Chapter 3 - Her Refusal

Olima stopped at the kitchen door and begged, "Please, Ma, I need to write the exam so I can gain admission into the university."

"And who will sponsor your fees? Do you want to tell me you're blind and didn't see how your loving father cast Mia and me aside? Well, if you've forgotten, let me remind you: the money I'm using to feed you is the money I'm supposed to be paying the old maid. There's no money in this house, and I cannot use my business money to sponsor your university fees. Why am I even explaining this to you? Get out of here before I break your empty head!" Mrs. Gina shouted. 

Olima sobbed and returned to the kitchen. Mia finished her breakfast just as Nathan knocked and entered the living room.

Nathan, the gateman, came to inform Mrs. Gina that the school bus had arrived.

"Good morning, Madam," Nathan greeted, knowing Mrs. Gina hadn't been the madam of the mansion before his former madam's death.

"Yes, what do you want, Nathan?" Mrs. Gina asked, leaving the dining room to meet him.

"The school bus has arrived to take Mia to school," Nathan informed her. Just then, Mia stood up from the dining table, having finished her noodles and eggs. She picked up her schoolbag.

"I'm off to school, Mom. Take care," Mia said, leaving the dining room.

"Yeah, take care too, my baby," Mrs. Gina replied.

Mrs. Gina watched Mia leave, then sighed, looking at the dirty plate on the dining table. She went into the kitchen to find Olima washing her face and sobbing at the sink.

Olima had been about to prepare her own breakfast when she heard the kitchen door open. She turned to see her stepmother.

Mrs. Gina's eyes burned with irritation. Olima was pretty for her age, with a more developed figure than Mia. She was also taller.

"What are you doing standing there by the sink?" Mrs. Gina asked.

Olima shuddered. "I want to prepare my breakfast, Ma, and cook more noodles."

"Hmm." Mrs. Gina walked to the carton of noodles she had bought the previous week and inspected it. "How many noodles did you cook for Mia today?" she asked, checking the carton. The noodle packets were small.

"Two," Olima replied, shaking as her stepmother stood beside her.

"And how many noodles am I seeing on the cabinet that you want to cook for yourself?" Mrs. Gina glared. Olima shivered. "Thr—three."

"Three noodles! Just for you! My goodness! Do you intend to turn me into a thief overnight?" Mrs. Gina exclaimed in mock shock. Olima quickly shook her head. "No, Ma."

"Hmm. Then how can you finish three noodles this morning? What about Mia? What will she eat tomorrow and for the rest of the week and month?"

"No wonder you're looking so fresh and chubby every week, even after killing your parents," Mrs. Gina glared, while Olima stepped back in fear.

Mrs. Gina walked to the cabinet, picked up the three noodle packets, and said, "Only one noodle is enough for you. I will count this carton now. If I notice you cook more than one for yourself per day, you will see the other side of me."

Mrs. Gina counted the remaining noodles. "There are only ten left. So, you and Mia have eaten thirty packets already this week. And I'm sure you ate the most. Put two packets back to make it twelve, and cook just one noodle and one egg for yourself. But first, prepare my tea and bring it to the dining table."

Mrs. Gina left the kitchen. Olima sobbed and quickly prepared her stepmother's tea. She served it to Mrs. Gina at the dining table.

After serving the tea, Olima returned to the kitchen, prepared her single noodle and egg, and sat on a stool to eat quietly.

Her father had been a billionaire, and Olima hadn't considered applying for a scholarship. She had thought he wouldn't be pleased with the university her school had recommended for their top graduating student.

Olima continued to sob. None of her relatives had checked on her since her parents' deaths. They were only concerned about inheriting her father's oil company and properties, about who would become CEO. With her stepmother around, none of her uncles dared to question her. Mrs. Gina had threatened to have them arrested again if they visited.

Olima finished eating, went to the dining room to clear her stepmother's teacup, and discovered she had left.

Looking out the dining room window, Olima saw one of Mrs. Gina's cars—one of her father's expensive new cars—gone.

Olima sighed and washed the dirty dishes and cups. Finished, she went upstairs to her room, wondering how she would endure her stepmother's daily torture.

Later that evening, Mrs. Gina returned, driving her expensive Lexus Jeep into the garage.

Five exotic cars were parked there. Mrs. Gina remembered her late husband had only agreed to buy her a car after five-year-old Mia complained that Olima's mother had one and hers should too. Mr. Leo Adams had then bought her a small car.

Mrs. Gina locked the Jeep and walked toward the mansion. "Welcome back, Madam," Nathan greeted.

"Yes, well done," Mrs. Gina replied, entering the house.

She saw Olima and Mia watching a romantic movie on the large flat-screen television in the living room.

Olima stood up immediately, not having heard the car over the movie. "Good evening, Ma," she greeted. Mrs. Gina didn't respond, looking at the wall clock. It was past 7:00 p.m.

"Hmm," Mrs. Gina hummed, eyeing Olima irritably. Mia stood up. "Good evening, Mom."

"Evening, Mia. Have you done your homework?" Mrs. Gina asked Mia.

"Yes, Mom," she replied.

Mrs. Gina walked toward the stairs and paused. Olima moved toward the dining area.

"Olima, have you prepared dinner yet?" Mrs. Gina asked, knowing there wasn't much food in the house.