41

Hailey pov

I am in my usual spot in the library, preparing for the upcoming exam when my phone begin to vibrate from my pocket. I excuse myself since receiving calls is not allowed in the Library.

"Hey mom" I answered my phone on the third ring. "Hailey, how are you?" I have told mom countless of time not to call me in daytime unless it is important because I am always busy with classes or doing my part-time job if am not in the Library.

"I'm good mom, what's up?" I asked knowing she didn't call me just to check on me.

"Lila had been given admission" she announced on phone and I literally jump in excitement. "Omg, I am so happy for her" I cheered. "Yeah, me too. Anyway, she would like to have you come over so that you can go do some shopping." Ugh, I am having group studing right now.

"Is it okay if I come over later, I am having a group studying with my friends. I hope that is okay?"

"Yeah, just make sure you come by early. Lila herself is not at home at the moment. She said she have to get a place real quick."

"Oh, that is fine then, I wrap up what am doing here and come by later. Bye mom." I hung up the call and went back into the Library to join my friends.

I couldn't really concentrate anymore on what I am doing so I told my friends I will leave earlier than usual.

We says our goodbye and I call for a cab which takes me straight to the house.

I do not need to undergo any security check because it's not my first time there and most of them have known me since Armani moved in here, so I am no longer a stranger to all the worker.

I went straight into the kitchen the moment I got in, knowing mom wouldn't be anywhere else other than the kitchen.

I overheard her conversation on phone, narrating Lila's moves to the person. It's most likely Armani. What is she doing? Is she a spy?

That girl life is already so hard by getting married to a man like Armani, how can mom be doing this?

She gave him all the details he needed before she hangs up.

"Mom, what are you doing? I asked, slightly irritated. "what do you mean?" Ah! She is doing that thing again. She does this thing every damn time she is caught in the act. "Why are you spying on Lila?" She begin to feign innocent, acting like I didn't just caught her in the act.

"Mom!" I shouted. "What do you want to hear? Yes, I tell Armani her every move in the house, so what? I am only doing what I have to do here."

"Mom, how can you be so nonchalant about the whole thing? She is too nice to be going through all of these. She doesn't deserve any of this."

"And you think I don't know that? She questioned. Of course, I want her happiness too and that is why I told her about her about the school stuff. I do not want her locked up in the house all day long, grieving like a lost child. I want her to be happy too and that is why I am doing all of these so don't you dare lecture me about what to do."

"This is not fair mom, she trusted you. You are probably the only one whom she thought cares about her, and now, you are doing this? Why?"

"Yes, I do care about her Hailey and I do not want to hear another word about this again!"

I bet she knows what she did is wrong and that is why she is being all defensive. "You know what, I'm leaving." I said angrily and left the kitchen. I was stopped in the midway towards the entrance when Lila walk in with an apologetic look.

She apologise for making me wait for so long and she begin to explain how she didn't realise she left her phone in the car until she was about coming back. I bet she didn't know I just get here too. She must have thought I was here when I called her earlier to inform her that I might get here late.

"Luckily for me, Armani is yet to be back so I guess we can quickly go for the shopping now to get a few dress and I will be going back some other time probably with Bel or maybe once I get new friends in school." She said excitedly.

Lila seems to be lost in her thought so I raped her to snap her back to into reality and asked if she is ready to leave. She apologise for her lateness and we decided to go to a nearby fancy boutique. I suggested we go there because, they sell the best cloth at a cheaper price.

I picked all the cloth I felt like it would be appropriate for class and still manages to look good too. She is way too pretty to be dressing like a nerd or whatever.

I told her about how competitive the school can get when it comes to dressing and all, and she allows me to pick her dress for her.

"How about you get some for yourself?" She suggest. She must have noticed how I have been staring at a beautiful dress standing in front of me. I checked the price tag and it literally scare me off. I can't even afford to eat three square meal in a day not to talk of buying this expensive shit.

"I can't afford to buy any dress at the moment. They are expensive." I said, trying to sound casually about it, but my voice betrayed me.

"Hailey, she called out. We are here for shopping and it will only make sense to me if we both go home with our hands full of what we want." My eyes dance in excitement but I refused the offer, thinking about how good she is and how my mom has been backstabbing her. "Consider it a gift for coming here with me." She said and I hug her in return.

"Thank you so much, Lila. You really are amazing."

We talked about random things while we are together, and we ended up talking about my boyfriend. There was really nothing to share about Lila since I already know her situation so we talked about me instead.

I am dating my course mate and he appears to be everything I have ever wanted in a man, I smiled. We have a lot in common and he is so keen to keeping our dreams alive.

"Lucky you" she smiled envyingly. "The one who is actually lucky is you, I said with a hint of sadness laced in my voice. What is the essence of Love when you have to struggle so hard to get what you want?" Lila didn't reply and she just smiled instead. I bet she can't relate.

Once we are done shopping, She paid for all of the things we bought and she patronised me into spending the night with her. She talked about how late it is and I give in.

By the time we got home, Armani's car is already parked outside indicating that he is back.

I assist her in parking our bags inside and Lila was stopped by Armani's cold stare in the dining room. I ignored Armani and took the bags into Lila's room instead.

Once I was done, I went into mom's room and I got pissed all over again over the discussion we had in the evening.

I went into Lila's room to help keep calm a little.

"Can I help you with anything?" I asked her the moment I entered. "Like what?" She asked confused. "Anything would do, I am a little bored"

"Did you fight with Jenny?" She asked.

I didn't answer her, instead, I asked another question.

"How was it back at home?"

"It was okay"

"Do you fight with your mom often?"

"No, I don't.

"Why?"

"because we are not close" She answered casually.

"What happened?" She inquired. "I shouldn't be saying this but I think you can keep a secret, right?"

"Sure"

"I told mom to quit her job"

"Why?"

"Because Armani seems to be the worse person to associate with."

"That is not enough reason to quit a job though"

"Lila, the truth is I hate how mom has to keep up with all of his shits. She knows all the shitty things he does, yet she keeps it a secret. It pisses me off so bad because it makes me feel like mom is a bad person too."

"Hailey, your mother doesn't have a say in how her boss does. And she is only doing her job by keeping quiet. Not because she agreed with him."

"But it's a different thing if her actions are hurting an innocent person. How can one be so cruel, Lila?"

"You shouldn't judge your mother for what she does to keep her job. Most of these things are probably to give you a good life. You have such a wonderful mother, don't let such a thing ruin your relationship with her."

"But, it makes me feel guilty."

"You know, Jenny once told me to avoid what I can't change. I guess I'd be giving the same advice to you. If it makes you so uncomfortable, maybe we can be meeting elsewhere and you won't have to worry about coming here."

"That would only make me feel more guilty, Lila. You are such a nice person, I can't imagine you going through all of these and mom turned a blind eye to it like she couldn't help out."

"It's fine, Hailey. I understand that you feel sorry for me and trust me, your mom does too. But who will provide for your needs if she loses her job? She held bigger responsibility towards you than she does to me and it's understandable. Growing up will make you selfish but the end justifies the means."

"Am so sorry, she cried. I wish I can help out."

"Intentions are all that matters Hailey, she smiled."

I cried so hard and Lila was the one comforting me with a hug when reverse should be the case.