"Erika, Erika, Erika, don't you have anything else but talking about her?" A tall lady in her thirties said, rolling her green eyes as she stood up from the table.
"Patritica Milne, this is not the manner of a high-class lady like you; it's dinner time, show more respect, thank God your father isn't here," Mrs. Milne stated as she rubbed her mouth and put the spoon aside. She headed to where Patritica was.
"Mom, you don't have to explain for her; she just cares about her own interests," Rosalina said as she followed her mother, who turned and gazed at her with anger and a heart that bleeds from regret.
"And not a word, especially you; I don't want to hear a letter from you; my face turned black from the insult and contempt because of you and because of your stupid choices." Mrs. Milne yelled; she was on her top nerves. It was the first time for Rosalina to hear her mother's high tone rose.
"You can't change the past, mom; she got married to that fifty-something old man, and now he's gone somewhere," Patritica said. She sat herself on the good-looking wooden chair. The room was well lit, and the view of the front garden captured the heart.
"I told you hundreds of times; he didn't run away; Kan won't leave me like this; I'm sure that there was someone behind his sudden disappearance," Rosalina said with a voice full of hope to see her husband again.
"Are you sure that the daughter of a moll got married to Mr. Rafael?" Mrs. Milne stated this because she did not believe in Rosalina's previous statement about Erika's marriage.
"It's not our cup of tea, mom; to whom she got married, no body care, and you should not have to obese your mind with her," Patritica uttered. She knew that her mother wouldn't let this issue go well.
Although they had been talking about her since the wedding party two weeks ago, Patricia got rid of their lame conversation and their useless threatening statements.
Patritica worked as a fashion designer; she had small eyes and short brown hair; she had calm features; simple hopes and dreams, she was pale, similar to those who were in the middle class.
Rosalina was bearing her mother's complaining and nagging in silence, since she had chosen to walk this path, so she should expect everything. She touched her stomach as she gazed at the window.
"Don't tell me you're pregnant." Patritica said as she watched Rosalina's movements. Rosalina hurried and closed her mouth. "Hush! Don't let my mother hear you; yes, I'm pregnant in the first month. I don't think this is a problem, Patricia." Rosalina replied in a very low whisper.
Mrs. Milne joined Mr. John to drink tea together; she had to argue with him about Erika and her nonsensical plays, which affect her daughter's life.
"What's the story behind Erika and Mr. Rafael? Did they get married?" Mrs. Milne mouthed, and Mr. John slowly put his cup of tea down. She raised her eyebrow, ready to hear him.
He changed his mind and kept sipping his tea. She felt like burning him alive. She smiled and said, "Do you have any hand in their marriage? It is impossible for a majestic man like Mr. Rafael to marry a loon girl like Erika," Mrs. Milne uttered.
"Better keep your eyes on your daughters, Narimana; what was that shameful marriage of your daughter Rosalina? I can't face my important guests and friends because of her," Mr. John said as he drank his hot tea cup as fast as he could to avoid Narimana's consumption.
"What are you saying, man? This is your dear daughter; how would you prefer her over that bitch?" Mrs. Milne uttered, grabbing her dress. She was more angry than before, and she could not help the painful truth that Mr. John Milne had cheated on her.
She condoned only the family's reputation, so she did not think about reprimanding him or even asking him about his reasons.
"All that I have requested and desired throughout my life is to get an heir, and fate has given me one girl obsessed with fashion design, with a petrified mind, who does not care about the status of the family." Mr. John stated that he poured some
beer for himself, he coughed hard before he finished talking.
"And that other girl brought shame to the family, by chasing love trifles and so on—I don't want to talk about her; I think it's okay for your daughters to learn from Erika about how to benefit my projects." Mr. John Milne stated as he giggled in pain.
Mrs. Milne kept silent for some minutes, then said, "That Erika will destroy your life, John."
Mr. John smiled in an evil way, then took a sip. He cleared his throat, then said, "Nonsense, my life will not be destroyed by anyone; I am the strongest here."
He acted cool in front of her, while his whole body was trembling from the fact that if the world discovered that Erika was his illegitimate daughter, all his wealth and position would go west.
"Dear, do you have a habit of telling any girl that you will take her on a trip with you in Africa for business purposes?" Rosalina whispered in his ear and slowly unbuttoned his shirt.
He rolled his eyes. He was surprised by her behavior. He was planning to hook her, but not in the office. "I'm a bad manager, but not that bad to break the company rules." He eyed her with lust, damning his previous statement.
"Are you afraid that someone might come?" Rosalina said the words as she poured herself a drink. She was on his lap while his hands were around her waist.
"Can we move to my place?" He suggested it, as he hardly kept himself from her.
"No," she uttered as she made him drink the wine. It was the first time a lady showed up and gave him her body. He didn't even try to seduce her, not as much as she insisted on having warm nights with him.
"Here is better; despite the fact that there's no one in the company, it's already ten p.m." Rosalina uttered, her eyes burning out of eagerness and longing to put her charming touches on him.