Avita had no idea her future mother-in-law was about to cause her problems. She was preoccupied with her task and focused intently on the figures as if her life depended on them.
It's been three weeks since she was laid off, and instead of her life spiraling out of control, it appears to be heading in the right way.
Despite the loss of another source of money, she was not at the point where she could say that life had completely f****d her up.
She stopped working around five o'clock, laid her work aside, and began preparing supper.
Her phone rang as she was preparing dinner, and she washed her hands before picking it up with a smile.
"Baby girl, what's up?" She queried the caller in a cheerful tone.
[Oh, it appears that someone is in a good mood!]
"How can I not be happy when my best friend finally remembers me?" Avita made fun of her pal.
[How can you say such a thing to me? Is this because I was too preoccupied with the client to see you?]
"Ha ha, I was only joking. How are you, my dear?" Avita felt at ease as she spoke with her dearest friend.
[How are you doing, dear?]
"Things are looking up so far. I'm still alive!"
[That's fine, then. If things don't go as planned, don't hesitate to let me know. I can still find you work here. Our company is still in need of employees!]
Hearing her friend say this, Avita smiled warmly. This was someone she had known since the first day she started doing her CIMA at school. They'd been close since then, and they were still on the same day.
While Avita stayed in Wakothanie to work, her friend Diana Kleeners relocated to Malebume to work for a much larger company than her previous one.
Diana was doing well there and earning significantly more than her, but Avita was adamant about not leaving Wakothanie to work anyplace. Diana eventually simply accepted it.
When Diana learned that Avita was no longer working, she attempted to persuade her, but Avita flatly refused.
“Don’t worry, I am doing fine. Besides, I just started a business, so as long as things go well, I shouldn't be in too much pain!"
Diana was overjoyed to hear this and began chatting constantly. Avita was happy to talk to her buddy, and the two talked for quite some time while Avita was cooking.
The two ultimately hung up after more than thirty minutes.
'I need to go to Malebume and see a friend. Maybe I'll be able to sell a few things there!'
She went back to work, and Patrick came at six o'clock in the evening.
Avita was delighted to see her guy, and she greeted him with an embrace and a kiss before heading back to the kitchen to make supper.
While Avita was busy, Patrick was thinking about how he was going to deal with the cousin's visit and how he was going to tell Avita.
'Since it's come to this, I might as well be honest with her and tell her!'
So, after dinner and while the couple was watching a drama on TV, a complicated situation occurred.
Patrick noticed that Avita was in a good mood, so he decided to bring up the subject with her, and Avita did not disappoint.
"Huhh, you all look at me like I'm some kind of joke, don't you?"
"Babe, I … I had no idea, and she didn't even give me a chance to respond!"
"How can you argue with her? Where do you think your dear relative will be staying? Does it even appear that we have some space here?"
Avita was furious as she remembered Patrick's mother's insanity.
"We'll find a way to accommodate her; after all, she'll only be here for a couple of days!"
"That's for you to say. Keep your cousin because you have decided everything on your own. I'm not going to be in the same room as her!" Avita had a fit and jumped off the couch without looking Patrick in the eyes.
Patrick was furious after hearing what Avita had just stated and her reaction that this was insulting to him.
"Stop right there!" he yelled at her, startling Avita, who was about to walk away.
Despite her fear, Avita turned to face Patrick and scolded, "ohhh, so now your guts are way up there. You have the audacity to yell at me for a cousin?"
"Those are my cousin and family. Do you think I'll abandon my family for you? Can't you just accept and make do? How long do you want me to put up with your behavior?" Patrick believed that if he didn't express his rage tonight, she will keep on pushing his buttons like this.
He was already going insane because Avita didn't see his family members face to face, and for her to openly exhibit her scorn and dislike for his family like this, he just wanted to show her, her place.
Avita halted on the spot, her eyes wide with surprise. Her body was already trembling from rage.
"This is the first time you've done something like this to me. You're yelling at me and telling me to accommodate for a cousin I've never met. Allow for them! What are you talking about? Are you acting as if you have no idea what your family members are thinking? How dare you, Patrick?" As she stood directly in front of Patrick, Avita screamed angrily at him.
Patrick, who was already having a horrible day, found himself involuntarily doing something he regretted the moment he did it.
“Paaaa.” A slap sounded.
Avita, who had been caught off guard by Patrick's smack, stared at Patrick, whose hand was still in the air.
Patrick was astounded by what he had just done. He instantly lowered his hand and looked at her with regret and sorrow, "Babe_"
“Don’t!” Avita halted Patrick in his tracks and hurried into the bedroom, her eyes red and crying.
Patrick attempted to follow, but Avita had already shut the door, and he had no idea what she was doing inside.
“Shit! What exactly did I do?"
It was too late for him to be sorry.
'What made me do it? I should not have allowed my rage to get the best of me. She did nothing wrong, yet how could I accept it? Allow her to calm down for a moment, and then I'll speak with her.'
'I don't want her to panic right now. I'll go to give her a break, and everything will be back to normal tomorrow!'
Patrick, full of vanity and pride, just reasoned that as long as she calmed down, she would forgive him and they would move on.
After all, Avita had always relied on him and had never given him reason to doubt him.
He took his phone and car keys and left the flat with ease after making his decision.