Leon, his eyes red, picked up his briefcase. "Auntie, Mrs. Petersen, I'm sorry."
"I only wanted to clear up the misunderstanding with Mr. Davidson, but I'm a man of principle. Since I'm not welcome here at all, I don't think I'll ever come again."
He turned to leave.
"Wait." I called after him, throwing the cup and coaster he had used into the trash can. “I hate it when people touch my things without my permission. Since you touched these two items, you'll have to pay for them.”
“If you can’t afford it, have them pay for it.” I pointed to the mother and daughter sitting on the sofa.
Gabriela glanced at the things I had thrown away, a fleeting look of relief mixed with helplessness on her face.
“Fine, I’ll pay.”
Gabriela’s mother finally couldn’t hold back any longer, pointing her finger at me and starting to yell, “You, surnamed Davidson! This is our Petersen Family home. I’m using my own things to entertain guests, why should I pay?”
I ignored her outburst and slowly sat down on the sofa.
“This house was indeed bought by your Petersen Family, but everything inside was furnished and decorated by me.”
From the hard furnishings to the soft furnishings, from small pots and pans to large furniture and appliances.
Everything was designed bit by bit based on my vision of a wonderful married life.
Gabriela’s mother, while feeling that I was extravagant and wasteful, also enjoyed the sense of superiority that came with my luxurious lifestyle.
Gabriela, on the other hand, rarely cared about what I truly cared about.
Even love was pitifully scarce.
I decorated the house to Gabriela's liking and portrayed myself as the kind of understanding and considerate husband she admired.
But an act was still an act.
"You spent money, but no one forced you to! Your things are in my house, shouldn't they be for people to use?”
“According to you, if anyone touches anything in the house, should we all have to pay you?!" Gabriela’s mother became more and more agitated.
Leon, who was standing to the side saying he was about to leave, pretended to be concerned and came over to help Gabriela’s mother.
"Auntie, don't get upset, please sit down."
Seeing that Gabriela’s mother was about to give in, I spoke up, "Excuse me, I bought the sofa. If you want to sit, you have to pay."
Gabriela’s mother's eyes widened and Gabriela frowned, "Julius, that's enough."