Jared reeked of alcohol. He looked up drunkenly and snapped, "Watching the game! You blind or what?"
"My mom's a light sleeper. Go to your room!" I tried to keep my anger in check. "Just because Jude and I take care of you doesn't mean you can do whatever you want here!"
He grumbled, still unwilling to move. "Mr. Jude said I could watch TV."
I shot him a cold glare, my voice firm and sharp. "I'm the lady of this house. If you want to keep staying here, you better follow the rules!"
"He stubbed out his cigarette and finally went back to his room, but not before kicking the trash can over with a loud crash. I was shaking with anger, swearing to myself that I wouldn't keep him around. He was out of here tomorrow!
The following day, I woke up and went to the kitchen for something to eat. What I saw stopped me in my tracks. Mom was squatting in the corner of the kitchen, eating a sweet potato. When she saw me, she quickly hid the sweet potato behind her back, looking flustered and uneasy. "Mom! Why are you eating here by yourself? Where's the cook?" I asked, my eyes wide with surprise.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Jared rushed to open the door. Two delivery guys stood there, holding a bunch of boxes with the "The Jordan" logo on them. They bowed deeply to Jared and said respectfully, "Mr. Lopez, your meals are here. Enjoy!"
Jared swaggered over to the table. He opened the boxes and there were all kinds of fancy dishes like shrimp and abalone, smelling delicious. I stormed over and grabbed his arm, demanding, "What's going on?"
Jared just shrugged, "Mrs. Ysabell, your mom fired the cook, said the food wasn't to her taste and was a waste of money. Mr. Jude told them to just send food from the hotel."
I turned to look at my mom. Her eyes were full of fear as if she had done something terribly wrong. My heart sank and anger boiled up inside me. "If the hotel's sending food, then why is my mom in here eating a damn sweet potato?" My voice rose, shaking with fury. "She's the homeowner and yet you're the one feasting on luxury meals?"
Thinking about how off my mom had been acting lately, I couldn't hold back my rage any longer. "Pack your things. You're out by the end of the week! I'm done feeding a freeloader like you!"
To my surprise, Jared looked even angrier than me. His face turned red and he shouted, "I'm Zaretsky's family! Who the hell do you think you are to kick me out?! Fine! You wanna play rough? I'll go tell Mr. Jude about this!" With that, he stormed out of the house.
A sharp pain clenched my chest. I could hardly believe what I had just heard. Just then, my best friend, Catherine, called me. Her voice was full of anger and concern. "Ysabell, you need to prepare yourself. I think you should call the cops."
My hands trembled, almost dropping the phone. I quickly opened the video Catherine had sent me. The surveillance footage showed my mother, Jared and Jude in the living room. Next to Jude was a tall, skinny woman. Jared lounged on the couch like he owned the place, a cigar hanging from his mouth, cigarette butts littering the floor. He looked arrogant and smug.
Meanwhile, Jude and the woman were making out passionately, hugging each other tightly, their lips locked and their hands all over each other, completely ignoring my mother. My mother pointed at them, her eyes full of anger and disbelief. However, Jared just smirked and stood up. He kicked my mother, knocking her to the ground.
