Right Where You Left Me | s.r

5.

I try not to trip on my own shoes as I walk down the spiral stairs. I note that the guests are beginning to arrive. In the small crowd, I look for my dad. I approach my father once I've located him. "Hi, Dad," I say as he draws me into a hug.

While I don't have the best relationship with either of my parents, my father and I do argue less.

"Y/n, you look lovely. When your mother told me that you had returned home. I couldn't believe what I was hearing" He places a kiss on my cheek.

"Well, I figured now would be a good time to come, with the banquet of course," I said, lying about knowing my mother was hosting her annual banquet.

"I'm glad your home" not even a second later comes one of my father's investors, who so rudely interrupted our conversation.

I go mingle with other relatives, some of whom I dislike. They're all cold and cruel, just like my mother, which isn't surprising given her family lineage.

I locked eyes with Evie, a girl with whom I've had a rivalry since sixth grade. She was the biggest scumbag, maybe even worse than my mother. My proudest achievement is being valedictorian of my high school and Evie salutatorian. You should've seen her expression as she realized what had happened. Smoke was practically coming out of her ears.

"Hey Evie, it's so good to see you!" I say as I approach her and Jess. I put on a fake smile.

"Y/n Wow, you look great "Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Jess and I were just talking about my kids and husband," she says, attempting to outdo me with her great life.

"That's great! I'm sure you have a lovely family" I return the sarcasm.

"What about you? Have you had time to settle down?"

"No actually, my job keeps me busy"

"Really? What do you do?"

"I'm a special agent with the FBI, isn't that what you wanted to pursue?" You can see her visually tense and her eyes widen at my response.

"Yes, it was but I much rather enjoy motherhood"

"I'm sure you do, now if you'll excuse me, I have to go speak to some other guests" I force a sweet smile.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes as soon as I turned my back on her.

After a few dreadful hours and a few drinks, all of the guests arrive. Everyone thinks my mother is an angel sent from heaven after she gives a short speech.

My phone rings just as my mother finishes speaking, so I excuse myself from the table and go to a quiet corner of the house, "Hey Hotch, what's up?"

"We have a case that requires our immediate attention, and Garcia has already booked you a flight back to Washington, D.C. Is that alright with you?"

"Uh, yeah no that's fine. When's my flight?"

"40 minutes," He says as I reach for my phone to check the time. I start to feel a little anxious. I dashed upstairs and started stuffing my belongings into my luggage. Taking all of my toiletries out of the bathroom and stuffing them into my suitcase. I quickly finish packing and return downstairs.

When I see my mother conversing with my aunt, I consider whether I want her to scold me in person or over the phone. I go up to my mother "I'm sorry, mom, but I have to leave. I have a work emergency, and they need my assistance" I apologize.