Saturday, 22nd

I woke up quite early in the morning. Today was the day I wanted to maximize the fear in Kristen. I wanted her paranoia to hit the top.

I had everything planned in my head, and all I needed to do right now was prepare for everything before the finale on Monday.

I stretched my body and walked downstairs to find my Mom was massaging her temple as if she was in deep trouble. I sat on the sofa, silently watching her before asking out of curiosity, "Are you in trouble, Mom?"

Mom looked at me. She smiled and shrugged, "It's nothing much. Just my boss is such a pain in the—Nevermind."

She zipped her mouth before she said a curse word, something bad for me to hear because I'm still young. I chuckled. I had to admit that I enjoyed being treated like a baby by Mom.

I used to hate being treated as one, but after the death of Mom in my previous life, I've come to realize that things were much more precious when they were no longer in your hand.

"Can I help you with something? I mean, I can at least massage your shoulder," I said.

Mom was surprised, but she looked pleased, "That's so rare for you. But I wouldn't mind getting a massage on the shoulder."

I walked and stood behind her, start massaging her shoulder, and then asked, "Mom, is everything alright?"

"Well, work is tough, but it's fine. At least we have something to eat and sustain ourselves, right?" Mom said with a bitter smile. I bit my lower lip and silently massaging her shoulder. I couldn't help for now because I was still in my first year of high school, I wasn't allowed to work part-time to support the family.

And in my previous life, I couldn't work part-time everywhere because of one particular, despicable girl.

"I will find a part-time soon," I said.

"You don't need to, at least not now. You're still in the first year, you should have more club activities and socializing more. Don't think about money. It's my responsibility for now," Mom denied my help.

I knew she was feeling guilty for me because back when we still lived with Dad, he didn't allow Mom to work and constantly beat us up together.

Mom was depressed, beaten, and bruised all over every day. I couldn't do anything either because my Dad would also beat me if I dared to defend my Mom.

We did better financially back then because my Dad had a solid position in his office, but it wasn't enough to compensate for the emotional and physical trauma my Mom, and I experienced.

So I believed it was better this way. Although Mom and I struggled financially, at least we lived clutching freedom in our hands.

"Remember, Em. You shouldn't think about our finance for now. Just study, have fun with your friends, and find a boyfriend," Mom said.

I knew that she wanted to compensate for all the abuses that I've experienced from Dad before. But I didn't want her to struggle alone.

"I will start working next year."

Mom turned her head and looked at me. I knew that she had pride. She wanted to be a responsible mother. But I also wanted to be a daughter that helped my mother during a tough time.

"You're worried that it'll take all the fun I have in high school, right?" I asked, trying to find the real reason behind her reluctance.

"Emmelyn Jones, you don't have any responsibility for your Grandma and me. Focus on the study and school life," Mom warned me over and over about the same thing. I know that she wouldn't budge until I made something, maybe compensation for myself.

"Fine, how about this? I will be active in a club activity, do well in school, and have a BOYFRIEND during the first year of high school."

"What?!" Mom's depressed mood turned cheery immediately. She put her hands on top of mine on her shoulder, and she kept looking at me with glimmering eyes, "It's a promise, okay?"

I was startled by my Mom's enthusiasm, "Why are you so excited about it?"

"Well, because you've been watching an unhealthy relationship between your Dad and me. I'm worried that you might think that all men are like your Dad."

"True, there are many scum men out there, and you'll find jerks, especially since you're in high school. But trust me, there are good-natured men—Well, boys at your age. And one or two will fall in love with you."

"You just have to find the right person."

The right person, huh?

Well, I had no plan on getting a boyfriend. But if the right person could help me execute my plan, I would be open to it.

Screw the romance part. We could be the best partner in crime.