Chapter 3 Rose Abertton I

ROSE ABERTTON POV OLÍVIA I ran downstairs after Isa, who decided to torture me with tickles when I found "Isa and Marcelo" in her notebook, written in herhandwriting. She laughed and ran away as fast as ever. I tried to dodge the rugs and jumped over the steps. And so we arrived in the dining room. Rose gave us a look of dissatisfaction. I gave my father a kiss and sat down at the table, facing Isabelle. - How was your day, Dad? - I asked as I watched the food being put on my plate: fish with legumes. I looked at the pasta with prawns that would be the main course for the others and my mouth watered. - If you behave, I'll give you a shrimp later. - Isabelle teased, taking one in her hand and showing it to me, laughing. I grimaced at her and licked my lips at the sight of the shrimp: - This is unfair, you little pest. Me with this unseasoned fish and you with a giant shrimp. - Unfair? - Rose laughed, in that waycruel . "You should be happy to have a different dish for yourself. And as far as I'm concerned, if you want to eat the pasta, be my guest. It's your problem, not mine. I lowered my head and my father put his hand on mine: - You know that your diet is based on what the nutritionist suggests, Heart. - A very expensive nutritionist, by the way! - Rose made it clear, as she rolled the noodles on her fork, making my mouth water. Was she complaining about the cost of my food? - Darling, please don't talk like that. Olivia might think we're cutting costs! - My father smiled, trying to calm me down by saying something to break the ice between my stepmother and me. - Oh yes... And we're not - Rose winked in his direction as she lifted her glass of water and winked - We're a rich family who can afford anything! - She let out a laugh, which she tried to contain. - I have good news! - Dad spoke in a louder tone, his breathing quickening so that I could hear it next to him - We've been invited to a family dinner. Rose snorted, rolling her eyes, making fun of it. - With whom? Will there be boys my age at this dinner? - Isabelle was interested. Dad laughed: - You can't think about boys yet, sweet coconut. - I'm already 13. - She objected. - You're "only" 13. - Dad laughed amusedly - Don't you want to know who we're having for dinner? - he looked at Rose, who didn't seem to care. - Whatever... - She didn't even bother to look at him. - It's a business dinner, but he wanted me to bring the family. - Uh... - Rose made it clear that she "didn't give a damn" what Dad had to say. - Maybe I should tell Clifford's CEO that my wife doesn't want to attend dinner at the best restaurant in the country. Rose stared at my father: - What kind of a joke is this, Ernest Abertton? Dad smiled, looking victorious: - Yes, Clifford's secretary called me and said that the CEO wanted to talk to me at a family business dinner! - They must have got the number wrong. - She said my name: Ernest Abertton. - He smiled victoriously and winked. Rose stood up: - No! - Yes!" he laughed, playing with his lips in an amused smile. - We're having dinner with the owner of the world's largest pharmaceutical company? - Rose put her hands on her chest, making a theatrical scene worthy of the Oscars, just to make it clear how much it moved her - Does he want to partner with our highway concessionaire? - She narrowed her eyes, confused - What would our company have to do with his? - Maybe he wants to make my insulins again! - I sighed, hopeful. - Do you think that man knows insulin exists, Olivia? - Rose looked at me - He literally doesn't care about the world around . Gabe Clifford has enough money and power to take insulin away from the world.him - And I would die. Everyone looked at me and I focused on Rose, knowing that deep down she certainly wanted the world's insulin to explode. - Heart, please don't make me cry! - Dad pouted, taking my hand. - When I grow up, I'm going to invent a different kind of insulin - Isabelle tried to comfort me - and there won't even be a sting. In fact, I'm going to create a cure for diabetes. - She winked, sure of herself. The three of us laughed. Rose asked seriously: - What's this going to be like, Ernest? We have to call Rita. - But she's in the United States. - Dad narrowed his eyes, surely thinking how crazy was.and clueless Rose - It's a family dinner. And surely Gabe only did it because he's interested in our Rita. - I was always sure that my girl would be someone important. I created her for this! Rita Abertton Clifford... The name sounds perfect, darling! - Rose, Rita is a long way from here. - You could send her money to hire a private jet - I suggested - Rita would get to Noriah North very quickly and there would be no chance of her not arriving in time for the business dinner... In the family - "in the family"; that was very strange. Why would the owner of the world's largest pharmaceutical company arrange a business dinner with my father, the owner of a car dealership, calling the whole family? - Oh yes... A jet... A few million norians! - Dad smiled and patted my hand. - I've never been on a jet. - Isabelle complained tearfully. - Be like your sister in the future and you'll be on a jet, darling. - Rose smiled at her and in about a second became serious - Nothing was in vain, Ernest - she looked at my father - The modeling course, the cost of her stay in the United States, clothes, food... Rita will be Gabe Clifford's wife! - Darling, please don't get too excited! It's just dinner and we have no idea what Clifford wants. - Should I buy a new dress? - I asked, uncertain if I would have to go out early the next morning to find something amazing since it was my chance to see my idol, Jorel Clifford, up close. - "Darling..." - Rose looked at me - Mr. Clifford said "family" dinner. You... You're not our family. Okay, Rose said some bad things to me. But it hurt me too much. I always made a point of understanding her side, after all, I was the daughter of a woman that my father had taken as a mistress while they were married and now she still had to put up with me in her house. But to say that I wasn't family? - But Olivia is family! She's my sister and Dad's daughter. That's family. - Isabelle shrugged, putting a whole prawn in her mouth. Dad looked at me and then at Rose: - She's my daughter. - Darling, Clifford is a traditional man and we all know it. What will he say when you turn up with a daughter that hardly anyone knows exists? Will he have the courage to say that Olivia is a bastard, the daughter of a tramp you banged on a drunken night out? I doubt that man will go along with this. He'll lose whatever kind of business the CEO wants to offer him. Not to mention... He may think he has the right to act towards our Rita as you did towards me in the past. He'll assume that we're a broken and troubled family. It doesn't make sense for Olivia to take part in this. It would be difficult to explain her presence at dinner without embarrassing all of us, including him. I swallowed, somewhat understanding Rose. - Fine! - I smiled, pretending not to be upset by her words - I'll stay at home. Maybe I'll light the fire and stir up the dregs... And wait for the fairy godmother - I joked - And Daddy, please don't die!