Chapter 12

"I'm stuffed"

"Miranda you barely touched your food dear" My mother said

'I can't eat anymore I'm on a diet' was Miranda's response

'Honey you don't want the food to go to waste'

"I said I'm full, I don't need you forcing me to eat" Miranda replayed to my mother

"You barely touched the food. You've only had a few bites and you certainly need to gain a few meat on you girl"

"Don't tell me what I should and should not do. Do you know how hard I've worked to be where I am today. I certainly don't need you telling me I need to gain weight... Jennifer". Miranda huffed

"For the last time Miranda, it's Mrs. Morgan. It was not my intention to insult you I'm just simply stating that you've lost a tremendous amount of weight. It's like every time we meet, you're half the size you once were I'm only concerned about your health" My mother explained sounding troubled.

On the other hand, Miranda looked like she was about to lose it. "I have to keep in shape for my profession, I can't be walking around looking like the likes of yo- "

"Miranda that is enough don't you dare insult my wife" my father stepped in before everything gets blown out of order.

"No Michael let her say what she wants to say" turning to Miranda. Challenging her to continue. "Go on Miranda finish your sentence"

"I...I was just...just stating that I need...need to be in shape for my modelling career unless...unless no one will hire me... I'll even be dropped from Paris fashion week. I need to be as lean as possible to stay relevant" Miranda was on the verge of tears. Her face became red and she looked extremely flushed.

'I think you need some air Miranda" I finally spoke surprising even myself.

In fact, I needed air too after that episode. My mother was surprisingly calm. It was almost like she felt her pain. Like she understood what Miranda was facing or at least she tried to understand.

The tension in the room was thick you could cut it with a knife. Everyone remained silent.

Miranda stood up shockingly after a while, making eye contact with no one quietly excusing herself. I followed silently behind her not before making sure my mother was okay.

"Mum are you alright"

"I'm fine, love. You should go check on her seems like she needs company" was my mother's response.

Without another word I left the dining room leaving my mother and my father in silence.

I walked through the hall, in an opposite direction from the front door anticipating what could possibly happen next.

Poking my head through the back door I saw Miranda sitting on one of the benches in the garden with her head in her lap.

The sight was heart wrenching. I may not be in love with her, but I did care to an extent. I was probably the only one that saw this side of her.

She looked defeated.

She may come across to others as aggressive and narrow minded but in reality, she's insecure and unsure of herself.

Ever since I've known her, she's been extremely self-conscious and lacks confidence in herself. She tries playing it off and making people believe that she's self-assured when in reality she's not.

Only in rare occasions have I seen her in this manner, her true self. In moments like this I can't help but sympathies with her, making me stay instead of going for what I truly want.

It's like we're only with each other because it's familiar. There is no true connection or real devotion in our 'relationship'.

I can't entirely blame her. I have played a part in this stationary phase in our relationship. I've been so focused on building my empire that I've been too comfortable with my inability to connect with someone.

I haven't indulged fully in the dating scene. Then again no one has really sparked my interest until recently.

Months or even weeks ago I wouldn't have been concerned about the fact that I lack companionship and true happiness.

I wouldn't have cared less about being with someone that could challenge me intellectually or awaked something in me that I've never felt or known.

"Miranda are you alright" I exclaimed pulling myself out of my thoughts.

"Leave me alone" she replied her head still on her lap.

"You know you can talk to me"

At this point I had bent down with my hand on hand on her back"

"I said leave me alone. Get your hands off me" she screamed jerking away from me.

"I don't want to see you or your parents"

"Calm do-"

"Don't tell me to calm down. I was being attacked by your mother as well as your father and all you could do is sit there and watch"

"Miranda they weren't insulting you, my mother was only conce-"

"Concerned you call bashing my about my weight concerned, are you hearing yourself. She knows exactly what I do for a living and why I have to remain slim" cutting me before I could finish my sentence.

"She never meant it in a malicious way she was only expressing her concern for your health and wellbeing"

I tried making her see it in my mother's side but knowing Miranda it was pointless.

"You know what I don't have to take this from you or anyone for that matter. I am leaving"

She brushed past me before I could say anything.

"Take me home this instant" Miranda bawled from inside the house.

I walked in to see her wearing her jacket and my mother running into the hallway.

"What's going on" my mother said looking around frantically.

"Why are you wearing your coat" my mother continued seeing that Miranda was ready to leave.

"I'm leaving. I cannot stay in the same house as people who want to put me down" Miranda replied while making her way to the door.

"Aiden take me home"

"Miranda that's not necessarily at all. You were meant to stay until tomorrow. You can't leave now it's dark outside" my mother tried reasoning with her.

"I said I want to leave now" Miranda directed her eyes to me ignoring my mother completely.

At this point my father was already in the hallway.

"Miranda this isn't the time to be stubborn. You should get some rest and leave in the morning as it was planned" my father joined in.

"Miranda it's too dark outside and it's late and will be leaving first thing in the morning" I said finding my voice.

"Before eight a.m. I'm out of here" brushing past us. Heading up stairs. Making sure to stomp her feet on the stairs to create more chaos and attention.

"Well that's settled then" my father broke the silence after a while.

He left the hallway going back into the dining room.

"She's a hand full son, no wonder why you never have time to see me" my mother exclaimed still looking at the stairs.

"Mum that's not entirely the rea-"

I was cut by Miranda yelling from up-stairs.

"I need new bed covers. I refuse to sleep in these ones" she said remaining up-stairs.

"Miranda I just changed the covers as a matter of fact I cleaned the whole room two days ago. No need for the covers to be changed" my mother explained making sure Miranda could her.

"I'd prefer if the covers were changed and now, I need some beauty sleep" was Miranda response not comprehending what my mother was trying to explain to her.

"You'd need more than just sleep child" my mother muttered under her breath.

"Miranda the spare covers are in the laundry room across from the room you're in" I spoke before my mother could.

"I would have preferred if it was gotten for me, but I guess I have to do everything myself around here"

"Miranda honey doing a bit of work never hurt nobody" my mother joked walking back into the dinning.

"Arhhggggg" was all I heard before I too went into the dining room.

I saw my mother and father cleaned up the dining room bringing the plates into the kitchen.

I immediately started giving them a hand to help clear the place.

"Honey when is the next time, you're coming to visit me and your father" my mother said directing her attention to me.

"Mum I'm not sure at the moment but I'll try to soon"

"I'll appreciate seeing that today didn't exactly go as planned and please come without company. I really want some time with my son with it being dramatic"

"I'll try as much as I can to make time to come back" I replied "by the way when is Tony going to be back"

"In about two months this is his last year in the army thank God. I can now have two of my sons with me for Christmas" my mother's voice was filled with joy know that in a couple of weeks her first son will be home especially in time for Christmas.

"How's he getting on" I asked.

"He's doing well, he asked of you. He's never able to get a hold of you" my father now wiping the table down.

"You need to make time for him at least for a little bit to help him settle back into society. It will be hard for him especially being away for years" my mother said with worry and concern in her face.

"Yes, he can even work with you in the company" my father chipped in as of it was the most brilliant idea ever.

"Now Michael you know Tony isn't into business like you"

"He could have changed his mind especially after going for what he wants he might consider settling and agreeing to work in the company" my father reasoned.

"Hun, you and I both know he's more likely to work in a charity organization than step foot into the company" my mother smiled wholeheartedly finding some humor in it.

"Aha true dad, your idea of us working together is less likely to ever happen" I also joined in.

"A man can dream" was my father's response.

"Alright boys since we've finished cleaning would you like to watch sone TV before bed"

"Oh, and would you like some tea" my mother already boiling the kettle before we could reply.

"Yes please" was my father and I response before leaving the spotless dining room.

"After debating on what to watch we finally agreed on who wants to be a millionaire"

My mother walked in shortly with a tray with tea and biscuits. She gently placed hers and the biscuits on the coffee table then handed my dad his tea and giving me mine right after.

" Thank you " we said in unison again.

"Yes! love this show" my mother said getting comfortable in her seat.

All I did was smile remember nights were, we would gather around the TV watching it and my mum said the exact thing.

Minutes later I could hear footsteps coming from the stairs knowing it was Miranda.

"Miranda would you like to join us?" My mother asked looking towards the hallway.

"I'm fine....thanks just need a glass of water" Miranda replied sounding exhausted.

"Where you able to fine spare bed covers in the laundry room Miranda" my mother continued.

"Yes, I was" Miranda said looking like she was desperately wanted the conversation to end.

Not wanting to hold her any longer my mother decided to end the questioning to allow her to get water.

"Ahhh" the sound of cutlery falling, and Miranda's scream made me get up to see what the noise was about.

I am walking in with my mother closely behind me curious to also see what happened.

"What happened?" my mother spoke before I had the chance to.

With a glass cup on her hand she replied "I tried to reach up for the cup, but I mistakenly knocked down the tray of cutlery"

Looking around there were knifes, folks and spoons on the floor scattered all over the place.

"It's okay dear I'll clean it up you go upstairs and get some rest. You do have to wake up early in the morning after all" my mother was already picking up the mess.

I bent down to give her a hand.

"Okay then night" Miranda replied not giving us a second glance before she left the kitchen.

I wouldn't have expected anything else from her to be honest.

When we were done with the kitchen we went back to watching 'who wants to be a millionaire'

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Uh oh back again... after like three years but it's all good. It's been awhile but here is an updated chapter.