The Wicked

Sarah was descending the stairs when she overheard her aunt's voice, engaged in a conversation with her cousin. There was a hint of annoyance in her aunt's tone. Her cousin's bedroom door was slightly ajar, not properly closed by her aunt Huifen. Perhaps she thought that since it was a Saturday, everyone would be busy downstairs and no one would have the courage to listen to their conversation, as all the household staff were afraid of Huifen's wrath.

She recalled what happened the previous night, and it made her cringe. She didn't want to dwell on those thoughts because she couldn't accept that her cousin was capable of such promiscuity. She flinched when someone tapped her shoulder. It was Mira, who, like her, had been eavesdropping. In a hushed tone, Mira asked, "Sarah, I heard some gossip among the maids last night. They said your cousin is involved in a scandal. Is it true?"

"Shhh... Keep your voice down, Mira. Aunt Huifen might hear us. We should stop eavesdropping," Sarah replied. They began to descend the stairs slowly.

"I'm going to church, dear Mira. My conscience won't allow me to discuss that scandal, especially since I'm a woman myself," Sarah said.

"Oh, you're such a saint even when you're hurting. Alright, take care, dear, and pray for me and your over-experienced and covetous relatives," Mira responded with a mischievous smile.

Sarah smiled back brightly. "Alright, dearest Mira, I'll bid you farewell. I didn't see Uncle Alfred, so I'll say goodbye to you instead."

Mira waved goodbye, so glad that the little girl she cared for six years turned into a beautiful and kind-hearted young lady, but at the same time feels pity for the situation she is embroiled into. "My God, please watch over Sarah," those were the only words Sarah's former nanny could mutter, now demoted as Lui family's assistant cook.

Back at Adelle's room...

"Get up, my princess," Huifen said, trying to hide her underlying emotions with a loving smile towards her disgraced daughter..

She drew the curtains of her daughter's Victorian room with care, creating an illusion of safety and seclusion. The morning light gently streamed in, casting a soft glow on the girl's  face as she woke from her slumber.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Despite of her anger, Huifen motherly instincts kicks in. She greeted her daughter with so much exuberance.

Adelle buried her face in her soft pillow. She was so ashamed to make an eye contact with her mother. Even with her face hidden, her words and sobs were still audible. "Last night, I thought I was going to die in shame. Even in my dreams, that orphink Sarah was teasing me! Do something about her, mom."

Huifen lifted her child and tidied her hair. "Don't be foolish. Everything should be planned. What you did was incredibly reckless, and if you weren't my only child, I might have thought about disowning you because of the tremendous embarrassment you have caused!"

Adelle, still feeling the weight of her emotions, blinked and yawned, trying to wipe away the traces of tears from her eyes. "Mom, I'm doomed. This is supposed to be a speacial day for me, but I feel so awful. And tonight's ball doesn't give me thrills at all," her voice revealing both uncertainty and lack of self-confidence.

Huifen's reassurance was laced with a hint of manipulation. "Yes, my dear, tonight is your chance to reclaim control. Remember, I'll be by your side in every step of the way."

Her daughter's vulnerability was met with a response that bordered on the encounter that took place last night, as Huifen dismissed her concerns. "Don't worry, my darling. Tonight, all they'll see is your radiance, not your tears."

"I would be like a jilted princess without a prince, if he won't come," referring to Martin.

"If you didn't over react about Sarah and Martin, things would be a lot different." Her mother emphasizes with a bit grouchiness in her voice.

The mention of Sarah evoked anxiety in her daughter. "I hate her so much, mom!"

"Just hate and wait my dear." she advices her daughter as she combs her hair.

"But, Mom, I look terrible, my eyes are so puffy from crying," her daughter replied, vulnerability evident in her voice.

"We will do something about it. You will spend the rest of your day in the spa and you'll have the finest facial relaxing treatment. Your eyes will mesmerize Martin and the rest of the men tonight."

"But what about Dad and Mr. Wane? I feel so embarrassed with my nakedness seen in such humiliation. How can I face them after what happened?!" Her daughter's voice wavered with anxiety once more.

Huifen leaned in, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, my sweet child, you'll be surprised by what's in store for them. Trust me, they won't know what hit them."

Her daughter looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and hope. "Really, Mom?"

"Absolutely. Tonight is your moment to shine. Act as if nothing happened, and watch them wonder," Huifen said, winking playfully.

Her daughter's honest admission about struggling to face Sarah brought out a more bitter side of Huifen.

"I understand how you feel, my dear, but we won't let her presence destroy your preparation for your celebration tonight," she replied with a hard expression, clearly holding onto past grudges.

Despite the daughter's concerns, Huifen remains determined to follow through with her plan, she need to protect herself and her daughter's interests.

Adelle expressed gratitude for her mother's support and acceptance of her sexual inadequacies and stupidities "Thank you, Mom. I don't know what I would do without you," she said, her heart a mix of emotions.

The air between them was charged with a mix of excitement  as they plotted to make Sarah uncomfortable during the event.

"Get up now, and you will marvel on how beautiful the venue of the groundball and the gardens."

And after almost an hour of chatting and preparing herself on her way to the spa, she saw the magnificence of the venue, and that beauty is meant for her alone, tonight. All girls will envy her and men would love to possess her.

"Mom, are you sure we will have media coverage tonight?"

"Of course my dear, I paid a handsome amount for that! You wouldn't miss it for the world." Huifen has  more in her mind aside from that, so she feels very confident to tell Adelle.

As the mother and daughter supervised the design team she hired, who are now working in grand ballroom of the mansion, they found themselves surrounded by a whirl of excitement and elegance.

"Oh, Mom, look at this beautiful place!" her daughter exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.

Huifen beamed with pride. "Isn't it breathtaking? Everything here is all yours, my dear, and you will shine brighter than anyone else here."

Her daughter blushed, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation. "But what if things don't go as planned? What if Sarah causes trouble?"

Huifen squeezed her daughter's hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, my love. I've taken care of everything. Tonight, we'll see a different side of Sarah, and it will be on a very ugly display."

A hint of curiosity sparkled in her daughter's eyes. "You've got something up your sleeve, haven't you?"

Huifen winked playfully. "Maybe I have" She laughs. "Just remember, no matter what happens, I'm right here by your side."

"By the way mom, why don't I see that Sarah here? She is supposed to be helping out, right? What a lazy bitch" her daughter curses with rage.

"Never mind about her, she's at the kitchen. Her heart would break if she sees the beautiful garden and the ballroom," Huifen replied, dismissing any concerns.

"But dad said we are going to live somewhere else after this," her daughter stated, a touch of uncertainty in her voice.

"Don't worry about that, my love. I've planned everything. You will be the sole heiress of everything that your aunt Daisy left," Huifen assured her daughter, trying to ease any worries.

"Really, mom?!" her daughter exclaimed, disbelief mixed with excitement.

"Yes, my dear. You deserve it all," Huifen replied, pride and love evident in her eyes.

"And don't worry about that tiny thing inside you. It doesn't have a pulse yet, right?" Huifen gently touched her daughter's stomach, speaking softly.

"I think it's about six weeks," her daughter replied, a smile forming on her face while squeezing her abdomen.

"Well, we'll take care of it, honey. You'll get rid of it!" Huifen said, her voice warm and comforting.

Adelle, hugs her mother so tight, " Mom, I never planned this and I never wanted this thing. "Thank you for understanding."

"From now on, be very careful and take birth control pills every day. And, of course, always carry condoms in your pocket." Huifen smiled slyly at her daughter.

They share a moment of laughter, a bond of naughtiness and promiscuity. Which is unbelievable and rare in a supposed to be a decent mother and daughter conversation.