𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐍 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒

𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

I scroll through my notifications and roll my eyes at the missed calls from Antonio.

I'll talk to him eventually. Just not now.

He annoyed me at the club last night and I'm a little petty so I'll let him wait for a call from me.

I have bigger problems right now.

Like my mother randomly having an off day and deciding to follow me to my photoshoot.

Her presence has ruined my day and I don't even feel bad about thinking that.

My mother and I are actually a lot more closer than my father and I which no one would think. My mother and I speak more often because she calls all the time and we share similar hobbies. But she doesn't realise how judgemental and annoying she is at times. She always makes me feel less than.

My father has never made me feel that way.

I pull up in front of the photo studio and grab my little handbag with my phone and a few other things in it.

My mother stands by the entrance and when she spots me she grins.

"Oh, darling. How are you? What time is your appointment? Should we go in?"

I sigh. "Hey, mom. I'm alright we should probably go in now or we'll be running late."

She nods. "Yes, yes." She agrees and walks through the doors before me.

I follow behind her and make my way to the room where I usually take photos when I'm called for.

"Emilia Louise." Jenny greets. "Looking gorgeous as ever."

"Thank you."

Jenny looks from me to my mother. "We have company?"

"Uh...yeah. My mom wanted to come. I'm sorry, I should have said. I hope that's okay."

Jenny opens her mouth to respond but my mother cuts in. "No, Emilia. Why would you apologise for your mother joining you? I'm your mom."

Jenny shakes her head. "My apologies ma'am." She turns to look at me and I shoot her an apologetic look.

"Em, I'll be right back but please do bring your mother and sit on the chair while I get the make-up and outfits."

"Of course."

Jenny walks out of the room and I sigh.

"Mom. You just embarrassed me."

Mom folds her arms across her chest and tilts her chin up. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

I don't even bother explaining because anyone who can't see the wrong in their actions will never improve them.

Mom walks up close to me and examines me.

"Have you gained weight?" My mother questions with disgust all over her features.

"I-"

"Come on, Emilia. That's not good enough. You know this. Is it because I said you don't have to use that diet plan I made for you? Maybe I need to make a new one. When you used it you looked fresh."

I close my eyes and take a breath, trying to ignore the hurtful words she was throwing at me.

"Mrs Lawson's son won't want you if you're all fat, you know. We're Thompson's sweetheart. We look good and do good. You see, I'm a doctor and I look good. Some people don't even believe it. I want you to be like me. Successful in your modelling and Influencing while looking good."

I open my eyes. "Mom-"

"And, you're twenty-nine, almost thirty. You should look good and settle down and I think Lawson's son will be very good for you plus-"

"Mom. I'm dating someone."

My mother holds her hands to her chest dramatically. "I beg your pardon?"

"I'm dating someone and I don't want to get married right now when I'm just starting my new job. Please let me decide my own timeline of events."

This is what I meant.

Always trying to interfere in my life.

Throughout my life, she'd make little comments about the way I am.

It stemmed from the friends she made who all had successful lives. Had good jobs, and kids who were winning all kinds of prizes at school. Her friends were always showing off and she just wanted to fit in.

She got her amazing job and she made sure I joined after-school activities to try to win something which I did, because younger me just wanted to make her proud.

My mother has joined all kinds of clubs over the years and my father having his own company and taking over others made her feel the need to be perfect even though he's never once told her to change in any way.

She makes sure she has the latest things to fit in and it's honestly upsetting.

Years. Fucking years that she has no idea about.

I developed an eating disorder from the diets she gave me. There was a period when she made sure I didn't eat.

Her travelling for a couple of years made me relax a little but that only made her criticise me more.

About all the weight I had gained.

I taught myself how to throw up from a very young age and it wasn't good for me at all.

I'm tired of the way I'm treated and it can't just go away. My eating patterns have become a habit.

Yes, I eat but not enough for my body to be functioning properly.

I only had a smoothie yesterday and nothing else.

It's really hard to hide from people with all the events I go to at restaurants and cafes.

"Fine. Well if you don't settle down soon I won't be happy. Who is he?" She pauses. "Or She? Oh my gosh, sweetheart!"

I roll my eyes with a groan. "No Mother, it's a he. I'm just interested in telling you."

My mother sighs. "Well, why not?"

I swallow. "Just not now Mother."

Jenny was back in the room with an assistant and a clothing g rack. Her eyes switch from my mother to me. "Ready?"

I take a deep breath. "Of course."