~~~~
Instead of replying, Mom just stared at me, utterly speechless. Her expression was like a storm waiting to break; she was clearly furious, but words seemed to fail her. I couldn’t blame her—after all, I’m the model daughter who rarely talks back. When I do, it’s as if some mischievous spirit has suddenly possessed me.
Dad, as usual, kept right on eating, pretending he hadn’t heard a word. But I caught the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Finally, Mom turned to him and demanded, “Aren’t you going to say anything about this?”
Choking back his laughter, Dad replied, “What do you mean 'say anything’? Isn’t that what you’re already doing?”
“Daniel Johnson?” Mom used his full name, a clear sign she was furious. “You’re just going to let our daughter decide not to go to college? Worse, you’re backing her up? Are you serious?”
Dad sighed, clearly worn out, and countered, mimicking Mom’s tone, “Becky Johnson, I don’t see you doing anything.”
Lisa and Lora burst into laughter at Dad’s imitation, while I just stared at my parents in confusion.
Then it hit me. I turned to Dad with a puzzled look. “Papa?”
“Yes?” he answered, without looking up.
“Did you know I was going to do something like this?” I asked him.
“What? How could he possibly know that?” Mom shot back at me.
No way. The father I knew would never let me take such a step without some serious pushback. He should be breathing down my neck right now, not sitting there so calmly while I’m practically destroying my future.
He must have seen this coming. I turned to him again and said, “No, no, Mom, I’m sure Papa knew exactly how today would play out.” I fixed my gaze on Dad and added, “Right, Papa?”
"Hahahaha, you are not going to leave me alone until I answer you, right?”
“Most defiantly,”
He just smiled at me, “I won’t say I knew, more like I got the intuition.” He halted, staring at me “you are your mother's daughter; you care too much, so it’s expected but are you going to be okay staying at home?” he suddenly asked.
Hell no, I almost blurted out, but held my tongue. “I can manage, papa, don’t worry about me.” I smiled at him, but mother wasn’t happy about it
“I can’t believe you are giving her the go-ahead, we struggled all these years just for her to what? Throw it away?” Mama was still furious about it, and she had every right to be.
“Honey, if this is the decision she has made, who are we to stop her, as long as she knows what she is doing is fine, right?”
“That’s not what I am saying.” Mother replied him.
I very well understand what mother was trying to say; even I didn’t imagine I could give up my long-time dream just like that: “Mother, I understand what you are trying to say.”
“Do you, Mary? Because I am starting to doubt that,”
“Mom, I do understand what you are trying to say, but you are looking at it from the wrong angle,” I said confidently, This made father look at me confusedly
“Oh, is that so?”
"Yes, mom, I know I have always dreamt of going to college and going beyond that, and I still am dreaming about it and I know one day I will achieve it all, but not right now, and I am not throwing away my dreams; I am merely just changing it. Instead of dreaming for myself, I am dreaming for my siblings.” Mom, for once, was looking at me with a thoughtful expression, “So, I think it will be okay, even if it’s not my dream.”
She sighed out loud. With a worried look, she asked, “Then what will you be doing at home? We are not rich, and in this corner of town, to get a better-paying job, you must be at least a college graduate; you know that, right?”
“I know that, but it’s alright, I can work with you and Papa on the farm. I can even sell some vegetables and fruit in the counter market. Surely I will make some money. Isn’t that okay?”
“Seriously, why am I even wasting my time talking sense into you? You are stubborn, just as your father.”
Laughing, “Mother, and here I thought I was exactly like you.”
“You thought wrong, dear.”
“I don’t think so.” Papa butted in and looked at me, “You are exactly like your mother, stubborn to the bone.”
We all laughed at mom’s shocked expression, “You... How dear you, pig-head.”
“Coming from a dog head, that’s funny,” Papa slammed her.
We all laughed at the way they were teasing each other at the dinner table, and once again, the smile returned to my sibling's faces, and I, for one, was glad.
I knew for a fact that things were going to change for me and my family by taking this bold step, even if it meant sacrificing my education; I was still proud of myself and the fact that Lisa and Lora will have a new future.
Well, I had no idea how much of a pain the whole new step was going to be.
~~~~The following week, things kicked off with a surprising twist. Lisa and Lora were back in school, their tuition fees finally sorted, while I stayed behind, embracing my new role as the family’s resident farmhand.My mornings were spent helping Mom and Papa on the farm, and by afternoon, I’d transform into a savvy market vendor, haggling over the price of vegetables, fruits, and spices that I’d painstakingly gathered from our land.At first, it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. Let’s just say, I wasn’t born with a green thumb.But after almost two years of back-breaking work, I became a bit of a farming prodigy—well, at least in my eyes. I could tell when the soil was just right, spot a ripe tomato from a mile away, and even shoo away pesky critters without breaking a sweat.Sometimes, when Mom and Dad couldn’t make it to the fields, I’d step in, working tirelessly under the sun. I was convinced it was up to me to keep everything running smoothly. Mom and Papa weren’t getting any
~~~~So, just like that, I opened up to Rachael, laying it all out. I told her how I decided to give up my education and my dreams, so my siblings could continue theirs. I wasn’t exactly drowning in shame—I was genuinely happy to see my sisters moving forward.But, honestly, there were times when the sadness crept in, that nagging feeling of being a failure, stuck in the same place for twenty years.It was like a little voice constantly reminding me that I hadn’t done anything remarkable with my life. I wanted to change things, but the ‘how’ and ‘what’ felt like questions I couldn’t answer.frankly speaking, I was getting tired of putting on a fake smile, pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t.The weight of it all—the sadness, the self-doubt—was overwhelming. Here I was, twenty years old and feeling like a failure with nothing to my name. No matter how strong I tried to appear, a part of me died inside every single day.Rachael’s eyes widen in disbelief. “Wow! That’s... well,
~~~~I stared at Rachael, my brain running in circles trying to process what she just said. A thousand thoughts raced through my mind, like a high-speed chase where every thought had its own getaway car.Was she seriously suggesting what I thought she was suggesting? Although, at this point, even that was confusing.She must have noticed the skepticism plastered all over my face because her grin widened to an almost cartoonish level. “Trust me,” she said, practically bouncing on the bench with excitement, “it’s not as crazy as it sounds. And hey, if it is, you know I’ve never shied away from a little crazy.”“What kind of proposition could she possibly have?” I thought, trying to make sense of the dizzying amount of possibilities. From becoming a royal farmer for the British food company to possibly running away with the circus, my mind was already imagining all sorts of crazy possibilities.Just when I was starting to dread the impending pitch, Rachael dropped the bombshell. “How ab
~~~Just as I had predicted, my mother stood outside with a flashlight, no doubt waiting for me. “Seriously? What am I, twelve?” I muttered to myself as I approached the house.~~~As Mrs. Johnson stood outside, patiently waiting for her daughter, an unfamiliar fear tightened around her heart. She despised the idea of her children working or studying in places where she couldn’t keep an eye on them. Whenever they left the house, she was filled with anxiety.She had grown up in an environment where children—especially girls—went missing daily. When she was about eighteen, she had a narrow escape from being kidnapped. If it hadn’t been for the man who would become her beloved husband, she and several other children might have vanished forever. She had sworn never to let her children stray far from her side until they were someone else’s responsibility. Even then, she insisted they stay in places where she could keep watch over them.“What’s taking her so long? The restaurants should be
~~~~Just what is she on about now? I pondered, watching my mom’s calm face as she stood with her arms crossed over her chest, her back leaning against the sink.Her posture suggested a calm façade, but I could sense the stiffness boiling underneath.“Reckless? Mom, I don’t understand what you mean by ‘reckless,’” I said, struggling to keep my voice from cracking. “Someone just offered me a better job opportunity—the best I’ve seen in the last... what? Two years of my—no, our lives—and you’re calling it reckless? What did you want me to do, Say no?”“Yes, of course!” she snapped, throwing her hands up in the air. “You should have said a big, fat no,” she spat out, her eyes flashing with anger. “We’re doing just fine as we are.”I looked at her, confusion starting to replace my rising anger, though I could still feel it simmering beneath the surface. “No, Mom, we’re not fine,” I retorted, the words tumbling out. “Look around you! We’re barely scraping by as it is. We need all the help—
The not-so-new Day~~~~I woke up feeling like absolute crap. Thank God it was the weekend—no work, no pretending that everything was fine.The bedsheets were still soggy from last night’s tears—or maybe a whole week’s worth at this point. It was supposed to be a fresh start, but why did I feel so broken?It’s been almost two weeks since that massive fight with Mom over my decision to go to London. She hasn’t spoken a single word to me since. Not one.I’ve been dodging Dad and Lisa like it’s an Olympic sport. Every time they try to bring up “the topic,” I act like I’ve suddenly gone deaf. Honestly, I don’t know how much longer I can pull this off.Even now, just remembering Mom’s words makes my chest ache, and I feel the tears lurking again, waiting for their chance.I glanced out the window. It was already past noon when a knock came at the door.“Yes?” I croaked, my voice still hoarse from sleep.“Oh, you’re finally awake?” Dad’s familiar voice filtered through the door.“Yeah, I am.
~~~~I sat down on my bed, my heart heavy as I glanced at my already-packed bag—though, honestly, there wasn’t much to pack. Tomorrow I would be leaving for London, and yet, here I was, grappling with the fact that Mom still hadn’t come around.Seriously, that woman could be stubborn. It was like trying to move a mountain just to get her to see my side. I understood she was trying to protect me; she loved me fiercely. But come on! One of us had to take a step forward for the sake of the family, and since she wasn’t ready to acknowledge that she might be wrong, I knew it was up to me to be the mature one and settle this once and for all.She was my mother, after all, and I hated the thought of leaving things unresolved between us. I pushed myself up, plastered on a confident face that felt more like a mask than anything, and walked out of my room. When I got to the sitting room, I found Mom on the sofa, lost in thought, her brow furrowed like she was trying to solve the world’s most co
~~~~Noticing my sudden pale expression, Rachael rushed over, catching my slumping body just before I hit the floor. "Whoa, whoa, Mary, calm down!" she said, her eyes wide with concern. "When I said 'change of plans,' I didn’t mean you’re not coming with me to London!" She blurted the words out in a rush.Confused, I blinked rapidly. “What?!”Sighing dramatically, she rolled her eyes. “Yeah, the time has been changed. Can you believe it?” She added with a playful grin, completely oblivious to the shock I’d just endured.Annoyed, I shot her a glare before reaching up to smack the back of her head. “Seriously? You had me thinking my entire life just crumbled in front of me! By now, I thought you'd at least learn how to speak properly, but clearly, I was wrong.”“Sorry….” she muttered, clearly realizing just how shocked I’d been. “But really, are you ready? W
~~Continuation~~Shit. Now what? I didn't even know that was how I sounded. I scrambled to correct myself. "No, of course not," I said quickly. And that was the truth.I exhaled, choosing my words carefully. "I’ve seen Diana. I’ve seen the way he behaves with her. And despite me not trying to win him over or fight for something that never belonged to me, he still looked in my direction. He chose me. Isn't that a sign that, despite his feelings, Diana was never truly what he wanted?"Big Joe exhaled sharply, then leaned back in his chair."Huh," he muttered. "What a strong faith you have in your beliefs."I forced a small smile. "All thanks to my parents," I replied, though my palms were already sweaty.Shit. Is it over now? I wondered, my heart hammering in my chest.He didn’t move or speak at first—just stared at
~~~~~I took a deep breath as I stepped into Big Joe’s so-called "chamber of interrogations." The name alone sent a chill down my spine, but I forced a bright, fake smile onto my face."Good morning to you, sir," I greeted politely.Big Joe barely glanced up from the large newspaper in his hands. "Ah, good morning to you too. I see you finally stopped running," he said, his voice deep with amusement.I let out a nervous chuckle. "Ha-ha, running? No such thing. I was just… taking my time. You know, I really love spending time with you," I added with an exaggerated smile, lying through my teeth."Ah, that’s good to know," he said, finally lowering the newspaper and eyeing me with a smirk."So, can we start now?" I asked, eager to get this over with.Big Joe let out a hearty laugh. "Hahaha, relax, dear. I’m not about to put a knife to your throat."Easy for you to say."Of course," I said, forcing myself to stay composed."Well then, let’s get on with it," he said, finally setting the ne
~~~~Eric rubbed his temples as he sat up in confusion. The room reeked of alcohol and regret, and the scattered clothes on the floor told a story he couldn’t piece together. Letting out a sharp breath, he dragged himself out of the bed, his body aching as if it carried the sins of the night before.He stepped into the cold shower, hoping the icy water would snap him out of this daze. As the water hit his skin, he clenched his fists, letting the chill wash away the haze of frustration. "What the hell happened last night? And why can’t I remember a thing?" he muttered angrily.After drying off, he picked up his crumpled clothes from the floor, pulling them on piece by piece. His movements were deliberate, almost mechanical, as if grounding himself in the routine could help him regain control. Once dressed, he ran his hand through his damp hair, trying to shake off the haunting confusion.His gaze shifted to the bed. Diana lay there, her face peaceful, her hair sprawled across the pillo
~~~~"Hello? Eric, is that you?" Nora asked as she recognized the slightly out-of-breath man on the other end of the line."Yes, who is this?" Eric replied, his voice a little sluggish."Hmmm, it's your mother, Eric. Don't you have my number?" She asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "Are you okay?""Oh, yes! Mother, sorry about that... I feel a little tipsy," he responded. "And I just woke up from a rather long sleep," he added, sounding like he was trying to gather his bearings."Oh, that's funny. You're not one to drink yourself into a stupor. What happened?" she asked, in curiosity."I wish I had the answer to that," Eric sighed, his tone heavy. "Anyway... you were supposed to call me the moment your plans landed in New York. It's been three weeks, almost a month. Why haven't I heard from you guys?" He questioned; the frustration in his voice was unmistakable."I don't think I'm in the best position to answer that," Nora replied
~~~~Back in New York"Shit! What should we do now?" I burst out in frustration as I sat across from Mrs. Nora, her white hair gleaming under the sunlight streaming in through the window. She looked maddeningly calm, as if this whole ordeal was a minor inconvenience."I don’t know, Mary, but whatever you're thinking, don’t do it," she said, her tone measured but firm. "You need to think this through. I know Joe; he can spot deception from a mile away.""No kidding," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. My nerves were shot. It had been three long weeks, and I still hadn’t figured out how to handle Mr. Joe's relentless curiosity. Every day felt like a countdown to some interrogation scene I wasn’t prepared for.I wanted to leave—desperately. But one wrong move could unravel everything. The problem was, I didn’t even have the answers he was demanding. How did Eric and I meet? Why did we decide to get married?
~~~~~---- But seriously, am I expected to just dive into this right now? I mean, I just got here. Shouldn’t I at least be allowed to take a breather? A rest, maybe? The thought circled in my mind as I turned to Mrs. Nora, my eyes silently screaming for help.She caught on instantly. “Hmmm, Joe...” she began, her tone light but pointed. “She just spent an exhausting amount of time on the flight. Don’t you think it would’ve been better to let her freshen up first before diving into the interrogations? You’re not in the force anymore, you know.”“What? I beg your pardon,” he shot back, his tone defensive. Then he turned to me with a smile that didn’t quite mask his annoyance. “Ignore her. I’m just excited to see that beyond the Lockwood name, there’s someone else.”He paused, forcing a chuckle. “Okay, maybe that was a little too much.”Y
~~~~ Mrs. Nora continues staring at me. “Why are you surprised? Even though Eric failed to tell you, this is the most important aspect of your job, and one you can’t afford to fail,” She explained, with a calm and calculating tone. “You see, the man we’re going to meet is the one in charge of my late husband’s will, and you must do everything in your power to convince him that you and my son are truly married. I believe the two weeks we’re spending there will be enough to get the job done.” She finished her little speech and got into the car, leaving me frozen on the spot. My legs refused to move as her words settled in. The stakes had just gotten higher, and my carefully laid plans for my parents were now on hold, yet again. Mrs. Nora rolled down the window, her expression now filled with impatience. “Well, hurry up and get in. We don’t have all day,” she snapped, punctuating her command as she opened and close the car door with a loud slam. “This cannot be happening,” I muttere
~~~~~Earlier?What is she talking about? I paused for a moment, unsure of what she was referring to. Then it clicked—"It’s alright, Mrs. Lola," I said with a reassuring smile. "I know there wasn’t much you could do. So, it’s fine."I glanced over and noticed Eric talking with his mother. Turning back to Mrs. Lola, I added, "Just help me look out for him, okay? If you notice anything wrong, call Mrs. Nora or me. Alright?""Okay, Madam. You can count on me," she said firmly, with a determined expression, one that made me wonder if I made the right decision.But then again. "Thank you," I replied with a nod.I walked towards the car. As soon as Eric spotted me, his face lit up with a smile, and he reached out for me."I’m going to miss you," he whispered. Before I could respond, his lips captured mine in a kiss—bold and unapologetic, right in front of everyone, including his mother.
~~~~His lips trailed over my exposed breast, taking it into his mouth, sending a jolt through my body. I gasped again, my breath hitching as his hands explored me in places no one had ever had before. His lips worked magic, igniting sensations I’d never experienced."Eric," I managed a whisper between gasps and moans. "Stop... we can't." My voice cracked, trembling with both fear and desire.He sighed deeply, his warm breath brushing against my skin. “I see you’ve come back to your senses,” he murmured, pulling his mouth away from my breast and lifting his hand from my core. But even then, his body remained pressed firmly against mine, his groin still holding me in place.My entire body trembled, the aftershocks of pleasure leaving me shaken and disoriented. I stared at him, wide-eyed and breathless. Confusion swirled in my head, the unfamiliar sensations overwhelming me. I didn’t understand what was happening to my body, nor could I process the strange pleasure it had just felt."Eri