Chapter Five

“Mom! Stop! Please. I’m quite busy right now and can’t go on a vacation with you to Bali for two whole weeks. I literally just had a launch, and my brand needs me now more than ever,” Eline said, impatience dripping from her tone. “Really, sugar plum? You never do anything fun with your mother; sometimes I feel you just hate me,” Ingrid De Beaufort said sullenly. “Mom, I don't hate you. You know I could never hate you. I'd love to go on a beautiful vacation with you, but I just can't afford to do that right now. Please try to be understanding of my predicament,” Eline said pleadingly. “You know, sugar plum, I've always wanted a daughter. I love your brother to high heavens, but I was a bit sad when he came, and I saw that he was a boy. I was inconsolable for months. Your father had to buy me a Lady Dior to make me feel better.”

Eline rolled her eyes at the words of her mother. Ingrid can be quite vapid sometimes, but she's sweet and well-meaning. She's just out of touch most times. “Meredith and her daughters are always out shopping and going on long vacations; why can't you do the same with me?” Mom, you know I love to shop and go on vacations, but I also love to make my own money and be my own woman…” “Oh, hush, Eline. We come from one of the wealthiest families in all of Europe. You'd never have a need for money, even if you spend a hundred thousand dollars daily. You know you can kick back and relax, right?”

“Mom, I'm well aware of how wealthy our family is. At the same time, I'd love to pave my own path and make a name for myself. Why can't I be a wealthy and successful woman who also loves to shop and go on vacations?” “Oh, poshhh, you do have a knack for milking the fun out of everything. You need to live a little, sugar plum”

A tall, handsome, lean man in his sixties with salt-and-pepper hair walks in, and you can see Ingrid practically melt, and Elin couldn't help but roll her eyes. Ingrid stood up like a lovesick teenage girl to go hug her husband. Hendrik De Beaufort couldn't help but beam like a schoolboy as Ingrid fell into his arms. “I missed you, darling. I couldn't stop thinking about you while away. I really should take you on all my trips; I think I'd feel more confident and rested,” Ingrid practically cooed at Hendrik when she heard his words, and Eline had to restrain herself from throwing up. 

She couldn't get how her parents could stay so loved up like love-sick teenagers. “Oh amore, I've been like a cat starved of catnip. My days have been so tragic without you in them.” “Okay, lovebirds, please get a room; some of us cannot stand your aggravating show of affection, yuck!” Eline said, rolling her eyes. Hendrik couldn't help but blush, earning another sarcastic eye roll. Her father can be quite the fool when it comes to her mother.

“I wouldn't expect you to understand how it feels, sugar plum; I mean, you've never truly loved anyone, have you now?” “Ouch, Mom! That hurts. You can't say that. Dad, please tell her she can't say that to me,” Elina said, pouting.g “Your mother is right, Elina (her father calls her Elina). I don't mean to offend you, but it's much easier to appreciate deep affection when you've experienced it,” Hendrik said sheepishly, earning him a kiss from his wife. “Wow, I see nobody appreciates me over here. I'm just going to go to my room and brew in my “aloneness”. Cold witch, out!” Eline said, storming off dramatically. “Oh, sugar plum!” Ingrid called after her, “Can you try to make time for Bali? I'd really love us to go together”

“Leave me alone, Mom!” Eline shouted, running up the stairs, into her room, and banged the door behind her. Her family is super loving and supportive. However, she feels like they do not really understand her and her needs most of the time. It's not like she hates love or men; she just hasn't been able to find what works for her, and she'd rather die single than settle for the average Joe. “Urgh,” she exclaimed into a pillow. 

She must have dozed off a bit, because she woke up to the buzzing of her phone. Feeling a bit disoriented, she groaned and stretched her hands forward to grab her phone. Looking at the screen, she couldn't recognise the number. She wasn't one to take calls from unknown numbers because her call line is quite private. So, she just let it ring and plopped her head back on the bed. However, the call came through again. Getting irritated, she tapped the answer button and gritted her teeth to stop herself from yelling at the caller.

“Hello, am I onto Eline De Beaufort?” “Yes, this is she. How can I help you?” she queried the unfamiliar voice. “I'm hurt, princess. Don't tell me you've forgotten all about me so soon. At least my voice should tell you who it is.” Eline did a facepalm as soon as she heard the word “princess”. She fought the revulsion bubbling in her throat. “Casper… of course, how could I forget?” “I've been thinking about you, princess. You've stopped taking my calls; you don't return my texts. Heck, I can't even reach you on social media, and now I can't even reach you again. I had to call you using a different line. Did you change your number?

“No, dumbo, I just blocked your ass,” she almost screamed into the phone but stopped herself. “It must have been the wind, Casper.” “I'm sure it was, princess. I miss you so much, and I'd love to see you again. Can I please see you?” Eline made a gun gesture, blowing out her brains. “I don't think I can do that right now, Casper. I'm currently swamped with work.” “Huh? Are you working in a swamp? I can't have my princess doing peasant tasks.” Eline was so over this. “No, Casper, I meant I currently have a lot to do at work and can't see you.” “C’mon, sweets, don't be that way to me. How about this: I fly us to Bali for two weeks. You, me, open waters, and our sexy bodies. You know, I've been working out quite a lot, and I look much more buff. But only for you, princess.

That's it! She really was done with his vapidity. She had to escape one way or the other. “What's that? Mom? Oh, you need me to help you pick out a dress? I'll be just a second. I'm sorry, Casper, but my mother needs me. I'll call you back shortly. Bye bye now”. “Something with your mom? Wait, princess, I haven't…” Click. She ended the call. She feared she was going to pass out if she spent one more second on that call. By the way, what's with everyone and a vacation to Bali for two weeks? Is there like a retreat or something going on?

And then she got it! Ingrid. After all, her mother had set her up with Casper. Was she hoping Eline would go with her to Bali, so she could bail and leave her alone with Casper? Gritting her teeth, she bolted out the door to confront her mother. “Mooooooom! Did you try to set me up withCasperr?” she yelled as she ran to the living area.