“You and he just aren’t a match,” Rita told her sister. “He’s younger and suits me better. The wedding should be called off.”
Lucy lived in a spacious three-bedroom flat located in a prime area of London. The apartment was her inheritance from her grandmother. Apart from her younger distant cousin, Rita, Lucy had no close family. But she and Rita never really bonded.
Somehow, Lucy found herself alone at thirty-five, but at least she had a place to call her own. She knew she had to rely on herself, so she excelled in her studies, graduated from a prestigious university, secured a well-paying job in a big company, and everything was going well, except for…
“You need to get married, Lucy,” Rita would say whenever she’d check in to see how things were.
At thirty, Rita had already had three children and been divorced twice. She was living with her sons in the outskirts, relying on child support, trying to find her footing, but it just wasn’t working out for her.
“Need to, but there’s no one to marry…” Lucy replied. At work, she preferred to keep to business, and she barely had any free time. But one day, fate surprised her with a new upstairs neighbor. They met when Lucy accidentally bumped into his car in the parking lot… and they hit it off.
David was five years younger than Lucy, but that didn’t bother the lovebirds. Lucy was particular and didn’t want to live with a man before marriage, so within two months of dating, David proposed to her.
Instead of a traditional wedding dress, Lucy bought a white suit, and rather than hosting a big reception, the young couple planned to travel. Everything was going smoothly… until Rita disrupted their plans. She called Lucy a week before the wedding.
“Hey sis, can we crash at your place for a bit? Renting’s too expensive, and we’re flat broke. This is urgent.”
“What happened?”
“I need a costly operation right away. I’ll explain everything,” she said quietly, adding a touch of mystery.
“If it’s serious… come on over,” Lucy begrudgingly agreed, knowing too well the hardship of having no one to turn to.
Rita arrived the next day with suitcases and her three kids, ranging in age. Lucy wasn’t particularly fond of children; she could tolerate one, but three constantly whining youngsters…
“Let’s just figure out how long you plan to stay,” Lucy said, snatching an eyeliner from the youngest, who had already started drawing on the walls.
“I don’t know… are we a burden to you?” Rita asked, offended. “Sorry… we should have stayed at a hostel. We couldn’t afford a hotel. We’re broke… plus doctors, tests…”
“No, of course not. What’s going on with you?” Lucy blushed with shame for being so unwelcoming. After all, they were family.
“Well… it’s complicated…” Rita waved it off. “Eye issues.”
“What’s wrong with them?” Lucy was used to seeing her cousin in glasses but didn’t think it was serious.
“It’s my problem, don’t worry about it. The important thing is I found a well-recommended doctor. How about you tell me what’s new with you?”
“I’m getting married,” Lucy announced, not without pride.
“And you didn’t say anything?!”
“We decided against celebrating.”
“How could you?! With your finances, you’re skipping a wedding party?!”
“Rita…”
“Sorry. There I go again, meddling. Who’s the groom? Will you introduce me?”
“Well, he lives nearby and was planning to come over for tea.”
“Great! Then you set the table, and I’ll go wash the train sweat off.”
“Towel’s in the bathroom.”
“Okay. I won’t be long. Can you watch the kids?”
Lucy frowned. She had planned to bake a chocolate cake that David liked, not babysit three boys.
Once Rita left, Lucy noticed the kids playing quietly with toy cars, so she gathered flour, eggs… and began baking.
It didn’t last long. She had no chance to bake. One spilled flour all over, another stole the chocolate meant for the cake and smeared it on himself and the walls. The third quietly plucked leaves from her beloved ficus, scattering soil everywhere.
“Rita! Your kids…” Lucy started as she entered the bathroom to return the trio to their mother. But the mother didn’t hear. Blissfully reclining, eyes closed, headphones on, she lounged in the bath instead of quickly rinsing off and getting back to her children.
“Rita!”
“What’s got you shouting? Something happen?”
“Well yeah… you’ve been in here for over an hour and a half. I need to get ready for my meeting, and I’m covered in chocolate and flour. The kitchen is a disaster! I don’t know where to start!”
“Well, it’s not my fault you can’t handle kids,” shrugged Rita. Just then, the doorbell rang. Lucy had to answer it looking disheveled in a dirty apron.
“Hi…” David took in her appearance. “What happened to you?”
“My sister arrived. With bad timing.”
“I see. Should I leave?”
“No, please stay. We’re practically family now,” Lucy smiled, accepting the cake he brought. It was a relief that he hadn’t come empty-handed.
“If I won’t be in the way, then okay.”
David was a good guy. He helped Lucy tidy the kitchen and even got along with Rita’s children.
Meanwhile, Rita lingered in the bathroom…
“Where’s your sister?”
“De-kidding, apparently,” Lucy joked. Rita finally emerged in a towel.
“Hello… David,” she said, striking a pose as she thrust out a leg. Lucy was shocked by her cousin’s behavior. What was she doing in the kitchen half-naked?
“Good evening,” he greeted her back with a smile.
“My favorite cake!” Rita unabashedly swiped the icing off with her pinky and licked it, leaving Lucy stunned.
“Rita, we’re about to have tea. Would you like to join? But not in a towel.”
“Should I take it off?” Rita teased, ignoring Lucy.
David was equally taken aback but pretended not to notice Rita’s antics. Meanwhile, Lucy interpreted his silence as interest and became upset.
They drank tea in silence. Rita acted strangely, and Lucy kept an eye on the kids to prevent them from ruining the decor.
“Thanks, I’m off,” David said when the tension reached a peak.
“Why leave? There’s room for everyone,” Rita suggested.
“David and I don’t live like that,” Lucy said firmly.
“Oh, what nonsense! That’s so outdated. Don’t worry, I can teach you how to handle men properly. With the wedding nearing, you need the know-how.”
“Goodbye, it was nice meeting you,” David said, looking pale.
“Nice meeting you! We’ll see you again,” Rita called after him.
Lucy didn’t speak to her cousin for the rest of the evening.
“You know, you and he just aren’t a match,” Rita stated the next morning.
“Oh? And why’s that?”
“He’s young, and you’re not so much anymore.”
“We’re not that different in age.”
“But noticeable.”
“And what are you implying?”
“Well… he suits me more.”
“Really?”
“And he got along with the boys right away. He was looking at me like… he wanted to stay with us!”
“Not us. Me!” Lucy snapped, irritated by her cousin.
“Alright, alright! I was just joking. Testing you.”
“What about your operation?” Lucy changed the subject.
“It’s scheduled for tomorrow. Today, I need to go for a check-up. Can you watch the kids?”
“I’m working.”
“But you’re the director!”
“So?”
“Your own boss. Take a day off.” Rita looked at Lucy as if she didn’t quite get what the problem was. “Besides, after my operation, I’ll need rest for a few days. You’ll have to manage everything with the kids.”
What Lucy replied left Rita completely taken aback.
