Yasmine POV
I finally summon up the courage to call my Dad, feeling like the worst daughter in the world. I hate lying to them for any reason. But now there is no way I can tell them the truth. I know they are well taken care of even if anything happens to me due to my generous life insurance and the bank account I have set up for them. Despite the fact that we have not seen each other for more than a year now, I really love my parents but just end up working too much just to make sure they don't lack anything in their old age.
Dad is a retired college professor, and Mom is a retired high school teacher. Even though they've both planned for their retirement and really hate to take money from me, saying they don't want to be an inconvenience, I still want to help. My parents had me in their late forties, and they've always talked about me being a miracle child. Now they are both in their early seventies. Damn, it's not as if I'm here to die. I will go back home and make it up to them, no more being swamped in work. I have to keep my emotions under wrap, or Mom is going to find out that something is wrong, and how am I going to explain that I was kidnapped by an enamored Italian suitor?
Mom and Dad's parents are both immigrants from Spain, and after spending years on U.S. soil, they finally got American citizenship. The call was picked up on the first ring, and Dad's bouncy and intense Spanish accent filled my ears.
"Hello, Dad," I said enthusiastically and found myself laughing.
"Oh my God, is that you, Yasmine!" he said in an unbelievable tone.
"Sofia, come over here. Your daughter is on the phone." I heard a bit of moving around.
"Let me switch to FaceTime," I said and quickly did that.
I almost burst into tears after seeing their faces and sighed in relief. I had not even realized how much I missed them. Now I admit I'm such an asshole.
"I really miss you guys, Mom, Dad. How are you doing?" I asked.
"Fine, dear," they both replied. But Mom's eyes wrinkled at the screen like she's trying to figure something out.
"Hey, Yasmine, where are you? That doesn't seem like your apartment," she asked.
"Well, Mom, Dad, I took a vacation. It's just a last-minute thing, so I decided to take it. So, I'm in Italy."
Their eyes both widened in surprise. "That's very good. So, how long are you going to stay there?" Mom asked.
"At least three months," I replied and continued. "I am working on a new project involving the terrains of Tuscany, and I'm going to explore, work, explore, and work again."
"Now that sounds boring. It sounds like you're just there for work," Dad drawled and shook his head. "You are no fun, Yasmine. How come you are so obsessed with work?" he said pointedly.
"Actually, Dad, Mom, Nathan and I broke up. I think that was around last week," I broke the news to them.
"Oh... That's good," Dad replied.
"What?"
"Of course, I haven't said it, but that man is not good enough for you, as long as you are okay. And besides, Yasmine, you don't have any strong feelings for him, so it's for the best," he said, and I smiled at his words. My parents know me best.
Their unwavering support and understanding always make me feel better, even when I'm halfway across the world. It's moments like these that remind me why I work so hard—for them, for us. I can hear the love in their voices, and it keeps me going, knowing that soon I'll be able to return home and make more memories with them..