I Am Not Your Maid! (On Hold)

Chapter 12 - Oblivious

Chapter 12

Oblivious

School the next day was conflict-free.

Dash barely even acknowledged me, much to my relief.  I was heavily invested in staying on-track in my classes.  I felt like I was falling behind, when I was usually always prepared for class, and now I did not have the time to prepare.  I scribbled more furiously on my notes in class, determined not to miss anything because I knew I would not have the time to follow-up with the textbook. 

I didn’t have to work that night, but I had to work a few hours Saturday morning, and then go to my mother’s social function in the evening.  I had to work on Sunday as well, so I had enough on my plate to keep up with.  I didn’t need Dash distracting my focus either.

I hurried to the local library after school so I could focus on my homework without interruptions until my stomach began to growl for dinner.

Saturday morning started off on a quiet note.  I purposely styled my hair in a funky little bun that had strands sticking up all over the place like a starfish.  I knew there was always a chance that one of our customers could also be a potential guest to my mother’s function, so I had to take precautions. 

I did not want to stand out at the function.  I knew what I’d be wearing there and how my hair and wakeup would be, so I had to ensure my style at work would conflict with the image I had to uphold that evening.

Surprisingly, Dash didn’t show up at the café.

Not that I’m complaining, by any means!

Maybe his ego was hurt after Elizabeth’s rejection yesterday?  Served him right!

I was allowed to leave by early afternoon once the lunch rush died down.  I quickly grabbed the subway and then the bus home.

Mother was ecstatic.

As I tried to cram in a little more studying in my room before getting ready for her social event, she was skipping around the house, classical music playing loudly downstairs in the living room, and jasmine incense filling the lower level with its soft burning scent.

She poked her head into my room briefly just to squeal, “I’m so happy that you’re coming tonight!”

Wish I could say the same, I thought, pinching the bridge of my nose as she skipped out. 

I usually found myself hanging along the sidelines, bored out of my mind, and reading books on my mobile until my mother needed me for something.

These social functions were more for middle-aged Japanese folk rather than teens.  The only teens who attended these things were those unable to get out of attending.  Coercion only made the experience more gruelling. 

It was so boring.  All anyone did was stand around, talking about business, or the youth these days, or the hottest trends, or how Japan compared to Canada in the eighties.  I wasn’t even born then!

But like a good daughter, I went to these dreary functions with a smile plastered on my face.  I beautified myself with natural hues of eye shadow and blush, a thin line of eyeliner, and a heavy coat of volumizing mascara.  My dress was long and chic with a slit up the side of my left leg to my knee.  It was strapless and shimmering blue-silver in the light.

“Are you all ready?” Mom asked as she peeked inside my room for the last time.

“Un,” I said as I released the curling iron and watched my long black hair fall in soft wispy tresses over my shoulders.