Chapter 1

She threw her bag on the sofa upon entering the house and headed straight to the kitchen to get some cold water to drink and food to eat. Nova was starving because she hasn’t eaten any food yet since she woke up at eleven am. She finished packing the books to be shipped that day and forgot about her meal; she missed living with her parents in times like that. However, she was a fully grown woman now, and she wanted to live a life of her own. That was why she left home and lived in an apartment in the city.

Chugging down the semi-cold water, her eyes looked for leftover food inside the fridge. She found a cardboard box from her parents’ favorite pizzeria. As expected, there was this lasagna half-eaten—no need to ask whose leftover was that. Nova was sure it was her mom’s. Holding the cold leftover with one hand, she sauntered towards the drawer and got a fork. She did not bother to heat it on the microwave. It will take minutes and will cost electricity, and she hated exerting too much effort. So, she sat on a chair with a foot on it and started eating her first not-so-decent meal of the day.

People say, when you grow up, as long as you finished college, got a job that pays you well, you will survive. She believed that when she was young. But now that she was an adult, all she ever wished was to throw a punch on those people’s throats for omitting the important details. Their words seemed to be myths and legends. It was not the real deal when she grew up. Getting a college degree was not for everybody. Nova was lucky enough that her parents have the means to pay for her tuition fee. But after college, things were rougher than she thought. Finding a job was almost impossible for fresh graduates. Employers were looking for applicants with experience. Where could a fresh graduate get that if not given a chance to be hired? And the thing she hated the most, adults work hard to earn money just to pay taxes and bills! Ah, she missed her childhood days—care-free, young, wild, no responsibilities.

Nova was almost done eating when she heard a loud honk in their garage. It must be her dad. She parked her car as if she owns the garage. She did not mind getting up, though. Her father could park outside in the meantime.

She turned her gaze on the doorway after a while and saw her mother walking towards the kitchen, followed by her father, carrying bags of groceries.

“Oh, sweetie!” her dad said when he saw her. “You’re home.” He looked delighted to see her again.

“Yeah,” she said nonchalantly and drank the last drops of water from the mug.

Nova seldom goes home for the last couple of months since she started self-publishing. She rented an apartment where she makes the books on her own after writing, editing, and lay-outing them. It requires hard work, sleepless nights, blood, sweat, and sometimes tears. But at least, it all pays off.

“We’re about to head to your place to bring you some groceries and food. Good thing you’re already here. You can bring it on your own.” Her dad separated a couple of grocery bags. “Take these. It’s yours.”

“Love you both!” Nova told her parents and giggled.

“Nova, when will you get yourself a man?” her mother butt in.

“Ah, I forgot to feed the chickens!” Her dad exited the kitchen through the backdoor.

She knew he just made an alibi to feed the chickens because he did not want that topic as well.

“Mom…” she groaned.

“What? You’re twenty-seven now, Nova. When I was your age, I was already dating your dad.”

“It’s you, Mom, not me.”

Mommy Esther folded her arms over her chest and looked at her with piercing eyes. But that failed to intimidate her now. Nova was no longer a child. She knew now what is wrong and what is right. She was at the right age to make decisions for herself.

“Nova Leigh…”

“Yes, mother dear?” she countered.

Her mom heaved a deep sigh and sauntered towards the table.

“I know you’re old enough to understand why we’re pushing you to settle down.”

“Of course.” She leaned against her seat. “I’m an only child. You want me to settle down and have my own family so that I wouldn’t be alone once you and dad are gone…for good.”

“Exactly! As you can see, I’m already in my seventies, honey. I don’t want to see you alone and lonely.”

“Mother, I’m happy when I’m alone.” Nova pouted her lips.

“You’re just saying that because you’re still enjoying what you have now. Once it’s gone, you’ll feel alone and empty. And I don’t want that.”

“Mom…listen—”

“You know why you find it hard to look for a match? It’s because you made yourself believe that all men out there are just like Jayden.” Mommy Esther turned around as she shook her head.

“Dad is an exemption. And please, don’t mention that name again. It makes my blood boil.” With her lips pressed together, Nova rose from her seat.

Her mom turned to her again.

“He hurt you. But it doesn’t mean other guys will do the same.”

“Mom, you’re from a different era, okay? I know better. Men are all the same,” she insisted.

“How can you say so?” Mommy Esther arched a brow.

“They all have testicles.”

Nova could have burst into laughter if only her mother was a different person. Mommy Esther’s eyes almost popped out from her eye sockets.

“Goodness gracious, Nova Leigh!” her mom exclaimed.

“Just pretend you didn’t hear anything.” She wagged her hand.

“How can I ever unheard that, you—”

Her mother’s words were suddenly cut off when her phone rang. Nova excused herself and answered the call.

“Yes, Gianna?”

“Where are you?” her friend sounded anxious. And she did not like that.

“What’s the matter, Gi?”

“Come here, quick!” There was urgency in her friend’s voice.

“Where?”

She heard Gianna groaned. “Rainbow Village.”

Rainbow Village was an animal shelter, Nova and her friend Gianna’s project for animal welfare that they started years ago. They rescue cats and dogs, take them to the shelter, feed them, love them, and help them look for a forever home. Most of the time, Gianna would urge her to come quickly because they need to rescue an animal, or one needs immediate medical attention.

“Okay, I’ll be there in a jiffy.” She grabbed her grocery bags from the kitchen counter. “Mom, tell dad I’m leaving.” She gave her mother a peck on the cheek.

“Too soon?” Mommy Esther followed her out.

“Something’s up at Rainbow Village.” Her mom opened the door for her. “Thanks.”

“Is someone sick?”

“I still don’t know. Gianna didn’t mention anything. And now, I wonder why.” She put the bags down and fished the key from her pocket.

“Sweetie, your bag.”

“Oh, I’m not bringing that. I’ll sleep here tonight.” She smiled and opened the trunk.

“I’ll cook your favorite.” Mommy Esther smiled back.