end to this penury by marrying the most popular guy in my college. I am going to take over the Winston family as their mistress and lock you up," Tiffany exclaimed, dreaming over her father's misery and a lavishing life with Gabriel, when suddenly a phone call broke her dream, retrieving her from it.

Tiffany furrowed when she saw a familiar name flashing on the screen. "Why the hell is calling me now?" she muttered ridiculously

She did not want to talk to anyone, but she answered the phone because of the caller's persistence.

"Hi Alex," Tiffany said with a drop of her voice, sounding sweet and genuine.

Alex, who was growing restless, exhaled a breath of relief at last the moment Tiffany answered his call, but soon the fear on his face crawled back and he muttered,

"Tiffany, there is a serious issue." Tiffany's eyes grew cold and her face became icy as she listened to him speak for the first time.

****

The next day Eveline woke up as usual, had her breakfast, and was about to leave when an unexpected guest appeared at her house doorstep.

Gabriel entered the house and stopped to observe Eveline standing in front of him.

Though Eveline was not prepared to see Gabriel so early in the morning, she could not resist inquiring now that he was at her house.

"Gabriel, what brings you here so early?" Eveline was still antagonistic, but this time Gabriel did not take offense at what she said. Rather, he gave Eveline a slender smile that nearly stunned her.

"I am here to pick you up,"

"..."