Alluring Mask

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 17

"I thought you weren't coming home anymore."

That was the first thing my mother said when I got home. She was wearing a fuchsia dress, her hair was in a bun, and she had a toothpick in her mouth. After signing the contract, Atlas allowed me to go home, but he had one of his men follow me.

I gave my mother a small smile and went inside the house.

"I have a job now, Mom," I told her.

The tiredness I felt vanished as I saw her smile. Even though I was tired, my smile widened because it was the first time I'd seen her so happy.

I guess my decision was right because I could see that my mother was happy to know that I had a job.

"That's good. When you get your first salary, don't forget to give it to me. Do you understand?"

I nodded. "Yes."

I expected her to say that, I knew exactly what to say to her. The smile on my lips didn't fade until I reached my room. I took the white towel hanging behind my door and then went to my drawer to get a change of clothes.

"What's your job, and how much do you get paid?" my mom asked me.

I didn't know she was following me. She went inside the room and sat on my bed, still picking her teeth. From time to time, she looked around my room, which seemed old.

I paused from getting my clothes and underwear when I heard her question. I hesitated to answer because I didn't know what job to tell her.

"I'm an assistant," I replied.

She nodded at what I said. "How much is the salary?"

"I don't know yet, Mom."

The truth is, Atlas hadn't mentioned my salary yet. Our conversation was cut short after I signed the contract because he had something to attend to in Section 2 of his laboratory. That's why he allowed me to go home first, but I had to go back later.

"How come you don't know? They should tell you that," irritation was evident in her voice because of my answer.

She stood up, shaking her head, clearly disappointed that she didn't find out how much my salary was. Even I didn't know what to say, so I had nothing to answer her.

"What a strange job. This is the first time I've heard of something like that," she said irritably before finally leaving my room.

I shrugged and went to take a bath. My siblings weren't home because I heard from our neighbors that there was a giveaway at our town hall because it was the captain's birthday in our barrio, and he was giving away a grocery pack or food instead of having a birthday party.

I stayed in the bathroom for a long time because I cleaned myself thoroughly. I didn't take a bath yesterday, so I felt sticky even though it was cold in Atlas's basement. It took me an hour in the bathroom, and when I was done, I got dressed right away. A simple white fitted shirt and black sweatpants. I just wore the white slide slippers that Rafael gave me.

When I saw myself looking neat in the mirror, I ate first and rested in the living room for a while. This was the first time I've been able to enjoy the quiet in the house. My mother was outside, tilling the soil again for her plants.

Ei:

Are you okay now? You didn't reply to my last text. I'm worried, something might have happened to you.

Sarah:

I'm okay now, Ei. How are you? My fever has subsided a bit.