When Veronica, Lena’s stepmother, arranges a grandiose party for her 45th birthday, Lena is given the task of playing the role of the unseen assistant behind the scenes. However, it seems like karma is on Lena’s side this time, and she is prepared to teach Veronica a lesson that she will never forget.
It is time to grab some popcorn because you are about to experience one of those times in life when life dishes out poetic justice so precisely that you can’t help but think that the world keeps receipts.
First, let’s become acquainted with each other.
It is my name, Lena. In addition to my father and my stepmother, Veronica, I reside in a tidy suburban area that is bordered with trees. I am sixteen years old. The phrase “in my life” is a bit of an exaggeration; maybe a more fair description would be “looming presence who treats me like free labor.” She has been a part of my life for around two years.
If you were to open a dictionary and look for the word “entitled,” you would most likely find Veronica’s happy smile right next to the very definition of the word. With the exception of the fact that there is no camera crew, no prize money, and definitely no commercial breaks for me to regain my breath, she would be the star of every episode of the reality television show if there were a category for nasty stepmothers.
You, Dad? The phrase “happy wife, happy life” describes him well. A literal translation would be that he puts his head down, agrees with everything that Veronica says, and does all in his power to avoid disagreement. It is an issue that Veronica is never really content with her life.
Her 45th birthday was celebrated on Saturday, and you certainly won’t be able to forget it. As if she were a member of the royal family getting ready for the day of the coronation, she floated about the home for a whole week before the event. It seemed as if the party that she had planned may be comparable to a modest wedding celebration.
I was in the process of preparing a smoothie for myself three days before to the big occasion when Veronica just happened to stroll into the kitchen.
“It would be best if you could get me something special this year, Lena,” she replied with a grin that didn’t quite reach her eyes. It would be good to have a dishwasher. Due to the fact that I have done a great deal for you.
I paused in the middle of my yogurt scoop. A washing machine? Is she being serious?
As I cautiously responded, “Uh… Veronica, I’m saving for my prom dress,” I was already preparing myself for the effect of my words.
Her brows, which were nicely arched, surged up. Your outfit for the prom? That is just absurd. It is possible for you to get anything inexpensive from one of those chain retailers. It is significantly more convenient to have a dishwasher. Additionally, I do not want to be given any excuses.
Apologies, please? My jaw came dangerously close to hitting the ground. As if she were the Queen demanding homage, here was a lady who, in the span of two years, had made no contribution whatsoever to my own personal satisfaction. She acted as if I should give over my funds to her.
What made the situation much more difficult was the fact that she was the one who had convinced my father to not allow me to have a true part-time job.
One day, when they were having dinner together, she had informed him, “Lena can only babysit for neighbors on this street.” since it is more secure, and since she does not need that much money anyhow.
I was able to save enough money for a dress that I had been coveting for months, but it was not even close to being enough to buy even the smallest dishwasher. All of my funds for the prom dress came from strange babysitting jobs.
At the day of her birthday, the mansion had been transformed into a command center for an extravagant social event by the morning of her birthday. There was a flurry of activity among the caterers. Instructions were barking from a party planner who was holding a clipboard. As a result of the delivery vehicles unloading a large quantity of flowers, our dining room seemed to be a greenhouse.
During this time, I was working in the background, cleaning mirrors, putting up drink stations, and arranging trays of hors d’oeuvres. All the while, I was trying my best to evade Veronica’s hawk-like scrutiny.
“Lena, please replenish the beverage station! I have visitors that are parched! Now as people were beginning to come, she yelled out from the outside.
A courteous grin was pasted on my face, and I obeyed as I floated from table to table like some invisible Cinderella. I was fully aware that there would be no magical ball or fairy godmother waiting for me later on.
Her companions arrived one by one, showering her with air kisses and fragrant embraces. Veronica looked as if she were strolling a red carpet as she soaked up praises on her gold-sequined dress. She basked in the attention that was available to her.
It had been many hours since I had finished doing errands by the time the cake was rolled out, which was a towering masterpiece made of gold and white that was fit for a royal wedding. In the meanwhile, Veronica posed for photographs and squirmed in ecstasy while her father lighted the candles. I believed for a brief time that the night may finally begin to wind down since everyone was singing loudly and the glasses were clinking together.
I had a mistake.
At that moment, Veronica tapped her fork on a wineglass, and the guests had just about completed their cake. The room became serene. With a sneer on her face, she glanced specifically at me.
She started by saying, “Well, considering that Lena did not purchase a dishwasher for me for my birthday, the very least she can do is wash all of these dishes.” It’s all in good fun.”
I had the momentary misperception that I had misunderstood her. Then, however, I became aware of twenty different pairs of eyes turning toward me with their eyebrows lifted.
“You didn’t get a present for your mother, did you?” The question was posed by one of her acquaintances, a lady called Tara, who spoke with an air of phony compassion. “That’s just… it’s sad.”
“She is not my mother,” I stated in a level-headed manner, despite the knot that was growing in my throat. I also informed Veronica that I did not have the necessary funds. I had been putting money down for the prom.
A contemptuous hand gesture was made by Veronica. “Lena, you need just wash the dishes. For once, do something that will be of some service.
Possibly, I would have clashed with her if she had said it in private. On the other hand, in front of a crowd, with Dad stranded someplace somewhere across the yard? I simply managed to swallow my pride.
It was fine, I replied. “I will change my clothes.”
I scrubbed till my fingers were wrinkled for the next hour, soaking myself up to my elbows in hot soapy water and spending the whole time. Unblemished are each and every glass, plate, and fork that was used. Despite the fact that the exertion left me fatigued to the bone, I refused to weep.
At the point that I eventually gave up and went to sleep, the party had already ended, and the home was strangely silent.
Veronica’s scream could be heard reverberating from the kitchen when I awoke the next morning. I let out a moan, making the assumption that she had damaged one of her gizmos. Recently, she had splurged on a coffee maker that was so pricey that it seemed to be intended for use in a coffee shop.
However, when I finally made my way in, the spectacle almost caused me to burst out laughing.
Everything in the kitchen was a complete mess. The odor of plastic that had been burned lingered in the air. Water was accumulating all over the floor. Veronica stood in the center of everything, her hair in a chaotic state and her eyes wide open.
The pipes! she cried out in exasperation as she spotted me. It’s a disaster in my kitchen!
Behind me, Dad came with a gloomy expression. “Veronica… ” Is it true that you poured all of the fat from the meat into the sink last night?
Defending herself, she said, “I did!” As a result of the fact that the caterers did not accept it, what other options did I have? A little bit of drain cleaner was even applied.
Dad let out a grunt. It is not possible to combine acids and grease in such a manner! I suggested that you pour hot water into the pipes rather than turning them into a scientific experiment.
In order to prevent myself from smiling, I bit the inside of my cheek. In light of the fact that she had committed a stunt the previous evening, this made her feel… eerily like quick retribution.
There was significant damage, to the point that the kitchen was rendered inaccessible for more than a week. Dad made it quite obvious that we would have to reduce our spending in order to meet the substantial cost of the repairs.
During supper one evening, he made the statement, “Except for Lena.” “I have put aside five hundred dollars for her prom dress.”
The hair on Veronica’s head stiffened. ” Greg, you can’t possibly be serious! Considering that I have to pay for new tiles, you want to spend a lot of money on her?
Your father stated in a calm voice, “You went all out for yourself for your birthday.” My daughter’s prom is an opportunity for me to lavish on her.
After that, Veronica made no more arguments. To my astonishment, something changed in the situation. Several days later, she made her way to my room and leaned against the doorway as she entered.
The statement that she made was, “I’ll come with you when you look for your dress.” “If you so desire.”
Was it a mistake? Attempt to maintain one’s dignity? No one knows. On the other hand, I consented to it, in part because I wanted to choose my own attire, and in part because… well, maybe I was intrigued to see if she could genuinely be human for a change.
Is it going to last? Not that I’m going to hold my breath. To counter that, I would add that the cosmos has a way of bringing things back into balance. In addition, it accomplishes this feat with a blocked sink and a flood on occasion.
