Chapter 1

• Rose Greyson
• Working and studying at the same time hasn't been easy. You barely have time for yourself. If you're not in school, you're at work. For the whole day. An exasperated breath left my lips as I dropped my bag lazily on the bed. My door was kicked open immediately after I threw myself on the bed.
• I don't have to be told who the person is. We are the only two living in the house. "You're back early today," my mother's voice reached my ears.
• "Yes, Mom," I answered lazily without looking up at her. I normally come home by 9:30 p.m. or 10 p.m. But today, I got on the good side of my boss. And even at that, he gave me a day off. Guess I deserve accolades for my hard work.
• "I warmed the pasta not long ago. It's still warm," her voice sounded again. I planned to take a small nap first, but my stomach wasn't agreeing with me. It made a weird and hungry sound, making me snap my eyes open.
• I muttered incoherent words proceeding to get myself off the bed. Mom was still standing. She looked not in focus. "Mom," I called, walking up to her.
• "Eat first and let's talk." And with that, she turned and left the room. I knew something was off when Mom used that tone. I didn't put too much thought into what she said and followed suit.
• Our living room is not that big and spacious. We moved back to the house a month ago, yet some of our belongings are still lying around covered. I don't know why Mom chose a quiet place. Upon all the houses in the city. But then, that's my mom for you. I made my way towards the dining area that consisted of three chairs. I uncovered the lid that was covering the plate.
• My stomach immediately turned at the sight of the pasta. I wasted no time digging in. Mom spared me a glance from the sitting area and I flashed her a smile. I know what the look is about, though. She always warns me to compose myself and eat slowly. But who cares when I'm damn hungry.
• I cleared everything on the plate, took it to the kitchen, and washed it. I came back to find Mom in the same position I left her. I cleared my throat as I sat beside her on the couch.
• "So, Mom, I'm done eating. What do you want to talk about?" It might not show on my face, but I'm curious to know what she wanted to talk to me about.
• "Here," my eyes shifted to the white envelope in her outstretched hands. With my brows raised, I collected the envelope.
• "What is it for?"
• "See for yourself." I peeled open the envelope and took out the content from it.
• "Admission letter," I read out. "Admission letter for what, Mom?" I asked, shifting my attention back to her. Last time I checked, I started college last week, so what is it with another admission letter?
• "Didn't you read what's stated there?"
• "I did, Mom, but I don't understand."
• She spared me a look which tells me something is indeed off. "You've gotten admission into another college." It took me a few seconds to register what she uttered.
• "Why? I've already started. What do I need this for? It-"
• "You're leaving that school and will start this one."
• I didn't know when I rose to a standing position. I was completely confused about what was going on. Mom has a way of doing things her way without consulting me first. "What's the reason? I barely reached up to two weeks since I started the school and now I'm leaving? I seriously don't understand, Mom." I tried to stay as calm as I could.
• "I've made the necessary preparations. You're starting tomorrow." She stood up and was about to leave.
• "Mom! Why do you always try to control my life? For goodness sake, I'm not a small kid." My voice was in a high pitch.
• "You might think I'm doing all this for my sake. But one day you will understand everything. And my decision is final. You're starting tomorrow. Goodnight." I watched as she sauntered her way out of the living room. I stayed in that standing position for more than two minutes trying to put the bits of what transpired in a span of ten minutes between me and my mother.
• No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to understand why she's doing all what she's doing. First, it was the sudden moving from one city to another, then the changing of schools. I feel like she's hiding something from me. If not, then why all the sudden movement?
• Now what? Does that mean I'm starting all over again? A new school and a new life? Just like that. It's not like I made friends in the school. But then again, what will people say if they don't see the new student again?
• Many thoughts ran through my mind over the night. I could barely get enough sleep. I constantly kept thinking about what will happen the next day. Will I be able to adjust to the new environment? Will I be able to cope? I was in that thought when I fell into a deep slumber.
• I heaved out a sigh for the tenth time as I glanced outside the window while Mom drove me to the said new school. We barely exchanged words during breakfast. Mom was giving me the cold treatment. She's my mother, but sometimes I can't understand the woman. Some days, she's all chatty and some days, she's all quiet. I wonder why.
• And sometimes I take it as maybe because she missed Dad. I do too. It's been a year already without him. Yet, it felt like yesterday. I remembered my last day with him. He promised to take us all out for dinner. And the dinner didn't happen. That was the end.
• The moment the car came to a halt, I turned to Mom. I can't tolerate her giving me the silent treatment. She's the only one I've got in my life. One of the things I should always do is make her happy, not do the opposite.
• "Mom," I commenced. And just like that, she focused her attention on me.
• "I know you're doing this for my best interest. It's not that I don't want to listen to you. I only want to know the reason why we're doing things in a rush, as if we're on the run," I voiced out.
• She reached for my hands that were gently resting on my lap and took a sharp breath. "Everything I'm doing is for your sake, dear. Trust your mother. Come on. We've arrived at your school." It was when the words left her lips that I glanced around the new surroundings.
• We got out of the car and walked our way inside the big gate. I was only following her lead while on the accord accessing the school. It's way bigger than my former school. Maybe it won't be that bad. We stopped in front of an office and Mom knocked on the door. "Come in," a female voice resonated from inside.
• Mom spared me a glance and slightly nodded her head. Her way of telling me to behave. A middle-aged woman welcomed us with a smile. "Good morning, Mrs. Greyson," the woman greeted my Mom.
• "Good morning to you too, Mrs. Elizabeth. I'm finally here," Mom replied, shaking the woman's hand. They seemed to know each other. I was standing, my eyes darting from left to right. They had totally forgotten about me.
• "Oh... Sorry, I haven't introduced my daughter. Rose," Mom said with a sense of pride.
• "Good morning, Ma'am," I also threw my greeting.
• "Morning, dear. It's good to see you. Your mother finally brought you to my school." I turned to Mom and she flashed me a smile. So this is where it started.
• "I've already made all the necessary preparations. Department of Human Resources, right?"
• "Yes, Ma'am."
• "Alright. Your first lecture is starting in the next fifteen minutes or so. You can go for the lectures. Your Mom and I will finish the rest of the process."
• "Here." She handed me a leaflet. "This will help you in getting to the department. It consists of all the departments. And if you're lost, you can ask anyone. It won't be that hard to locate."
• "Thank you, Ma'am. So, I will get going."
• "Take care, dear. Remember what I told you," she said. I only forced out a smile before walking out of the office. I released a sigh as soon as I was outside, checking the leaflet the woman gave me. From which direction will I start looking for the Department of Human Resources? I'm not that good with location. Might get lost on the way. However, it's not bad to try.
• I followed my instinct and went towards the right side. I was surprised to see the surroundings quiet. Maybe everyone is in class. As I walked a few miles, I began seeing the department in view. A sigh left my lips.
• "You made it, Rose!" I muttered to myself, letting out a grin.
• "You new here?" I literally flinched at the unfamiliar female voice behind me.
• I would say she looked around my height. Her blonde hair was done in two buns by the side. She blew out her bubble gum as she stared at me. "Um... Yeah," I let out, composing myself.
• "I'm Nora, by the way." She offered her hand. I was undoubtedly surprised at her action. My eyes lingered on her outstretched hand for a while, then back to her. She raised her brows, ushering me.
• "I'm Rose. Rose Greyson." I don't even know why I told her my full name. I bet I'm used to it. Whenever someone asks my name, I tell them the full name.
• She shook my hand, which lasted for a few seconds. "Heading to that department?" she asked, gesturing to the department a few miles away from us.
• "Yes. I was actually on my way there."
• "I'm also heading there."
• As we made our way towards the said department, Nora began gisting me about the school, the department, and also about her life. She literally told me everything about her in less than ten minutes. I'm not usually the talkative one, especially in a new environment.
• Nora pushed the door to the entrance open, and we almost bumped into someone. She didn't even look to check what she'd done. She continued on her never-ending story to me. I managed to apologize to the person, forming my lips into a thin line.
• "So, as I was saying, you will enjoy this school. Our department is known for intelligent and brilliant students. And you look like an intelligent person to me," she pronounced. She kept walking while I followed her lead.
• We stopped in front of a door with "Lecture Hall" written at the top. Nora turned to me. "Are you ready to start your new journey in the Human Resources department?" she said.
• Whether I'm ready or not, there's no going back. I'm destined to be part of it.
• "Yes," was the only thing I let out of my mouth.
• Nora pushed the door open, and my eyes were graced with a hefty number of people in the hall. It was quiet. Everyone was literally concentrating on the lectures going on. No one seemed to notice us. But then, that changed when the lecturer's voice resonated out of the microphone and all eyes turned to us.
• "You are late again, Nora." His voice echoed all over. I was nervous as hell to look around. My face was looking straight ahead.
• "I'm sorry, Mr. Andrew. It won't happen again," I heard Nora say.
• "Of course, that's what you always say. Very soon, I will suspend you from coming to my class."
• "I'm—"
• "I don't want to hear any more apologies from you. Go get a seat." I didn't know when Nora pulled me by the wrist, and we grabbed the empty seat that was at the farther end. Thank God for the projector and the microphone the lecturer was using. If not for that, I wouldn't be able to see or grab a thing.
• The lectures ended in a not-so-pleasant way. Nora wouldn't allow me to concentrate, whispering to me every now and then. She literally knew half of the guys in the class. I don't know whether I woke up on the bad side this morning. Why must she be the one that I meet first?
• "We have twenty minutes before our next class. Do you want to go grab a coffee?" Nora uttered as we exited the lecture hall. I will be doomed if I allow her to take me to another place.
• "Actually, I'm heading to the Dean's office. I have to sign some papers," I lied.
• "It's alright then. See you later." Before I could reply, she sprinted away. I heaved out a sigh of relief as I watched her disappear.
• "God saved you, Rose," I muttered, finding my way out. I needed to get some fresh air. Just a few hours into school yet, I felt like I spent ten hours.
• I fished out my phone while I descended the three-block stairs outside the entrance. My mom messaged me earlier, and I didn't get to answer. I did that while walking.
• "Ouch!" A hiss left my lips when a light pain shot through my chest. I rubbed the area smoothly. I barely took two more steps when the pain came again. This time around, I felt as if a knife had been pierced into my heart. I tried to walk my way towards the bench, yet my legs were too weak to move.
• "Argh!" I muffled out a not-so-loud shout when something struck in my head. Like a lightning bolt. My hand was still secured on my heart area as I went down on my knees.
• "Hello."
• "Are you okay?" I heard the unknown faint voices atop my head. However, I was in too much pain to look around my surroundings. My vision began turning blurry, and before I knew it, darkness engulfed me.
• I opened my eyes to a blank white ceiling, which was unfamiliar to me. I shifted my eyes to the side. "You're finally awake," an unfamiliar male voice uttered. He let out a smile.
• "Where am I? Who are you?" I bombarded him with questions all at once, trying to stand up.
• "No, don't. Your body is still weak," he said, pushing me back gently. And like he said, I was still feeling weak and a little bit of pain down my heart.
• "Who are you?" I repeated, assessing him. He looked so calm and composed, yet alarming to me.
• "You don't have to worry about who I am. Just get some rest, Miss Rose Greyson McCarthy."