Breaking the rules.

Chapter 2

I had woken up fairly early, and it was almost 7. Mother had already started cooking breakfast even though I had told her a million times that I didn't need her to make mine. I would grab something from the office canteen.

I could hear her humming as I walked silently downstairs. She sounded like she was in a good mood today, and maybe today was the day I could bring up the topic of me moving out. I wasn't worried about Father as much as I was worried about mother.

"Morning ma. Do you need some help?" I proceed to help her and set the table. She hands me the casserole and looks at me suspiciously. "How come you want to help me today?" she furrows her eyebrows. "Usually you start biting people's heads off in the morning."

Just go for it, don't keep beating around the bush. "I was wanting to talk to you about something." I proceed cautiously with my words. "I have been looking for a new place to live." I figured I'd get straight to the point.

"What's wrong with the place you've been living in for the past 25 years?"

"You're misunderstanding me. I'm ready to leave the nest, so to speak. I can afford a pretty sweet house and you won't have to stay up late when I work overtime in the office."

She's taking this news pretty hard. She stumbles over to the chair and I help her sit and I take the seat opposite her. "Ma...This isn't easy for me either. I've grown up here. I took my first steps here. I scribbled on the walls with my crayons here. But I think it's time."

She looked at me as though she understood what I meant. She was upset and emotional but I think she was willing to accept my decision. She nods at me, controlling the tears that were forming in her eyes and I kiss her forehead. "I need to get ready for work."

I was taking a break from work files and looking over the profiles of the houses I was interested in. I was almost ready to narrow my search down and come down to the final three of my choice. I would pay them a visit on the weekend.

I had back to back continuous long meetings lasting a few hours. Luckily my employees and colleagues were hardworking and efficient.

"The merger papers just got sent over, If you get a second you need to sign them." Neha my assistant pops her head in waving the file in her hand. Through the glass doors of the conference room I look into my office and the desk is now overflowing with a new stack of files and papers I need to go through. It was just me and the company's security guard in the building. I was busy going through documents. Going through each sentence and highlighting important clauses and factors that had to be considered. I went through post it notes and finally after scribbling notes in my diary and entering the data on my laptop I was finally ready to leave. It was almost 4 am and mother was not going to be pleased.

I unlock the door as silently as I can and I take off my shoes. Luckily mother had given up on staying up tonight. In a few minutes I'm changed in my sleep outfit and as soon as my head hits the pillow I'm off to sleep, where I dream of stats, balance sheets and profit charts.

I get up 3 hours later and decided I needed a long shower. It was finally the weekend, and I would finally be visiting the houses I was interested in. Hopefully I might find one that I really like. I send an email to my assistant saying that I've completed reading up on the documents and agreements and some changes needed to be made before the deal is finalized.

After my shower, I look at myself in the mirror and give myself a pep talk so that I have the courage to deal with my mother's rage.

"There she is. What time did you get in last night?" I hear mother yell as I come downstairs. "I think she's trying to give me a heart attack." Mother looks over at Father trying to rally support from him.

He puts down his paper for a second and looks at her. "She owns a very successful start up business, which means, sometimes she'll have to stay late for work." He then proceeds to look at me. "But please at least call us next time and let us know." I nod and smile at him and he gives me a nod of approval back.

~~

"Okay you guys I have to go house hunting today so I'll be back by the evening." I say and take the brochures and stuff I need to check out the house.

I was liking this place more and more. I had already visited this house 5 times and each time I realized that it was perfect for me. It was an hour away from mom and dad so mum couldn't come over by surprise and I could come and go as I please since it would be me living alone. I had been dreaming of this independence since I was 16.