Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Continue To Be Treated Badly

Kalea glanced at Arthur who was whistling happily as he drove the car. The man realized that he was being watched.

“What’s wrong? You steal glances at me,” Arthur asked with a smile.

“No, I’m just curious why on a weekday like this you just pick me up. You look like you are unemployed, doing this and that with women,” Kalea said who was too honest. Arthur seemed to get hit by a lot of arrows when he heard the girl’s cruel words.

Arthur just laughed in response. “As long as my secretary is there, everything is under control.”

“You’re such a cruel boss,” Kalea commented. She remembered the man she had met when Arthur helped hfg from John, the crazy manager. It seems to be Arthur’s secretary.

“Hei, I’m the perfect boss. Besides, I haven’t seen you often because I’ve been busy working, not just playing with other women,” Arthur said, not accepting being labeled ugly.

“But playing with other women is also included, right?”

.....

“Y-yes ... once in a while.”

Kalea stifled a laugh, just leave Arthur with his crocodile mouth.

“Oh, yes. Today I want to stay at home,” said Kalea while holding Arthur’s arm to lead her home. She had not seen her own mother for several days. Every time she sent a message, Freya didn’t reply.

“Even though I wanted to spend the night with you today,” Arthur said with a sad face, he also pursed his lips. Kalea pinched those lips.

“Remember your age, Arthur. There’s no need to act like a child whose lollipop was taken,” Kalea replied.

“I dont’ care, I’m still fit. ”

Kalea rolled her eyes lazily. Arthur complied with the girl’s wish, taking Kalea home. As usual, Kalea didn’t want anyone to know exactly where her house was and only allowed Arthur to escort her up to the front of the alley. After arriving, Kalea took off her seat belt.

“Thank you for dropping me off and picking me up,” Kalea said with a small smile.

Arthur pointed to his own cheek, signaling if he wanted to be kissed. Kalea looked around, feeling empty she quickly kissed the man’s cheek. Arthur chuckled softly and replied to Kalea with a kiss on the lips. He pressed her neck to deepen the kiss even more. His hand began to mischievously aim at Kalea’s chest and squeeze it.

The girl woke up and immediately pushed the hand away. “We’re in a public place,” Kalea reminded him.

“There’s no one here,” Arthur replied nonchalantly. Kalea just shook her head at Arthur’s pervertedness.

“Then I’ll go home first,” said Kalea as she opened the door but her arm was grabbed.

“Until when?” Arthur asked.

“I don’t know, I can’t be out too often. My mom would suspect me,” Kalea replied. Although she wasn’t sure Freya would care for her.

“Okay, let me know when you get back to the penthouse.”

Kalea nodded slowly, Arthur didn’t usually act like that to her.

“Kiss again,” Arthur pleaded.

“No!” Kalea refused flatly and got out of the car straight away. If she kept delaying, Arthur’s demands would become more and more unreasonable.

Kalea looked at the black and white house. She had to mentally prepare herself if she had met Freya. It can’t be denied, even though her mother doesn’t reply to messages and give news, Kalea still misses her. She was worried about what Freya was doing, who was alone at home. Kalea started to walk into the house. She opened the old door and made a rattling sound.

Lonely. It seemed Freya was in the television room. Kalea closed the door and walked to find her mom. She smiled in relief when she saw the figure of Freya who was watching television while eating snacks. Her heart was a little sad because alcohol bottles were still scattered around the woman.

“Mom, I’m home,” Kalea said. Although the odds were slim, she expected Freya to turn to her and welcome Kalea’s arrival. However, until she waited for a long time, Freya did not pay attention to her son’s words. Kalea smiled bitterly, she decided to walk back up the stairs to her room.

‘It’s okay, seeing my mom’s condition is enough for me,’ Kalea thought.

After Kalea cleaned herself up, she went back downstairs to prepare dinner. She looked sadly at the kitchen which was so messy with cups of instant noodles and other instant foods. Her mom never cooks and only orders food from outside. Kalea patiently cleaned the kitchen before she started cooking.

An hour she had finished making dinner, all the preparations that are so delicious are ready on the dinner table. Kalea walked over to Freya again to invite her to eat with her. “Mom, let’s eat.”

Freya didn’t answer but started to stand up and followed her daughter to the dining table. The atmosphere remained silent, the only sound was the clink of utensils clashing.

“Lea,” Freya called, which immediately made Kalea look at her. It was rare for Freya to call her daughter and that certainly pleased Kalea.

“Yes, mom? What’s wrong?” asked Kalea with a sweet smile.

Freya’s face remained cold, she still devoured her child’s homemade food. “I asked for money.”

Freya’s words made Kalea’s smile fade. The girl looked down, there was pain when it turned out that her mom was only thinking about money rather than asking how she was when she was outside the house. Kalea smiled back bitterly. “How much do you want?”

“Five thousand dollars,” Freya answered simply.

“Okay, after eating I’ll give it,” Kalea said again eating food. For some reason, the taste of the food became bland and Kalea’s mind only focused on her mom’s cold attitude towards her. “But you have to eat regularly. Don’t order too much junk food, okay?”

“Plus ... can you cut down on the alcohol a little bit? I’ll make a very good living for you but please-”

“Ah, shut the fuck up!” Freya snapped as she threw her plate against Kalea’s back wall. The girl gasped in surprise and was shaking so badly that the plate almost hit her face. “Who told you to rule my life, huh?! You’re feeling great because I keep asking you for money?! Don’t dream! You’re still welcome here because I only need your money!” continued the woman in a high-pitched voice that was deafening. Kalea just looked down deeply, she was afraid that Freya would approach and torture her again.

“I-I’m so sorry, Mom ...” Kalea squeaked quietly.

“You’re a total jerk, there’s no need to rule and advise me! I know what makes me happy!” Freya got up from her seat and left Kalea alone with the broken plates scattered on the floor. Her shoulders shook, the tears she had been holding back were now flowing freely. Kalea continued to hold back her sobs, she covered her mouth so that the sound would not come out and be known to her mother.

During her life, precisely after her husband left her, all Freya thought about was money. Kalea continued to fulfill Freya’s wishes even though she never once praised or asked about her condition. She doesn’t know how long Kalea will be patient, but she always hopes and prays for Freya to return to being a mom who once loved her with great affection.