A New Beginning

Staring at the wide canvas with yellow streaks peeping through the white soft balls bathing her face with dreamy eyes, Evelyn smiled widely as she opened her arms and took a big whiff of the fresh air to start her day.

“Evie”

Her head turned as she followed the sweet voice. The door opened revealing the only soul for whom she was living.

Maria entered the room with a tray in her hands and smiled at her.

“Mom, how many times I have told you not to bring tea for me? Stella is there for it.” Evelyn whined as she took the tray from her hands before placing it on the night table. Maria narrowed her eyes and smacked her crown.

“Owie, what was that for?” Evelyn grumbled as she caressed her head while looking at her mother only to find her accusatory gaze already dead set on her.

“That’s for being my mother. Don’t forget young lady that you’re still my daughter. And what’s wrong with brewing tea for children? I don’t like Stella doing chores for you. In fact, I don’t like her in my house. She is taking my place.” Evelyn could see the venom shining in her eyes as she described her dislike for the poor maid.

She groaned and held her head, “God Mom. She is just a housemaid. I hired her for us.”

Maria was still fuming so she lifted her chin with his index finger and flashed her a smug smirk, “Besides your daughter is a millionaire. I would never let my Mom do the household chores. You should enjoy your life now.”

Saying that she snickered and perched on the mattress. Bringing her legs up, she crossed them and grabbed her coffee from the night table.

“By the way how was your party last night?”

Maria huffed and sat beside her, “Boring. You know Evelyn I don’t like attending such parties where people come not to enjoy but to boast about their wealth. It would be better if you open an NGO. It’s good to help the needy than those who are already swimming in riches.”

Evelyn smiled at her words before placing her fist on her heart, “Your wish is my command, Officer.”

They both then burst into loud giggles.

Time skip

“Make sure to eat your lunch on time and call me when you reach the office,” Maria yelled from the kitchen as she packed the lunch box for Evelyn.

“It’s ingrained in my mind, Mum. You have already reminded me ten times this morning.” Evelyn shouted back as she munched the toast. Stella who was standing beside her giggled in response.

Holding the lunch box, Maria entered the dining area but her smile fell as soon as the scene unfolded in front of her eyes.

Evelyn was startled when Maria snatched the jug from Stella which made her jump in fright, “Didn’t I tell you to clean the rooms? Leave.” She chided her making her scurry away.

Maria then poured juice for Evelyn and extended the glass to her. Evelyn simply sighed and took the glass from her, this time she chose to remain silent.

“Evie, I had packed sandwiches, lasagna, and your favorite chocolate donuts for lunch. Make sure to finish everything.” Maria chirped as she scraped the chair and plopped on it.

Evelyn gasped in shock, “Mom, is that for one person or you packed lunch for the whole office? Sandwiches were more than enough.”

Maria narrowed her eyes at her, offended by her words, “Fiddlesticks, you’re the CEO. Your screen time is increasing day by day. You have already started wearing spectacles, I don’t want to lose your eyesight. Eat everything and if you come home without finishing food, you will get one from me.” She spoke sternly.

Evelyn shoved the toast down her throat and grumbled, “Mom, please don’t say like this. You will ruin my image. Which CEO gets spanked by her Mom? I am a big girl now.”

Maria sealed her lips in a thin line to stifle her smile. Pinching her swollen cheeks, she chuckled, “No matter how rich you become, you’ll still be my daughter. Mr. Clarke also calls me daily to know about your-”

“I am leaving now. It’s getting late.” Evelyn cut her midway as she wiped her lips with the napkin and abruptly stood up from the chair. Maria was startled.

Just like any other day, the merriment ended and the mansion got groped with thick tensed air.

Maria quickly stood on her legs and chased Evelyn who rushed to the hall, “Don’t be like this Evelyn. They are your parents. It’s been two years now. Don’t you remember what I taught you? Forgive and forget. Then only you’ll be able to move on from your past otherwise it will keep haunting you. You will never be able to get away from its grasp.” She spoke hurriedly while watching Evelyn fiddling with her wristwatch.

Maria could see the way Evelyn was controlling her temper. Her jaw was clenched tightly and she could see the vein on her temple throbbing. Her busy hands were roughly tying the Rose Gold Rolex around her left wrist as she just wanted to run at the moment and avoid this never-ending conversation.

Maria gulped and placed her hand on her left shoulder, “Evelyn-”

“I have moved on Mom.” Evelyn spoke sternly as she moved away from her touch, “I have forgiven them and forgotten them too. They got their company back right for which they had sold me off. They never wanted me to run their company so I built my own empire. They’re happy in their lives which never included me so I made a family of mine where no one can trade me off. I am happy, contended, and finally at peace. And I wish the same for them. So just stop bringing their names again and again cause by doing so you aren’t letting me move on.”

Maria turned silent after hearing her icy tone.

Well, that’s how cold and ruthless Evelyn had turned. She would be goofy unless and until someone trace her scars. Once someone comes on her radar, she wouldn’t let them off the hook even if it is Maria.

Merely blinking at her glassy eyes, Evelyn stepped out of the mansion and left for her company.

Maria remained mum till the sound of gates getting closing reached her ears. That’s when her shoulders slouched. She was disappointed and hurt but didn’t take her words to her heart.

Maria was well aware that Evelyn would never forget them. She appeared cheerful but deep down she was hollow. And why wouldn’t she be? Everyone had tormented and wrecked her to the point where it would take an eternity to build herself up.

Evelyn was a warrior and survivor of the cruelty she was put to where one can easily give up. Her endurance limit was tested at every step but they couldn’t break her resolve.

Everything she had today was the result of her hard work. And those years of hardship and burning the midnight oil increased her anger and deepened the hatred for those people in her heart which sadly included her parents too.

Exhausted, Maria sat on the couch with a thud. Her eyes zeroed in on the cold marble floor and slowly got filled with tears as helplessness loomed over her.

“I wish someone bring colors back into my daughter’s dour life. I wish someone could bring my old Evelyn back.”

*****