Chapter 8

Her pov

The one person I was scared to face at this point in time was my mom. She didn’t like drinking and partying late — and I did both without even informing her.

As if I did, she would have allowed me to get drunk and party with my friends.

I smiled at her as if I hadn’t done anything wrong.

“What are you doing here, Mother?”

“I was just passing by and came to check up on you,” she replied. I nodded, trying not to show the nervousness swirling in my mind.

She never came to my office, never checked up on me, never showed me much care. This is not something I expected.

This was actually calm before the storm arrived.

“By the way, why did you come late to the office?” she asked, folding her arms, looking into my eyes. I immediately looked down, biting my lip hard. I know she didn't come here only for this.

“Oh... we partied at Emma’s place and slept late at night, you know the girls' party mother, I told you” I lied.

“But I was told something else by Emma’s mother,” she added.

“Oh.you talked to her mother...then we also went to Olivia’s place for some snacks,” I added quickly.

“Oh, really?” She took a step forward, and I instinctively took a step back. My mother is a danger sign, a person you should never mess up with.

“Yes, mother..her mother didn't know that we went to Olivia’s place too,” I replied.

“I also talked to Olivia’s mother, Alina and she told me Olivia didn't come last night, nor Emma came back.” She said, I made a big mistake, making their mother friends with my mother.

“Where were you last night, Alina?” She asked.

“Mother…I,” I could lie more. I know she will know the truth by hook or crook.

“Let me show you something, Alina” she said and suddenly, she pulled out her phone, smiling at me — but it wasn’t a good smile. It was the kind of smile that made my stomach twist.

She tapped the screen and held it up, playing a video right in front of my eyes.

There was a girl in a red dress, hair wild and tangled, makeup smeared like war paint. She was laughing. Twirling. Dancing without care — without shame.

And most shockingly it was me.

I rubbed my eyes hard, as if that could change what I’d just seen. I could never imagine myself dancing like that. I didn’t even remember dancing at the bar. I had gone to places like these but never imagined myself getting drunk and dancing my heart out.

“Mother, from where did you get this?” I asked, shaking my face.

"It doesn’t matter. But you shouldn’t lie to me, Alina. I’m your mother—I care about you. I was so scared at first. But then Emma’s mother asked her what happened when she got home in the morning, and Emma told her that Mr. Parker had taken you. That’s how I knew, and that’s why I came here," she said

“Mother, you know I don’t like drinking. It was just that, we wanted to explore more, I know you don't like drinking and partying. So I won't do it again.” I replied.

She raised an eyebrow — and then immediately burst out laughing.

I looked at her and was shocked.

“Look at your face, Alina! You look like I was about to eat you. It’s okay to get drunk sometimes. Your father and I did the same back in our college days,” she said, and I felt a ping of sadness in her words. They were college sweethearts, madly in love with each other.

“Mom, you’re not mad?” I asked.

She shook her head.

“But remember — you should be home by 10, lady. It’s not safe for you,” she said, and I immediately nodded.

“Thank you, Mom, for not getting mad at me,” I said, and she hugged me tightly. Her eyes were filled with tears. My mother and I never had a great relationship. We were always involved in arguments. My father was the pillar of support who held us together, never letting us fall apart. He was the one who made sure that our relationship doesn't fall apart.

“Come home, baby. Mama misses you,” she said, melting my heart.

After my father’s death, it was never a home for us. I didn’t want to go back — I didn’t want to feel his absence. He was my hero, the person whose presence was always so positive. He was my best friend, the one I shared every secret with.

After his death, I wanted nothing more than to spend my days away from home, so I chose to live on the university campus.

She left with a hug, and I sat on the couch. I don’t know if we could ever be the same—we were like a family when my father was there.

I went out, taking a deep breath, looking for Mr. Ryan Parker. We had an important meeting today, and he wasn’t there. I would have taken a leave today to avoid his presence. I don't even know what I did to him while I was drunk. But the meeting was important for the company. My work always comes first before anything.

I checked his cabin and knocked several times on his bathroom door, but there was no response. I opened the gate, but he wasn’t there.

“Where was he?” I thought.

Strangely, he was never late for the office. He was the most punctual man I ever met.

I tried calling him several times, but he didn’t pick up. It just kept ringing, but no one answered.

Suddenly, I noticed his restroom door.

It was slightly open. The lights were on and I quickly peeped inside the gate.

And there he was—Mr. Ryan Parker.

Naked, water droplets dripping from his shoulders and my jaw dropped. I didn’t know what to do or where to run.

And then, his eyes met mine.

“Alina.”

“Mr. Parker.”

With that, I turned and ran.