Chapter 2 - Stepmom's hatred

On a bright Monday morning, Olima Adams got out of bed at 6:00 a.m. She swept the house and moved to the kitchen to prepare her younger sister's breakfast. Olima knew it was school resumption day. She did not want her stepmother or stepsister to pick on her, so she made the breakfast before they woke.

Meanwhile, Gina woke in the bedroom that had been hers when she first married the late Mr. Leo Adams—two months before he had chased her to the boys' quarters. She stretched and stared at the wall clock. It was after 7:00 a.m.

Gina sat up, feeling like the madam of the house again. "How time flies," she said. She swung her legs down and adjusted her nightgown. The 39-year-old stood and walked downstairs. It was school resumption day, and her daughter, Mia Adams, needed to leave. Gina reached the living room and paused. The floor was mopped, and she smiled in satisfaction.

Olima Adams, a 17-year-old girl, stepped out from the kitchen behind Gina. "Good morning, mother," Olima greeted.

Gina’s blood boiled at the word "mother." Without warning, she turned to face Olima, who wore a pink nightgown. She grabbed Olima by the shoulders and landed a resounding slap.

[SLAP!!]

"How many times have I warned you never to call me mother again? Do I resemble your late mother?" Gina questioned. Olima cried. "I’m sorry, ma."

"Shut up! Keep your sorry to yourself. Have you prepared breakfast?" Gina asked. Olima shuddered. "Yes, ma."

Gina glared. She stared at the palms she had used to hold and slap Olima. She sniffed her palms before walking into the kitchen to wash off Olima’s scent. Olima’s brown eyes welled with tears.

Mia stepped downstairs, dressed for school. She was in senior class one. She knew her mother hated Olima. Mia hated Olima too, though she never showed it. Mia was a dark-skinned beauty who resembled their late father, while Olima was a replica of the late Mrs. Zoe Adams.

Mia hated that her father never acknowledged her mother before he passed. He was more caring toward Olima and Zoe than he ever was toward Gina.

Mia attended day school while Olima had been in boarding school as the apple of her father’s eye. Mia walked toward the dining table in her blue school uniform. She was 14 years old, while Olima was 17.

After Leo and Zoe passed, Mia knew her mother had sent the maid away under the guise that there was no money for a salary. She turned Olima into a full-time maid and withdrew her from tutorial classes. Her mother even tore up Olima's university admission form, stating Olima would remain a lifetime servant.

Mia looked away from Olima. She knew Olima had enjoyed luxury while she and her mother lived in the boys' quarters. Olima sobbed from the slap.

Gina stepped out of the kitchen, having washed her hands of Olima’s fruity scent—Olima scented of apples. Gina questioned her, "Why are you standing there? Is breakfast ready, or do you want my daughter to be late?"

Olima shivered. "I prepared noodles, ma."

"Serve it. Do you plan on starving my daughter? Do you want her to be late?" Gina asked.

"No, ma," Olima replied.

"Then get into the kitchen and serve her. It is almost 7:30 a.m."

Olima left for the kitchen. Gina’s eyes burned with hatred. She hated Olima because she looked like her mother and reminded Gina of the sins that caused the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Adams.

"Mom, it’s okay," Mia said with a smile. Gina looked at her daughter and groaned. Mia also resembled her father, but she was still Gina's daughter. Gina sighed and took her seat at the dining table.

"It can never be okay with that witch in this house. Ugh." Gina grimaced as she sat in the golden dining chair. She remembered how her late husband used to sit across from her and feed Zoe. Gina’s face twisted in irritation.

"What’s wrong, mom?" Mia asked. Gina replied, "Nothing. What is taking Olima so long to serve the noodles? Does she want me to storm into that kitchen and break her head?"

Olima walked out carrying a tray of hot noodles and fried eggs. The aroma made Mia smile. She sat up and took the tray.

Mia did not know how to cook; Gina had forced Olima to learn shortly after taking over the mansion.

"Get out. What are you staring at?" Gina questioned. Olima shuddered and moved away.

Olima knew her stepmother’s hatred had tripled. She felt guilty for her parents' demise. She wished they had not driven to her school to witness her graduation. Now her stepmother refused to let her continue her education, claiming there was no money, yet Mia was returning to school.

Olima stopped at the kitchen door. She thought to speak to her stepmother about the university entrance examination. She would apply for a government institution instead of a private one.

Olima walked back toward the dining room. Mia ate the noodles and eggs. Olima stopped, her body trembling. "Ma..."

Gina turned and glared. "What do you want? I asked you to leave."

Gina shifted her chair and stood. Mia continued to eat. Olima spoke in a shaky voice, "Ma... it is about my university entrance examination..."

"I told you that you are not going to school, Olima. Do you not understand English? How did you graduate at the top of your class if you do not understand me? Get out of my sight!" Gina roared. Olima ran away to the kitchen door and stopped.