Chapter 46

"What’s up?" My mom asked while she sat across my seat at the kitchen table. I was swirling the cereal with the milk. My mom caught sight of how I was spacing out and eating the cereal with seemingly no appetite at all. My mom tilted her head to study me. "Is there something wrong?" She asked. My dad was washing the rest of the dishes and since I woke up late, I was the only one who was still eating. He paused and looked at us with concern. I stopped and dropped the spoon on the bowl. "Remember when I was a kid, I was like three, four?" My mom nodded. My dad turned to us leaving the dishes. He crossed his arms while leaning at the sink. "Dad, you took us to your business trips. And after your meeting, you would request time off for us and we would stroll around different places. The ones that are famous for it. We went to China, Japan, London, France, Korea... We went to a lot of countries." My mom nodded happily with a huge grin plastered all over her face. Her eyes glint with the memories." Yes! I remember. The eiffel tower was the best. It was so romantic and beautiful." "Yes, of course." My dad chirped in. "You were still a cute chubby little girl back then. It was always my dream to take you both to different places in the world. It was just sad that I couldn’t show it to Keelan the same thing. " When mom was pregnant with Keelan, the doctor avoided her with too much stress and travelling. My dad became so careful and stressed about it that he stopped doing business trips himself and supported mom throughout her pregnancy. But he still travelled sometimes when it’s necessary. "It was a great memory for me. I was so lucky to have experienced it with my family. It’s something forever etched in my mind." I said still reliving the memories. My mom gave me a small smile. "What is it, dear? It seems like you plan to tell us something." I pause for a little before telling them what have crossed my mind lately. It was something that I almost forgot while staying here. It was really the main reason why exactly I’m here. "I want to stay here." My parents eyebrows furrowed in both wonder and disbelief. My parents knew I wanted to go home so bad with them. I missed them so much. And they feel the same way. However, Sierra advised me to think things thoroughly. In the process, I remembered what I really wanted to do. What my dream was. My mom and dad didn’t talk from there or question my sudden decision. They allowed me to explain through their silence. "When I was younger, right before I did... drugs..." I winced at the thought. My parents seem not to care anymore and just continued to listen to me. "... I’ve always wanted to be like you, dad." I looked at him sincerely. A faint smile appeared on his face. "To travel around the world... regardless with the stupid suitcase full of papers." He showed a full smile. "Like what you did to your family, you always bring them with you. You give time for them. I was inspired by what you did to us." My mom smiled at me lovingly. "When you sent me to military school, honestly... I had a tough time. I’m sure you guys knew that." Their face shifted to the look of concern and guilt. "But when I realised I had to redeem myself and come back to you guys clean and worthy, that’s when I did my best. I then remembered my dream to be like you. It kept me going. When you found me in New York, well, thanks to Stefano." I said sarcastically as I rolled my eyes. Mom found it funny when her face showed amusement. "I never really explained this to you. I came here because I wanted to go to NYU." My parents faces seemed in awe. My mom gasped while my father’s eyes widened. "I planned to work here and save money for university. Well, college starts a few weeks now but-" "Oh, honey. I’m so proud of you." My mom suddenly hugged me. Her smell made me feel comfortable and sleepy. It was one of the warmest hugs I’ve ever had. I embraced her back. "They said I have a higher chance of getting in since my performance at the academy. It’s not really related to what I’m taking but yeah..." My dad joined the hug. "I don’t know if I had to apologise for throwing you there or just be damn proud of you, Avery." Dad joked with a chuckle. "Just be damn proud, Dad." I grinned. They then let me go. "So you’re going to be a businesswoman, huh?" He said arrogantly as he crossed his arms. My mom looked at him and frowned. "You don’t have to rub it in my face, you know." My dad and I laughed. She was suddenly acting jealous. "What about our flight later?" My mom asked. "I’m going to reschedule it. I am still going home but I have to go to NYU first to apply." My parents nodded happily. "Good luck then." "You have our full support, dear."