Chapter 1

1

Jennifer

*Bell Rang*

"Alright, students, the class is over. I hope you have understood today's topic. If any of you have questions, feel free to ask till I'm here. Once I'm out, you will not be able to reach me easily," Professor Richard stated, pausing for a while to detect any raised hand but finding none, as if no one had attended the lecture. I doubted if anyone was interested in today's topic of common drawbacks of criminals' mentality. Although it was an interesting topic for me and I could discuss it for hours, I didn't feel like having any questions for him, nor any energy to speak.

"Okay, then, looks like there's no question. Then see you all in the next class, folks. You can all leave," The professor announced and I heaved out a sigh, stuffing books in my backpack. I was internally pleased for my day to finally be over and now, I could go home and get enough sleep because I couldn't get a chance to close my eyes even once last night. These assignments would suck the life out of me one day.

Don't worry, Jennifer, it's just your last year. I thought, which brought a smile to my face.

I slung my backpack on my shoulder and began to walk out of the auditorium. My phone started to ring in my jeans pockets, I fetched it out and saw mum's ID popping up. The sight brought me a perplexing feeling. I wasn't sure if I should feel content or tensed as mum and I hadn't been on the same page ever. The disputes continued till this day, but I couldn't simply ignore her, that was off-manners for me. So before the call would cut, I swiped green and the line connected across, "Hey, Jenny baby, how are you?" Mom spoke gently from the other side. I sighed in relief, knowing this call wouldn't be a burden on my heart after I cut it.

"Hi, mum, I'm good, how are you?" I asked as I reached the corridor. The glass windows passed sheer bright sunlight upon my face, squinting my eyes.

"I'm not okay, your brothers never miss giving me a headache," The tone took a 360-degree shift. There we went. My heart sank in the following second. She said the usual. That meant I should be ready to listen to her complaints. It was obvious what was coming to me and how this call would end now; in a disagreement. It was a daily-based thing.

I sighed deeply, recalling the memories of whenever she'd call me and complain about every single person in this world, "What do they do now?" I asked when I already knew what her answer would be, either they didn't sleep on time or were out of the house for two hours.

"They didn't eat when I asked them to, what should I do with them? They don't obey me at all," she grumbled. I reached my locker and placed my backpack in it while reading a note stuck to it. It said 'Wait For Me After Class - Andrea xx'

"Ah, mum, the best you can do is leave them on their own. You know they are adult enough to act responsibly and if they aren't, life will teach them gradually. They have their own lives to handle, just don't stress yourself out too much over small things," I replied to her, locking my locker's door.

"Small things and adults? Are you kidding me, Jennifer? They can't figure out where I put their clothes and you are saying they can act like grown-up adults? Jennifer, sound practical at least," My fingers reached my forehead as I rubbed it and I sighed again. Mum had always been like this; unapologetically controlling and complaining, I just feared my brothers would get spoiled if she kept on acting the same with them like she did with me and I had to run away at last.

"Mum, Mum. Stop treating them like three-year-olds, they've got their own lives. I told you that a thousand times if you keep on controlling them, they would get depressed and—,"

"And you mean to say, they will leave me like you left me and run to Italy," Mum backfired, blocking my tongue to work properly. I had a wish to hear her apologise to me for what she did to me but she was no nearer to it, instead, she always blamed it all on me. I pity my two little munchkins. This must be going hard on them.

"Whatever you say," I muffled, sounding defeated.

"You never support me, Jennifer, you always have been against me," She said as if I was her enemy.

My mouth remained wide open upon her words, against? Hell, you used to tie me up in the house yet I never complained, you manipulated me whenever I tried to make you realise things but it was my fault and you still have the courage to say this, mum? "Mum—," I paused when I felt a little tap on my shoulder. I moved that way and saw Andrea and Rory—my friends, gazing at me with their wide eyes. "Ah, Mum, I'll talk to you later, I gotta go," I told her and cut the call, not giving her a chance to taunt me again.

I didn't want to spoil my mood in front of my friends.

"Hey, guys, how have you all been?" I asked, opening my arms to offer them a group hug and they ran to me.

"Fine, what about you? How was the class?" Rory asked, pulling away.

"It was great and criminological as always," I replied, to which they both chuckled and I smiled. Watching people laugh at my puns always blesses me with serenity. "So, I read your note, what's your emergency?" I asked Andrea as I turned to her.

Her eyes glimmered as I put the question. There must be big news coming for me, a happy one. "Wait a minute, let me take a breath," she exhaled deeply while her hands followed the gesture, "I... have... been... appointed as an intern in Bernardi's group of companies in their marketing department," Andrea announced, clapping her hands and bouncing like crazies.

My mouth went wide open and I scoffed loudly, which had been replaced by a chuckle. "Seriously!?" I doubted my amusement, the answer was obvious, but I took time to register the news. That company was the dream of every student of this university, but sadly, they don't have space for criminologists. Even if they did, they asked a lot and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to meet a full day job forever.

"Yes, Jenny, I couldn't believe it either until the lady handed me my employment letter," Andrea told me. I hugged her again and this time, tightly, with a bright grin.

"I'm so happy for you, bunny. Congratulations. It's a matter of celebration," I uttered excitedly in her ear.

"Yes, treats on me at Convivio," She answered, taking me by surprise. Convivio was a crazily expensive restaurant, I didn't want to disturb her budget plan. I never liked being a burden, even if it's to celebrate a moment like this.

"Hey, that's a hell of a money place, you sure about that? We can easily adjust to something less than a thousand euros," I offered her, pulling away but my arms still holding her while Rory witnessed the whole scene and second me.

"Yeah, Andy, we can check out the new cafe around the corner," Rory recommended.

"I'm hell sure about what I said, that expensive food in a fancy restaurant never hurts when you know your company will pay you triple more than a treat," Andrea's confidence overtook her senses I guess.

"But still, you sure you'll be able to make it to your first salary without being broke?" I couldn't get over my middle-class insecurity. I should've remembered that she belongs to a cash-loaded family. It wouldn't be a problem for her.

"I told you, Jen, we are good," She mumbled softly.

I smiled at her. "Okay but make sure we don't let her book a VIP cabin," I directed towards Rory and told him, to which he beamed and winked. "Yes, captain," After that, Andrea pushed us out of the building and took us to the real luxury—Convivio.