The Disguised Rich James

Chapter 14

Evelyn staggered back, her eyes filled with bewilderment as she spoke, her voice cracking, "W—what's the problem with you, Mom? Did I do anything wrong?" Her voice was curious.

Grandma Aurora glared at her, pointing at her with an accusing finger, "You caused all this! If it's not for you supporting that wretched bastard, how on earth will he have the guts to talk back to me in my house? How?!"

Evelyn stood, motionless and speechless. Her eyes filled with a bit of guilt.

Grandma Aurora's anger flared, "He's having a say in this family because you made him to…."

"But he's part of this family." Evelyn finally defended, her voice steady. "James has every single right to speak concerning any issues going on in the family. And he doesn't deserve all this treatment."

Grandma Aurora's eyes widened with great shock. Evelyn just talked back at her because of that stupid being?!

She looked at Evelyn with a fierce stare, her rage reaching its peak. "How dare you lecture me on what to do in my home?! Or have you forgotten you're married to my son and I can—"

"You would do nothing, mother-in-law," Evelyn interrupted before Grandma Aurora could continue, "Leonard's my husband, and you can't take him away from me. We're legally married." She spoke in a polite tone but was a little challenging.

The tension in the room grew thick, and everywhere became hushed for some time before Evelyn tried to break by continuing in her defensive tone, but Leonard stopped her.

"That's enough, Eve!" He commanded, his voice filled with authority. "I won't have you talk to Mom like that!" He hesitated and added, turning to his mother, "And you, Mom, please, sit down here." He politely said,

But Grandma Aurora shook her head, her expression remaining darkened. She wanted to talk but Leonard shook his head at her, causing her to stop.

She swallowed hard and sat down.

Leonard then huffed a deep breath without saying any word.

Evelyn, on the other hand, huffed a frustrated sigh and walked away without saying a word.

Grandma Aurora, already seated, pointed toward Evelyn's direction as she was walking away, "You see that!" She yelled at Leonard. "Evelyn has grown wings in my house that she can now act the way she likes. She's been the one giving that bastard bitch the nerve to talk back at us." Her voice carried frustration.

Leonard only shook his head and sighed.

Seeing the level of how angry her Granny was, Olivia who had been quiet all the while, walked to her and sat beside her, placing a warm hand on her shoulder, "Granny, you talk a lot. Have you forgotten you'll be clocking 70 soon?"

"That's more reason everyone must respect and follow my commands in this house!" Grandma Aurora replied sharply.

"We will." Olivia smiled. "As my Mom, don't worry, I'll talk to her, okay?"

Grandma Aurora, first of all, looked at her and reluctantly answered, "Better. If not, I'll kick both her and that boy out of this house for good."

Meanwhile, James cracked the door open and entered the kitchen. He took a deep breath, shaking off the vivid moments of a few minutes ago from his mind.

With a renewed and refreshed mind, he walked further, turning on the cooking gas and setting a pot on it, ready to prepare lunch.

He began to gather ingredients like; onions, carrots, beef, chicken, tomatoes and lots more for the preparation. His eyes stayed focused and hands moved quickly as he started to cut the onions.

As he was cutting, he heard sounds of footsteps walking further into the kitchen. Pausing briefly, he turned back only to find out it was Leonard, his father-in-law standing at the door with his arms coldly crossed on his chest.

His face slightly twisted into a frown, "What's he looking for in here? Isn't he supposed to be sitting at a place?" He muttered before shifting his attention back to what he was doing.

Unbeknownst to James, Leonard shot him a dead stare from the back, his expression darkening and his chest tightening.

He walked, standing close to James, his gaze fixated on all the ingredients. "Chicken?" He mumbled, raising his eyebrows at James who immediately paused, his gaze meeting his'.

"What is it for?" He asked again, frowning while grabbing the quantity from the bowl.

"That's…. I'll be needing it to prepare lunch." James reluctantly replied, not understanding the reason for his question.

"And what lunch is that?" Leonard queried.

"Bread and soup."

Leonard's face tightened, clearly annoyed, "Again? Didn't we eat that yesterday? Why prepare it again today? Or is it because you have no slight idea on what chicken is being sold at?"

James didn't speak as he swallowed in the insult.

"Or does it look like a tree of money has been planted in the compound? Can't you use your brain for once? Aren't you supposed to be managing things here?" He shouted and pointed at James, "Now, put it back and prepare it with the rest of the ingredients! Don't be wretched and a waste at the same time!"

James clenched his lips; he didn't like the way Leonard was talking to him.

"But Grandma loves it when it's been prepared with chicken as it helps her muscles maintain strength." He argued, his voice calm but resolute.

Leonard gave him daggering eyes that almost cut through him, "And what if she does but I say ,no,' how about that?" His voice carried the weight of rage.

*And what if my wife stops working and feeding for you, how about that too?* James sighed, muttering silently to himself.

"Follow my commands in this house. She's my mother and I know what's best for him. So, do as I say." Leonard continued harshly and James only nodded.

Satisfied, he walked to the refrigerator, opened it and retrieved a chilled bottle of water and turned to leave.

James eyed him annoyedly and muttered, "That's what he only knows how to do best. Lazy man."

Leonard instantly turned right after James' words dropped. His hand gripped tightly against the bottle of water as he glared at James. He knew he heard him say something. "What did you just say?"