Lara

CHAPTER 4: THE KIND OF WOMAN SHE DESPISES (2)

LARA’S FLASHBACK

Lara’s father immediately remarried after her mother died. Not for love, but for someone to take over the Sandoval Mansion and to look after her. Even if her father did remarry for love, remarrying is still a must as per the family traditions of the West Kingdom. In other words, remarrying right after the death of a spouse is nothing new and is widely accepted for it is needed.

She knew about this since she first knew about her mother’s illness. She knew that there will be a day when another woman will stand by her father’s side and protect the family. No personal feeling nor opinions are needed for this. She welcomed her step-mother just like her own real mother.

Her father was not wrong in choosing her stepmother because she really is a perfect mother to handle what her real mother left to handle for everyone. She was nice and extra caring for her and she basically raised her as her own and not simply because she did her duty.

Then came her high school days where, for the first time, she was given a choice by her stepmother regarding what she wants—to continue her home-school or to actually attend a normal high school. The expectation in her eyes that in some miracle she would choose to attend a normal high school made her choose it.

Of course, she wanted to remain home-schooled because she does not see the point of doing otherwise; but it really dawned to her that she wanted to please her stepmother just by doing this. This is the least she could do for her. Plus, her father seemed to love the idea of having him out of their mansion every now and then.

She already planned what she would do if ever she attended the normal high school. As much as she wants to avoid people, that is something impossible because interacting with people is the essence of being in a normal high school in the first place. Her view of having friends is still the same and she does not think that it will ever change.

She managed to survive her first months by intimidating her classmates and schoolmates so no one will ever talk to her out of academic reasons until a transferee manages to ruin everything for her.

Lady Dandelion from one of the poor families of the West Kingdom, who got into this prestigious school because of scholarship.

“I don’t see any other reason why we can’t be friends, Lady Lara. I’m sure you don’t mind if I’m only here because of my scholarship. I get that feeling of you that you’re not judgmental at all.”

She stopped walking and sighed. “And what if I do mind that you only got here because of your scholarship? What if I don’t want to even associate myself with the likes of you?”

She is supposed to be in the library now, but this girl really knows how to pester her from the core. Does not this woman know how to take a hint nor simply understand the meaning of back-off? Oh, heavens above, if she could shove this girl away from her.

She expects her to back away, to understand that she does not want her close to her, to get the freaking hint that she is sick and tired with her—but, no, this girl’s silly smile did not even falter on her lips and if there is one this she looks like, she looks like a happy dog right now.

“Why the hell are you looking at me like that?”

She is almost teary-eyed that I thought I finally broke her, but, damn it—how can she break someone who is already mentally broken? This girl is teary-eye because of happiness!

“Y-You finally t-talked to me, Lady Lara! It makes me so happy!”

She groans frustratedly and walks even faster and groans even more when she heard her laughing.

It was the day she regretted to ever come in her life.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The journal Lara was made to read by her real mother contained everything that she fears and hates. She was traumatized by how much she understands everything that was written in there, because she knows that that exact same thing can happen to her. The fear having someone to be so less than who you are, but is still the world favors. The hatred for the same exact thing because you know that there is nothing you can do about it.

Dandelion was supposed to be just a side character in her life. A stranger. A filler to the crowd. It would have been better if she remained that way. It would have been so much better if she did because she would have actually considered her to be…

Shaking her head, she already knows that what she wanted to happen is nowhere near possible now. The damage had already been done and she is looking right at it.

Dandelion is the epitome of the woman her mother described, the kind of woman she despises.

“Lady Lara, are you alright?” one of her classmates asks.

For the first time in history, she smiles that everyone gasps upon seeing her so. “Of course, I am. Thank you for asking.”

What just happened? Dandelion happened and there is nothing more she hates right now.

Dandelion almost got into an accident and, for that very moment, she let herself be as stupid as she will ever let herself be. She cannot even imagine herself how she—a no-care b***h—really ran to help someone in need. What the fuckery is this? She did something she will never do and to have what in return? Nothing. She received nothing but wounds and a very bruised ego.

“I never knew Lady Lara would run to help Lady Dandelion. Who would’ve thought she has it in her?”

“If Lady Lara will run just to help me? Well, dang, I wouldn’t accept any other help.”

“Lady Dandelion is not you though. I mean, look at her. It seems like she doesn’t even know that Lady Lara went to help her and got all wounded for her.”

Sighing, she turned a deaf ear to whoever is talking about her right as if she cannot hear them. She is too tired to give a damn about them and she does not care anymore. Then the first-aid giver finally walks to her and checks up her wounds.

She looks at Dandelion one more time and when she sees how happy that girl is with the guy who got to help her first—she literally felt how her anger boil inside that she wanted to cry.

For the first time in history, she wanted to cry because of how angry and how frustrated she is—so much for freaking friendship.

After her wounds were tended, she got up and walked out. It doesn’t matter how hurt she is nor how her legs are on their verge of giving out. She just needed to leave right now.

So much for freaking friendship. This is the last time she will ever be this stupid. Never the damn again.