Chapter 7 : Confrontation

It was a very unusual morning . For the past years living together with my haft sister and Step-mother, this is the first time I'm going to eat breakfast with them that's why it feel so strange. This morning is exceptional.

"Thank you" I whisper when Yaya Adelphi put down a glass of warm water for me.

She just smile and tap my shoulder and then she go back to the kitchen.

"Do you know what happen last night? Did Mommy Adie and Daddy had an argument  after the party?" I can't help but to ask Aliah who's sitting across to me

She lift her head and crossed her arm raising her eyebrow to me. I wanted to rolled my eyes because of her unpleasant attitude, but then I wanted to show some respect in front of the food. I don't want to start an arguments too. 

"You don't have to answer me" I said plainly and put some strawberry jam on my slice bread. 

I heard her snorted as she continue eating her cereals. I'm eating too much carbs lately, I need to burn some calories later. But anyway, she's no fun! I just wanted to get along with her to enjoy the breakfast. 

"Good Morning ladies" Dad greeted in strict voice as he sit on the head of the table and beside him is Mommy Adeline who look surprise with me.

"Good morning Mom, Dad" Aliah greeted them kissing their cheeks.

"Good morning sweetheart, sorry about last night" I heard Mommy Adeline whisper and give Aliah a kiss on her temple.

I remain on my seat and just nod my head when Dad look at me giving me serious stare. Is he mad? 

"Good morning" I whisper and he tighten his lips and start fixing his table napkin.

I glance Aliah and she mockingly smile at me which I just give her a blank stare not wanting to give her a satisfaction. 

We start eating in silent and no one dares to ask question about what happen last night. I really hate the silence that envelope us, they should at least talk. I don't care if they don't want to include me in their conversation, but at least talk. 

"Svanna..."Dad called me dragging me back to my reverie "You left without telling me, everyone is finding you in the party" he continue as he wipe the side of his lips.

I lower down my gaze when they all look at me giving me an intriguing look. I was disappointed with him yesterday and at the same time hurt for not introducing me as his daughter, and then that Santorini worsen the situation. I feel harassed because of what he did and at the same time afraid. I'm afraid that Santorini is telling the truth, that's why I left the party. 

Everyone are so suffocating to look and all I wanted on that moment is to leave as soon as I can. 

"Svanna, I'm asking you" He ask in demanding tone "Gordon said you're not feeling well that's why you decided to go home" he continue.

I almost raised my eyebrow hearing what he said. Gordon did that? I slightly smile and nod my head getting along with the idea.

"Yes, I was dizzy after the performance" I reason out.

"You left the back stage first, you seems fine to me on that moment" Aliah inquire giving me a suspicious stare. 

Of course she would do that! She would really find something to disapprove me, as always. I frown and tighten my grip on the fork utensil. 

"I didn't do anything wrong aside from not attending the party. I was in my room the whole day sleeping" I explain defending myself against her accusation. 

She's really good at accusing someone without knowing the truth. I gritted my teeth before I drink my warm water. 

"You should at least inform your father Anna. Mr Santorini is asking your presence, don't you know how-" Dad didn't let Mommy Adeline finish her sentence by calling her name to make her stop.

"But Romano" she insist

"I'll talk to her, let's not fight it again Adeline" he said firmly while holding the cup of his coffee

Mommy Adeline turn her gaze towards me and then she gives me an expression of annoyance before she continue eating. 

Curiosity eats me as my mind wonders what happen in the party. I am sure that something happen on the party, and that is the cause of their quarrel last night.

"Let's talk in my office later Svanna" Dad inform me.

"She won't fit Dad! It should be me" Aliah squeal surprisingly.

My forehead creased, where are they coming from? I don't understand them. I don't understand all of these. 

"Don't involve yourself Aliah, just focus on you career" Daddy voice out. Aliah was about to insist her idea but Mommy Adeline silence her.

Pouting her lips and creasing her forehead to show disapproval, she still manage to nod her head before she continue eating her cereals.

AFTER BREAKFAST...

Wearing my maroon polka dot organza dress I fix my long black hair before I decided to walk towards my father's office. It was located at the end of the hallway on the second floor, two doors away from the library room. 

The sunlight coming from the huge glass window compliment the bright green colors of the leaves from money tree in the corner across the door of my father's office. 

I was about to knock the door to announce my presence when I heard a loud slammed inside. I notice that the door was open a bit so I dare to take a look inside. 

"Adeline stop it! We're talking about the sponsorship here!" Dad growl sounding so frustrated.

My brows narrowed. Is that the sponsorship from Santorini?  I grip my dress and walk closer eavesdropping to their conversation. Out of nowhere I remember what Gordon ask me. No one can really stop my father about the sponsorship. He was so desperate.

"How about Aliah then?! We can have the sponsorship and give Aliah what she wanted" she insisted holding her ground not wanting to lose in their arguments.

"That's not easy! We are talking about the company's future Adeline. The sponsorship is a big deal. We need that sponsorship to gain more investors" my father explain walking back and forth.

"I am sure you don't want us to fight it over again just like last night" she warned Dad, making him stop walking.

I cover my mouth in disbelief. The sponsorship is the cause of their arguments? That terrifying scene last night was just because of that freaking sponsorship from Santorini! 

I blew an air in disbelief. This is unbelievable! How could they let greediness swallow their whole? I don't know how big the benefits it could give to the company, but still everything doesn't make sense to me.

"You don't know what you are asking Adeline. I am sure you don't want Aliah to put in danger" Dad affirm sounding so serious. 

Danger from? What kind of danger is he talking about? 

"Don't use Aliah's safety over me! You're just doing this because you're afraid that you can't keep your promise to Vanda!" She exclaimed and madness is evident on her voice.

My emotion instantly shifted. I fisted my hand and gritted my teeth upon hearing my mother's name. She has nothing to do with this quarrel. They shouldn't include her name. 

Frowning, I heard my father sigh in defeat as he walk closer to Mommy Adeline and hugged her. My heart skip in pain. I never saw Dad held my mother like that.

"Vanda has nothing to do with this. It's for the company, I will do everything for the company even if I need to break my promise to Vanda" Dad said firmly.

Realization hits me and my body instantly went rigid as the fear crawl down to my system. I harshly open the door and they both look at me in wide eyes. 

I disappointingly look at my father with my accusing eyes. He seems like he was caught on act because of his guilty reaction, but I was too denial to believe everything.

"How far are you willing to risk for the company Dad?" I bravely ask him wanting to demand a honest answer.

Clearing his throat it seems like I saw myself on his eyes as he look at me intently. 

"Far from what you imagine" he answered in low stern voice

A single tear escape in my eyes as I confirm everything, feeling betrayed and in pain.

"That's why you sold me to Santorini" I stated that turns him voiceless.