Emancipation

six

As I step out of the shower, I realise that in a hurry to get away from Chloe, I left James's credit card on the kitchen island. If I misplace it, he'll be on my case forever regarding it. Sighing, I pull up a pair of jeans that somehow fit me and a yellow blouse.

I dry my hair before putting on a thin line of kohl and picking up my wallet and checking for my personal credit card. As I get downstairs, I go back inside the kitchen only to find it empty and no trace of James's credit card.

"Mrs. George?" I call out and Shanley steps out of the back door.

"Mrs. Clark?" She frowns, "I mean, Lillian, is there any way I can help you?"

I don't know whether it would be appropriate to ask the staff about the missing credit card or not, but I think James mentioned something about trusting Mrs. George.

"Is Mrs. George around?" I ask her and she shakes her head.

"She went out for grocery shopping. Is there something you'd like me to tell her?" She asks.

I nod, "Yeah, just ask her to give me a call when she returns. Can I feed my phone number somewhere?" I ask her.

She pulls out her phone and hands it to me. I recall my new contact number and type it down before giving myself a missed call and handing the phone back to her.

"Thanks, Shanley." I smile at her before leaving.

As soon as I get out of the house, I realise that I don't have a car to drive here, but then I leave the mansion. When I am on the streets, I finally hail a cab.

"Where to?" The driver asks.

"Lenox Square." I tell him before my phone starts ringing and I wonder if it's Mrs. George already.

But then my mother's name flashes on the screen, causing me to smile. "Mom, hey." I greet her gleefully.

"Hey, Lil. How are you, sweetheart?" She asks, making me realise how much I miss hearing her voice.

"Good, how are you? What are you upto today?"

"I am great, hon. And I just had a cup of tea, missing you. Are you out?" She asks.

Just then, an idea strikes me, "Yes, I am on my way to Lenox Square. You can always join me." I offer, hoping that she would accept because I've been dying to be around a familiar face.

"Oh, that's a great idea, I'll see you in half an hour."

As soon as she hangs up, I smile to myself at the thought of meeting my mother after one and a half week. I miss her, even though I did meet her on weekends, I was so occupied with college assignments that my week was swamped with work. But now that I have loads of time to myself, I don't really have anything else other than missing my family.

When the cab driver stops, I pay him with the cash I am carrying with myself and make my way inside the mall. If I can't find anything here, I can go to Phipps Plaza across the road. But I know if my mother said half an hour, she would still take her sweet time in coming here so I start with a few stores.

I only like one blouse so far, which I've picked out when my phone rings and my mother's name appears on it. I immediately pick up the call.

"Where are you?" She asks.

"Ann Taylor." I tell her and she hangs up.

Moments later, she enters in, wearing pair of dark blue jeans and a black blouse. I notice from far as her eyes roam around the store, before they finally come to settle on me. A smile slowly takes over her features before she starts walking towards where I stand with the blouse in my hand.