Layla fixed her gaze downward at her plate, which included some scorched potatoes and a few vegetables, likely peas and carrots. Because of their discoloration, she cannot be certain. She didn't believe the slices of bread on the other plate were eatable at all.
She shifted her gaze to the right. Three individuals were dining and laughing together, as if she didn't even exist. A middle-aged man was sitting at the head of the table, flirting with a woman to his left who was dressed sensually, showing most of her cleavage, and the young child to his right.
The other side of the table appeared to be more lively and appetising than hers. There were many different types of meat and veggie dishes on the dinner table. Along with a lot of unfinished side dishes.
Layla fiddled with her fork, squeezing a pea that had turned discolored. Her ears hurt from the sound of their laughter, conversing and laughing like a typical family. To her, it felt like poison. How did she behave back then? She couldn't recall much. But as she reflected on her past, the only feeling she experienced was agony.
Nothing would have satisfied her more than to plunge these forks into their eyeballs, causing them to scream and sob in pain. She made every effort to keep a poker look as graphic images of torture filled her mind. She tried her best not to grin at the images as she daydreamed. She stabbed a molded potato. The wisest course of action might be to remain silent.
"Oh, so this is the child you have been taking care of, honey" a woman's voice came from her right side.
"Yes. She is my daughter. Layla Synders" the man said without looking up. Then he went back to drinking his wine.
"Ahh...it's her" the woman spoke in a low, sarcastic voice with a sinister undertone. The woman's eyes looked down on her as if she were some lowly insect whose life was not worth living.
It's not just her eyes that were evil. The woman was dangerous and should not be trifled with. After all, this woman is...
"Layla, this woman right here is your stepmother and this boy right here is your elder brother Elijah", he said while wiping his lips with a napkin. And then he looked up at his son with a smile. "Elijah, don't worry about her, she won't be disturbing you at all. So, son, make this place your home."
After that, there was silence. Of course he would say that. A proposal for him and a threat for her. Her father needed Elijha.
"Oh come on honey, he is your own son. This mansion will be his in the future. So, of course, this would be his house. Small things are not worthy of being worried about" she responded while smirking and side-eyeing Layla.
Elijah eventually raised his head to face his mother, maintaining an emotionless expression. "Yes mother," he said monotonously.
Upon hearing the son's reply, his mother was overjoyed. "Ah just lovely". Then it's back to their flirtation again and Elijah eating in silence.
She actually preferred it this way. People ignoring her as if she is no longer a part of the world around her. It provides her with some peace and time to consider her next move.
Her stepmother motioned for a maid to refill her now-empty wineglass. "Oh my young lady, did you not like the food?"
Layla raised her head. A condescending expression, looking at her with fake concern. Everyone turned to gaze at Layla after the maid spoke.
"Is that true, Layla? You shouldn't waste food", her stepmother said.
"Layla, do you think food falls from the sky? Do you know how much I work hard to feed you and keep a roof over our head. You really are like your dead mother, ignorant and stupid! Finish it now", an order from her father. He continued, "Compared to you, your brother is so much more useful. Why can't you be more like him? Always eating and sleeping. The day I get you married off will be such a relief honestly."
Ah, Layla remembered some of her memories now. In front of her stepfamily and even a poor maid, her father insulted her. She had cried so much in her former life that her eyes were red and puffy. Her only solace after losing her mother came from Granny Jane and Henni. And the person who started this was...
Layla raised her eyes at the red-haired girl with the two ponytails who was dressed in a maid's uniform. The girl smirked and looked down at Layla. It was Beth, her stepmother's right hand.
"Forgive me father, but today I have no appetite. Though father might not know this, I have been suffering from a high fever for the previous few days, eating something heavy like this might upset my stomach. I hope you won't take offence to this", Layla said with an innocent smile.
When she was ill and lying in bed, the man who calls himself her father didn't even come to see her once. Furthermore, he hit her with his cane while she begged him to stay after her mother died. He then had the audacity to claim that she should be grateful to him for feeding her. What a joke.
"But I would be more than happy to share it-" she turned to face the redhead "-Beth, here" she extended the bread towards the maid.
"My mom used to say 'sharing is caring'. And since we all don't want to waste the food, you can have some. I didn't touch the bread. You can have it all."
The bread had fungus growing on it and was soggy. Any sane person would say this was inedible.
The maid's face turned disgusted as she retreated and turned to look at her mistress for assistance.
"Layla, you really have no manners. A noble never offers his plate to a lowly maid. Seems like your lacking in etiquette" she continued in a mocking tone. "What else can I expect from a prostitute's daughter," the woman sneered.
Layla bit inside of her cheeks, she needed to control herself. Calm down.
She put on a sad expression. "Ah, I apologize, mother, I didn't know that. I will be careful in the future" with a sullen look, as though she regretted what she had done.
Well, Layla's act was so convincing that her stepmother waived her hand dismissively while displaying an irritated expression. Even so, the maid appeared happier than her boss.
"Then please excuse me everyone, I still am not feeling well. Please enjoy your dinner", Layla smiled and said before standing up and leaving the room.
Her stomach still growled from not eating anything. The inedible things on her plate were visible to her family, but they remained silent. Her father remained quiet. The stepmother appeared to be in complete charge of the household.
She clicked her tongue. Were all men such cowards in this household?
Right now, she needed to visit Jane and Henni. The prior meeting had absolutely ruined her mood. She was not accompanied by the butler, unlike before. The mansion was much quieter at night than in the morning.
Jane and Henni must be occupied, as they had so many tasks to complete. Disturbing them would not be a wise idea. So she went straight to her room.
"Why are you back so fast?"
"Huh?" Layla turned her gaze at the two individuals sitting at the table.
Henni was snacking on some cookies while seated at the table. Jane was embroidering on the side across from her. They appeared shocked by her sudden return.
"It's like only twenty minutes or so. Did you all eat that fast?" Henni said this while eating another cookie. Layla smiled brightly. "Yea. It was too suffocating there. Anyway, what are you eating there" Layla spoke as she moved closer to them and observed the item in Henni's hand.
Henni swallowed her food. "This?" she held the paper bag in front of Layla. "These are cookies my mom sent me yesterday."
"Hmm, looks good" Layla said before grabbing one of the cookies.
"H-hey! What are you doing?"
Layla put one in her mouth and chewed. That was tasty. "Yum. That tasted good". Looking at Henni, Layla remarked with sparkling eyes.
"Why are you eating a commoner's snack?"
"Layla, honey, are you OK? Didn't you just have dinner" Jane said from the other side, with a worried expression.
"Was the dinner alright? Did you meet all of them?"
Layla looked at Jane, worry was very evident in her eyes. "Yes, but they tasted better than the food on that big table. Moreover, it's fun to share food and talk", Layla said with a smile. A genuine one this time. They both stayed and waited for Layla since they were concerned that she might not be able to handle the shift.
She likes the cookies that her Henni's mother makes. Despite the fact that aristocrats are not permitted to consume food from commoners, Layla had stopped caring. She took a second bite. Even if the cookie and the chocolates may not have come from the finest materials, they tasted wonderful nonetheless. She feels heart-warming warmth with each bite, and the presence of these two made her feel secure.
They continued to talk until Jane decided Layla needed to go to sleep. Even though Layla wanted to chat a little longer, Jane was having none of it.
The cookies Henni's mother sent were ultimately consumed in a single day, rather in a single night.
"You better not steal any food just because your late night snack is finished"
"Oh well, we will see. Can't guarantee nothing when it comes to food", Henni shrugged. "Or maybe we can share it" Henni winked at Layla, wanting a partner in crime.
She approached Layla and whispered, "I heard Sammy talking about making coconut cookies for tomorrow's dessert. What do you say?" Henni smiled.
Coconut cookies. That sounds delicious. Despite Layla's efforts to maintain a poker look, her cheeks warmed. "Alright. But only if you can arrive before I fall asleep" Layla replied.
Henni flashed a big smile. "Rodger that".
"Let's go, it's getting late" Jane ordered, who had given up on stopping these two.
"Alright. See you tomorrow girl", Henni waved her hand.
Layla smiled warmly. "Hm, see you tomorrow."