Brianna's eyes betrayed her. She looked. There was Reyna and her children. The girl and boy were laughing, their faces smeared with blue frosting. They looked like Reyna-the same jealous tilt to the eyes-but they also looked like her.
Reyna was her twin sister, though they both shared different fathers, they looked almost the same.
In summary, her mother was a whore.
And there, in the background, was Brian. Her own brother playing the doting big brother to Reyna. Even though she didn't care about him sending a text message or not, since they hadn't spoken since he stood her up years ago.
Brianna found herself saying. "Brian looks well."
"Oh, he's doing wonderful! He bought the twins miniature electric Ferraris for their birthday. He even helped Reyna with the down payment on her new car," Bobbie Sue said, completely missing (or ignoring) the fact that Brian's "help" likely came from the family fortune Brianna was barred from. "He's such a good brother to her. It's a shame you two don't talk more."
Brianna finally looked away from the screen. "Why're you here?"
"Well, I wanted to apologize for missing your... what do you call it? The memorial thing? I was just so happy yesterday. You understand, don't you? It's better to celebrate life than mope over what's gone."
Brianna felt a cold drip of sweat slide down her spine. I might have killed my husband twenty-four hours ago, and my mother is talking about some birthday.
"Anyway" Bobbie continued, her tone shifting into that predatory sweetness Brianna knew too well. "Since you're are doing okay, and Reyna's business is a bit slow... I know it's rude of me trying to borrow the little you have, but I was thinking a small loan? Just fifty thousand? To help with the twins' school fees?"
Brianna frowned. She knew this was the only reason her mother ever called or visited. To get it over with, she brought out her phone and quickly sent the money.
"Don't bother coming to my house again."
Seeing the alert on her phone, Bobbie Sue nodded. Brianna had sent triple of what she lied about needing the money for.
'This girl didn't need to prove herself by sending half her bank account to me.' Bobbie thought.
Yawning widely, Bobbie tossed her phone onto the silk cushions. "I'm famished. Traveling always takes it out of me. Is the cook making that lamb dish tonight? I could really go for a heavy meal and a nap."
...
Brianna sat opposite her mother on the dining table. Bobbie, as usual, was talking about herself. Not once asking Brianna what was going on with her.
Brianna on the other hand, wouldn't even tell her if she asked. Had it been she was a loving mother, then her mother would be the first she'd call.
Bobbie's eyes lit up when Rosa brought lunch. "Finally, I'm starving."
The moment the plate hit the table, Rosa caught sight of Brianna and she recoiled from them as if the porcelain were hot.
She managed to voice out, "Miss Sue... I hope you have a good meal."
She didn't wait for a response before fleeing toward the kitchen, her breath catching in her throat. Once inside, she leaned against the cold industrial counter, clutching her chest and waiting for the hammering in her ribs to stop.
Just a few more minutes, she told herself. Just stay away from her.
And just when her heartbeat was beginning to calm down, the sight of Brianna behind her sent her to the floor.
Brianna looked down at her, blankly. "You want to tell me the meaning of what you did earlier?"
Rosa stuttered, looking around. "I--I don't know what you mean, Mrs. Colburn."
She had expected when she confessed to President Lucian's mother, Mrs. Colburn would get arrested. Instead, she was here. Where were the cops?! What if she kills her too? A murderer is a murderer!
Rosa wanted to faint.
Meanwhile, Brianna knew her mother in-law was no magician. Neither was she a miracle worker to know anything without information from a rat.
Who better than the immigrant who feels she is at less advantage?
"I--I--I didn't--I--"
"Oh, shut up. I know it was you."
The words cut through Rosa's sobbing in an instant. Narrowing her eyes, Rosa pondered on the thought of President Lucian's mother snitching on her.
She immediately dropped on her chest, clutching at Brianna's feet, as tears soaked into Brianna's shoes. "Mrs. Colburn, you have to forgive me. Please, please don't kill me too. I'll do anything. Please!"
Brianna didn't look down. She looked away, a flicker of exhaustion on her face.
"Get up."
Rosa scrambled to her feet immediately. When Brianna finally turned her gaze back, she saw Rosa cower.
Brianna felt a pang of something hollow. She used to be a pillar of safety for people. Now, she was the person they trembled at. The fall had changed her "aura" from a safe space to an executioner, even if the push had been a mistake.
And even though Rochelle still acted normal, they hadn't been there. So it was easier to assume she killed Lucian intentionally.
"I didn't kill anyone. What did I say?"
"Y-you didn't kill anyone. P-president Lucian's fall happened in the b-bathtub. It was p-pure accident."
"Good." Brianna turned to leave but then paused. "And I'm not going to kill you too, Rosa. Stop flinching before the guests."
Rosa nodded frantically, her eyes wide. Once Brianna was out, she felt something wet on her body. When she looked down, "Goddamn!!"
Brianna rubbed her neck absentmindedly, momentarily thinking of applying pain relief when she gets to her room.
On pulling out her chair to eat dinner, the roasted lamb dish was gone. Just some half-eaten remains on the bone.
Meanwhile, Bobbie sat there, fully satisfied and burping. She looked meaningfully at Brianna and dropped some leftovers on her plate.
Feeling irritated, Brianna pushed the chair back in, already planning to sleep hungry.
"Are you going to eat the rest?" Bobbie called out, grabbing the piece on Brianna's plate.
Brianna didn't even turn around.
When she reached her room, she didn't turn on the lights. She took some pain relief med before letting herself fall onto the mattress, face-down.
She stayed there in the dark until she fell asleep.