New Ways

SEVENTEEN

Amery

Alfred hummed in the car on the way home. He was telling me random stories about his hometown and childhood again. Seeing that I wasn't paying attention, he eventually gave up talking.

My mind was fixed on how pissed I was at Sigrid's decision earlier to investigate the Cellphone Stalker case. Did she not know that as a vice president she was supposed to provide round-the-clock assistance for me? If she gets too obsessed with trying to find out who the Cellphone Stalker is, who will be there to help me run through important stuff? Furthermore, it's a pretty dangerous task if she decides to do all the investigative work alone. Should anything happen, I'd have to go looking for another vice president again. How inconsiderate of her!

I took the elevator up to my penthouse after Alfred dropped me off. As soon as the elevator door opened I saw my mother sitting in the living room, sipping a cup of tea.

"Mom!" I jumped at her on the sofa and hugged her. "I missed you! How was Hong Kong?"

"It was great, sweetie," my mother kissed my cheek and hugged me back. I settled beside her on the sofa as she poured me a cup of tea. "How's school?"

My thoughts trailed back to Sigrid and I groaned. "Annoying."

"What happened?" My mom raised her eyebrows, passing me the cup of tea.

"Nothing much, just some idiot. I don't want to talk about it," I sighed and took a sip from my cup. "Any idea when dad's coming back?"

"I don't know," my mom turned away, lowering down the volume of the TV she was watching earlier.

"You haven't heard from him?"

"Nope," she popped the 'p' and gave me a weak smile.

Let me give you some background information. My father, Adam Tatcher and my mother, Daphne Tatcher are co-owners of a law firm here in Manhattan. They were still in law school when they first got together. After graduating law school they set up a partnership with two other friends, and two years later they got married. After which, I was born. Now, they were in the middle of getting a divorce as both of them found out that they were cheating on each other. Interesting much?

I actually still don't understand how all the cheating happened. They had always seemed happy together. They never fought, nothing of that sort. Maybe they were just trying to be good parents and not allow me to get affected by their issues. They were good parents, I must admit, which was why I was heartbroken when they broke the news to me. But we all got over it because I decided that I wanted them to have their happiness too.

"Anyway, come with me," my mom stood up and held out her hand.

"Where to?" I took her hand and stood up as well.

My mother started yanking me away from the living room and into my room. She turned on the lights and pulled me closer to my bed. I saw a long black strapless corset evening gown lying on it. My mom held it up against me and lightly pushed me to the mirror.

"You're having some freshman ball this Saturday, you said? I thought this would be perfect for you."

"Mom it's... it's beautiful! Thank you!" I squeezed my mom tightly and almost broke into tears. Of course, of course I had forgotten to go find a dress for myself amidst all these things going on with Sigrid.

Oh, mother. What would I do without you.