Breakfast with Monsters

I opened my eyes to the warm glow of the morning sun, but instead of feeling refreshed and ready for the day, I felt a wave of dread wash over me.

Another day of working for Mr. Knights - the most difficult boss I'd ever heard of. As I got out of bed, my stomach churned with a sense of foreboding. This was not the start of the day that I had hoped for.

I stretched out on my bed, reluctant to leave the comfort of my covers. My bed had become my sanctuary, a place where I could escape the stresses of life and relax. But it was also a reminder of what I had lost - my relationship with George.

After our breakup, I had retreated to my bed more and more, seeking solace in its familiar embrace. But even here, I couldn't escape the sense of emptiness I felt.

I dragged myself out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom. The early morning light made my eyes feel heavy, and my limbs moved slowly. I turned on the faucet and splashed my face with cold water, trying to wake myself up. I reached for my toothbrush and brushed my teeth, my mind still feeling foggy and confused.

Just as I was about to finish brushing my teeth, my stomach let out a loud, embarrassing rumble. I realized I was starving - I had eaten nothing since the night before.

I knew I had to go get something to eat, but the thought of seeing Amelia or her mother made my stomach twist with anxiety.

Still, I couldn't ignore my hunger, so I gathered my courage and headed to the kitchen. As I was about to step out of my room, I heard a knock at the door.

I froze, wondering who it could be. Could it be Monica coming to check on me? Or was it one of the maids bringing me breakfast? I took a deep breath and opened the door.

But as I opened the door, I was met by the last person I wanted to see: Carolyn, Amelia's mother. Her face was stern.

Amelia's mother looked at me with a mixture of distaste and contempt.

"Amelia's dad is back in town and he wants us all to have breakfast together."

I was confused - Amelia's dad was also my dad, actually I was his only biological daughter.

But the way she said it made it seem I was just some stranger, not part of the family.

"Quit looking at me and give me a response."

"I will be down in a minute."

"Breakfast will start without you if you don't come, and I don't know why you have to be there, anyway."

She rolled her eyes and walked away, muttering something I couldn't hear. I was left feeling confused and upset.

It was clear that Carolyn had never wanted me to be part of the family. And I understood why - I was a constant reminder of her husband's previous marriage.

But I couldn't help but feel resentment towards my mom, who had left us. I wondered if things would have been different if she had stayed. Maybe my dad wouldn't have married Carolyn, and I wouldn't be stuck in this mess. But there was no point in dwelling on what might have been. I had to focus on the present.

I hurriedly changed into a fresh outfit and hurried downstairs to the dining room. As I walked in, I could feel the tension in the air. Everyone was gathered around the table, but no one was speaking. I took a seat and looked around the table. My dad was at the head of the table, looking stern and unapproachable. Next to him was Carolyn, who was glaring at me. Amelia herself was sitting across from me, her expression unreadable. The room was so tense that I could barely breathe.

"Welcome back, Dad. How was your business trip?" I broke the silence. His stern expression softened as he looked at me.

"It was fine, thank you. It's good to be home." The tension in the room eased a bit as he spoke, and I felt a small sense of relief.

Before Amelia and her mom came into our lives, I had been very close to my dad. He had always been my rock, the one person I could count on. But after they joined our family, everything changed. My dad began taking more and more business trips, leaving me feeling lonely and abandoned. When he was away, Amelia and her mom treated me poorly, making me feel like an outsider in my own home. It was a difficult time for me.

The room was filled with the delicious smells of breakfast as the maids brought in plates of food. They set them down on the table and then left the room, leaving us to eat in silence. The only sound was the clinking of cutlery against plates. I took a deep breath and tried to relax as I picked up my fork and began to eat.

As we ate, the tension in the room gradually dissipated. But I still couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. I couldn't help but wonder what had caused the tension in the first place. Was there something else going on that I wasn't aware of? The mystery nagged at me, but I knew I wouldn't find any answers until someone was willing to talk to me about it.

"Why are you chewing so loud, Melanie?" Amelia said in a loud, mocking voice. "It's so annoying." I ignored her comment, trying to keep my cool. I knew she was just trying to get a reaction out of me, and I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction. But I couldn't help but feel hurt by her words. I knew I wasn't chewing loudly, and her comment felt like a personal attack.

"She wasn't chewing loudly," my dad defended me.

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Finally, someone was standing up for me. I wished my dad could always be there to defend me like this. But I knew he had to work, and that sometimes he couldn't be around to protect me from Amelia and her mom's cruel words. Still, it felt good to have him on my side.

As I sat there, trying to keep my composure, I noticed something that made my heart drop. Amelia was wearing an engagement ring. I was shocked. Had she and George gotten engaged? My mind was racing with questions, but I couldn't bring myself to ask her about it.