The Dirty Affairs of a Vampire and His Horny Stepmom-Chapter 53: A definitely troublesome family

«Now that you’ve met each other... how about taking a walk around Manhattan? It’s almost lunchtime, and I was thinking of trying that new steakhouse that just opened in Hell’s Kitchen, on Ninth Avenue. I think it’s called Cordesol Meat — it’s a chain run by the very famous Argentine chef Santiago Cordesol,» Naomi suggests enthusiastically.

It’s a proposal we all gladly accept — I love meat, especially rare... and no, not because I’m a vampire.

It’s an invitation Naomi would have extended to Kimberly too... if only she hadn’t actually disappeared!

Leaving Naomi’s place, I expected to see her lurking nearby, ready to cling to me again like a mussel to a rock... and instead, nothing! Could it be that she’s finally gotten tired of sticking to me twenty-four seven?

«This beef steak is really delicious!» Naomi exclaims after the first bite.

«I completely agree, even though unfortunately the prices aren’t within everyone’s reach... but then again, we’re in a luxury restaurant, not a fast-food place — it’s an experience you should have at least once in your life,» Britney agrees, just as enthusiastic. «You know, I read about Chef Santiago Cordesol in a magazine, and I have to admit that as soon as your father agreed to host us, the very first thing I promised myself I’d do was come eat at his restaurant in New York!»

«Well, if you like this place, I’d be more than happy to bring you here to eat from time to time,» I propose, enjoying a delicious rare filet.

«No way — have you seen the prices on the menu?» Britney replies. «I’m more than satisfied with having come here just once — that’s more than enough, really.»

«I insist,» I reply firmly, staring Britney straight in the eyes. «I don’t know if Naomi mentioned it, but my mother is one of the richest women in all of New York, so spending a thousand dollars on a proper lunch really isn’t a problem for me, especially when it’s for Naomi’s relatives.»

«N-No, she didn’t tell me anything about that...» Britney murmurs, lowering her gaze slightly and blushing — probably feeling intimidated at finding herself in front of a multimillionaire. «Well then, if you put it that way, I’ll allow you to treat me to lunch here again — but only once, understood? Just because you’re rich doesn’t mean it’s right for me to take advantage of it!»

Other women in her place wouldn’t have had any problem mooching off everything they could, while with her I barely managed to convince her to let me pay for lunch. I wasn’t wrong about her — she really is a great woman, just like Naomi!

«Jace, stop hitting on my aunt!» Naomi grumbles, giving me a light elbow in the side.

«Come on, Naomi, don’t be jealous — I have no intention of stealing your beloved Jace,» Britney sneers with a wonderfully amused smile.

Only Melania stays silent, not taking part in the conversation at all. She’s been glued to her phone ever since we sat down, typing between bites without ever lifting her eyes from the screen.

«Melania, how many times have I told you not to use your phone at the table? Put it away or I’ll confiscate it,» Britney scolds her.

«Shut up,» Melania replies coldly — so cold it sends shivers down my spine — without even looking away from the phone.

These new generations really are a disaster... brain-dead from their phones and with not a shred of respect for their parents! If I’d ever dared to talk to Veronica like that, she would’ve slapped me so hard my head would’ve spun like a top, and the phone would’ve gone flying out the window ages ago.

But she’s not my daughter, so it’s none of my business, and I keep eating as if nothing happened.

Naomi, on the other hand, is anything but indifferent.

«Melania, your mother is right. Put the phone away at least while we’re eating. And don’t talk to your mother like that — it’s wrong!»

At last Melania looks up, fixing Naomi with eyes so full of hostility they intimidate even me.

«Texting my boyfriend is more important than listening to your bullshit,» Melania snarls. «Today we’re celebrating one month together, but because of my mother I can’t even be with him, since he lives in Philadelphia. Who knows when I’ll see him again! He’ll end up leaving me, and it’ll all be her fault. If she hadn’t lost her job, I’d be with him right now! But then again, she couldn’t even manage to keep my father, let alone a job—»

SLAP!

The sharp sound of Britney’s open hand hitting Melania silences the entire restaurant.

Naomi and I freeze. We exchange a quick glance — mine confused, while she shakes her head as if to say don’t mind it. Judging by Naomi’s indifference, it’s clear that scenes like this must happen fairly often.

«I... I did everything I could to give you a decent life!» Britney bursts out, her voice breaking. «You know better than anyone how hard I’ve worked all these years! Fourteen, fifteen, sometimes sixteen hours a day, breaking my back in that shitty factory, but always with a smile, knowing my sacrifices could guarantee you as normal a life as possible... And this is my reward?! Being treated like shit? I... I...»

Then Britney suddenly stands up. She pulls some bills from her wallet and slams them down on the table in front of me.

«I’m sorry, Jace — I really am...» she murmurs through sobs, before rushing out of the restaurant, her face streaked with tears.

And yet, Melania doesn’t show the slightest hint of compassion. No guilt, no remorse, nothing at all — just hatred.

She clenches her teeth, balls her fists, and mutters insults and curses under her breath directed at her mother. Finally, she stands up too and stomps away.

«I’m such an idiot...» Naomi murmurs, as devastated as Britney. «I thought taking them out might help, and instead I only made things worse. Melania is stupid, but maybe she’s just too young to understand the sacrifices her mother makes for her. And knowing she was abandoned by her biological father certainly didn’t help. She wasn’t like this before, Jace, believe me. It all started last year, and since then their relationship has only gotten worse day after day...»

It must be the classic rebellious adolescent phase, even though that doesn’t justify what she said in the slightest. I was abandoned not by one, but by both my parents, and I would never, ever dream of taking that frustration out on Veronica.

Sure, sometimes knowing I was discarded by the people who brought me into the world fills me with anger, but getting pissed off won’t change anything.

Poor Naomi... I can’t even imagine what she has to put up with, living every day in the middle of the constant tension between Britney and Melania.

But one thing I do know: I have to do something, before Naomi completely loses her head too.