Azaian's POV
“You need to eat more.”
I only laid my eyes on her when she said that. She said it in with such nonchalance, but it's getting into my nerves. I can never forget the words she said to me, the words that my stepmother said to me.
“And you can never be a mother to me. You can never outshine my own mother Lilian.”
It's the exact words I had in mind back then that I failed to openly say to her.
I can only continue making small cuts of the beef that is on my plate. Mom's eyes—she is looking at her with a sharp look. I placed the utensils on my plate, and dab the napkin in my mouth.
“I am modelling. I definitely need to take care of my figure.” I smiled at her. “I think you should try to do the same thing.”
I started to make small nibbles of the meat as I prepared myself for the next words I am about to say. “You know—dieting. I suggest you do that.”
My mother scoffed. And I saw how my father reach for the glass to have a drink.
Her woman... She is all red while she kept eating her food.
I can never forget how she made I comment that I should eat more. That I need to add more fats in my body. When she told me if I stayed witu them I would've developed a much more healthy body. And the way she compared her vital statistics with me, on how she is much skinnier than me when she was younger. She still is the same.
"My daughter is right. She needs to take care to maintain her shape.”
Mom scoffed again. She was smiling right after she said it.
“And besides, it is not like Azaiah is starving.” She said right before she faced her, and her eyes are positioned straightly at Lilian.
“Her wait is normal. Her body is normal for a regular teenager.” She took a drink. “And Azaiah got a fast metabolism.”
I smiled. “And I got that from you.” I added.
Mom was staring at her me and made a gesture to the maid to pour her—her all time favorite. She sipped the wine. Gawd. That looks too food. The color is almost burgundy red.
“How's the flavor, Mom?” I asked, wanting to get a taste.
“Exquisite, darling.”
Her drunken days. I smiled.
I think I finally had this understanding of my mom's obsession with wine. It does taste good. Irresistable to the palette. I went to look at Lilian whose eyes are in now full glares. I wanted to ask; why weren’t you able to maintain that body type? What changed?
I only shook my head to the thought I just had.
Lilian is smiling too.
“You know, Allistair is a good cook. Your father feeds me well, Azaiah.”
I smiled at her in return. My eyes landed on my father. He sits there—silent, not saying anything. Cries echoed from across the hall. The other helper is carrying Austin towards the dining table. He was crying. Again. They passed at Mom.
She held him—her hands put on the child's arm. She whispered something at him. It suddenly stopped crying. Lilian was making exhales. She was gripping on too tightly on the utensils. My father just stared. And I—I am enchanted. Because Austin stopped crying. And my own mother was able to shushed him from his cries.
Why is this happening to me again?
Situations like this always created the creeps. It's weird. And the only thing that is missing—a person who will freak out.
“Give him to me.”
Lilian told the made. She's holding him and he is starting to make cries again. Mom began laughing. While I closed my eyes shut. If it's me, I could have control the urge to laugh. But it is my mother. Amelia will always be Amelia. Her laugh clearly shows how she is trying to mock her. The kind of laugh intented to provoke someone.
"Lilian, you are a mother. You must have the capacity to shush your child. Stop it from yelling. Making tantrums.”
Mom told her. My father coughed at what she said.
This situation is making me feel dizzy.
“Shall we continue. The food will go cold.”
Aggravating. Such an aggravating thing to say. I expected much for my father to at least try and stopped this. But he doesn't.
“Father drew me a lion. Papa said he resonated with this animal.” I mouthed at Mom, happy to show her the lion my father drew.
Mom showed a smile on her face. She bowed to level—to meet my face. “Your father is weak, Azaiah.”
I frowned at what she said, thinking that she was mad for saying that. And she is just angry towards my father and she was projecting it on me, I turned my back at her and kept my frown.
“My father can be a lion, Mama.” He can be.
That is what my sentiment. But now... My mom was wrong for saying it. But I think she is right after all. My father will never embody the traits of a lion. I smiled to myself. This is absurd. Maddening. And this is a bit neurotic. Something is wrong with the way my brain behaves right now. I think it is a bit unstable.
"Azaiah, you are now eighteen. This can't continue.” I said to myself.
Morning came and it is still the same scenario—us eating again but this time we are eating breakfast snf my grandfather is eating with us. Lilian—she handed a plate towards her husband, my father.
“Enjoy. I cooked this for you.”
Mom put a spoonful of the food Lilian cooked on her mouth and began choking. I handed her a glass.
Wiping her lips with the table napkin she was getting ready to say something. “My apologies. I think there’s something with the food that is making me want to spit it this out.”
My stepmother looks like she wants to clap back at my mom said.
“Amelia, you should try cooking this time.” Lilian was unexceptionally well-mannered in the way she spoke her words.
My mom's smile is activater. “I will. And I love to try and cook next time. I'm a good cook.” Her eyes hooked towards my father. She leans a bit. “Just like Allistair.”
It was my grandfather's turn because he is the one who is doing the coughing. I stayed quite. And simply just went to eat the food while maintaining to observe my father who is also looking at me.
“So, Azaiah.” Lilian opened her mouth to start a conversation. “Any plans for college? You can transfer and study abroad. It'a good thing to upgrade your talents in the arts.”
I stared at her. She still does remember that I am good in striping to draw designs. “It's such an ideal thing to do. Going abroad is good.”
"What's the cause of the postponement then? Don't tell me, it's because of your mother. Is she holding you back?” Her mouth began to form a smirk. “Why are you holding unto her that much? You should learn to live Amelia, not having Azaiah around.”
“She will go abroad, Lilian. She still is doing important things in the moment.”
My mind went to think about something immediately.
“It's not the right time yet.” I uttered, feeling secure with my answer.