Chapter 2

C R E S S  S A O I R S E  C O S T E L L A

Three years quickly passed by when there's only me and Mom. We managed to live even though we suffered from financial problems. We rented a small but comfortable apartment unit just for us. It's cheap, affordable, and clean so my Mom and I don't have any problems with it. The apartment is also in a secured place with one extremely friendly and talkative security guard. The rent is also not expensive.

The landlady was a former colleague of my Mom and so the transaction is fast and also easy. When the landlady saw me she was surprised to know that my Mom had a child but she didn't ask anymore and just wish us to have a good life. She even gave me another teddy bear as a gift and ask me to call her Mommy Mariel. She's a pretty and sensitive woman that I'll always treasure in my heart. But she's a busy woman. She worked overseas and only return after 5 months to ensure the flow of her apartment business. She's independent and also dependable at the same time.

She's no different than Mom but Mom hadn't finished her degree in college. Mommy Mariel did. She told me that she's surprised knowing that my Mom doesn't have problems with her family, her grades are also excellent, extremely proficient even that not only Mommy Mariel was astonished after hearing the news of my Mom quitting but also everyone that knew her.

She also shared to me how dedicated Mom was in her studies, leaving no room for any distractions such as bland romance, and unnecessary school gatherings. Socializing is crossed out on her list that even if she had lots of suitors, she wouldn't even give them a glance. Well, that was until Mom met my biological father. Mommy Mariel knows about it but paid it no mind at first, thinking that Mom won't even notice such man yet she did.

"You're so lucky and so is your Mom. I hope I'll also have a child on my own but I can't," I remember her saying before she added, "So you should treasure every moment together,"

After that, Mommy Mariel left. My Mom came home too, telling me that she finally landed a decent job just to pay for my school fees and for our other payments. I told her it's alright for me to enter a public school for the meantime but she declined to say that she wants what's the best for her daughter. Because of that, I strived hard and gave all of my time and effort in studying.

At first, it was hard, especially that I'm still coping up with everything but Mom is beside me, guiding, helping, and supporting me even if she's tired after her job. When the day of the passing scholarships are broadcasted on the speakers on the school, I can't help but be nervous and pray, I'm able to pass. The names are all said and finally, I was able to get a scholarship. Because of it, I quickly got home, fixed the tables, helped Mom in preparing the foods and told it to Mom when we're eating.

I can still remember how happy she was at that time and thought, I should study harder to help Mom. I can't just stand by. Now, I'm in my sophomore year. The fees are increasing regardless of how my scholarship is helping because of the activities and daily projects happening. Mom is suffering much worse than before. She would hide it at me but I can see dark circles beneath her eyes and those tired hands which seem to be swollen. I would massage it and briefly told myself that whatever happens, I'll be successful in the future so Mom won't get tired like this anymore.

I remembered that I ask for her approval of just letting me work for the meantime to save up some money but she immediately declined to say that she wants me to have a good life and not suffer. She'll do anything just for my sake and therefore, I should also give my best in studying so that I will not waste Mom's efforts.

I joined countless contests just to get money and be able to help Mom even if it's just small. I lose at some but also I won a lot of times too in which I all gave what I achieve to Mom. I'm doing all of this for her sake so it's alright if I sometimes fail. After all, there's a saying that losing is winning. You may lose but you're able to learn from it and that can make you more successful. Mom doesn't want to get it and told me that this money that I gathered will be saved up for college. In the end, I agreed with what she said but manages to get a few and buy her a rose and a small cake for her birthday.

We are happy despite being missing another important person. We are thankful that we survived and continue to live out our lives meaningfully. No matter how hard the problems and struggles we have, we'll still solve it without a doubt. With Mom, I'm safe, protected, and loved. I can't ask for more.

She's the greatest blessing I'd ever had in my life. I will always be thankful for being granted the chance of becoming her daughter. I'm so proud of her as she was with me. She won't let me be misguided. yes, she may scold me but I understand it. I'm still young and I need to learn a lot. She's doing it all for my sake too. She stayed with her decision of not aborting me even if her parents say so. She fought for my right in living and so she left her family and built one on her own.

She offers me a life filled with upsides and downsides, sadness and happiness, reality and dreams. She showed me everything and even a lot of problems come, I'll never hurt or make my Mom sad because, without her, I will not exist in this world.

I just sighed and enjoy the comforting bliss of the wind. I lay down for a moment on the sofa before I stood up to prepare something simple but pleasant to eat. It wasn't long before I finished when Mommy came home from work, exhausted. I ran to her and helped her sit on the sofa.

"I already prepare the food, Mom," I said while giving her a kiss on the cheek as a greeting.

"I'll be alright, Cress. You eat first," She replied.

"Let's eat together," I quickly arranged the table, help her sit on the dining chair before sitting on my own chair. I helped her by putting rice on her plate and gave her vegetables that I steamed and also marinated meat that I just fried.

"I'm not too old yet, Cress," She chuckled and I replied, "I know,"

"Thank you,"

"You're always welcome, Mom," I peeked unto her as she gently massaged her left hand. I sighed. Mom is really trying her best so I also should be. I won't let suffer anymore when I'm finally able to gain money on my own. We'll face a bountiful life in the future, I know we will.

"How's your day today, princess?" She asked.

"Nothing had changed. It's as same as before," I received a heartfelt chuckle from her as a reply.

I reach the full pitcher and pour water on her glass, "Did you get hired at Costella Corporation?" I asked and suddenly, silence surfaces.

"Mommy?" I called.

"I got in," She answered with a distant look on her face.

"I was received as Mrs. Costella's assistant secretary," Mom added.

"Mrs. Costella?" She nodded in answer.

"She's your father's wife, baby" I lowered my head in hesitation. I'm not sure if Mom will be treated fairly and it makes me anxious. What if she receives unfair treatment or worse, abuse?  I'm not sure if I'm going to be happy that she got a new job or sad because of this.

"But Mom, what if you're treated unfairly?"

"It wouldn't. Trust me. I'm tougher than I look. Don't worry too much, baby. In case there's a new job looking for an employee next time I will leave Costella Corporation but now, all we need to do is wait. It's quite hard to find a stable job now," She answered while smiling.

"Mommy," I called and she looks at me in question

"I'm okay. I'm your Mom, right? It takes too much power needed just to hold me down. Just focus on studying so you'll graduate and you will be able to live out your dream,"

"But if you'll have a hard time Mommy, just quit,"

"Cress, my princess, remember that I won't be able to stay too long so I'll do everything for you. Let's just be happy and continue to make memorable moments together.  Don't frown at me, young lady if you don't want to this moment to mess up," Mommy laughed.

"Mommy," I whispered.

"Yes?"

"I love you,"

"And so am I,"

"You should go to bed and I will wash these dishes," Mommy said as she slowly got up.

"Mom, I'll wash it," She quickly denied my request, "Such a stubborn child,"

"I'm not that stubborn," I joked. She just laughed softly.

"All right. If you need me just call me. I'm in the room next to yours for a reason, okay?" I nodded and went straight to the sink.

After I left the kitchen, I sat on the floor.  I scanned my notes and finished a few of my worksheets with the set deadline of submission next week. When I finished, I kept the items inside the old bag that Mommy gave to me when I was younger. I went to bed, I sighed and looked at my pale white ceiling while drifting in my dreamless sleep.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***