DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY.
BUT, THE PLOT IS ALL MY IDEA.
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CHAPTER 7-MONSTER MOTHER-IN-LAW

Why isn't anyone answering the door?

I ring the doorbell for the second time. Dammit. No footsteps are approaching. I turn around and sit down on the steps.

Where is she? How can she disappear like that? I bury my head in my hands and give a little cry of fury. This is so hard.

"Rebecca." I hear a crisp American drawl say. I look up and wish that I didn't. I stare at the limousine behind her and stare back at her again.

Fuck! Of all the bloody…

"Elinor." I reply with the same icy expression she's using. I can't believe it. Why Elinor? Why this bloody cow?

Okay, I know that she's my mother-in-law but come on, she's a total cow. I don't want to tell you the whole story because I if I do, I might dwell on the past and slap her fake over-surgery plastic face.

"How very unusual to find you here." She says, her mouth moving a few millimeters. Even though I hate her, I've got to admit it. She still looks immaculate even at her old age.

"How very unusual to find you here." I reply and stand up, fixing my shirt and wondering what I look like in my smeared mascara and red face. "Anyway, what brings you here?"

Oh right. I forgot to say that she lives in New York. And frankly, I'm hoping she'll never ever step foot in Britain ever again.

Oh well. Wishes don't always come true.

"Business matters, Rebecca. And personal issues." Elinor says, looking distastefully at my shoes. "You're shoes are a bit battered."

You see? That's how big a bitch she is. Damn her. How can she even be mean at her age? She must be about eighty or something.

I stare at her shoes. They're D&G and I saw them at a shop. They cost a bloody fortune.

I look at the long, jeweled cane she's holding for support. I imagine that she didn't want to sit on a wheelchair. She probably threatened to sue if she's ever presented with a wheelchair.

"Personal issues?" I ask her, smirking a little. That's not a surprise at all. "What kind of personal issues?"

She looks at me silently for a moment. "Rebecca, you do know the meaning of personal, don't you? Something that is kept secret?"

I roll my eyes at her. "Of course I do. But to begin with, I wanted to ask you what brought you here. As in this place. This house in front of us.

"I did not intend to go here. I had a talk with someone from this neighborhood because I was interested to buy his mansion." She replies crisply, clutching her crocodile Kelly bag.

"You're staying?" I ask her as my mouth opens in shock. "Er, I mean how come you bought it?"

Elinor fixes the diamond bracelet she is wearing and faces me again. "It's just a place I could stay in when I visit Britain. There are no decent hotels here, aren't they?"

Uh-huh. We don't have old, monster mother-in-laws lurking around here, too.

"Anyway, what are you doing here, Rebecca?" She asks me coldly. I can't believe her really. Aren't old ladies supposed to be nice and wear those horrible dresses while knitting? Can't Elinor learn how to knit? Or be nice?

Doubt it.

I stare at her outfit. I don't think she'll ever wear a horrible dress. But frankly, neither would I.

"I'm here to visit an old friend. There are some things I want to catch-up with her." I reply. I can't bloody well say, "I'm looking for my daughter, Minnie. She just disappeared and I was wondering if she might be here."

"And I also wanted to talk to you, Rebecca." Elinor says, her eyes as cold as ever. "I received an e-mail my granddaughter."

My mouth drops open in shock. What?

Minnie's been contacting her? And Elinor knows how to e-mail? Oh my God. The world has turned up-side-down.

"What did she say?" I manage to ask after closing my mouth.

"She said you were being difficult. Not understanding how she felt." Elinor replies firmly. "That's why I wanted to ask you if you'll permit me to take her to America."

"What? No!" I cry furiously. "Do you think that could solve things?"

"I just need to take her away from you." She says even more firmly.

My hearts stops. "What did you say?"

"You heard me, Rebecca."

"Well, you're wrong! She won't like it in America! I've tried for her not to contact you by any means and now you're saying that you're taking her away with you?" I ask her incredulously. Seriously, this woman has gone mad.

"If you know what's best for your daughter, you will agree." She says. I'm itching to say what I really feel. But I musn't let my mouth—

"Best for my daughter? You didn't even know what's best for your son! You're taking her away from me? Why do you have to make our life miserable?"

"That is enough!" Elinor says loudly. "I've made a mistake then, Rebecca. That was what I thought was good."

"You're making another mistake now! Elinor, you're trying to make our life miserable again! You nearly ruined our wedding and now our family?!" I cry, tears now springing in my eyes.

"Believe me. You're the only one going to be miserable. I will make sure your daughter will be in good hands with about it, Rebecca."

"I don't need to think about it." I reply, furiously brushing off my tears. "My answer's no. And that's final."

"I changed my mind." Elinor sneers a little. "Let's ask your daughter to make the decision."

More tears form in my eyes. I'm afraid.

I'm afraid that Minnie'll say yes. I can't let that happen. I close my eyes for a moment and face Elinor.

"Give her time to think." I respond finally. Elinor gives a little nod and steps back into her limousine. I can't lose Minnie. But how can I not lose her, when I've lost her already? I don't know where she is. I bite my lip and fight back my tears.