I'm So Proud Of You.

Esther's POV.

The audacity of this human to text me after running off with my money!

He'd sent the message yesterday but I still hadn't gotten over it.

Anger boiled fresh in my veins as I recalled the night I logged into my bank account only to find my money gone.

He'd done that without even thinking twice about how many jobs I worked, or how much effort I was putting in to fend for myself.

But what did I expect? He didn't love me. He'd just taken advantage of me.

I'd needed someone to see me, to love me and care for me, and he just happened to be the mysterious customer who was a fan of waitress number 7 which was me.

How was I supposed to know that the sweet gentleman who took me on countless dates and got me so many nice gifts would become so petty after a breakup?

I couldn't wait to be back in NYC, I would make sure to get him arrested for stealing my money, and for sending me threat messages.

“You're not going to think about that motherfucker this early in the morning. You have to be up and at work,” I breathed to myself, pulling the sheets away from my body as I stepped out of bed.

I'd just walked over to my wardrobe when the door to my bedroom swung open. Only one person would do that but just to be sure it was her, I glanced over my shoulders finding a familiar chubby frame with light brown eyes at the door.

She was putting on a silky yellow gown and her hair was styled in a loose bun.

“Esther Annie Martins!” She snapped, propping her hands on her hips with a stern expression.

Addressing me with my full name was my mom's go–to whenever she wanted to be dramatic.

“Good morning to you too Mom. How was your night?” I attempted a conversation as I pulled the doors of my wooden wardrobe open.

The creaking sounds grated on my ears but it was nothing serious. Almost every door, cabinet and wardrobe in this family house was either infested with cockroaches, had annoying creak sounds or had faded colors.

I was pretty much used to it.

“Don't greet me. I'm here to ask you a lot of questions and I need straight answers to them,” she stated with a clipped tone.

I pulled out two hangers, staring at the red dress in my right hand and the black pants and oversized purple top in my left hand.

“Mom, what's the problem?” I asked, turning around with my gaze fixed on my outfit options.

“The problem is that you lied to me. You told me you'd come home and finally spend Christmas with me but you've been leaving the house early and returning late. Where are you always going? Have you perhaps found another mother somewhere?”

I snorted, darting my gaze towards her. She was now inside the room but the door was still open.

“You think I'd risk having another dramatic woman in my life? Hell no. I can only handle one Maria Martins at a time.”

She shook her head in disapproval, “Esther, I'm serious.”

“And I'm listening,” I spun around, returning one of the clothes back to the wardrobe.

“You've never hidden anything from me before. So what's going on this time? Why aren't you letting me know what you're doing?” She asked all the questions at once, her tone laced with concern.

Something about the way she said it made my heart palpitate. I was deliberately keeping the truth from her because I wasn't sure if I wanted to tell her I was working during the holidays or that I was just visiting friends.

The latter sounded more convenient but as she said, it was only a matter of time before I confessed to her. She was the only person I felt safe with.

“Well, are you going to speak to me or not?” My mother's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

My shoulders sagged as I closed the wardrobe, slowly turning around with my lips pressed into a thin line. I stared at her, and then my eyes fell.

“Well, the truth is Greg cleared my savings account and I went broke. So I had to take a job, else I'd risk being stranded by the time the holidays were over.”

A sharp gasp escaped her lips, “Greg did what?! I thought he was a gentleman!”

I scoffed, crossing my arms, “tell me about it.”

My mother came closer, placing both her hands on my arms, “I'm so sorry he did that to you. If I could see him right now, I would smack him until he returned every penny he took from you.”

That shouldn't have been amusing but I couldn't help the smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

“I had no idea you were working, and now that I'm aware, I'm so proud of you for finding a way. Thank goodness no one in the house found out you were broke,” she withdrew her hands from me, her face reflecting both relief and dread.

“I know right? They wouldn't let me hear the end of it when it’s gift giving night,” I added, shoving down the sad memory.

“Anyways, we won't be here for long. I'll make enough for us to move out and have our own space,” I sighed, already moving towards the bathroom.

My mother's face lit up, “Really? That would be really good. But do you–”

“Georgia, where are you? The movie is about to start!” Aunt Emily's voice cut through my mother's words.

“Oh, I have to go now. Talk to you later sweetie!” My mom said and the door slammed shut.

I spent the next few minutes getting ready for the day. When I was done, I grabbed my phone from the bed, opening my door when I saw a text from Lily.

“When are you coming? My chest is hurting!”

My blood ran cold the moment I saw that.

Did she perhaps get sick because of the cookies? Oh no.