Zoey's place

Ariana's POV

Uncle Zack?

I craned my neck as I tried to confirm if he was truly the one seated at the dining table.

Masculine laughter rumbled in the atmosphere, competing with Mom's light ones.

It was definitely him.

Mom never brought any of her suitors home.

Probably one of her strict principles.

Then again, relief washed over me knowing both Mom and Uncle wouldn't notice my presence, and I could sneak into my room and enjoy the sanctity of isolation.

My day was bad enough as it is.

That didn't stop my heart from ripping apart at the sound of Mom's laughter.

She never laughed with me.

And I mean the genuine, carefree ones. Away from outsiders.

Except when she had to fake it to keep the happy mom and daughter facade.

But I ignored the nasty feeling in my chest as I walked towards the hallway leading to my room.

It was best to end my day with no drama.

That's the least the universe owed me for losing my job with no explanation.

“Ariana!” Mom called.

Shutting my eyes tightly, my teeth clenched as I paused.

“Come say hello to your Uncle Zack.” She said.

My brow raised as I twirled around.

Really? Since when did Uncle Zack treat me like his niece?

He is as cold as Mom. Even colder because he barely acknowledges me.

Walking up to them, I greeted,

“Hi, Uncle Zack.”

Not only did he not respond, but he also gave me a condescending glance before focusing his attention on stabbing his fork into the steak and cheese in front of him.

I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't expecting it.

Gesturing at the seat across from hers, she set her plate aside.

“Sit, my dear.”

Cracking my knuckles, I took the seat.

No matter how endearing Mom's words sounded, they never failed to give that tone of detachment.

Like she said the words for the sake of it.

“So have you decided to quit the job at the hospital?” She asked, hardly looking at me as she poured him a cold glass of orange juice.

Her words rang in my ears like a discordant chord

This was it. As always, the universe always worked in her favor.

From defending my job earlier today and coming back without it…

I dig my nails into my lap, suppressing the urge to scream.

But my face managed to stay neutral as I tried to form words in my head.

“Well, I… I kind of….

“You lost it?” He asked, cutting me off, and my face paled.

Coughing a laugh, he pushed his plate aside, leaning closer.

“You really did?”

Looking at Mom, he repeated,

“Cici, she really did lose it.”

I looked at Mom's facial expression, and she hid a small smile as she stood, clearing his plates from the table.

Biting my lips, I trapped any sound that could come out.

I shut out the voices in my head encouraging me to flare up.

Get mad.

Vent out to Mom to ask why she was treating me this way.

But the way the stiffness in my chest would betray me when those tears started rolling down my cheeks.

“Relax, Zk, let her speak for herself.”

Her tone was casual, but I didn't miss the satisfaction in it.

Pushing the chair back, I stood up, trying to ease the knot in my chest by taking a deep breath…

“Yes, I lost it. That doesn't mean I changed my mind. I'd be crashing at Zoey's until I find a new job.”

At my words, Mom's expression turned sour, but she slowly took a seat, running her red-polished nails through her golden hair.

“You know I'll hate to threaten that sweet friend of yours to keep you out of her home, baby. Don't push me.”

As usual, her words sounded lighter than her stone-cold tone, and something in me knew she had it in her to do even worse.

Uncle Zack suddenly banged the table, and I flinched.

“See, I warned you not to be so lenient with her. Now look how she's going against the adults. Very rude.” His eyes flickered between me and Mom.

Lenient? That could have been valid if Mom saw me as worth her attention.

That's what I am. Worthless, unloved.

And for some reason, this rebelling took some weight off my chest. The weight of suffering in silence.

It was sinfully gratifying.

“My job meant everything to me. This city, my friends, I'm not leaving all of that to move in with you…..

“And who gave you all of that?” Mom cut me off.

“I took all that weight and responsibility and raised you without help all these years, and this is how you repay me?” She asked.

For a brief moment, our eyes met.

I could see a flash of pain in them, but she looked away immediately.

Was she insinuating that she threw her life away by raising me?

As if she did a favor raising her own child.

Like I was supposed to worship the ground she walked because she fended for me all these years.

“I told you it wasn't worth sacrificing for her after he left.” Zack added.

He left. Those two words were enough to send threatening tears burning my eyelids.

“I'm sorry, but I'll be at Zoey's place.”

I rushed off, desperate to save my tears till I got into the safety of my little room.

“Come back here!” He ordered, but I was long gone.

I didn't want to think about Dad.

Why he left, why he'd never contacted us ever again.

Did he hate me that much?

These thoughts ran through my mind, silent tears flowing freely down my cheeks as I leaned against the door.

I hated it here, the way I was feeling, and everything else.

Packing my night bag, I left for Zoey's place without calling her up.

That was a first.

The minute I stepped into her doorway, I gasped.

“Zoey.”