Miserable Enough

"Hurry!"

"Yes! I'm almost done, Mira."

"I'll help you, dear. You have to make it fast. Let's run along, at any moment, Huifen is going to burst fire and sulfur if you fail to hand that gown to her in matter of minutes." Mira helps Sarah carry the heavy box of Adelle's elaborate gown.

Perspiring, Sarah entered Adelle's grandiose room. This used to be her room when she was a little girl. She had only recently been allowed in again because she painstakenly did the minor dry cleaning of the gown's hem, when she accidentally drop it during one rainy afternoon. Only Adelle's nanny and parents are allowed to go in her cousin's room. Her eyes widened as she look at it's interior. It had changed immensely since she was last here as a six-year old girl.

"My dear aunt, here is Adelle's debutante gown," Sarah said as she marveled at the room. Meanwhile, Adelle's nanny was brushing her long hair.

Huifen raised an eyebrown, "You better have cleaned it properly, or you'd be in big trouble with me."

Sarah gazed at her cousin, admiring her perfume scent and fashion sense, particularly her OOTD. She looks stunning, almost like a Barbie doll with her fair complexion.

Adelle, wearing a Dior haltered dress, turned to her cousin.  "Isn't it beautiful, Sarah? And it's so expensive, designed by Oscar de la Renta," she added, teasingly. "What's the matter, can't you speak? I'm sure your heart is bursting with envy right now." She laughed with a hint of mockery.

Sarah just smiled at her and lowered her gaze. 

Childishly, Adelle smiled sideways, as she thought, her cousin was hurt, "Nana Tam, please help me change, so Dad can see how gorgeous this looks on me," Adelle commands, the old lady beside her.

Tam Wang, has been her nanny when she was eight years old. The middle-aged woman approached her obediently, "Of course, young Madame."

Meanwhile, Huifen condescendingly shooed Sarah away. "What about you? Still daydreaming, huh? Even if you're the smartest scholar at the International School, you'll never get to wear this, got that?! Leave now and get back to your work. Don't act like a fool. You might be intelligent, but you're so clueless in life."

She threw Adelle's gown box at Sarah, hitting her in the shoulder.

"Ouch!" Sarah clenched her fists, closed her eyes, and counted three. "Yes, Auntie... Fine!"

Mother and daughter shared a laugh. Sarah sighed and fought back tears. Her cousin and aunt's cruelty had gone too far.

After quite sometime, Tam was was able to groom Adelle, as if she is ready for the ball. As a nanny, she was trained to apply make up and does the young lady's hair. She personally sees to it that Adelle is well-groomed and her school needs are attended.

In fact,  Adelle, could do everything if she wants to, but her mother insists that she has to learn how to live like a princess  with a nanny, so when she marries a billionaire, she would know how to act accordingly.

"Young madame, you look stunning as always." Tam assures the debuntante waiting for her praise.

"I'm glad to hear that from you, Tam." She acknowledges her nanny's sincerity of praising her. Then she looks at her mother, "Mom, let's go to Dad's office. I'm so excited to show him how this gown fits me."

"You simply look ravishing. And no doubt, you'll be the debutante of the year, my dear!" Her mother kissed her on cheeks. Proud to see her daughter turned into an exquisite beauty.

Tam helps her carry the fullness of her elaborate debutante's gown. They walked through the hallway and took the flight down to her father's office, while Huifen follows behind them carrying a big jewelry box.

"Dad, do I look lovely?" Adelle asked her father, twirling in her elegant gown as she prepares for her 18th birthday party tomorrow.

"Of course, my dear. You look absolutely radiant, just like your mom," Alfred praised, a smile of pride in his eyes.

"Dad, does Martin know he will be my prince in my 18th birthday?" Adelle inquired, her excitement evident.

"Surely, he knows. He's just busy with work, but he wouldn't miss it for the world," Alfred reassured her.

As Adelle admired herself on the mirror, Huifen entered the room, holding a beautiful tiara in her hands.

"Wear this, my dear. It belonged to your Aunt Daisy, and now it's fitting for you," she suggested, attempting to place the tiara on Adelle's head.

Adelle was in awe with how beautiful it is, but she hesitated, glancing at her father for approval.

Seeing the tiara, Alfred's expression turned serious, and he speaks firmly, "Huifen, return the tiara to Daisy's room. You know we're not supposed to take anything from there."

"But she's family, and Adelle deserves this," Huifen argued, a glint of materialism in her eyes.

"We already got a lot! It's more than enough... Adelle doesn't need material possessions to prove her worth," Alfred said gently, guiding Adelle away from her mother.

Tears welled up in Adelle's eyes, feeling torn between her parents. She rushed to her room, overwhelmed with emotions as her nanny Tam followed worriedly

Huifen gaze followed her, concern for her daughter etched on her face mixed with anger towards her husband. "Look what you've done to your daughter," she reproached her husband.

In the heat of the moment, Alfred's frustration boiled over, and he couldn't hold back any longer. He slapped Huifen, shocking her and himself.

"Huifen, it's because of your behavior. You've been spoiling her with money and extravagant things that isn't even ours. And don't even think that I'm not aware how you treat Sarah. Our days are numbered here in this mansion. If you keep this up, I don't think we would still be allowed to enjoy what we have had for years!" He warned his capricious wife sternly.

The revelation that he knew about Sarah's mistreatment caught Huifen off guard. She couldn't believe her husband had stood up to her in such a manner. And how could he allow his wife and daughter to be driven from the mansion, just because that fucking adopted bitch, would turn eighteen two months from now. 

If only he knew that her relentless pursuit of wealth and power was what had elevated him to the CEO position after Daisy's passing.

Determined not to let Sarah, the adopted girl from nowhere ruin her ambitions for her daughter's future, Huifen suppressed her anger and smiled deceitfully. Her plans were simmering in her mind, and she knew she had to act carefully.

Later that day, Huifen called for Sarah.

"Hey, you better make sure to clean the entire house yourself. Tomorrow is the biggest day for Adelle, and I won't tolerate any mistake," she ordered with a sinister tone.

"Yes, Auntie," Sarah replied, her voice trembling with suppressed fury.

"Look at me, orphan! Don't even think about dressing up or wearing any makeup or jewelry. You are not part of the family. Stay out of Adelle's way."

"But, uncle Alfred told me to play the piano during the father and daughter dance." she cuts her aunt's words.

Huifen added, delivering a slap with Sarah's response. "Don't be stubborn, or I will make your life miserable."

She thought, "Duh, is her life not miserable enough?" She just nod her head for she will surely suffer more if she insists. 

Resentment surges within Sarah, but she knew she had to bide her time.  With only a month left before graduation and her own birthday, she felt suffocated in this mansion that was never truly her home since the death of her adoptive mother. She couldn't bear to continue being treated like a third-class citizen in the house which was her home with her mother Daisy.

Nonetheless, Sarah spent her day meticulously mapping the floors and dusting off every corner of the grand mansion. Her usually well-kept hair was now slightly disheveled, and her tired eyes spoke of the toil she had endured. Despite the exhaustion, Sarah continued with her determination, knowing that the Lui household's perfection was her responsibility.

As she greeted Martin Wane, a kind smile graced her lips, momentarily masking her weariness. Martin had always been a good elder brother, but little did Sarah know that he secretly holds feelings for her, feelings he was too afraid to reveal because of their ten-year age gap.

"Hey, Sarah," Martin greeted warmly. "You seem to be working so hard. Where are the maids? Shouldn't they be helping you with this?"

Sarah chuckled softly, "It's a busy day, and they needed to do other important things. She glanced at him, "Don't worry, I'm used to it."

Before Sarah could say more, Adelle, interjected with a spiteful remark. "Oh, my darling Martin, you're finally here. Sarah has been behaving rather promiscuous like her real mother, who, rumor has it, was a prostitute. So mom had to discipline her for her promiscuous ways."

Sarah stops scrubbing and looks at her sharply, "Adelle, you can add more tasks to me as you wish, but never make up stories which are hard for you to prove. I won't backdown this time." she warns her malicious cousin.

Martin's expression turned stern as he rejected Adelle's words. "That's not right, Adelle. We shouldn't believe baseless rumors or judge someone based on their past. And regardless of anything, Sarah deserves to be treated with respect; she's part of the family too."

Adelle, displeased with Martin's defense of Sarah, attempted to exert control by reaching for him and kissing him, as if to claim him as her own.

Reacting with surprise, Martin gently pushed her away. "Adelle, this isn't appropriate. You can't use such tactics to prove a point. Sarah deserves our respect, and I won't stand for mistreatment."

Sarah, stunned by Martin's unexpected defense, felt her heart swell with appreciation and admiration. "Thank you, Martin, but please don't let her actions trouble you. You don't have to involve yourself in our family's affairs."

However, just as Sarah got up from scrubbing the floor, Adelle deliberately dropped a glass vase near Sarah, causing her palm to sustain a deep cut. Blood began to flow, and Sarah winced in pain.

Reacting instantly, Martin rushed to help Sarah up, his concern evident. "You're bleeding profusely. You need  a doctor to sew your cuts. I should take you to the hospital."

Adelle attempted to protest, but Martin ignored her, supporting Sarah as they made their way to tend to her injury.

Meanwhile, the situation had heightened Adelle's jealousy, leading her to call her mother, Huifen, who was engrossed in gambling at the casino with her friends.

"Oh, my love, why are you crying?" Huifen answered the call.

"Mom, Sarah took Martin away from me. They went out together. Please help me."

"How could that bitch got so itchy?! Just wait, what I'll do to her, when I get home." Fury surges through Huifen's veins. She had always resented Sarah's presence and couldn't bear the thought of her being interested to Martin, her daughter's future fiancé. Their engagement will be announced on her daughter's 18th birthday.

The night wore on at the casino, and a dark cloud of rage envelopes Huifen's mind. She lost a total of 20 million dollars because she's busy thinking how to get rid of Sarah. She thought that harming her niece more, or rather eliminating her, would pave the way to Adelle's happiness. Additionally, it will secure their place in the opulent Lui mansion and all the properties Daisy left.

She made up her mind, she'll visit someone, who would help in her plans without failing.

"Oh ladies, I already have sent to your banks my payment. I have to go now, my husband is waiting for me."

Everyone on the table wave goodbye at her. They always love to have her on the table,  for money is never an object for the generous wife of CEO Alfred Lui.