I'm Not Going To Take Your Place

Little Rosie’s eyes raised from her meal to stare at the person who just reprimanded her. She gazed at the person in confusion wondering if she was referring to her. But she was the only kid in the room. Did she perhaps do something wrong?

“She’s a little shy, Aunt Danny,” Izabelle said.

“Shy or poorly educated? What did I even expect? She's a b*astard child that you got before marriage. Surely she's poorly educated, after all, she grew up to this stage without a father,” Aunt Danny’s words came out extremely harsh but like always, no one challenged her in the dining hall and they all pretended as if they didn't hear that.

Izabelle slightly tightened her lips and put her spoon down.

There was an unspoken rule in the Rossador family. At dinner, if the grandfather doesn't start eating, then no one could and if he doesn't leave the dining hall, no one could either. But the little girl had started eating before anyone else, causing the family members’ anger to skyrocket.

“She’s just a kid. It's not as if she knows the rule. Besides, if we're talking about b*astards, there are many at the table. I don't want to call names so don't push me to. Your husband’s b*astards are seated here.”

The eyes of the people at the table widened at Izabelle’s remarks. She was obviously pointing to Elaine and Weston whom her uncle had outside his marriage with his wife.

“Don’t you dare call me a b*astard,” Weston flared.

“To shout at the dining table. Doesn't that connote that the children of the Rossador family are poorly educated? Shouting is bad table manners, boy.”

“You…”

Jasmine held his shoulders and stopped him from speaking.

“Sister Izabelle, Aunt Danny didn't mean it that way. Her words just came out wrong. You shouldn't have called Elaine and Weston b*astards. They're uncle’s children too.”

“Then it's right to call my daughter a b*astard? Perhaps she should think before speaking. And one more thing, Jasmine. Don’t feel too tense around me. I’m not going to take your place, oh I mean MY place again. You can have it.``

She could feel how tense Jasmine has been since she came into the dining room and she doesn't need anyone to tell her that Jasmine was scared of losing the position she has in the Rossador family. Surely, she must have been the happiest person five years ago when she left. She got to take Izabelle’s place in the mansion and get everything that belongs to her.

“Enough!” Grandfather Rossador hit the table and everyone went quiet.

Izabelle bent to console her daughter who was on the verge of crying from all the shouting done at the dinner table. She suddenly lost all appetite to continue eating with these people. The sight of them made her want to cry.

“You all are poorly educated. Can't you see that there’s a little child here with us? Do you think it's right to keep yelling like banshees? As for you, Danny, I didn't complain when the child started eating before me did I?” He scolded. “Alex, educate your wife and children not to yell at the dinner table next time and stop sitting there and acting like a pushover,” his anger was directed at his son who had been sitting quietly, watching the drama unfold.

“Now, if you feel you don't want to eat, leave the dinner table. I hate dining with uncultured animals.”

With that, the grandfather started eating and everyone did the same. They silently dug into their meal and eat as if they were forced. Their frowns were evident on their face as they chewed. Seems like the food has no taste to them. Even though they lost all appetite to eat, they still forced themselves.

They knew what it meant to vacate the dining hall. The grandfather would take it as a disrespect and would ban them from ever eating with him. They sure wouldn't want that and so they forced the food down their throats.

Little Rosie started eating again after so much persuading from her mother and her eyes once again shone at the taste of the meals.

After they all had their dinner and the grandfather already left for the mansion’s hall, Izabelle ignored the other people at the dining hall and carried her daughter in her arms. She must be sleepy as her head immediately rested on her head.

“Before you leave, I should give my granddaughter a gift.”

Little Rosie raised her head from her mother’s neck as she heard that the grandfather wanted to give her a gift. She wondered what it was going to be. Perhaps storybooks like Aunt Ruby, or it's going to be something else.

“Grandfather, it's late.”

“I'll send the guards with you.”

Izabelle sighed.

“Greatpapa, what gift did you get for me?” Rosie asked.

“I thought you were asleep, Rosie?” Izabelle asked. Her daughter sure doesn't stay quiet at the mention of gifts. She does loves getting pampered and gifted all the time, doesn't she?

“I wasn't.”

The grandfather clapped his hands and two maids came running into the hall. They were the previous maids and the first one was carrying a box and the other was carrying a basket. They dropped it in front of the grandfather.

“These are for you, little Rose.”

Rosie climbed down from her mother’s arms and ran to the box and basket. Her little mouth parted and her hands moved to touch the gift the old man got for her. The basket was filled with all sorts of children’s goodies. Sweets, chocolates, and biscuits whilst the box was filled with pieces of jewelry. There were bangles, neck chains, and different jewelry in gold and diamond. The glint on Rosie’s face made it known to them that she likes it.

“Thank you, great papa.”

“We'll take our leave now.”

The grandfather ordered for some maids to help with the carrying of the gifts and they helped them get the box and basket into the trunk of their car.