A PLACE SHE KNEW BUT NOW FELT FOREIGN
Anna went up the stairs and stood in front of the doors of the Lee family. A trace of nostalgia flashed in her mind but was gone as quickly as it came. After all, this was the place she grew up in. She had fond memories of her childhood. A happy family of three living each day as it came. The tragedy shook her when she was fourteen.
One morning she woke up to find her belongings thrown out. Her mother's belongings were also thrown out. Her father had given his mistress a status and threw the legal wife and his own biological daughter out.
She watched as the mistress trampled on her mother, chasing her out while her father watched with no intention of intervening.
Life was hard after that. Her mother had gotten sick and died a year later. She stood by her grave for a long time hoping that her dad would come, but after waiting for a day and night, he never showed up.
Her mother left her the only shares she had in the Lu group but even those were taken away from her.
Her train of thought was disrupted as the door opened. The one who opened the door was the Lee family's Butler, Kian. He was old and very friendly. He treated Anna as her daughter when she was still living here.
A bright smile escaped Kian's face once he saw Anna but was replaced quickly when another person came and stood at the door, Anna's step-sister, Julia Lee.
Anna loathed her to the core. She teamed up with her mother to throw them out. She was only fourteen at the time but her mind was already full of schemes.
"Sister you are here" Julia beamed as she threw her hands towards Anna in an attempt to cross their arms but Anna dodged.
She left Julia gritting her teeth behind her as she made her way to the living room where she found her father and his mistress sitting. Apart from them, there were two other people, Chen's family's second son, Karl Chen, and his assistant.
In an instant, Anna understood why she was called by her father abruptly the previous day.
The Chen family was as influential as the Lee family but there was one of them who everyone did not want to give their daughters, Karl Chen. He was short and very fatty.
He changed women like he changed his inner clothes and scandals followed him everywhere he went. He was very disrespectful towards women and he had once been in jail for attempted rape.
"Anna you are here..sit down, please. I have something I want to discuss with you" Her father chimed when he saw her. This was unlike his behavior. He was treating her too well. He even ordered the maids to bring her tea, something he had never done before.
Anna took her seat and stared directly at her father, ignoring Mrs. Lee, her father's mistress completely. She was Julia's mom. Sharon Fu was her name but now that she was already married to her father, she preferred to be called Mrs. Lee.
Sharon's face distorted when she felt that Anna was clearly ignoring her. She gritted her teeth in silence but was afraid to talk loudly because there were guests.
"Mr. Lee called me over today. Cut to the chase. I am a very busy person." Anna said as she twirled the tea in her cup. Mr. Lee's face turned red from anger but he had to maintain a calm demeanor because of the guest. What Anna said embarrassed him so he had to be brief.
"The Chen family came to ask for Julia's hand in marriage but she was not willing. So the opportunity fell into your hands. So today we called you back to finalize the details of your wedding....." Everything her father said after that fell into deaf years.
Opportunity...
Julia is not willing.....
What about her? when would anyone care about her own feelings? This was her own father telling her to marry a man because her sister did not want her.
She stood up abruptly and glared at her father. A smile was on her face as she said
"I am not short on men recently so I'll have to decline your offer. As for him since you just marry anything nowadays, I think you are a perfect fit. Goodbye,"
She then turned around, and walked through the doors, ignoring the angry looks she was getting.
Her father had fallen down because of anger and Sharon was trying to calm him down before she followed Anna out.
"You stop right there!" Sharon bellowed as she ran in her heels trying to catch up with her.
Anna stopped in her tracks and turned to stare at Sharon dead in the face. Her face showed how angry she was and her breaths were labored.
"Sharon I don't know what tricks you have up your sleeve but let me remind you this, do not test me. You can marry second master Chen if you want.
After all isn't that what you are good at, searching for rich men. He would really look good with your daughter. if you do anything this stupid again, walking out of these gates is not the only thing I will do. I repeat, do not test me!"
Anna then strode and got inside her car and left fast. in the mirror she saw Sharon, pale-faced slumped on the ground.
What a waste of her precious time!