Chapter 5
"I don't regret it. I would do it again." My voice echoed through the room, steady and unwavering. "People thought I hit the jackpot by marrying him. He was the richest actor who ever lived, adored for his charm. That's what drew me to him. Even in his 60s, his majestic features were undeniable, the same ones I had admired for so long. A year has passed since his gruesome death, and I still think about it constantly. It's hard to believe he's gone, and each day feels emptier without him. I hope he's resting peacefully, free of pain, and that we'll meet again soon. Thank you."
I paused, ensuring the audience saw me wipe away a nonexistent tear from my cheek. The gesture was rehearsed, the perfect touch to my performance. The service concluded shortly after, and I made my way out, offering polite greetings to those I passed. As I neared the exit, a familiar, unwelcome voice stopped me in my tracks.
"You should have taken over his job when he died," the smug bastard sneered. By the smug bastard, I mean my stepson, two years older than me and twice as insufferable.
I turned to face him, a smirk playing on my lips. "I would've won more awards and made more money than him," I replied, refusing to let him get under my skin. "And I don't have time for you. I have work to do." With that, I ended the conversation and walked away.
The drive to work was silent, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. How long could I keep up this charade? One thing was certain, I didn't regret any of it. I got where I am fair and square, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Some might say I'm too young for my achievements, but they don't see the blood and sweat I've poured into reaching this point. I always weigh my options, choosing the winning side no matter what. I never sink with a ship, and I balance my capabilities with precision. People are just envious.
I remember when I first decided to become a counselor. My parents didn't believe I could do it. They had seen my grades. They were trash. But I passed, and not just passed, but with distinction from the professor himself, if you know what I mean. I blocked his number the day I graduated with honors and never looked back.
When I arrived at the office, I stood at the entrance for a moment, admiring my handiwork. Everything was exactly as I wanted it. The color combinations, the carefully chosen pieces, all mixed perfectly to give my clients the cool, relaxing ambiance they craved.
Casually strolling to my desk, I glanced at the photos displayed there. A ping from my phone brought me back to reality, alerting me to my next appointment in 30 minutes. My schedule was packed, with no time for myself, especially since I'd added a new program to 'help' teenagers with family issues. It had received rave reviews and positive feedback from the public. Like I said, I ride the waves and surf when the tide is high. I take chances and don't waste time.
"Sorry, Lucy, but the client is in. And here's the list of our new names from the government. I've scheduled the meetings per your time too. Look through and give me a heads-up," my assistant said before leaving the room.
After the last client of the day, I took the list from earlier and went through it. My criteria for selecting teens were simple: the number of visits to the government office, family history, and possible diagnosis from doctors. I filtered through the files, picked my top two, wrote down their names, and sent them to my assistant to handle the rest.
Reaching under my desk, I retrieved my phone and checked the message I'd been waiting for. I replied, turned off the phone, and put it back. Everything had gone as planned, and I knew I'd be hearing good news soon. I shut down the electronics, left the office, and walked to my car, humming to myself. "I have an appointment, and I must not miss it," I thought, smiling.