Janet got to leave work on time today for her first design case was finally approved by her boss. She seldom came home early
these days, so Johanna was thrilled and turned to Beal.
“You go and buy something that Janet likes. We’ll have a big dinner tonight!”
Then, she smiled and held Janet’s hand.
“My dear, you’ve gone to work for only a week. Why have you lost so much weight?”
However, Janet felt the opposite. “You’re exaggerating, Mom. I feel I’ve gained a lot of weight.” After getting to know Johanna
and getting along with her, Janet felt she liked exaggerating everything. Johanna smiled and chose not to say anything. Beal
patted his legs and stood up from the sofa.
“All right. I’ll go to the grocery store right away. Janet, you grew up in Seacisco, right? So I presume you’d like spicy food.”
“Actually, I can’t eat spicy food.” Janet licked her lips sheepishly. Her taste had always been different from that of the people in
Seasisco.
Johanna and Beal exchanged glances and burst out laughing. Janet frowned in confusion.
“Why are you two laughing?” Beal shook his head, sighing.
“Your mother and I don’t like spicy food either. But Lila likes it. We occasionally make something spicy just for her.” Beal soon
returned from the grocery store and cooked a storm for dinner.
“Your father is an exceptional cook. I’ve learned a lot from him.” Johanna laughed and kept filling Janet’s plate with food.
All the dishes were out of the world. Janet felt she must have inherited her cooking skills from her father. Beal smiled at his wife’s
compliment. Then, he turned to look at Janet.
“How are you doing in the new company? Do you like working there?” Janet’s face lit up when her dad brought up her new job.
“It has been great so far, Dad. Everyone in the studio seems nice.” They laughed and chatted happily. Lila ate in silence. The
warm scene made her stomach churn with unease. It seemed like only the three were a family and that she was a mere outsider.
Besides, Beal and Johanna had been lauding Janet to everyone all day long while Lila sat in a corner like a failure.
But despite the resentment, Lila knew she wasn’t as capable as Janet. She was lazy and could never endure hardships and
responsibilities like Janet.
Lila lost her appetite as she thought about it. She despised Janet. Now that Janet had become the daughter of a wealthy
family,she could have enjoyed the privilege of leading a luxurious life without doing anything. But she insisted on going to work.
Lila felt like a loser; it was stressful.
“I’m full. Enjoy yourselves.” She wiped her mouth with a napkin and stood up. Lila couldn’t watch the sweet interaction anymore.
It upset her. Therefore, she decided to leave.
Seeing that, Johanna served some more food to Janet’s plate and said, “You two eat first. I need to talk to Lila about something.”
Beal and Johanna looked at each other and nodded in silent gesture. Lila returned to her room, depressed. Johanna quickly
followed upstairs.
“What’s the matter, Mom?” Lila’s face softened. She couldn’t help but wonder if her mother had noticed her displeasure. Was
Johanna here to comfort her? Johanna entered Lila’s room and closed the door behind her.
“Lila, I have chosen a guy for you.”