i see you // h.s.

II »

"Goodbye," I waved towards the guests and glanced at Mother just in case she was unhappy at the way I was acting. It's become a habit and for every action, it seems like I have to get my mother's approval. Every move I make gets her furious and she barks at me to fix my posture, watch how I eat, even, sleep on the bed like a "mature" lady.

She was like a demon of criticism, attacking me at whenever chance she has.

Mother shook at her head and looked at me expectantly.

Exasperated, I gave her a 'what did I do now' look. Angry at my sleazy figure, she stormed up right to my side.

The never ending train of guests rolled out of the door and I arched my back, tired. I had to hear boring topics of politics for the past few hours. I couldn't keep up with this rich and social modern life anymore. I just wanted to be normal, lie on my bed and be a average teenage girl.

A hard slap on my back jolted me as I stood up properly, glaring at my mother.

"Bow, like a proper lady." She whispered as guests said their farewells.

When will I ever escape this life?

When will this lifestyle be over?

When will I actually be happy?

The questions floated into my head, one of them making its way up my throat.

"When will I actually be happy?" I muttered, looking down.

I regretted it immediately. Mother stared daggers at me. Even though I didn't see her straight in the eye, I could feel her long nail scraping on my back slowly, almost as if she was carving wood onto my skin.

I stood straight up and quickly bowed to the guests, forced a smile, and said farewell to every guest, did whatever to please Mother.

I couldn't take this anymore. Not only did Mother force me to go to this party, but she expects me to wake up five in the morning to meet with a guy.

Soon when the guests were long gone, I slipped off the high heels Mother forced me to wear.

"Where are you going, young lady?" She followed me, but I started running away.

"Away from you, so I can be prepared tomorrow for another day of being your goddamn slave!" I screamed.

Huffing, I ran barefoot, not caring about the small pebbles sinking into my skin. I've had to deal worse with Mother.

"Argh!" I screamed, stripping away the puffy ruffles on the buttercup yellow gown. Yes, a gown I wore because of Mother. A gown for balls and formal wears.

Sometimes, Mother is so illogical. Who wears a freaking gown for dinner with only twenty guests? It's the twenty first century for goodness' sake, not the Cinderella times.

Arriving in front of the house we own, I stomped to my room and tore off the dress. Spotting the closest comfortable set of clothes, I put it on.

It was seconds before Mother would come to the house. I dove into my bed and lied on my back like Mother forced a specific position to sleep in.

I heard footsteps and the wood creaking as I clenched the blankets even tighter. My fists were almost white with the dark blue veins popping out.

"Emma, how dare you--"

From what I heard, she saw and believed that I was sleeping. A successful trick when you don't want to talk to your mother. Pretend you're sleeping.

I heard a sigh and my heart almost panged with regret.

"I didn't realize I was treating you like a slave. I'm--" Her voice cracked. My eyes opened slightly to see the sight.

Her hand on her forehead, she massaged it. She looked distressed with her hair messed up.

"Just wake up at 4 so I can get you ready for tomorrow's meeting." And she closed the door.

And to think, I was just about to forgive her.

I just want to say a massive thank you to FawnBrooks. She co wrote this chapter for me and did an amazing job. Please give her a follow !!!!!