JANICE POV
"Surprise!" My mother's voice rang out the moment I opened the front door.
I lost my voice for a moment.
"Come in, come in," she urged. "I prepared something for you. Congratulations, I'm so proud of you!"
Still confused, I managed to ask, "What exactly are we celebrating?" I couldn't remember telling her about the scholarship, and she had been in a terrible state when I left the house hours ago.
"Your scholarship, of course! Come, sit down right here."
I sat slowly, still trying to process the scene. She had laid out a feast: sandwiches, a burger, and fried chicken.
"I even bought ice cream on my way back," she said brightly.
My eyes widened. "Back from where?"
"Oh, I went to work," she replied casually, setting the food on the table.
My soul nearly left my body. "Mummy, you said you weren't going to work!"
"I changed my mind," she said, offering a genuine smile.
I looked up at the fresh bandage on her forehead. She never failed to surprise me. One minute she was trying to take her life, and the next, she was sitting here happily serving me dinner. You could never predict her next move.
I picked up a cupcake and took a bite, still staring at her.
"Harvard University… that's where my boss schools," she commented, picking up a cupcake herself.
"Your boss is still in university?" I asked.
"Yes. He should be two or three years older than you," she replied.
"You never told me about that."
"His dad employed me to take care of him, but the father only comes home about once a year to check on him."
"What about his mom?"
"I heard she died in a car accident when he was three years old. He was the only one who survived."
"Oh, poor boy. That's sad."
"Yes, but let's not make the moment about him; it's about you." She opened a small bottle of sparkling cider, poured it into a glass, and handed it to me.
"Mom, how did you hear about the scholarship, and where did you get the money to buy all this?" I asked.
"It was on the news, and I bought all of this with the money I've been saving for your college. Now, no more questions."
"Okay, Mom. Thank you very much."
I know my mother is a strong woman, but I still didn't think everything was truly alright beneath the surface.
After eating, I went to my room and took a shower. I was about to drift off when Eva's call came through.
"Hey, pal!"
"Have you told your mom about the scholarship yet?" she asked.
"She knows about it already."
"How?"
"From the TV, apparently. And she's very happy about it."
"That's great news! So, no more contemplating—just accept it already!"
"I still have to think about it, Eva."
"Oh, Janice, don't even start. I can help you accept it anyway. Did you see how cute Prince Charming looked today? Oh my God, he is so hot!"
"There you go again with your Prince Charming," I teased.
"Such a killjoy. Goodnight!" she hung up quickly.
I smiled at her predictable silliness. She was right though, Prince Charming was undeniably handsome: well-kept hair, a healthy physique, bright, attentive eyes that made good eye contact, and lips that looked incredibly inviting. I would give him a ten; he was every girl's dream.
Eva gave him the name Prince Charming, but he never looked at us twice, despite Eva's best efforts. Of course, we couldn't possibly be his "spec." He was young, rich, and handsome—meant for those classy, wealthy women. I couldn't let him get into my head; he would be nothing but a distraction.
I smiled and closed my eyes, but the moment my head hit the pillow, a loud scream ripped through the silence, coming directly from my mother's room.
I jumped out of bed...