THE LOATHSOME SON-IN-LAW

A GOLD DIGGER

Back in his room, the sad son-in-law of the O'Connor family was as sad as doom, and he was seen sprawling on one of his newly bought cushion chairs. 

They would have respected me if I came from a respectable family, and not adopted, " he let out, closed his eyes and sighed deeply. 

Deep inside, Andrew knew there was nothing he could do to make the family of his wife hold him in high esteem. To them, he will always remain an unfortunate gold digger who married into their family only for their wealth.

"Am I truly a gold digger, and only after Brian's wealth?" He asked himself, shook his head and announced after, "No. I just want to fulfil my part of the bargain."

He was still lost in thought when the door leading to his room opened, neither did he open his eyes when footsteps sounded closer, and a voice mumbled," I just want to check on you before leaving. I hope you still have my telephone number and address, come to Orange County whenever you are ready and my door will always be opened for you".

"Thank you, Ajay."

"And I apologize on behalf of my Mother. I guess she was still nursing an old wound."

"Yes. She hates me because of the offence I committed when I was small."

"You were a kid, it wasn't your fault."

"When will she forgive and stop insulting me?"

"When you stand on your feet and see yourself as a man. For how long have I been inviting you to Orange County?"

"I will be free to go anywhere I like in the next few months. Expect me by then."

"Is your life, and I am sure you are old enough to make a decision," Ajay muttered as his eyes darted through the room. "I guess Mary took all your furniture away... I am very happy that you bought expensive ones in replacement."

Andrew shrugged in response, closed his eyes and wished to be left alone. 

Getting the hint, Ajay sighed and let out, "We will see later. I need to go."

"Let me see you off."

"Never mind."

Since Andrew offered to see him off for courtesy's sake, he was more than happy when his friend sighed, turned and walked out of his room. The calmness of his environment was cut short when the door to his room was opened, and Moana stepped inside, gawked around and let out, "Hello, Andrew."

"What did you want?"

"Have you eaten-, I brought you some apple pie and a bottle of wine."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I am okay and I don't need your food."

"You assisted in cooking the meal, and it's not fair if you don't eat from it," Moana answered back. She gazed into the emotionless face of the man on the chair, took a bite of the apple pie on the plate in her hand and announced, "There is no poison inside."

"Put the plate on the table."

"I am truly sorry for the way I have treated you so far. I indeed poisoned you when you were young, but I was manipulated by Madam Alice. Please forgive me."

"I was young and didn't remember this incident," Andrew answered back, breathed out loud and announced after, "You have all hated me since I can remember. You beat me, hurt me verbally and have done everything within your power to drive me crazy... Why should I trust you now?"

"Because we are truly sorry," a male voice sounded at the door, and Moana's husband walked in, "we were both sorry for our part and wish to make it up to you."

"You can come to our flat whenever you need anything from us."

"I would have suggested you parked in with us, but that would be seen as a breach of the contract."

"We came from our flat to tell you this."

He looked into the couple's remorseful faces as the recollection of Moana's cruelty flowed back into his mind, shook his head at the painful memory, and was lost in thought when they both wobbled out of his room...

"Where is this useless boy, and why is my clothing not yet ironed?"

"Here I am, Ma. I was summoned by Madam Alice to wash her car, and I am just through now."

'Whack.'

"Aish!"

"How many times have I warned you never to leave my task undone and attend to any other person?"

"Sorry Ma, she will beat me if I don't attend to her instantly. 

"And I will kill you any day you left my chore undone."

'Whack... Whack!'

"Oh, my eyes. I am blinded!"

"I will kill you by my hands if you refuse to leave this villa..."

 "Who stole my purse?"

"Aish... I don't know, please. I just cleaned your room and parked all the dirty clothes for washing."

"You are a thief and I wasn't surprised that you are lying. I left my purse on my bed a minute before you enter."

"I didn't see-."

"Bring out my purse before I descend on you and snuff that miserable life out."

"What's going on?"

"Andrew stole my purse, and I have over a thousand dollars inside. This boy is not only irresponsible but a thief. I am sure he will end his life in prison."

"Did you steal her purse?"

"No. I didn't even see any purse when I stepped into her room."

"A thief will end up in jail and will be punished in hell forever. Tell me the truth, and bring the purse with the money out."

"He is a hardened criminal and will rot in hell."

"You are right. He will-."

"Is that not the purse you are looking for?"

"Oh... He must have dropped it when I wasn't looking at him. Now get your sorry arse out of my flat."

Throughout the night, the memory of all his agony at the hands of O'Connor's family raced through his mind, and the thought of suicide was not far from his mind when he stood up from the bed the following morning.

The cold water stung his skin, and he was shivering when he stepped out of the restroom and fell sick.  

"Ten more months and I will be free to leave all of you," his lips quivered as he mumbled.