TWO: CLAIRE
“Since my stepdaughter just had breakfast at home and I don’t feel like eating anything, you can bring her some raspberry mousse cake. I’m sure it won’t fill her up.”
“Yes, sir. Please wait a moment.”
Raviel looked at me and smiled.
“I hope you like the raspberry mousse cake. I admit we haven’t been very close lately because of my busy schedule. I don’t even know what your favorite food is.”
“I’ll definitely like it. I’m not picky about food,” I assured him.
“Mom said you have several businesses. May I know what they are?”
“I can’t name them one by one, but one of them is an internet café. My business network is spread all over America and Europe.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. No wonder you’re so rich.”
Silence fell between us. Raviel was busy watching the planes that had just landed and taken off. It was honestly amazing, but I had a question that was bothering me about my mother’s second husband, Borris Smith.
“Just say it. I know you have something you want to ask me.”
Wow, he’s amazing. He even knew what I was thinking without turning to look at me.
“About Borris Smith, how do you know he’s in jail now?”
“I know because I was the one who put him in jail.”
Raviel turned to me, and suddenly his palm squeezed my palm that was lying on the table.
“Don’t worry, he will be punished for his crimes. Although the money he stole from you guys won’t be returned because he spent it all at the gambling table, I guarantee he will suffer in prison.”
“T-thank you,” I stuttered.
My eyes were glued to my palm that was still held by my stepfather. It felt warm and pleasant. I felt safe with him. I had never felt comfortable and safe with a man. That was why I had never dated. I was a bit traumatized after seeing the failures my mother had experienced with her ex-husbands, and her countless lovers. But I hoped that one day I would find a man as good as Raviel to be my lover, or, if I was lucky, to be my husband.
“I hope this trip will allow us to get to know each other better. Maybe after we get back from Hawaii, I will know what your favorite food is, and things I never knew about you before.”
“I can’t wait to get to know you better. It seems like you are not the cold and rigid stepfather I thought you were.”
“So that’s how you’ve judged me all this time?”
I raised my eyebrows and shrugged slowly.
“What do you expect? We only see each other for a few minutes at breakfast. We don’t always see each other at dinner because of your job and my college assignments.”
“Well, we do need a vacation to get closer. I’m not what you think I am.”
“Yeah, I have a feeling that you’re a pretty cool guy to talk to and have fun with.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll have a great two weeks in Hawaii. I heard there are a lot of fun things to do there.”
The waitress came over with our order. I was amazed by the beautiful raspberry mousse cake. It was beyond my expectations. I thought a raspberry mousse cake was just a slice of a two-tiered cake with raspberry flavored cream, but I was wrong. The raspberry mousse cake actually looked like a real raspberry.
“Wow, this is a beautiful cake.”
“Try it. It tastes good.”
“I assume you’ve had it before.”
The cake was too beautiful to eat. I couldn't even bring myself to cut it with a fork.
“A few times when I had a business trip.”
“Your job seems fun. I also want to have a job like yours, so I can go abroad a few times a month. It must be fun to meet new people every day.”
“Not really.”
I was too focused on the beautiful cake in front of me and didn’t pay much attention to Raviel’s expression. The cake was very pretty with light pink mousse and raspberry compoute in the middle. When I ate it, the mousse and raspberry compoute melted on my tongue.
“Wow, this cake is so delicious. You should recommend me more food to try.”
“Here you are.”
The smile on my face faded. My mother came in with an annoyed face and her hands on her hips. She was clearly not happy to see me with her husband.
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere, Raviel.”
See, my mother was only worried about Raviel, and not the least bit worried about me. She treated Raviel like a precious diamond that had to be taken care of. Meanwhile, my mother treated me like I was just a worthless rock that was found on the street.
“I enjoyed my martini with a view of the plane.”
“And Claire, haven’t you had breakfast at home? That cake will make you fat. No wonder no man asks you out. You’re fat and ugly.”
The raspberry mousse cake turned bland in my mouth. I lowered my head deeply, ashamed and angry at my mother’s very hurtful words. My mother not only embarrassed me in front of Raviel, but in front of all the waitresses in this lounge and several prospective passengers who were getting ready to board.
“Karina, don’t ruin our vacation with your anger. That cake won’t make Claire fat. She doesn’t go out on dates not because she’s unattractive, but because she wants to focus on her studies. She’s an outstanding student.”
“Don’t try to defend her in front of me. I’m teaching her to be an attractive woman. What’s the point of being smart if no guy wants to date her, huh?”
“Karina, you should—”
“You don’t have to defend me. Mom is right, I’m ugly and fat. No guy will date me.”
I grabbed my sling bag and ran to the gate. I couldn’t stand being humiliated by my mother any longer in that place. Luckily, the flight attendant had allowed the first class passengers to board the plane. I had better keep my distance from my mother if I don’t want my first vacation to Hawaii to be ruined by her anger.
“This is your seat, Ms, as written on your ticket.”
“Thank you.”
“What would you like for a welcome drink?”
“I’m fine.”
“Okay. If you need anything, press this button. I am the flight attendant on duty to serve you on this flight.”
“Okay, thanks.”