Secrets That Remain: The Untold [Book 1]

Chapter 3: Fight and Fears

TRIGGER WARNING:
MENTION OF DEATH AND USE OF STRONG LANGUAGE

Watching her dithering attitude, I urged her with a "Yes?" while sipping on my tea.

"I would like to go for night stay at my friend's," she said while holding my gaze.

"Okay! Go," I said nonchalantly still wondering why she was anxious. It's not like I have ever stopped her from any of her fun activities.

"But Omma, it's different from other regular sleepovers. This time, Allena is throwing a big party at her farmhouse. Everyone will be there, I mean everyone! My entire class, along with many seniors and juniors. I thought I should inform you first before committing to anything," she said with an obligatory smile.

Now this is something new. Uncertainty is clouding my senses but I don't want to throw my cynicism right onto my daughter's face, not after witnessing how excited she is for this party. So reluctantly, I asked, "Timing?"

Her face brightens upon hearing my question,"12 to 8."

"Well, that's not bad. I assumed it to be something crazy but I am glad that I was wrong. So, what time should I drop you off?"

She jumped like a little bunny and hugged me. "What really? Thank you so much. I was nervous, thinking you might say no!"

"Anything for you. So, timing?" I said to her and from the corner of my eye, I notice Alex making a funny expression. I chuckled at his mien.

Detangling her arms from mine she continued, "Omma, you don't really have to drop me off. Allena will pick me up from home."

"What? No! I am not sending you off that late with your friends."

"But you have your meeting tomorrow."

"No, I don't!" I replied confidently. She raises her eyebrow on my reply and that's when it dawns to me, "Wait... but it's at 12:10. At noon!"

"And?"

"Wait, so you are telling me you will leave at 12? At noon? Tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"So, it's 12 noon to 8 am?" I asked her baffled, turning my face left and right between Sara and Alex.

"No. It's 12 noon to 8 pm."

"What?" Alex chimes in.

"Yes."

"Wait. Sara, tell us your party-slash-night-out schedule because I think I am missing out on something," I asked her to repeat as her oh-so-very-simple-plan is confusing me.

"So tomorrow by midday Allena, with her driver and some other friends will come to our house to pick me up. We will head to her farmhouse, have our party, and stay for the night. There will be separate sleeping arrangements though," she said eyeing Alex nervously to which he scowls. She further continued, giving her puppy eyes to me, "It will be fun. Everyone from my class is coming. They even invited my upperclassmen. We will have our fun, you know, with games and stuff and then later on the Sunday evening, she will drop me off at home," She completed her words with a very satisfactory smile and glitters in her eyes.