A woman probably in her early 40’s, wearing all black slack and close neck body-hugging long sleeves, carrying a white Chanel clutch.
She looks at us, raising an eyebrow, eyeing us like we are crime suspects. An evil smirk slips on his face. She looks like mocking us in silence.
I let mom, Lucy, and Candace go inside first. Roland is behind us as he has to park properly.
“Hi, is there something we can do for you?”
“Ma’am Margarette?” Roland said. He knows the woman standing in front of me.
“Margarette? Why do you know her, Roland?” Roland freezes, staring at the woman in black, he seems intimidated.
“You should know your enemy, Angel.” The woman steps inside the condo without permission.
“Hey, who are you? What are you doing?”
The arrogant woman ignores me as she walks inside the living room, roaming around and surveying the entire space. I’m supposed to grab the woman’s arm when Roland stops me.
“Angel, no.”
“Roland why? How come you know this woman? Is there something you want to tell me, huh?”
“Good job, Roland. You surely know who has the power here. And you…” The woman said, pointing at me. “You and your mother, your time here is up. You wanna know who I am? I am Margarette Tan, Angelo Tan’s wife.”
I stare at the woman dumbfounded and speechless. How come? I never thought of meeting this woman as everything seems fine between mom and Angelo. It didn’t come to mind having an antagonist legal wife.
Margarette can slash me in half by the way she looks at me. “Would you like to say something?”
“What is it, Angel?” Mom chimes in, as she gets out of her room.
“Oh, so good that you come out here. Hello, Athena! Let me introduce myself, Margarette, Angelo’s wife.”
Mom freezes as she hears Margarette’s confession.
“Would you like to say anything, Athena? How about you explain why you and your daughter are staying in our condo? Hmm…let me guess, you’re staying here for your chemotherapy. Am I right, Athena?” Margarette expresses arrogantly as she sits on the couch.
“I’m sorry, I…”
“No mom, you don’t have to say sorry.” I stop mom as I walk over, covering her from Margarette. I stare at Margarette intensely without batting an eyelid.
“You dare to raise your voice in front of me. Do you know who owns this house? I can throw you away right now if I want to.” Margarette said, pointing at the door. Her eyes are bulging like it’s about to come out.
“You can’t threaten me. It was Angelo who invited us to stay here, only he can kick us out in this house. Besides you can talk to us nicely, you don’t have to disrespect my mom. She is not in a good condition.”
“Angel, that’s enough…”
“Mommy she has to know the truth. We wouldn’t be here if Angelo didn’t invite us. This woman doesn’t have to be rude.”
Margarette snorts. “So, I am rude here. For God’s sake, this is my house, our house. You poor thing, what right do you have to talk to me like that in my own house you,” Margarette said Angrily, pointing a finger at me.
“Margarette, I apologize for all the trouble we made.” My humble mom said.
“I don’t think I can accept that apology right now, Athena.”
“Then don’t. We have nothing to apologize for. This is not just your house, this is Angelo’s house too. Like I’ve said, he is the only one who can kick us out .” I said without stuttering.
“Mom, go to your room. Ms. Lucy, Candace, please take mom to her room.”
Lucy and Candace nod and they assist mom in getting into her room.
"Where did you get that confidence? Has Angelo been spoiling you lately?"
"What if he did? I am his daughter."
Margarette burst out in laughter like the devil antagonist I saw in the movie. "Enjoy, it wouldn't last long. Have a good night."
Margarette walks out of the door when Roland opens it for her. Roland bends down for Margarette. I wonder why he has to treat that arrogant bitch like a God.
I immediately go to my mom's room.
“Mom, are you okay?” I ask mom, sitting on the balcony, having a cup of tea.
“Yeah. I’m trying to calm myself down after what happened. Sweetheart, you shouldn’t have talked to Margarette that way. They probably have a misunderstanding with Angelo that’s why she doesn’t know we are here.”
“You’re probably right mom, still, she doesn’t have to be rude and arrogant. It’s not like we are intruders who magically appeared in this house."
"You need to learn to be patient and humble, sweetheart. There are people in this world that can't take those words you said."
"And there are people in this world who will take advantage of our soft side, mom. As long as we are right, we have to voice out and be honest. I will allow that Margarette to bully you. Never."
"You have grown up so much, I didn't even notice it that much. I was so busy with my job."
"You did it for me, mom. I understand." I wrap my arms around mom before I get to my room.
I called Maddox to tell him about our little adventure in Singapore and of course, to see my baby, Bruno. Skipping the not-so-good part where Margarette invaded our peace. We had a great day that should be celebrated and ignored the bad ones.
“Hello, baby! How’s my baby Bruno?”
“Seriously? You’re asking how’s your Bruno. How about me?” Maddox said, pouting his lips.
He looks gross, to be honest, he is not the kind who can portray good acting.
“You look fine, so I didn’t ask. I’m sure you had a great day at school. Cassy is taking care of you.” I don’t mean it. I said it to tease Maddox but his reaction wasn't what I expected.
“Angel, do you really have to make fun of this? Of all the people why Cassandra?” Maddox didn’t stutter. He looks like he’s gonna explode.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it seriously. Calm down.”
I burst out laughing as he won. “I got you. Now I know I have some good acting skills.” Maddox kisses his dog Logan; it's like he can’t contempt his happiness.
“I’m still thinking of starting my acting career. It would be a nice career to pursue after senior high. Bruno, what do you think?” Maddox gives kisses to Bruno and talks to the puppy like a child.
I roll my eyes at him. "Fine, you won. By the way, I have something for you," I said, excitedly.
"What is it? Show me."
I lift the paper bag of souvenirs I got for them. "These are the things we bought earlier. We went to the Resorts World Sentosa and dropped by to the shops to get some pieces for you and our friends."
"Wow, baby, I'm excited. Do you mind if you tell me what you got for me?"
"No. You have to wait. For now, let me see my baby, Bruno."
"Alright, but you have to promise me something. We have to keep talking every single day after school."
"Baby, I can't promise. Next week will be mom's second therapy session. I need to take care of her, sometimes I don't attend to calls. I will find time to call or text you. That's the only thing I can promise."
"Baby, that's good enough. I love you."
"I love you too, Maddox. No, let me see my baby, Bruno, and also Logan."
We played and teased each other on the phone with Logan and Bruno for over an hour until I needed to eat dinner. All the stress brought by Margarette was all gone.