A young woman in her early twenties landed from a plane at 2 p.m. She was dressed in a gown that completely covered her shoulders and flowed down into an elegantly draped neckline. Her arms had been fully covered. She wears peep-toes and, to top it off, a simple but stylish hat and several jewel bracelets. She was also wearing glasses. Her makeup was lightly patted.
"Moira," came a familiar voice, drawing her attention. Looking to her right, she spotted her dearest friend, a young woman in her early twenties, waving eagerly. They had been friends since grade school, and despite the long time since they had seen each other, their bond still remained strong.
Her friend dresses in a modest yet chic white dress, with a brown handbag in one hand and kitten heels adorning her feet.
As they embraced, Ivy murmured, "I miss you so much," echoing Moira's sentiments. It had indeed been a long time since they last saw each other.
Ivy takes the day off from work after learning that she will be returning today. She is aware that no one will pick her up because she did not inform her family. If her father found out, he would have her returned by force.
"I miss you even more," Moira replied, as they pulled away from each other.
"Let's take a taxi," Ivy suggested, and together they made their way to the taxi stand, drawing the attention of onlookers wherever they went.
Moira draws the most attention wherever she goes. She despises unwanted attention and even insulted a guy who expressed his affection for her.
Arriving at Ivy's residence, Moira couldn't help but admire the spectacular exterior. It is made of wheat-colored bricks and features bluestone embellishments. Tall, broad windows let enough light into the residence and have been fitted symmetrically. The roof is trapezoidal and tall, although one side is longer than the other, and is covered in gray wood shingles. One little smokestack protrudes from the center of the roof. A few small, round windows provide adequate lighting for the rooms beneath the roof.
"Wow, this house has not changed," Moira remarked with a smile as Ivy unlocked the door.
Entering the house, Moira sank into a chair. The exhaustion from her journey weighed heavily on her.
"I am exhausted," she muttered, resting her head wearily against the chair.
"How was your time in the UK?" she asked as she sat on the chair opposite Moira.
"It was all right," she replied.
"Is that what you're going to say?" Ivy said as she crossed her arms.
"What exactly do you expect me to say?" Moira asked. "I am hungry," she murmured, rubbing her tummy, prompting her to rise and head to the kitchen.
"Do you have anything that I can eat?" Moira asked, opening the fridge to find it empty, except for a few beverages.
"Why the heck is your fridge empty?" Moira questioned.
"You know I can't cook," she remarked as she approached Moira and placed her hand on Moira's shoulder. "So, you need to cook since you're hungry."
"So, you haven't cooked in the years I've been in the UK?" She was stunned.
"I never cook," Ivy reiterated, leaning in closer to Moira. "I either order food or have one of my co-worker friends cook for me, but her food isn't particularly tasty. I never tell her that in order not to offend her," she added as she whispered.
Moira shook her head in amusement. "What can I do with you?"
"I love you," Ivy declared, blowing a kiss toward Moira.
"I don't love you, though," Moira responded playfully.
"I know you do," Ivy said.
Moira went grocery shopping and returned to begin cooking. Hours later, they sat down to enjoy the meal Moira had prepared.
"As always, your food is delicious," Ivy complimented between bites, savoring each mouthful.
"You really should learn how to cook," Moira gently urged.
"You know why I'm not learning how to cook," Ivy explained, her gaze fixed on her plate.
"Even so, it is a life skill to learn," Moira reasoned. "You can't just decide not to learn because of what happened."
Ivy set her spoon down, meeting Moira's gaze.
"What happened was a life-changing event," she declared. "You can't just expect me to forget it."
"But..." Moira was going to say something but was cut off by Ivy.
"Are you able to forget what happened to your mother? Are you able to forget what your father did?" She remarked this as she paused for a moment to observe Moira's silence. "You can't; isn't that why you came back? To discover the truth,"
"You are correct; I will never forget it. I apologize." Moira conceded.
"You don't need to apologize," Ivy reassured her. "That's one reason I don't want to learn; another is that my hand is good for making clothes."
Moira laughs as Ivy picks up her spoon and begins to eat.
"Can you let me stay here tonight?" Moira requested.
"No, go home; I'm sure your family knows you've returned," Ivy replied.
"And so what?" Moira retorted as she continued to eat.
"Go home and put your family in an awkward situation, as you know best," Ivy advised.
Moira burst out laughing, recognizing the truth in Ivy's words. She understood that her presence would undoubtedly unsettle her family, especially her stepmother.
Moira informed Ivy that she would contact her when she got home after supper.
As she returned home, her father summoned her to his office, his figure standing against the window.
"I think it's about time we met after you abandoned me in the UK," she muttered to herself.
"Dad, you called me," Moira announced.
"Why did you come home?" Her father questioned; his gaze fixed on the window. "I thought I told you; if I need you here, I will call you."
"It will be 1,000 years before you send for me," she thought.
"I came home because I miss my family," she explained, crossing her arms.
"Go back; I will book another plane ticket for you," her father insisted.
"I'm not leaving; it's my mother's house, and I have every right to be here compared to som bitches who are living here," Moira asserted.
Moira's father gazed at her. His brow was furrowed, and his cheeks were flushed with rage. He tried to maintain his composure.
"If your mother is still alive, I am sure she will be furious at you for your attitude."
"I believe my mother will be proud of me because she must be regretting marrying you," Moira explained, her face flushed.
She attempted to contain her compulsion.
"I have a rea-,"
She did not give him the chance to speak and left the office. She slammed the door as she walked away.
As she made her way to her room, she passed Jake, her stepbrother, who was standing by the stairs.
"Why are you blocking me?" Moira demanded.
"It's been ten years; have you missed me?" Jake makes a witty remark.
Moira sighed and was not ready for him today because she was already angry. "Do you know what I missed? I miss hitting you on your dick," she shot back.
The color drained from Jake's face as Moira said that. He closed his leg tight and clenched his fist.
Moira laughed. "So, are you going to move, or should I hit you there?"
He moved out of the way.
Jake tried to rape Moira, but with Moira's strength, he ended up getting beaten by her. She forced him to strip naked, pose for a photo, and post it on Facebook. Moira was sent to the UK as a result of that incident; they used that incident to get rid of Moira.
Moira entered her room.
Minutes passed like fleeting whispers before her stepmother walked in without knocking.
"You're back, but you won't see me," her stepmother declared.
"Why should I bother seeing you? Do I have a relationship with you?" She countered as she removed the outer layer of her clothes.
"You bitch," she said. "There will be a party tonight, so wear this dress to the party."
Moira examined the dress with disdain, as it was very short.
"I should wear this dress?" Moira questioned.
"Yes, you should wear it," she insisted, and she put the dress in Moira's hand.
"I will see how embarrassed you will be," her stepmother murmured as she exited the room.