Chapter 3 03: The Smile

My hidden carefree days was somewhat numbered, everytime I saw his overbearing self, he's like a walking calendar, my dammed alarm clock, that always give me a rude awakening about my value in his standard.

He's the countdown to my damnation and I need to play my card so well, or I'll be doomed. He doesn't veiled his intention, never put any filter or rose colored glasses in front of us, even with anyone, he simply doesn't care, he served it so straightforward that it gives me chills down to my soul.

Now I'm unraveling after his tactics, his moves, he's so dammed poker faced about it. Every encounter is a chance for me to mapped little by little the ways of his devious mind.

And he's here again, confidently lounging in one of mom's prized chintz chair, where even a speck of dust will earned a gruesome stare from her.

Without directly looking at him, I can feel his vindictive stare.

I descend the simple staircase of our villa.

Mom's face light up, approving my modest and up to date ensemble, with a little rise of her well shaped left eyebrow, a signal for me to behave, and to zip my mouth.

" I'm glad you grace me with your youthful charm Portia." An engrossed expression never left his face with an underlying vindictiveness.

I just tilt my head a little to the left to welcome his presence.

" You're so pensive today, must be the weather-"

Am I Mia's daughter or what? That hang sentence again, goading my patience to wear and probably going thinner, but the sudden quirked of my mom's right eyebrow prompt me to reply oh so courteously!

" I'm good SIR, never been better."

I directed my not so innocent glance with mom,

" I need to go, my ballet class will start soon, it's just across the street, mom, can I excused myself?"

The smile, how I hate his smile! So foxy, so sly!

Did he think he won this round, summoning me in my father's house like a pauper. I'll get even. I saw how conflicted my mother at that moment. One thing she can't forego is for her hard earned money to be wasted, and ditching a ballet lesson is a great no no in her vocabulary.

" I'm sorry Sir Renoir, you came in unfortunate time."

I simply half closed my eyes when I heard her heartfelt sorry. Savoring my small win, it's hard to come by, might as well enjoy and basking in this bit of glory.

I half turned my face towards her direction and saw how coquettishly she dabs the corner of her lips with her ever handy flowery laced hankie.

For Pete's sake! Please delivered me from this cloying situation.

With a little wave of her hankie, I alighted with great alacricity. I directly look at Sir Renoir's eyes, not missing his condescending stance.

" Thank you SIR Renoir, for gracing our humble abode. Im so thankful for your benevolent time, I hope it doesn't hinder your other endeavors. " I poetically stated. Dammed that snide smile always directing at me.

" Youth has its own merits and demirits, I believe you chose the right one, my Ever dearest Portia."

He sarcastically replied getting even with my rhetoric.

" Of course SIR Renoir I am my mother's daughter after all. " I smiled frostily gracefully peck at my mother's left cheek to signal my departure.

" Let me walk you out Sir Renoir, to finalize our meeting this day."

That had me stiffen my already stiff posture.

Mom really had a way to convey her message loud and clear without begging nor shouting at me. I salute her, so dearly. One day I'll have her mantra and the eye of my own hurricane.Head high, I continued going out, while they both observed my disposition within that split second I dawdle in the threshold.