..Out of the Blue ..💙

21. A banter

Zoya's POV*

I woke up late; the bed was so comfortable that I overslept. I glanced around, and there was no trace of Athena. Then I remembered she had been sleeping with Monica. This was the time they usually had breakfast, so I headed downstairs.

Monica and Athena were already seated and almost ready as well.

"Good morning, Mum," my daughter greeted, looking up at me.

"Good morning, sweetheart," I said, kissing her forehead and taking a seat.

"Mum, you know you're late, so you'll get a punishment."

I was taken aback, glancing over at Monica, who had a subtle smile forming on her lips, which she quickly hid by taking a sip of her juice.

"What punishment, sweetie?"

"You have to come with me and Miss Monica on a trip this weekend. You *must* take a leave!"

"Ohh, so this is what it's about," I said, raising an eyebrow. "Is it because I woke up late today, or were you both planning this beforehand?"

Well, my daughter doesn't lie, so she just kept quiet, drinking her juice.

---

Miss Monica, we're already late," my daughter said, completely ignoring my question. *Like mother, like daughter,* I wanted to say out loud but held back.

"I hope it won't be an inconvenience for you, Zoya," Monica said in her calm voice.

"Do I have any other options?"

"No, Mom has no other options," Athena answered for me.

Soon after, they both left. Well, at least I didn't have to go anywhere until the afternoon, so I went back inside. But when I looked around for my phone, it was nowhere to be found. I searched the whole room, then remembered-I must have left it in Monica's room last night.

*Is it appropriate to go inside?* I wondered. *Well, she's not here anyway. I'll just grab it.*

I entered her room quietly, glancing around. My phone was sitting on a small desk near the balcony. One thing about Monica's room: it's so meticulously tidy that it almost makes you nauseous. Everything is perfectly in order-no stray papers, no dirt, no crumbs, no scattered clothes. Everything is clean as if it's been sanitized within an inch of its life. I think the only misplaced item here was my phone.

I walked over to pick it up, and for a moment, I glanced out onto the balcony. The view was stunning from here. I'd seen it at night, but during the day, it was even more captivating. The pool was calling to me, though I thought it would be crossing a line.

Still, I stepped onto her balcony, and for the first time, I noticed something *human*: an ashtray. At least she's not completely perfect. It was behind the chair she usually sat in, filled with cigarette butts and ashes. How much does she smoke at night? Does she even sleep at all?

*It must have been really hard, right? Losing her husband and son over a year ago.* She must have felt completely lost and alone in this world-a feeling I know too well. It was the same when I realized Athena wasn't mine, and Rishi was gone. There was no one I could truly call my own, and that feeling is the worst. But now I have Athena. Still, why is Monica so... stiff? Even though she lets her guard down a little with Athena, it's not entirely convincing. It's as if she's trying too hard to act normal.

At least I had alcohol as a temporary relief, but with her, I never find her drunk. I know she drinks, but never enough to get tipsy or lose her composure. But this smoking habit-it's bad, really bad.