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As the morning sun filters through the kitchen window, Loyden hurriedly finishes her breakfast, glancing at the clock. She can’t afford to be late for work today, especially with the big meeting looming ahead.

“Yaya. Celia! ” she calls out, her voice a mix of urgency and authority. The family’s housekeeper appears in the doorway, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “I need you to take Selah to school today.”

Yaya raises an eyebrow, looking slightly taken aback. “But Ma'am, you usually take her. Are you sure you can’t—”

“I can’t,” Loyden interrupts, her tone firm yet apologetic. “I have to leave for work right now, and it’s important that Selah gets to school on time. I trust you to handle it.”

Yaya nods slowly, her expression shifting to one of concern. “But Miss Loyden, she’s spoiled. She might throw a fit if she doesn’t get her way.”

Loyden sighs, feeling the weight of her daughter’s behavior pressing down on her. “I know, but it’s time for her to learn some responsibility. She’s in Grade 12 now; she’s practically an adult. She can’t always have everything handed to her, especially when it comes to basic obligations like school.”

Yaya looks uncertain but nods. “Alright, I’ll try my best. But you know how she can be.”

“I do,” Loyden replies, her voice softening slightly. “Just remind her that she needs to be ready on time. I can’t always be there to bail her out.”

With that, Loyden grabs her bag and heads toward the door, her mind racing with the tasks ahead. “I have to go now. Please make sure she’s up and dressed, okay?”

“Of course, Ma'am Loyden,” Yaya says, a hint of resolve in her voice.

As Loyden steps out, she feels a mix of apprehension and relief. She knows Selah can be difficult, but she also understands the importance of teaching her daughter about accountability, especially at this stage in her life. Loyden hopes that today, under Yaya’s guidance, Selah will begin to grasp the importance of being responsible.

Meanwhile, in her room, Selah, is still tucked under her blankets, blissfully unaware of the time ticking away. Yaya makes her way to the bedroom, determined to follow through with Loyden’s wishes.

“Selah, wake up! It’s time for school!” Yaya calls gently, but with authority.

After a moment of silence, Selah groans, rolling over and burying her face deeper into her pillow. “Five more minutes!” she whines, her voice muffled.

“No, you need to get up now,” Yaya insists, crossing her arms. “Your mother can’t take you today, so you have to listen to me.”

Selah peeks out from under the covers, her eyes narrowing in irritation. “But I don’t want to go with you! I want Mom to take me!”

Yaya stands her ground, her tone steady. “Your mother has important work today. You’ll have to manage with me for once. Now get up, or you’ll be late.”

Selah frowns, pouting as she sits up. “This is so unfair! Why can’t you just call Mom?”

Yaya shakes her head. “Because that’s not how it works, Selah. Your mother trusts me to take you. Now, please get ready, or we’ll both be in trouble.”

With a huff, Selah throws her blankets off and reluctantly climbs out of bed, her mood sour. Yaya watches her, knowing that this is a small step toward teaching her that sometimes, life doesn’t revolve around getting her way, even at this age.

As Selah stomps into the bathroom, Yaya takes a deep breath, determined to make the morning run as smoothly as possible. She knows it won’t be easy, but she’s resolved to help Selah learn the value of responsibility, one morning at a time.

In a sleek conference room, Charles sits at the head of the table, tapping a pen against a notepad filled with notes. She glances at her watch, anticipation brewing as she he waits for her sister, Josiah, to arrive. The door swings open moments later, and Josiah steps in, her briefcase in one hand and a determined look on her face.

“Hey, Charles,” she greets, settling into a chair across from her. “Thanks for meeting with me. I’ve been hearing some concerning things about Selah.”

Charles leans back, a mix of concern and frustration etched on her face. “Yeah, I’m worried too. She’s in Grade 12 now, but it feels like she’s still acting like a child. Her attitude has been out of control lately.”

As the conversation shifts, Josiah leans back in her chair, her expression softening. “So, how’s family life treating you and Loyden? It must be quite the balancing act with everything going on.”

Charles chuckles, a mix of pride and exasperation in her voice. “It definitely has its challenges. Loyden and I have been trying to navigate Selah’s teenage years, and it feels like every day is a new struggle.”

Josiah nods, a knowing smile on her face. “I can imagine. Between work and parenting, it must be exhausting. How are you two managing?”

“Honestly, it’s tough,” Charles admits, rubbing the back of her neck. “We both work long hours, and when we come home, it feels like all we do is argue about Selah. Loyden wants to be more lenient with her, but I think we need to be stricter. It’s hard to find a middle ground.”

“I can see how that would create tension,” Josiah replies sympathetically. “But it’s great that you’re both involved and care so much. Many parents just give up.”

Charles smiles, appreciating her perspective. “I guess that’s true. I just worry that we’re not doing enough to prepare her for adulthood. Loyden sometimes worries that being strict will push Selah away, but I fear that letting her get away with everything will lead to bigger issues down the road.”

Josiah leans forward, her lawyer’s instinct kicking in. “Have you thought about having a family meeting? Just the three of you? It could be a way to open up a dialogue about expectations and responsibilities without it feeling like a confrontation.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” she muses, tapping her fingers on the table. “We’ve always encouraged open communication, but I guess we haven’t done it in a while. Maybe Selah needs a structured environment to voice her feelings without feeling judged.”

“Exactly,” Josiah encourages. “And it might help her realize that you and Loyden are on the same page. Kids pick up on parental conflict. Seeing you two united could provide her with the security she needs.”

Charles smiles appreciatively. “Thanks, Josiah. You always have a way of looking at things from a different angle. How’s your own life going? I imagine being an attorney is demanding.”

Josiah chuckles, brushing her hair back. “It’s a constant whirlwind. Between client meetings, court appearances, and managing my caseload, it can be overwhelming. But I love it. I feel like I’m making a difference, especially when I can help someone who’s in a tough spot.”

“Sounds rewarding,” Charles replies, genuinely interested. “Do you ever think about starting a family yourself?”

Josiah hesitates for a moment, then nods. “Yeah, I’ve thought about it. But honestly, with my career being so demanding, I’m not sure how I’d manage both. Plus, dating has been a challenge lately with my schedule.”

“I get that,” Charles agrees, recalling his own experiences. “It’s tough to find time for a relationship when you’re both trying to build your careers and raise a family. But when the time is right, you’ll know. I think you’d be a great mom.”

“Thanks, Charles,” Josiah says, her eyes brightening. “That means a lot. I just hope I can balance everything when the time comes. For now, I’m focused on my career and being there for Selah. It feels like we all need to support each other.”

“Absolutely,” she replies, feeling a sense of camaraderie. “We’re family, after all. We’ll figure it out together.”

As their conversation continues, the bond between Charles and Josiah deepens. They share laughs, stories, and reflections on their lives, both feeling grateful for the support they can offer each other during challenging times

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