Chapter 3 Tensions unveiled

Lowering the cup and turning to her mother sharply, Bibi contended, "No, they don't, Mum. They have only ever needed me when things are about to go south in the family business, and after that, they would discard me like some piece of rag."

Silvia tried to speak, but Bibi kept talking with so much emotion, "I'm only useful as a last resort! I mean, look what happened the last time I refused to step in and help out at the company as usual; the entire company crumbled under their administration, and suddenly father decides to make me a member of the board on his dying bed. That's what I am to him and you all! The child of last resort, the alternate daughter!"

Silvia had no words left; she didn't know what else to say. Even she knew that Bibi was not completely wrong, as Steven had, for unclear reasons, placed Vivian in charge of the company instead of Bibi, who was the eldest daughter and naturally, the heiress to the enterprise. When Silvia had confronted him about it once, he had told her in clear terms, "You and I know that Bibi is more level-headed than Vivian; that singular trait would make her a better CEO than Vivian when I'm gone. All I'm trying to do now is invest in teaching Vivian how to manage the company without Bibi's interference so that when Bibi eventually takes over, she'd have her sister right next to her, and together, they'll rule over the company successfully." Silvia wasn't sure if she trusted her husband's words, but she had no reasons to doubt them either.

"You're not a child of last resort, Bibi," Silvia lovingly said as she spoke to her daughter, "You'll always be my perfect daughter, Bibiana. I'm sure your father has better plans for you and your sister in the future."

Bibi went back to sipping her coffee, wondering why she even started this conversation in the first place. It was typical of her mother to defend her husband's actions.

"Listen, Bibi," her mother went on, "you have got to let go of all this anger towards your father and sister, especially now that he's gone. Things have gotten tough, and the company really needs you and Vivian to work together. Besides, we might have to let go of the maids and other house staff soon as we can't afford to keep paying them when your late father's company is gradually dying off."

Suddenly, Bibi dropped the mug on the table in the most uncareful manner. "You know what, Mum?" she turned abruptly to her mother, "I'm really not in the mood for all your nagging!"

"But Bibi..."

"No buts, Mom!" Bibi cut in impatiently. "I only came over to ensure you were getting home enough rest and also, keep you company, but I guess Vivian can certainly do that too. So, there's simply no use for my presence."

Her mother gasped in disbelief at her sudden outburst and was about to speak when Bibi raised a hand in the air.

"You know what?!" she went on, "I think I've overstayed my welcome. I'll leave before the end of the day. Besides, now father is no more, the company needs me more than you or that sister of mine will ever do!"

And with that, she stormed off and into her bedroom, better still, the former bedroom as she no longer lived in that house.

Silvia Stone sighed in despair.

Bibi had gotten worse of late, especially after her father had died and placed Vivian, instead of her, in charge of the company. Her mood swings had worsened and had become increasingly frequent; it was as if she woke up angrier than the previous day.

She wasn't always this way; what on earth changed? As a kid, Bibi had been as cheerful as every normal and happy child. She had loved candy so much that her father often teased her about it, "I'm certain that someday, all your teeth would fall off due to the fact that you eat so much candy, and by then, even the tooth fairy would be too petrified to approach you while you sleep." And Bibi, her sister, and their father would laugh so hard together.

But everything had changed one day, and Silvia had no idea why. All she knew was that her family had grown distant, and her constant failing health had made it hard for her to step in and save the situation until it became irreparable.

Bibi and her father barely saw eye to eye; they grew so distant that Bibi stopped eating on the same table with her father. And when she was old enough to get a job and move out, she did, and without hesitation too.

Silvia now sat at the kitchen table, pondering on the past. She didn't want to believe her what her heart was telling her; she didn't want to believe that Steven truly had bad intentions for Bibi; she didn't want to believe Bibi's theory.

By evening, after spending the whole day in her former bedroom in an attempt to avoid her mother, Bibi packed up, determined to go back to her apartment. For the longest time, this place had stopped feeling like home to her. Going back to her apartment was the best thing to do now, and so when she was sure that her mother would be asleep in her bedroom, she packed up her little luggage and left the room, determined not to run into her mother or even any of the maids in the house, particularly her mother, who might try to talk her out of leaving so soon.

As she approached the staircase, getting ready to climb down with her hand luggage and rid herself of the gloom of that house, she heard voices. She couldn't exactly tell who they were at first, but with the soft clatter of things that sounded like teacups and spoons, it was a clear indication that someone from the house was still in the living room, probably entertaining a guest.

Then suddenly, she heard that dreadful familiar laughter, one she didn't fail to recognize instantly, one that had made her life a nightmare for as long as she could recall. It was her sister, Vivian.

Bibi gripped her hand luggage tighter and shut her eyes as she took a deep breath.

"Here we go again!" she whispered to herself as she walked into the living room, which was unfortunately the only road to the exit.