Kalea glanced at Arthur who was whistling happily as he drove the car. The man also realized that he had been noticed.
"What's wrong? You're stealing glances at me," Arthur asked with a smile.
"No, I'm just wondering why you're picking me up on a weekday like this. You look like you're unemployed, doing this and that with women," said Kalea who was too honest. Arthur felt like he had been hit with many arrows by the girl's cruel words.
Arthur just laughed in response. "As long as I have my secretary, everything is under control."
"What a cruel boss you are," Kalea commented. She remembered the man she had met when Arthur rescued her from John, the crazy manager. It seemed to be Arthur's secretary.
"That's fine, I'm the perfect boss. Besides, I haven't seen you much because I've been busy working, not just playing with other women," Arthur said, not accepting being labeled bad.
"But playing with other women is also included, right?"
"Y-yes... occasionally."
Kalea stifled a giggle, leaving Arthur to his crocodile mouth.
"Oh, by the way, I want to stay home today," Kalea said as she took Arthur's arm to lead him home. She had not seen her own mother for several days. Every time she sent a message, none of them were replied by Freya.
"I wanted to spend the night with you today," Arthur said with a sad look on his face, he also pursed his lips. Kalea pinched those lips anxiously.
"Remember your age, Arthur. There's no need to act like a child with a lollipop," Kalea retorted.
"I don't care, I'm still fit."
Kalea rolled her eyes lazily. Arthur complied with the girl's wishes, driving Kalea home. As usual, Kalea didn't want anyone to know exactly where her house was and only allowed Arthur to drop her off in front of the alley. After arriving, Kalea took off her seat belt.
"Thank you for dropping me off and picking me up," Kalea said with a simple smile.
Arthur pointed to his own cheek, signaling that he wanted a kiss. Kalea looked around, after finding it quiet, she quickly kissed the man's cheek. Arthur chuckled softly and kissed Kalea back on the lips. He pressed Kalea's nape to deepen the kiss. His hands began to mischievously go to Kalea's chest and squeeze it.
The girl realized and immediately dismissed the hand. "We're in a public place," Kalea reminded him.
"There's no one here," Arthur replied nonchalantly. Kalea just shook her head at Arthur's infatuation.
"Then I'll be going home," Kalea said as she opened the door but her arm was held back.
"How long are you staying?" Arthur asked.
"I don't know, I can't leave the house too often. Mom would suspect me," Kalea replied. Although she wasn't sure Freya would care for her.
"Well, let me know when you get back to the penthouse."
Kalea nodded slowly, Arthur didn't usually act like that towards her.
"Kiss me again," Arthur pleaded.
"No!" Kalea refused and immediately got out of the car. If she continued to delay, Arthur's requests would become more and more unreasonable.
Kalea looked at the black and white house. She had to prepare herself mentally when she met Freya. It's undeniable that even though her mother doesn't text back and give her news, Kalea still misses her. She worried about what Freya was doing alone at home. Kalea began to walk into the house. She opened the old door and made a grating sound.
It was quiet. It looked like Freya was in the television room. Kalea closes the door and walks in search of her mother. She smiled with relief when she saw Freya, who was watching television while eating snacks. Her heart was a little saddened that there were still many bottles of alcohol scattered around the woman.
"Mom, I'm home," Kalea said. Although it was unlikely, she hoped Freya would turn to her and welcome Kalea's arrival. But even as she waited, Freya ignored her daughter's words. Kalea smiled bitterly, deciding to walk back up the stairs to her room.
'It's okay, just seeing mom doing well is enough for me,' Kalea thought.
After Kalea cleaned herself up, she went back downstairs to prepare dinner. She looked sadly at the kitchen that was so cluttered with cups of instant noodles and other instant food. Her mother never cooked and only ordered food from outside. Kalea patiently cleaned the kitchen before she started cooking.
In an hour she had finished making dinner, all the delicious preparations were ready on the dining table. Kalea walked over to Freya again to invite her to eat together. "Mom, let's eat."
Freya didn't reply but stood up and followed her daughter to the table. The atmosphere remained quiet, with only the clinking of cutlery.
"Lea," Freya called, which immediately made Kalea look at her. It was rare for Freya to call out to her daughter and it certainly made Kalea happy.
"Yes, Mom? What's wrong?" asked Kalea with a sweet smile.
Freya's face remained cold as she continued to devour her daughter's food. "I need money."
Freya's words made Kalea's smile fade. The girl looked down, hurt that her mother was only thinking about money rather than asking how she was doing outside the house. Kalea smiled bitterly again. "How much do you want?"
"Five thousand dollars," Freya replied simply.
"Alright, I'll give it to you after you eat," Kalea said as she ate her food. Somehow the taste of the food became bland and Kalea's mind only focused on her mother's cold attitude towards her. "But mom should eat regularly. Don't order junk food too often, okay?"
"And ... can you cut down on the alcohol a little? I'll make a good living for you, but please-"
"Ah, shut the fuck up!" snapped Freya as she threw her plate at the wall behind Kalea. The girl gasped in shock and trembled greatly as the plate almost hit her face. "Who told you to manage my life, huh?! You're already feeling great because you can support me?! Don't dream! I'll keep you here because I only need your money!" the woman continued in a high, ear-splitting voice. Kalea just looked down deeply, afraid that Freya would come over and torture her again.
"I—I'm so sorry, Mom ...," Kalea squeaked softly.
"You're such a jerk, there's no need to order me around and advise me! I know what's best for me!" Freya got up from her seat and walked away, leaving Kalea alone with the broken dishes scattered on the floor. Her shoulders shook, the tears she had been holding back now flowing freely. Kalea held back her sobs, keeping her mouth shut to prevent the sound from coming out and being noticed by her mother.
All her life, especially after being left irresponsibly by her husband and father, all Freya could think about was money. Kalea continued to fulfill Freya's wishes even though she never once complimented or asked about her condition. She didn't know how long Kalea will be patient, but she always hopes and prays for Freya to return to being the mother who once loved her so dearly.