Cori thought about making for a better argument, but the case was closed and as Mr. Carson had said, it was easier to just go along with whatever Gwen said. Having finished her meal, she set out ahead of Gwen so that she could catch Mr. Carson. He had already pulled up a large SUV and was about to get in when she ran up behind him and grabbed his arm.
"Hey, could you hold back Gwen for a bit when we get to my house? Just... Stall her. I don't want her going inside." Before he had time to reply Cori had dashed into the backseat and Gwen was walking up to them. The car ride was normal for the most part, though Cori refused to look at Gwen or Mr. Carson the entire ride. Once at the house, she slipped out of the car and went up to the door, before hesitating. She closed her eyes and steeled herself for a moment, readying for what was sure to come. She stood on the tips of her toes to get the key they hid at the top of the door, and as quietly as she could unlocked the door. As she had suspected, the house was dead quiet. Her mother would be out with the girls or shopping, anything to stay away. Maria was most likely in the backyard tending to flowers and her little garden. Looking behind her, she jumped at the site of several maids, all standing and staring at her. It took her a moment to realize they were waiting for her to say something.
"Oh. Uhm. Okay. So... Just follow me inside and I'll lead you straight to my room. There's not too much to grab, but for the love of God don't make any noise coming or going. Please?" She spoke in a hushed whisper, and all the maids gave a confused, but firm nod. Slowly she went into her house and up the stairs, pointing out any place that liked to creak to assure utter silence. Finally she was upon her room, and she ushered them all inside rapidly.
"Everything in the closet and dressers are mine, so just kind of grab them all." Needing no more direction, the maids laid out several suitcases and began pulling out all of her clothing, flooding them into neat piles before packing them in. As she watched them go, she frowned a bit at how shabby everything looked. She had obviously gotten use to the brand new glow that all of Gwen's clothing had. She wondered slightly what that woman did with any cloth over 3 months old. After a few tense minutes they were through and headed for the door before she stopped them.
"Wait! Let me go first. If I know my father he's probably awake by now. Wait ten minutes then start going to the car. Alright?" The maids simply nodded once more, and Cori made her way down the stairs again. As she had expected, her father sat at the table, his shirt untucked and stained and a five o'clock shadow already on his face. He had what appeared to be a large bottle of alcohol in his hand, and he was staring blankly forward. He spotted Cori instantly and growled.
"Aren't you suppose to be at that rich girl's house? Don't tell me you've already screwed this family over." Cori walked firmly up to him, use to his attacks and antics.
"I am, I just came home to pick up some clothing. Still can't start the weekend without two bottles down, huh Stu?" The drunkard stood up from his chair with some extra effort, and stared her down as he swayed back and forth.
"Well, s'long as you're paying off the debt. Hate to see Maria go too. She's the good daughter." He snorted at this and took a swig from his bottle. "So what's she got you doing? Cleaning? Nah, you're a terrible maid. Cooking? Suppose some people could stomach your meals..." His sentence trailed off, and he went back to just giving her a dirty look.
"It's none of your business what I am doing over there, and it's YOUR debt I'm having to pay off anyway," she snapped, ignoring his quip about Maria, "Where's mom and Maria anyway?"
"Hell if I care. Your bitch of a mother is probably off spending more of my hard earned cash. The cow. And Maria's probably whoring herself out since we all know your little deal won't last." Cori's eyes flashed and in an instant she was in his face.
"Don't. You. Ever. Call. Her. A. Whore! You're the only useless bag of trash in this family!" It took a moment for Stu to process all the words that had been said, then his frown deepened.
"Excuse me?" One moment, she was staring him down, the next, there was the sound of shattering glass and Cori was grabbing onto the table to keep standing. Her father had taken it upon himself to hit her with the hand he held his bottle in. "I am the money maker in this family! I am the head! I am your fucking father!" He yelled, swinging his other arm around and knocking her to the floor. She let a cry out as her hands found the smash remains of the bottle, but she kicked out and hit him hard between the legs. He let out a pained groan and fell to the floor instantly.
"You may make the money, but you are not head of this family." She glared at him once more, shaking and she got to her hands and knees. "And you are most certainly NOT, my father." With all the strength she had, she stood up and towered over him for a moment. "Hit me all you want, but if you ever lay a hand on Maria I'll personally shoot you." Letting her threat sink in, she shakily walked out of the kitchen and headed to the door, knowing full well he'd probably forget this whole fiasco come the next morning. Glancing down, she groaned and realized she was now more cut up then ever, and judging from the throb on her cheek, she was most likely going to have a nasty bruise for a bit. As she got to the front door, it looked as though all the maids had gotten out safely and that her luggage was already in the car. Stepping out, she took a moment to lean against the railing and get a breath, trying to steady herself once more. Looking at her hands again, she noticed little slivers of glass in her cuts and across her hands. This wasn't the first time she had had to deal with pulling it out, but she wasn't quite sure what to do with Gwen waiting on her...
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