Mean Wretch

Before leaving the mall, they went back to the custom suit store 'STITCHES' and met the old man.

"These are really good!"

Lina was checking out the rough sketches that he had made using her as the model.

There were pantsuits, skirts and blouses all in different designs.

Lina was pleased with his work and gave an order. She wanted the six designs that he prepared for her and she gave him the liberty to choose the color scheme that would flatter her.

"Miss, my work is a little on the expensive side but I can vouch for my designs. You would look great in them and they would be super comfortable." He informed her because many people left when he told them the final bill.

Most of them were opting for the branded clothes and his store was receiving less orders each day.

"I can see that. Don't worry. If I like your clothes I'll definitely be a regular and loyal customer." Lina said while admiring the sketches.

She then swiped her card and gave him the address to deliver the clothes at.

He was happy with this and promised to send the clothes in two days' time.

Happy with the purchases they made, Stacy and Lina drove back home.

----

It was four in the evening when they reached home and they just collapsed on the couch.

Mrs. Ping brought them iced teas and asked them about what had happened before they left.

She and the chef had gone out to the grocery store to refill the pantry and thus they missed what had happened.

"Young Miss you need to be more careful." Mrs. Ping said and pointed towards the side door with her eyes.

The two girls looked that way and found Lucille walking in. It looked like she was on her way to meet someone and was dressed to kill.

She wore a pale yellow maxi dress that reached her ankles and was form fitted. Though she was fifty this year, she took great care of her body and did not look her age. 

"Hello Lina. Who might this young lady be?" Lucille sat on the couch and glanced at Mrs. Ping who slowly walked into the kitchen.

Soon a young maid brought out a cup of tea for Lucille and she sat sipping the tea leisurely.

Anyone who saw her for the first time would think that she was a madam from a noble family.

"Aunt this is my friend, Stacy. She will be staying with us for a few days." Lina did not want to reveal Stacy's identity to her to see how she would react.

"Nice to meet you, Stacy. What brings you here?" She spoke like a benevolent older lady.

'Lina is definitely hiding something from me. I better be on guard.' Lucille thought and looked at the new girl.

"Hello, Mrs Yang. I'm here on a vacation." Stacy played along.

"Oh no, Stace. She isn't Mrs Yang. You can't address her wrongly, she might feel bad." Lina seriously admonished her and Stacy tried her best to maintain an innocent face.

When Lina said this, she made an 'O' face of realization and nodded.

"I thought she was the Lady of the house since you addressed her as 'Aunt'. I'm sorry if I have offended you." Stacy looked at Lucille apologetically and all she could do in response was nod.

'How dare she say that I am not the lady of the house? Sooner or later I will become Mrs Yang, whether she likes it or not.' Lucille arrogantly drank the tea and stood up.

"If you'll excuse me I am late to meet my friends." Then without waiting for their reply she strutted out of the door with her head held high.

'You'll regret messing with me, you little bitch!' Lucille cursed Lina as she got into her car.

Loud laughter was heard inside the house as soon as Lucille's car left.

"Nana, you mean wretch! That was a low blow!" Stacy laughed hysterically.

"You know that she wants to become the Madam here and you said that she'll feel bad if I addressed her that way." She shook her head and wiped the tear on the edge of her eye lid.

"I'm trying to be good to them but they make it too hard for me. Who asked them to mess with my family?" Lina said and looked at her clenched fists.

Stacy was close to her cousins and so she knew what was happening in their lives. She felt bad because Uncle Pat had to face the indignation in the media and was forced by the board members to accept Lucille and Mandy.

"How long will you let them stay here?" Stacy asked while supporting her chin on her hands.

"Until we know who is behind them. The person who has enough power to even manipulate the Yang Clan will be a tough opponent." Lina said through gritted teeth.

Though Yangs were not the most powerful family in the city, they were still considered one of the top four families along with the Luo, Ming and Huo families.

Either it was one of the other top families scheming to weaken the Yangs or a hidden danger that was working to destroy them.

Both of which were a threat to their safety and needed to be eliminated as quickly as possible.

While Lina was absorbed in her thoughts, she heard the monotone voice of Squidward singing,

~Beautiful dreamer….

Out on the sea..~

It was her ringtone and she looked at her phone's screen to see who it was.

~Mermaids are chanting….

The wild Lorelei..~

Looking at the name flashing, Lina smiled widely and quickly answered the call.

"Aya? Did you have a good rest?" She asked while grinning and heard something from the other side.

"Today? Will you be okay?" She frowned and looked at her watch.

"Hmm.. Send me the location, I'll be there on time. I miss you too baby! See you soon!" She blew a kiss into the phone and hung up.

"Who was that?" The curious Stacy asked her when Lina just stared at the dark screen.

"Huh? That was a friend. She wants to hang out tonight." Lina explained and Stacy nodded her head.

"In the mood to party?" Lina inquired with a sly smile and Stacy's face lit up.

"Always!" She squealed and got dragged up to her room by Lina.

Her friend had sent her the address of a club and asked her to be there by 8. Which meant that they had three hours to decide what to wear and to doll up.

They quickly bathed in succession and sat in the walk-in closet to help Lina pick something that wasn't her usual jeans and jacket.

After much deliberation and rejections, Stacy agreed on letting Lina wear the violet backless dress that she had made Wade buy for her.

Whereas Stacy planned on wearing the metallic bodycon dress she bought today.

They got Suzie to give them facials and massages.

Lina fell asleep when Suzie gave them massages and woke up about an hour before the time they agreed upon.

Stacy pushed Lina to get dressed and did her make up and hair.

"I know you like going natural, but we need to look good in case we meet cute guys. At least do it for me!" Stacy emotionally blackmailed her so that she could apply makeup on Lina.

Soon they were both ready and stood in front of the mirror.

Stacy was a head shorter than Lina and had a petite body. The short bodycon dress looked great on her and she went with a smokey eyed look to make her look cute yet fierce.

Lina on the other hand, wore that dark violet dress that reached her thighs. It looks all innocent from the front but her entire back was exposed which made it look extremely sexy.

They both wore high heels that match their outfits. Stacy, a 6 inch silver stiletto heel pump and Lina, a 3 inch criss cross pleated closed back sandal which gave her the support that her ankles needed.

After they were ready, they informed Butler Ping and left in the same car as earlier.

--------

Inside a dimly lit place, two men sat drinking in complete silence.

There were lights constantly flashing through the curtained window which illuminated their faces.

Not being able to bear the silence any longer, one of them spoke up.

"Bro why have you dragged me here the moment my flight landed? My back is fucked up thanks to jetlag." The man with dirty blond hair spoke while rubbing his sore back but got no reply from the other.

He looked at the other man pouring himself another drink and he gulped it down.

After a couple more drinks, he finally cleared his throat and said with a hoarse voice.

"I need a favour."