CHAPTER TWO

★MINNESOTA: At the airport…

“Thanks mom, thanks dad” Brianna said to her parents as they got to the airport.

“Don't be silly, we'll stay with you until your flight is about to take off,” her mother said, holding her hand. “Mom, I'm a grown woman, I can take care of myself” she informed.

“Not too grown for us” her dad chipped in. She smiled, “whatever.” They all walked to the waiting area.

“Will you come home after this semester?” Her mother asked. Brianna knew her parents wanted her to come but she had other plans.

It was the semester before her final semester in college, she wanted to start getting herself ready for life after school, and try to gain a few job experiences.

“No, mom,” she replied. “Why?!!!” Both parents chorused. She subconsciously rolled her eyes.

“Do you roll your eyes at your lecturers too?” Her father asked. 'Oh my Lord' Brianna cried inwardly.

She prayed for her flight to set off soon.

“Why don't you want to come home? It's the semester before your very last day in college, don't you think you would need to unwind for the final semester?” Her mother asked. “Mom, I have other plans,” she said. “What plans can be better than spending time with family?” Her father asked softly.

Brianna tried not to roll her eyes again. She was mentally prepared for this and she wasn't going to give in.

She had spent all her holidays at home. Her parents always call her home to spend time with them but this time, she wants something different.

“Mom, dad, I just want to do something different this time. Can you let me, please?” She begged. That was the best way to get to her parents – asking them nicely. “Fine. But make sure you come home once you start feeling uncomfortable” her father said. “Sure, dad,” she replied with a smile.

The flight to New York was announced to take off soon, so she picked up her bag, hugged her parents and ran off.

“Be careful, baby,” her mother shouted from where she stood. She turned, waved at them one more time before disappearing.

It felt like she was let off a leash. Her parents never grow weary of being so mindful of her. One time they even visited her unannounced in school, during her freshman year. It was embarrassing for her, she felt like a high schooler. 

This was shortly after they both saw her off to New York like she was going to get lost or kidnapped.

“Hmph” she sighed heavily and put her headset around her ears.

★★★★

★FROSTBORNE PACK…

“Can't you spend a little more time with your old woman?” Marissa said to Derek, holding his hand.

“Come on mom, you're not old” he said hugging his mother, “you look younger than most humans your age” he said, touching her cheeks. Marissa blushed.

“That's my wife, do well to marry yours and stop being all lovey dovey with mine” his father said as he stepped out to join them.

Derek smiled at his father, “cut me some slack, pa” he said, “Make sure you visit with a lady next time. I would love it” Alec added 

Derek smiled again, and hugged his father, “I hope you live long, because we still have a long way to go” he said and Marissa laughed.

“Don't give your father a panic attack. He's still the people's Alpha” she said. “Of course, mom,” Derek replied, amidst laughter. “That's not even funny,” his father said jokingly.

“I might marry someone for you if you keep slacking” his father said

“You're the Alpha and can marry as many as possible, irrespective of age, so go ahead” Derek replied as he walked to his car.

One of the drivers tried to drive him but he stretched his hands for the key. “I'll drive, Melvin,” he said.

“Now why won't you let the driver drop you off?” His father asked, he only smiled in response.

“Let him be,” Marissa whispered to her husband.

“How about Rowan?” His mother asked instead 

“He left yesterday. Had a few things to fix at the office before my arrival” he replied. “Okay, drive safely” she told him.

He blew her a kiss.

“Bye mother. Bye father” with that he sped off.

“That boy,” his father said as he watched him.

“Our boy is now a man,” Marissa said.

Her husband nodded in agreement. 

★★★★

NEW YORK

Brianna was on FaceTime with her father. “Yes dad, I'm in my dorm now” she said.

“Okay. Are you done unpacking?” He asked. “On it” she replied. “Where's mom?” She asked.

“She went to get groceries,” he replied.

Brianna's countenance dropped. They had packed everything for her again.

It happens every time she's to go back to school. They pack everything untouched at home and start buying in bits.

“Baby, what's with the long face?” Her father asked.

“You guys always pack everything for me whenever I return to school,” she complained. “Of course. You're our angel” her dad replied.

“Dad, I'll be 22 in no time. I can take care of myself” she said. 

“You're still 21 for now. And you mean take care of yourself by doing numerous menial jobs? We didn't send you to New York for that. New York is about school and we want you to stay focused” he said.

She knew she wasn't going to win, so she didn't drag it. They've had the same conversation over and over again, but something is going to change soon.

“Okay, dad. Let her know I arrived safely. I need to unpack now” she said.

“Be careful,” her father said, before she ended the call. They never get tired of treating me like a child, she thought.

Brianna already made a resolve to look for a part-time job this final year, irrespective of her parents' opposition. Telling her parents she needed more pocket money would make them seek for more jobs and keep wearing out due to stress.

The best thing was to keep it secret from them, afterall, Seattle was at least 7 hours away from New York and she already made them swear that they would inform her about their coming whenever they planned to visit her in school again.

Brianna opened a website for part-time jobs and started scrolling, weighing benefits and how it could be combined with her classes for the semester. Almost everything crashed with classes until something struck her eyes; there was an opening at Frostborne corporation.

“Not like I stand a chance, by the way” she said and kept scrolling.

She came across the same advert again, Frostborne was in need of part-time workers to assist the full time workers. “Such an opportunity to work for your company comes once in a lifetime” she said before opening the advertisement and reading its description.

Undergraduates can apply! Her smile beamed. She quickly applied and hoped to get picked for the interview.

Frostborne was the biggest conglomerate in New York. Working with one of its subsidiaries is every New Yorker's dream, especially fresh graduates. Brianna wasn't left out. After unpacking, she checked her email, nothing yet.

Maybe I wasn't shortlisted for the interview, she thought and began scrolling the website again.

An email notification popped on her laptop, she hurriedly opened it but it wasn't from Frostborne. An eatery she applied for earlier, asked that she come for an interview the following day.

Then it dawned on her, Frostborne? Who am I kidding?, She laughed at herself for thinking she stood a chance at Frostborne.

“At least I got something” she said and tucked her phone away to catch some sleep.

She'll try Frostborne again with a certificate, after graduation, for now, Frostborne was out of her reach.

★★★★★★★★