Sugar

Tiffany Iscariot

Tiffany’s PoV

“Tiffany! You should quit looking so gloomy and enjoy yourself more! Look- we have all these beautiful ladies and gentlemen with us. I’m sure one of them is willing to come home with you tonight.” I did a one-shot before slamming my glass on the table and looking at the women and men my friends had brought with them.

None of them intrigued me, but at least they know how to keep one company. I may be a collector of beautiful things, but even I have my standard. My friends seemed to understand my intention when I slammed my glass on the table and tried to change the conversation.

My friends had known me since we were at the university. It would be stupid of them to dispute my standard of beautiful things. I am Tiffany Iscariot, destined to have only the best.

“Call the waitress; I would like to order another round of champagne!” One of my friends called for the server and ordered our drinks again. I’m not sure how many times I asked for another round, but I need this.

Who would have thought that someone I appreciate love would betray me with another person. And that person is a man! Amanda didn’t expect to see me at her home since I told her I was busy with the new project that I was working on. I could surprise her by completing my work way before the due, but in the end, I was the one that seemed surprised by the situation.

After Amanda was caught, she tried to explain her situation and make herself the victim, which I think is full of bullshit. I am part of the Iscariot family; she should know how important my work is. The only reason I work hard is that I want to give Amanda the best of the best.

But that woman ended up hurting me.

“Tiffany? You look like you’re ready to kill someone. Relax- we’re here to forget what had happened after all. Don’t let that woman get into you. I always knew that she would show her real self sooner or later. I have never trusted that woman, ever.” I know friends are trying to make me feel better, but I am too angry to enjoy everything.

I had opened my heart to someone who would cheat on me! Who does that woman think she is?! Did Amanda think she could hurt me and get away with it?! I’ll make sure her career suffers the most out of this!

I continue to buy drinks for myself and my friends until it’s time for me to go home. I don’t know how I managed to get myself home, but I knew I was in trouble when the servants suddenly came into my room and opened all the curtains so that I could get myself up from my slumber.

“Are you up, young miss?” It should be obvious that I am.

“Are you suffering from a hangover? Should I prepare your medicine?” I waved my hands before getting up to a sitting position. I sighed when I looked at the time.

“I went home late last night- what is the reason you woke me up?” I took the medicine that the maid handed to me before looking at her expression. Something is not right. The only reason why the maids act this way is when my mother comes to visit.

“Is my mother here?” The maid nodded.

“Is it because I came home late last night? Seriously, I am an adult. My mother shouldn’t come to my home and tell me off.” I got up from the bed, grabbed a robe, and went outside to see my mother.

Luckily the hangover this time isn’t as bad as it normally would. I think my body is beginning to get itself used to alcohol.

“Jesus- why is it so bright in here?” My mother turned to me as I walked into the living room while covering my eyes.

“Tiffany- I can’t believe what I’m seeing right now.” I took a seat on the couch before smiling at my mother.

“Hello, good morning, mommy dearest. To what I owe this pleasure of meeting you today?” My mother looked at her watch and tapped on the glass.

“It’s three in the evening. Were you out drinking last night? What time did you come home? Have you forgotten that I’ll be coming today?” Wait- why is my mother lecturing me? I am an adult! I can do whatever I want.

“Mom, I am thirty-two years old. I don’t think you should be lecturing me about what I do. Why are you here?” My mother sighed.

“I’m beginning to think if you’re the most suitable heir to the Iscariot family, Tiffany. You don’t seem eager to be part of what I’ve been doing. Tell me if you want me to find somebody else to take my place once I’m retired.” What?! Hell no!

“What do you mean? I’ve been working my hardest to please you with my performances. I own several businesses hoping you might see my potential in handling Iscariot. Don’t tell me you’re planning to give away my rightful place to that stupid egghead cousin.” My mother smiled.

“That doesn’t seem like a bad idea to me. Your cousin has been quite diligent while working for the company, unlike someone I trust. You’ve been slacking off, Tiffany. It would not be a good image if the next heir were photographed walking out of the club with her friends, vomiting on the street.” My mother turned on the television, and it turned out my night getaway with my friends was all over the news.

“All I did was vomit. What’s the problem with that? At least I didn’t hurt anyone or make a fool out of myself.” My mother doesn’t seem to like the way I defend myself.

“I know that look! Don’t you dare, mom? I even go as far as freezing my eggs if I decide not to marry a man! I’ve done everything I could to secure the future!” My mom smiled. It seems she’s been waiting for me to say it.

“If that’s the case, I have a task for you. I was invited to a party by a dear old friend, but I can’t attend it since I have to travel oversea for a meeting. You have to go and represent the house of Iscariot. Take this chance to fix your reputation. I’ll expect nothing but good news from you.” This sneaky old woman tricked me!

“Fine. If that’s what you want.”

LATER THAT NIGHT,

After seeing my mother off, I decided to have a glass of wine while enjoying some prosciutto. I sighed after giving a toast to the beautiful night skyline and wondered what I did in my past life to be blessed with this amazing life.

“Young miss, I think you should lay off the wine since you were out drinking last night. Wouldn’t it be better to drink hot tea, chocolate or coffee while enjoying the view?” I sighed before offering the maid to join me. She refused, but I insisted—the maid sighed before taking a seat on the chair.

“How have you been?” I asked while pouring myself another glass of wine. The maid grabbed my hand as she took the bottle away from me. I thought she would nag again, but instead, she poured the wine for me.

“Thanks to the generous donation from the young miss, my father is now recovering from his injury, and if things go well, he will come back to work as he used to in a few weeks.” I’m glad to know that. It’s the least I could do since she didn’t complain about being the only servant working in this house.

“Don’t mention it. It’s the least I can do for you. Besides, your late mother had served as my mother's maid since she was a teenager. We grew up together, and I could say we have known each other since we were little. We could be sisters even buy you would hate that.” I smiled at Lia, the maid.

“You know, the offer still stands if you wish to use your degree. You can work for me as my assistant or I could give you a whole department to take care of. I'm sure my mother will like that.” I smiled at Lia.

“And my answer still stands. It’s a no from me. I am truly blessed to even work here as a maid. I should be paying off my debt to the Iscariot, not adding more.” Jesus- why is it so hard to convince this woman.

“Young miss, I heard what happened to you and Miss Amanda. You’ve done so much for her, and she decided to cheat on you? That’s just too much even for her.” I know that Lia never liked Amanda since I brought her back here. She would often keep an eye on me and tell me the things Amanda did while I was not looking.

At first, I thought she was just a typical maid because my mother asked her to do so, but now I know she did that to protect me.

“Thank you for all the warnings you have given me. If only I wasn’t blind and knew what that woman was up to when dating each other. I’m too stupid to realize it.” Lia chuckled.

“But I am grateful that you saw what Miss Amanda did with your own eyes rather than hearing it from someone else. You know that we weren’t just saying bad things about her.” Lia sighed.

Even my mother seems happy that I finally ended things with Amanda. I guess not a lot of people like her much, huh. As Lia continued to tell me a story about a group of married women in the church, we both heard something that we’re not supposed to hear.

“Is someone watching porn, or an orgy is happening next door?” I was about to look at the balcony next to mine when Lia stopped me.

“Are you insane?! Why would you want to find out what is happening next door? Miss, I heard the people living next door are not someone we should get involved with. There were times when I came across the people who lived next door at the elevator, and they kept giving me the eye. It scared me to death.” Oh- Lia needs to calm down.

“I doubt they’re that bad. I’m just going to take a peek. That is all.” Lia continues to hold me down while shaking her head no.

“Miss, let’s go back inside and close the door. What if they saw you looking around and make it their mission to hurt us?” I laughed.

“Lia, you think someone would dare to hurt me? They can try if they want to, but I doubt they would if they wish to continue striving and living in this country.” Even so, I thought I should just come inside so Lia won’t continue to lecture me. Sometimes I wonder if she’s my maid or simply my nanny at this point.

“Where are you going, miss?” I stopped midway as I was about to open the wine fridge.

“I thought I would drink another bottle of wine before going to sleep.” Lia walked up to me before closing the cabinet door.

“Please go to your room and sleep. I’m sorry, but you had two bottles of wine already. I think that’s enough for today.” I- I want to drink more, though.

“You need to take care of your health, miss. I’m sure you have more things to do that ended up because of your excessive drinking habit.” Is Lia cursing me or something?

“You’re turning into a nagging old woman, Lia.” Lia smiled.

“I take that as a compliment. Good night, miss Tiffany.” I smiled before walking toward my bedroom. Little did she know, I have a secret stash under my bed for emergency purposes.

THE NEXT DAY,

“Good morning Lia.” Lia smiled as she served my breakfast. I took a seat at the table.

“Good morning, Miss Tiffany.” This girl- we are alone, and it’s like she made it her mission to call me formally.

“Lia, I’ve been meaning to ask- why do you keep calling me formally while we’re all alone in this home?” Lia shrugged when she walked out of the kitchen door and placed a bowl of mushroom soup.

“Because I shouldn’t be speaking informally with my employer.” I watched as Lia walked back to the kitchen before bringing a basket of freshly baked buns.

“Wow. What’s up with the lavish breakfast?” I was about to grab the tv remote when I heard my mother’s voice behind me.

“Luckily, you manage to get yourself up. I heard you were drinking last night too.” Wait- I thought my mother had to go oversea for her meeting. Why is she here?

“I thought I should come by and tell you that your brother wishes to see you. Perhaps you should stay with him while I’m away.” My mother takes a seat at the table and thanks Lia, for preparing a plate for her.

“Alright. I will visit Thomas after work today. Lia, I think I’ll be staying at my family’s home tonight. You may go home if you want. I’m sure your father misses you.” Lia smiled.

“Thank you, Miss Tiffany.” Lia went back to the kitchen as I had breakfast with my mother.

“Tiffany, what do you think if our company decided to buy over a certain company that has the potential to strive for the better in the future?” Huh? Why would my mother ask such a question?

“If the profit made from that company manages to cover the losses when we buy it over, I guess there’s no harm in taking risks. Why? Do you have a company in mind?” My mother smiled.

“I don’t like it when you smile. How much does it cost?” My mother shrugged her shoulder.

“Perhaps a couple of billion. But I can see the profit from a mile away. I am confident that I will be able to revive this once great organization. All it needs is a good management team.” I see. Then why would she look at me like that? Please don’t tell me that I should be the one who takes on this project of hers. That would give me a lot of pressure!

“No- you’re giving that look again. I agreed to go to the party, and that’s it. There’s no way I would take care of your side project. That’s too much.” My mother sighed.

“I didn’t even say anything. Why would you assume that you will take care of the project? I was asking for your opinion. Besides, I was thinking of asking your cousin to help me with it.” Wait- hold on. Is my mother being serious now?

“You’re going to ask your nephew, who doesn’t even know how to take care of himself? That man would use the money you gave him for his pleasure!“ I- I know I’m walking right into her trap, but it’s just too much even to ask that man to do anything!

“There’s no one available to help me with this project, though. Your cousin is the best candidate too.” Damn it! I’m going to regret this. I know I will.

“Are you going to take care of it?” I sighed before asking for its detail. I don’t think I ever have any good memories with my mother as I grow up. All we ever talk about is super important things, and I never once heard her say that she cared or loved me.

It’s not that I want to hear my mother say those words- it’s just a thought. It would be weird for my mother to suddenly say such words to me since we never act like mother and daughter.

“So, what do you think?” I sighed. It’s not like I have any say in this. I had to follow whatever orders my mother gave me to make sure everything ran smoothly.

“Well, I think it’s time for me to go to the airport. Make sure that you make a good impression of yourself at the party. I am counting on you.” I stood up from my seat and hugged my mother before she excused herself from the dining table.

“You walk right into her trap. Please tell me you notice that?” I nodded. I have no choice but to do just that because my mother seems serious about letting my cousin take over the project. I can’t let her do that.

Iscariot conglomerate can’t afford to lose face because of him. It happened twice, and I won’t let it happen the third time.

“Am I that gullible?” Lia nodded her head.

“Miss Tiffany, be bolder next time. Would it be weird for someone like you to be gullible? Even though the person you’re handling is the miss’s mother, you can’t let yourself be controlled by your emotion alone. I understand that you would like to prevent anything bad from happening, but who knows that the miss’s cousin might change?” Lia smiled as she cleaned the table. I got myself up from my seat.

Lia has a point, but I would rather prepare than take care of the aftermath. I had enough cleaning after others' mistakes. Those whom I helped weren’t there when I needed their attention. All those people ever do for me is hurt me with their comments.

“Miss Tiffany, do you need me to pack anything for your home trip?” I think for a moment while choosing which show should I wear.

“Maybe some work clothes and some essential items. Im sure you know me well by now, Lia. Send it to my mother’s home. Thank you.” Lia nodded as I left for work.