An Ineffable Temptations

Ever since I was born, it had always been the sequence of events; getting punished daily for the petty mistakes I made.

Margaret said I'm non-complaint and to make sure I stayed out of trouble she had to discipline me.

Juliet and I were never alike. She preferred to stay in the shadows of Margaret-since she claimed that I had no privilege to refer to her as a mom-while I do things my own way. So far, that had gotten me into more troubles than I can count.

I paused my movement on the broom, the tiled floor looking anew. I could hear footsteps approaching. I steadied myself getting ready for Margaret's wraths and if I were unlucky, a few strokes of cane.

Before I could make a run for the door, Margaret stomped in with two whips in hand and Juliet trailing behind her clenching the hem of her dress with a barbarous glare.

Margaret looked around, heaved a sigh and uttered with potency. "How many times have I told you not to defy my orders? I sheltered you, took care of you when you were young. Wiped away your tears when nobody else would. And what do I get in return-"

She looked at me with an expectant stare, and I knew I had to answer. She had reiterated the same phrase again and again whenever something wasn't done her way.

She was unforbearing by my lack of response. I couldn't admit to a felony I never committed. Still, my tender body was a reminder of the previous beatings and the upcoming ones.

"Dis-" I started only to be interrupted by Juliet. She linked Margaret's arms in hers, and like the pampered child she was-said in a soft voice. "Cheryl always makes you angry mother. I don't see why you don't punish her the way she deserved."

I had always wished for a little sister who I could play and have the time of the world with. Sadly, Juliet couldn't be that.

Margaret didn't scold her for intruding, instead she hugged her and prod her shoulders with such affections that I envied. "Go upstairs Sweetie, I will deal with this. Don't worry your pretty head about it, she will get the punishment she deserve. Trust me."

Juliet nodded her head, and tromped upstairs. Before she was gone, she sent a wink and a smirk my way.

"Rat," she growled at me. My gut churned in fear, I clutched at the broom for dear life.

Margaret yanked my arms so harshly I was sure a bruise had began to form. The broom fell with a thud.

"I have told you to cook lunch, haven't I?"

Normally, I would answer with a 'yes' but today I couldn't because I didn't remember a time when Margaret had instructed me to cook her precious daughter and her lunch.

"I don't think you did." I voiced out. It was a wrong move because Margaret reached out to the whip she had behind her, and trounced it on my lower back.

I couldn't help but moaned in pain. Years of getting beaten by her couldn't have made me immune to it.

"Juliet, honey." She called out softly. Juliet appeared a instantly lik she had been lurking waiting to be summoned.

She stood with her hands clasped before her. And a smile adorned her make up caked face.

"Yes mother."

"Cheryl here has disobeyed me. She claimed I haven't given her orders to prepare lunch." Margaret wiggled the whip in space, and clutched her heart in despair.

I knew I was in trouble when Juliet said rapidly. "I have informed you about it, haven't I Cheryl?"

I knew she was lying, but I couldn't bring myself to deny the false accusations. Juliet could get Margaret to do worst things to me beyond whipping and starving.

The look in her eyes were enough to get me to start talking; I uttered with a heavy heart. "Yes, you did. I think I have forgotten."

Juliet was satisfied with my answer. The truth was, I wasn't given the order to make lunch of any sort. Margaret might've informed Juliet to pass the message across, but Juliet was hell bend on making life difficult for me.

"Go to your room," Margaret ordered. Juliet walked away gracefully no doubt victorious.

I could sense the aura of contempt whenever I was in the wrong or tormented. Juliet enjoyed it as much as Margaret did.

I felt the pain before I could hear the sound of the whip. My body felt like it was on fire, unbearable pain shoot through me. I fought the urge to start crying, I have known Margaret ever since I was little, one thing she hated was tears. The more I cried the more I got beaten, and so I kept it all in.

"You naughty child."

I couldn't miss the hatred in her eyes, the same look she gave me as a child. Juliet was the golden child as far as I could remember. When we were young, I watched as she was treated to all kinds of lavish toys and treats she desired. At first-in my childish sense-I thought she was simply enjoying the package that came along with being the youngest child. But as we grew older, I began to see beyond those perspectives. The truth was, she was more lovable to my parents than I was.

Thinking helped me escape reality, it lessened the despair as well. I closed my eyes tightly, tears were threatening to escape and I let them. Each drop representing how weak and vulnerable I felt sprawled on the floor.

And yet as I sat enduring every lash and averting Margaret's gazes I couldn't get myself to hate Juliet or her.

Somehow I wished I could live a normal life; where Margaret was a loving mom and Juliet was my endearing little sister.

But wishes don't come true, do they?

My punishment season ended when Margaret received a phone call.

I had never been thankful for Juliet like I did at the moment. Margaret had withdrawn her hold on the whip, she quickly collected the device from Juliet and walked away.

I knew better than to stay sprawled on the floor despite the bruises and soreness that were excruciating as ever. I sauntered to the kitchen in an attempt to make lunch.

I looked around the sparkling tidy environment. I loved cooking, cutting, chopping ingredients into chunks was the best part of my day. The counter was wiped clean, rugs and kitchen equipment and tools neatly set up.

Juliet littered the kitchen whenever she was in. It was my job to keep everything in check. We might not be high-class business owners but we had enough to take care of the family and for a maid as well. I had made the mistake of suggesting Margaret hire someone so I could rest but it ended in me having scars all over my body and Margaret yelling at me all day.

I got to work. Getting the tomatoes from the refrigerator, I got ahold of the chopping-board and knife. I had no idea what I was preparing but I cut the tomatoes in half and went ahead for the onions.

I was almost done with the onions when Juliet barged in inanimate.

"Get ready," she proclaimed. I looked vaguely at her.

When she noticed my expression she rolled her eyes and explained in an annoying voice. "We are having dinner with Mr.Ian and his son. Daddy called mom few minutes ago and informed her of the good news. They're very respectable, and his son will likely take interest in me. After all, I'm prettier and smarter. I heard girls drool at the sight-"

I stopped listening, too ingulfed in my thoughts to care. I understood why Juliet would be enthusiastic to welcome noble families as such. She got to seat on the table with them, and fawn over their expensive attires and lucullan lifestyles. On numerous occasions, I served. Margaret either introduced me as a maid or skipped that part.

My stomach cried out at the thought of dinner. I haven't eaten anything since yesterday's lunch. Margaret made sure I learned my lesson, part of which included that I had absolutely no right to eat except left overs.

"Witch!" Juliet snarled irritatingly.

A laugh almost escaped me. Juliet was one of those that liked to talk about stuff all the time-show off-and would get mad when they weren't listened to.

"I wouldn't waste my time talking to you, I have to get ready for the meeting with Allen," she dreamingly said.

I had no idea who Allen was, inquiring about him would only lead to humiliation.

Just when I thought she was done and would likely retire to her room, Juliet walked briskly until she was few feet away from me. "Do you know why he would chat me and not you?"

I dared not to answer. You see, Juliet thought I was envious of her. That was why she rubbed it on my face whenever she could.

"Witch!" she was getting mad at my lack of response. I stepped back afraid of what was coming next. We all knew boys preferred her to me, she had fancy dresses and elegance. I was merely a stack of bones, thin over the years and dressed awfully.

"Allen is a business tycoon. Former CEO of Ian Tech Industry-a blooming business in the world." She waved her latest iPhone in my face. I gulped hard and anticipated her next move.

"You wouldn't know because you don't own a cell-phone. Witch." She tapped her phone against my chest hard. I was breathing heavy, and tightened my grip on the counter.

I wasn't permitted to own a cell phone. Margaret decided I wasn't worthy of it. The first time my phone was seized by her during junior high, I spent the following year weeping in my room.

I couldn't contact my best friends-Indiana and Grace.

"Don't disgrace mom. Also do whatever you can to stay out of sight. You wouldn't want to get in trouble would you?" she flipped her curly blonde hair.

She walked away not before warning me. "Keep your creepy eyes off Allen."

Juliet always targeted the upper class business men. Whenever father would invite his friends for dinner, Juliet stuck around displaying her charms. Once one of the men was staring intently at me, I had no idea why he was interested in me. Turned out, he was only staring due to a huge gash in my worn-out shirts.

Juliet misunderstood and claimed I was seducing him. I starved for three whole days and was forced to kneel and beg for Juliet's forgiveness.

In the distance, I could hear Juliet squealing no doubt at a

new dress that was bought specially for the dinner.

"Cheryl," Margaret called out. My legs were about to give out in anticipation. Margaret rarely called for me solely if I was in trouble, otherwise she would send Juliet.

I managed to walk without my legs giving out. Margaret was seated on the sofa with both legs rested on the center table. Juliet was standing smiling at a beautiful dark-pink dress that still had a tag.

"You called for me." I announced my presence. My heart was pounding uncontrollably, my legs nearly gave out the more I advanced.

"Rat."

I flinched at the tone of her voice.

"I assume Juliet had informed you of our honorable guests."

I nodded quickly.

"Good," she remarked satisfied.

"I will like you to stay in your best behavior. Only serve when you're told to, don't stick around. Go away as soon as you were done with your service."

My eyes were casted down-looking at Margaret would only evoke punishments and disobedience.

"Now, go and prepare dinner."

Just when I was about to head to the kitchen, the doorbell rang.

Who could that be?

Indiana and Grace stood docilely by the door.

My hold on the doorknob intensified, I was afraid to look behind me to Margaret who sat gracefully asking at intervals who was there.

I stepped down shielding my best friends from her view. Margaret had warned me against bringing intruders into her household-and by intruders she meant my two best friends.

"What are you guys doing here?" I whispered-yelled.

I closed the door behind me.

"We decided to visit you, since you know-" Indiana started.

I knew I was a shitty best friend. I rarely hung out with my friends. Margaret was to blame for it, she made sure I had no time to spare. I go to bed late everyday and wake up early in the morning to continue with the house chores.

Grace was looking down. She was the sensitive one out of us all. I couldn't help but be guilty.

"This is unfair," Grace whispered. I looked behind. Somehow we were all waiting for Margaret to emerge behind the sealed doors.

"We don't hang out anymore because of your mom." It was when Indiana mentioned that I recalled who Margaret was to me. She was my mom-Juliet's mom.

"I have chores." I said like all the times I did before. I couldn't permit my best friends in the world to talk ill of Margaret no matter how mean she was-she was still my mother.

"You always say that." Indiana rumbled. "Stop it Cheryl, she isn't going to love you. You need to stop wishing she will."

Grace reached out for me, engulfing me in a hug. She knew how I was hurting. She understood what it felt like to love someone unconditional-hoping that some day they would love you back.

"It's fine Cheryl. We can-" Grace wasn't able to complete her sentence because Margaret was standing by the door glaring intensely at us.

Indiana and Grace bid me goodbye before running out of the gate into the neighborhood.

"Didn't I warn you not to bring over intruders?" Margaret questioned.

I wiped my sweaty hands on my tattered gown. I couldn't utter a word nor move. Just when her hands could come in contact with me, Juliet interfered.

"Don't waste your time on her mother. Remember how daddy sounded serious over the phone. It's nearly 6:00pm, and the guest will be arriving soon."

I thanked my lucky stars. Twice did Juliet saved me from Margaret. Almost as if she liked me.

I mustn't be deceived. Juliet was just joyful over meeting with Allen, and I just happened to be fortunate.

"Yes, yes my dear." Margaret smiled sweetly at Juliet. To me she uttered with disdaine. "Go and prepare dinner, don't slack."

And I cooped to the kitchen.

______•••••______

Dinner was made after intense cooking. I had prepared four dishes, fried rice and chicken, cheesecake, pretzels, lobster rolls-chocolate fondue for dessert.

The dinning room was neatly set. Plates and cutleries placed at their respective positions. Not to forget wine.

Margaret informed us that our guest would be arriving any time soon. Juliet was dressed in a dark-colored pink princess dress. Atop her head was a crown that complimented her looks although she appeared ridiculous. Her hands were hidden by the matching gloves. Her hair was in a bun-only Juliet could pull out such a look and nail it.

I was standing by the kitchen door with spatula in hand ready to serve any moment. Margaret strictly ordered to stay out of her hair except stated otherwise.

Their arrival was announced by Juliet's squeals. "Good evening Daddy."

Her voice echoed in the corridor.

Father's replies weren't audible. I fought the urge to run and evolve him in a deadly hug. It had been five months since he was home. Sometimes I knew Margaret wouldn't treat me as horrible as she did if Father stayed home. I remembered when I was young and he would obliged to go on another business trip, I would spend the night hugging my stuffed bunny to my chest and crying my self to sleep.

Father walked in the room majestically like he always did. He sat down and whispered sweet

nothings to Margaret who was overwhelmed with joy.

Juliet lead a young good looking guy to his seat, I guessed that was the Allen she was fanning over. He was tall, strong built with an oval shaped face, his lips were thin and pink. I wondered how soft they would feel. Stop it, Cheryl, he won't notice you.

"Mr. Ian," father acknowledged the middle-aged man. His hair had long succumbed to age-greyish. Unlike Allen, he smiled at Margaret and shook hands with Father with a delightful aura.

I observed them through the half opened kitchen door. I needed to make sure that I was there when Margaret needed me.

It was hard to depict what they were saying, they were a few feet away from the dining room. I watched intently as Juliet flirted with Allen, rubbing her hands on his shoulder and fluttering her eyelids. Allen looked peeved, yet he didn't push her away.

Juliet had that effect on people; she tried hard to impress whenever she could. It wasn't difficult considering the fact that she had recherché outfits and fit with the elites.

I closed my eyes, my body felt sore all over. I cross-checked that the plates were carefully kept and the trays were at reach.

"I love your shirt," Juliet chirped. Allen looked at her with a frown adorning his handsome features.

It was the first time since he came that I took a good look at him. From where I stood I could see his green eyes illuminated by the bulb.

My heart was beating fast, the kind it did whenever Margaret got mad at me. I couldn't stop myself from gazing at his blonde silky hair that was swept back. I knew it was silky because Indiana's brother, Jaret, used some products and it made his hair silky.

I looked away afraid to be caught in the act.

"Cheryl" Margaret yelled from the table.

I had a tremendous feeling that this evening was going to be eventful-a life-changing-one.