Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“This must be a gift from Bella.” Demetrius said.
“It looks pretty pricey. If Grace accidentally breaks it before she recovers, it would be such a pity! No one in our family really enjoys piano music, Yoli. Take it. Listen to it when you’re free.”
Yolanda was in love with the gemstone flower but hesitant to accept it, saying, “This belongs to Grannie Grace.”
“We’re family; there’s no need to be so particular about who owns what.“.
She’s had her fair share of benefits over the past decade!
“Ms. Bella has a point, but some people just don’t know their place,” Edith said helplessly. “Over the past decade, everyone in the family has treated her like the apple of their eye, and that’s not an easy feeling to shake off.”
“I’m not trying to shake off anyone’s feelings. If her presence makes the family happy, I don’t mind. But if she continues to hurt the family, I think I won’t need to say anything. Someone will kick her out.”
So, from start to finish, Mirabella didn’t give her the time of day.
Serena was just a clown. Although she caused a ruckus from time to time, she wasn’t worth Mirabella’s personal attention.
“Ms. Bella, your perspective and your tolerance are admirable.”
“You don’t have to stand up for me either. When I can’t stand it anymore, I’ll handle it myself.” Mirabella knew that Edith had been given the cold shoulder by Martha for not siding with Serena.
Edith hadn’t expected Mirabella to notice this and gratefully said, “Yes.”
Although she agreed verbally, she definitely wouldn’t stand by if the other party went too far.
She wouldn’t allow anyone to badmouth Mirabella!
“TII thank Hans again tomorrow.”
“Alright, I won’t keep you from your rest!”
After Edith left, Mirabella gently touched the gift in front of her. Being loved by family felt so good.
The next morning.
Demetrius was woken up by a frantic phone call.
“What, another processing partner wants to cancel our contract? What’s the situation this time? Just because Mirabella’s company is more popular after the competition and offers better terms, they decided to cancel?”
After asking a few more questions, Demetrius had no choice but to hang up.
Olga, who was also woken up by their conversation, sat up and asked anxiously, “What happened?”
“Those processing partners, they all say they want to cancel our contract and give the orders to Mirabella’s company.”
These so–called processing partners were clothing companies that needed other companies to process their clothes after their own production.
Some needed to add a few more steps because they lacked the capacity.
Some needed to add labels, some needed quality inspection, and some needed to increase production.
Demetrius’s company had already lost many big partners, and they barely kept going relying on these processing partners:
Now that even the processing partners were leaving, their company was really on the brink!
“Mirabella’s side has lowered the price, saying they can reduce the processing fee by ten percent.“:
But that ten percent can bring a lot of profits.
Hearing Demetrius say this, Olga immediately said, “Then we can also reduce the processing fee!”
Demetrius shook his head and said, “If we reduce our income by another tenth, then we’re basically working for free! We’re mainly relying on this income now! Because the clothes we make ourselves can’t be sold at all!”
“Bella’s gig isn’t like the others‘; they mainly rake in the dough from making and selling clothes. Doing the dirty work for others is just extra gravy for them.”
Even if the profit per order was peanuts, it won’t throw a wrench in the workings of their company.
But the Melton family’s business scene was a whole different ballgame.
“Let’s get a move on.” Olga jumped out of bed and said, “After breakfast, we’ll rope in Mom for help.”
Demetrius, fresh from his morning routine, descended the stairs only to find no sign of Yolanda. He’s a bit on edge. “Where’s Yoli? Wasn’t she going to visit Grandma? Tell her to shake a leg and get breakfast. We’re about to hit the road.”
It’s already late in the game!
With all the hullabaloo happening at home recently, how can she still be catching z’s?
The nearby nanny quickly stepped in: “Miss Yoli was up at six, been slaving away in the kitchen ever since, didn’t even grab a bite. She said she wanted to fix breakfast for you folks and the old lady first.”
Hearing this, Demetrius realized he got the wrong end of the stick about his daughter and hightailed it to the kitchen.
Yolanda’s up to her elbows in work in the kitchen. Seeing a reflection of an approaching figure on the wall, she feigned a stumble, one hand on the cabinet, putting on an act of being weak.
The nanny quickly lent a hand: “Yoli, are you okay? I reckon you’re overdoing it by working on an empty stomach. Take a breather.”
“I’m fine,” Yolanda smiled, “As long as everyone enjoys the breakfast I made, I’m good.”
With that, she pretended to notice Demetrius for the first time, smiling and saying, “Morning, Dad. I’ve cooked up some grub for you and Mom. You haven’t tasted my culinary skills since we got back home.”
Demetrius was originally ticked off, thinking his daughter was sleeping in. But seeing her being so dutiful and considerate now, he felt a pang of guilt and shame.
Such a good daughter, so what if she slept in?
He’s been too petty.
Did Yolanda not see through his mood? Raised by a cleaning lady, she’s been through tough times, and her ability to read between the lines was top–notch.
L
She served the breakfast she made on the dining table, untying her apron as she spoke: “I’ve been able to cook since I was five. When my foster mom used to go to work, I’d have the meal ready when she got home.”
On hearing this, Demetrius’s guilt deepened; he hadn’t realized she started learning to cook at such a young age.
“She wasn’t in good health then and needed medication often. We couldn’t afford meat, so I’d cook up different veggies for her. Sometimes I’d give her my share of the meat because I was just a kid; I’d grow whether I ate it or not.”
Demetrius’s heart ached even more..
Olga, who had snuck downstairs at some point and saw Yoli cooking and sharing her childhood stories, gave her a thumbs–up on the sly.
As if to say, “Well done, girl! Look at your father; he’s about to cry!”
The surrounding nannies were also saying:
“Yoli’s really had a hard knock life! Had to deal with so much hardship from a young age, yet she’s so mature and considerate. It’s heartbreaking! Thank heavens, Yoli’s back home now.”
“I reckon it’s because of Yoli’s outstanding qualities that fate brought her back here.
“Sir, you ought to treat Yoli even better. She’s both beautiful and dutiful, way better than the previous Ms. Bella!”
“Absolutely, that Ms. Bella really had a bee in her bonnet!”
“What if it’s a gift from sis?” Yolanda bit her lower lip, not understanding how Mirabella could give away such an expensive gift!
Why would an old lady need something so pricey?
“If you don’t tell, I won’t tell, how would she know? Besides, this thing might be something she swindled from some guy; I don’t even care if it’s tainted! Just take it and keep it safe for your grandma for now. If one day she really wants it, you can give it back!”
“Dad, since she suggested it, I’ll keep it for Grannie Grace for now.” Yolanda stepped forward to take the gem flower, touching it excitedly. She liked its design and function.
“She’s suing us for six million dollars, and we’re keeping her stuff safe. If she knew, she’d probably thank us!”
Olga looked again carefully but didn’t find what she was looking for. Then she happened to notice something hidden under the pillow.
A new phone!
She picked it up and saw no brand mark on it. It looked like some unknown brand. She looked at Demetrius, somewhat annoyed.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.