“Astoria, what on earth brings you here?” it was my stepmom who’s always like that when I’m around.

But instead of answering her I just walk pass her and straightly went to the kitchen

“You!,” she shouted at my direction.

“How dare you disrespect me in my own house!” she loudly said losing the tiny grace she always wore every time that other people is around.

And I should be proud to myself, cause only me can turn her into her real character. But curse her, cause she always play the role of innocent in front of everyone, except me and those I am close with.

After settling myself in the counter chair I stare at her.

“What’s with your face?, did you get an another pimple?” I ask her with all the sarcasm I have.

And just like what I am expecting, she scooted her face.

“Pimples?, No!” she said and hurriedly went upstairs.

I let a soft chuckle because of my little victorious accomplishment.

“Ruining your mom’s mood this early again dear” It was my nanny Merly who said that.

“What do you expect me to do nana?”

“After all she really have a red spot on her face, I must have mistook it for a pims” I said as I took the tea nanny is prepared.

“Anyways, what brings you here? What’s new?” Nanny said as she place the golden tray in her side as she lean to the counter table .

“Dad” I shortly said. And nana just nod her head.

“Yes,yes, your dad’s leaving for a month trip again. I heard from Dianne yesterday, she’s acting like she’ll miss your dad but if I know” nanny Merly said.

“Well, what’s new with that nana, she’s always like that” I said as I sip into my tea.

“When are you coming back home, Astoria?” she said with sadness clearly shown in her face.

“Nana, I told you already. Why don’t you just leave this house and live in my apartment, by then you won’t missed me”

“You know I can’t leave your father here with that witch, and this house” My nanny is also my dad’s nanny before.

She took care of my dad. And considering her age she still wanted to serve our family. That’s why we treated her like a part of our family, except Dianne who just keep on stressing my nanny for her whimps.

“You know where to find me if you wanna leave this hell nana”

After that I excuse myself. I heard Dianne’s voice again calling my name with her so fake innocent tone.

“Astoria, dear!. Your dad’s here” she said with that overly sweet voice she always use.

I rolled my eyes into her and she acted like she’s hurt in front of my father.

“Astoria” dad said in authority

“Whatever” I said and straightly went to the sofa in the living room.

“I’ll go get you some coffee hon” Dianne said as she leave. And as expected she shot me her real character again by looking angry to me since my father was standing beside her now.

“Your eyes, Dianne you might drop it base on the way you look at me”. I told her as I laugh. If she cant be a bitch in front of my father, sorry to her ‘cause I can be a bitch any time I want.

“Quit that!,” dad said slightly raising a tone now. Dianne looks like a bitten cat when she leaves.

Dad sat in the sofa parallel to where I am sitting.

“How’s your mom?” he asked.

“You ask me here, just to know about my mom?” I said in annoyance

“No, tha-that’s not it. I am supposed to leave for a trip tomorrow” dad said

“And what do I have to do with that?” I ask

“I can’t leave, I have something else to do, you’ll be the one I’ll sent” dad said in his strict voice.

“W-What!”, “Why me?, why don’t you just send your fake plastic Barbie wife in that business trip of yours” I said now frustrated

“She knows nothing about the business” he said

“Yeah, then why didn’t you just find an another woman who knows it then” I said

“Watch your mouth, Astoria. She’s your mother” he said

“No she’s not”

I stood and started to walk towards the main door.

“Go on that trip, and I’ll settle you mothers hospital bills” he said.

And that stopped me from taking an another step.

“I-I’ll think about it” I said

When I was already few steps after the door my dad spoke again.

“You know I hate waiting, Astoria. Everything is already settled, just go to the airport tomorrow 9 a.m.” I heard him said.

Damn this life. Even though he’s my father I can’t help but to hate him.

Now he wants me to be his puppet, and to dictate what I had to do, just like what he did to my mother.