𝐔𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞.

𝐊𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

Maxine's POV

I have been out of my senses the whole day. What is wrong with me, anyway? Since I have a word with Mom and Dad earlier, I haven't really been myself. I have to admit that I really wasn't expecting them to appear at my condo today morning.

It's not that I have anything against seeing them, but I don't like how controlling Mom is. She interferes with everything-my life, my decisions, even the way I breathe, it feels like.

And Dad? He just lets it slide. It's ridiculous. The man is a dynamo in politics, making headlines and commanding respect where he goes. Yet over Mom, who happens to be "just" retired from modeling, he seems powerless to keep her from running amok. What the hell are they even thinking?

The frustration stewed inside me as I retold and rehashed it over in my head, but the irritation did not brew, though the anger was barely simmering under the fringes of my mind.

Already holding a glass of whiskey that I'd grabbed off the counter to try calming down a little, though my shaking hand betrayed this hope in fact.

That's when Damian walked in. Her gaze fell on me immediately, sharp and concerned. Without a word, she strode over, plucking the glass from my hand with ease.

"Give me that before you end up breaking it," she said firmly, setting it aside. "What's going on with you? You're practically vibrating with tension."

I scoffed, running a hand through my hair as I leaned back against the counter. "What's going on? Oh, I don't know, Damian. Maybe the fact that my own mother is accusing me of having a secret girlfriend. Would you find that amusing?

Her brows furrowed as she crossed her arms, staring at me with that intense look she always had when she was trying to get to the bottom of something. "Wait. Hold up. Your mom thinks you're hiding a girlfriend? That's... wild. Who's she even talking about?"

I shot her a dry look, straightening my posture and adjusting my shirt as if fixing my uniform would somehow make everything feel less chaotic. "Who else? It's my patient. Airis."

Damian's eyes widened slightly, but then she rolled them, shaking her head. "Of course, it's Airis. Why does your mom even care? You've told her a hundred times you're focused on your career, not relationships. What's her deal?"

"That's the thing!" I said, pacing the room. "She never listens. She never ever listens. She's got to control every little thing that happens in my life, like I'm not capable of deciding anything on my own. And Dad-God, don't even get me started. He just stood there like a statue, saying nothing, doing nothing. He's a freaking political giant, but when it comes to Mom? He's useless."

Damian rested against the counter, a look of amusement and concern crossing his face. "Okay, I get why you're angry, but maybe it's not about control. Maybe she's just worried. You know how parents are."

"Are you? No, Damian, that's not it. That is her assuming whatever ridiculous fantasy or fears she has is onto me. She wants to live in accordance with her needs, not mine."

I stopped my pacing and looked at her in the face. "Have you ever had anyone interrogate you in your own living space, accusing you of seeing around behind everyone's backs with Airis?"

Damian raised an eyebrow. "So... you're saying there's nothing going on with Airis?"

I glared at her, irritation sparking in my chest. "Damian, don't start."

She held up her hands in surrender, a sly smirk tugging at her lips. "Hey, just asking. I mean, it's not that far-fetched. You've been spending a lot of time with her lately.

"For work!" I shot back, throwing my arms up in exasperation. "Everything with Airis because i am helping that woman. She's my patient and she's seeking for help. That's it."

Damian shrugged, but the smirk didn't leave her face. "If you say so."

I let out a frustrated groan, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Why do I even bother?"

Damian pushed off the counter, stepping closer. "Look, I'm just saying maybe you're reading too much into this. Parents can be overbearing, sure, but they're not the enemy. Maybe your mom just wants to make sure you're happy. Even if she's going about it in the worst possible way."

I sighed and let my hands fall to the sides. "Maybe, but it doesn't excuse the way she acts," I said.

"She doesn't respect my boundaries, Damian. And I'm so damn tired of feeling like I have to justify every decision I make to her."

Damian rested her hand on my shoulder, softening her expression. "Then perhaps it's time you set some firmer boundaries. Talk to her. Make her understand that you're not a kid anymore, and she needs to trust you to live your own life."

I nodded slowly, the tension in my chest easing just a little. "Yeah. Maybe you're right.

"Of course I'm right," she said with a grin, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Now, how about we ditch the whiskey and go grab some real food? You'll feel better after you've eaten."

I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head. "You're impossible."

That's why you keep me around," she shot back, already heading for the door. And for the first time all day, I felt a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

// Ang weird.