Broken

I

I woke up at the sound of my parents yelling at each other, again. I sighed and shifted through my bed making myself comfortable. I rolled as I had tangled myself in the mess of my duvet desperately trying to drift back to the temporary bliss, which is sleep. I groaned and sat from my bed, frowning my brows as I tried to listen to their argument, which is not hard considering the volume of their voice. I wonder if they're heard at the end of the street.

"Daniel, I told you that she's not coming to that stupid event!" My mother squealed

"Charlotte honey, can you kindly SHUT THE FUCK UP!" My father roared

I wince at the sharp tone of their voices as it grew louder and louder and the excessive use of vulgar words. I sat there and stared at the window opposite of my bed. The beautiful window giving me the perfect view of the garden on our backyard. Spring is early this year, and I can't wait to go outside and sat at the swing my father build... Well not exactly build, but payed some man to build it there.

I was awoken at the trance I was in, by a shrieking sound of a crash of some china. Don't worry my father will buy another one, I spoke to myself.

I stood up and ran outside my room to go and check if it's my favorite mug that suddenly meet its end. I followed the loud voices of my parents, unsurprisingly leading me towards the kitchen. I stopped at my early exercise at the sight of both of them and the broken plate in front of me. My mother ready to throw another plate to my father as she stood behind the counter wearing a white tailored dress from Chanel that perfectly accentuated her wide hips and her large bosom, and the diamonds dangling from her neck, which I remembered my father bought as a gift for their anniversary. While my father sat at the table, looking enraged and tired. Mug in grasp, and a sharp black suit form Dior. I faked a cough to let them know my presence. Both of them directed their attention towards me, clearing their faces of any anger and frustration. Now that I got their attention, I realized that I have no idea what I'm doing or what I'm supposed to do? I never really thought about it, until now. I looked at everywhere but them, from the crushed china to the one my mother's holding, that she now put away for the sake of not making any more mess.

The silence was intense as both of them exchanged glares. I, on the other hand, leaned awkwardly at the side of the door. Glancing momentarily at my parents, I decided to break the silence with the most creative and unique words I can muster up. "Good morning." Both of them stared at me again like they've seen a ghost, this time my father decided to reply. "Good morning to you too, Elizabeth "I nod at his minimum words and made my way to the kitchen, eager to leave this suffocating room. I picked up the plate of fruit my mother made for me at the counter, and sauntered my way out, but before I get to leave the intensely awkward atmosphere, my mother told me stay and sit. I looked at her curiously, as If asking her, why? But she refused to look at me and kept chopping more fruit for herself. I made my way towards the round kitchen table and sat opposite to my father, facing him. My mother sat beside me, immaturely stabbing her fruit imagining as if it is my father face. I stared at him, waiting for him to speak, anything, but nothing came.

I was half done at my breakfast of fruits, until my father started to speak. Breaking the silence and giving him my attention.

"As you heard a few minutes ago, while I and your mother are talking, there is this event I want you to come with me." He stopped and looked at me, making sure that I was listening to every word he said before he continued.

"Since your birthday is next week and you're the successor of my business. I want you to come and watch me negotiate with my associates. I want you to visually learn my system and performance and be the judge if you want to follow my footsteps or create your own in the near future of our family's work."

My mouth went dry, completely stunned of the news. I know my father is a business man, but that's it. My parents never told me about their source of livelihood, or that I'll be the successor of his business. I just assume that my father works at those tall and modern buildings at the city, and that I'll be forced to marry a man old enough to be my father. But be a successor of our business? Business my father forged? I can't believe what I'm hearing.

I looked at him in complete shock, while he looked at me expectantly. My mother was shaking and her eyes glossy. Maybe she's so happy for me? Maybe she can't believe that my father made me his successor? I smiled widely and jumped from my chair and launched myself at my father, squealing while I did so. I hugged him and kissed him all around his face, giggling while I did so. He was shocked at first but he got his composure and hugged me back, he chuckled at my behavior. I can't believe my father already trusted me, I can't believe he finally believed in me. I got up from him, scared that I might crush him. And scurried to my room to prepare for tonight. I can't wait for tonight.