"You.. you..." Judith stuttered. Her eyes widened with mouth agape. As she sat with legs astride on the floor she couldn"t help but think Kim was looking down on her. She had been reduced to nothing all because of Carl, now even a broke orphan looked down at her. And he had the gut to smile, to scorn her, such impetuous! Turning around, hoping for her son to help her up, she saw the mixed expression on his face, she wanted so bad to vent her anger on Carl she forgot her primary mission.Getting up, she sized up Kim, "How dare you b-utt into my family matters you s-lut?!" She bellowed. At this time, the neighbours had began to gather. The apartment was not soundproofed so the noise attracted people from even the floors above. Judith was unaware of the little crowd that gathered by the door since she was backing the door. Kim on the other hand could clearly see them. "Good, this will help rumours spread," she thought. She was not having that nonsense, she would not let someone insult her to her face without doing anything about it. She totally forgot about the image she was cultivating.
"I guess only s-luts recognize s-luts, isn"t that right second madam?" She smirked. If there was one thing Judith hated was being referred to as second madam. "You barged into my house, abusing my man and you expect me to keep quiet? Don"t forget you"re not his mother and never will be, you have no right to hit him, get out." Kim said in a deadly low voice, the neighbours could feel the chill coming from her every word.
Kim"s statement made her totally loose it, "I"ll kill you today!" She added, aiming to hit Kim. But the latter caught her hands, pushing her aside before returning the slap, "This is for barging into my house and disturbing my peace, "kpaa", this is for hitting my man, "kpaa", this is for disrespecting me, "kpaa", and finally for attempting to hit me, "kpaa"." Kim"s hand had turned red as they drummed but she cared less about it. She was satisfied she managed to hit the evil woman. She could imagine the humiliation Carl had to suffer at her hands, she grew more angry, the satisfaction she felt earlier, washing away. "Did he always let them abuse him without reacting?"
As Judith"s eyes watered, she held on to her cheeks, she cursed Kim to die a thousand times in her heart as she couldn"t express her anger in words and could only tremble. Sweat trickled down her face, entering her eyes which made her bawl. "For a s.l.u.t living with two men, you sure are bold." She managed to finally say in a wobbly voice.
Kim remembered the people outside and her reputation, she could only lie to protect herself, "There"s nothing wrong with living with my husband and his brother. If you find that weird, I have nothing to say to you, now leave before I force you out."
Carl was in heaven at that moment, although he knew it was only a lie, he couldn"t control the surge of emotions he felt. "You already kicked my man out of his own home, you better not appear in front of me again, enjoy the Blackwood status while it lasts, second madam." Kim added, sneering.
The people outside began murmuring, the new comers inquired about the noise while the others recounted the drama. Suddenly someone recognized her as second madam Blackwood because of her tirade a few months ago to confirm Kim"s argument.
Judith knew her life had ended when she saw the people gathered at the door. She already lost to Kim, if her husband finds out she attracted negative attention again, she will be done for. Lost in thought, her face paled, using that as an opportunity, Kim pushed her out the house shutting the door. Leaving her to the crowd who taunted her for G.o.d knows how long. Somehow, she managed to flee in shame, forgetting about the son she came for. If only Kim was not at home, she would have dealt with Carl. More than anything, she wanted to make Kim suffer.
After Kim shut the door, she returned to "her man". He was still silent even after the whole fiasco. Kim reached for his face, tenderly caressing his cheek bone before leading him to the couch and getting an ice pack. She was too concerned about the palm print she failed to notice his gaze. "Does it hurt?" -"Not really.. thank you." As their eyes met, she could see the longing and calm in his eyes. Two very opposite emotions, she couldn"t understand. Her throat grew thirsty. In search of something to quench her unknown thirst, she found his lips. May be it was the adrenaline from the bout earlier, she found courage as she felt his lips against hers.
No one noticed Ryan had disappeared in the midst of the squabble. He knew he should have faced the situation head on but he couldn"t do anything but run away again. He finally found his way to the hotel as he packed up his things. "I can only be a burden here," he thought. His eyes itched as tears threatened to pour but he held it in. Picking his luggage he went straight to the airport. At first he was reluctant to leave but he couldn"t stand the negativity anymore, hardening his heart he booked his flight.