I rubbed my eyes as I woke up. For the first time since my mother died, I dreamed about her.
My mother didn't do anything. She just stood there, smiling broadly and beaming with happiness. The same face she always showed everyone.
I'd never seen her sad before.
She didn't leave as I ran towards her, but somehow I couldn't reach her no matter how hard I pushed my legs.
She didn't try to say anything and ignored me as I screamed until my voice was hoarse and I coughed violently.
I didn't know what the dream meant.
Did my mother really appear in my dreams, or did my subconscious create her? Maybe it was because I looked at the photos in the album and watched the three videos before falling asleep.
"I hope it's really my mother who appears in my dreams. She's begging God to come into my dreams." I nodded.
I believe my mother has been watching over me from heaven all this time. So I was so glad she tried to appear in my dreams, even though she couldn't talk or hug me.
"Ah, they're still here." I picked up the photo album and pink phone from the bed and placed them on the nightstand.
I stretched my arms, my eyes wide. The bed was incredibly comfortable, even though the spacious room made me feel lonely.
I took a cold bath in the bathtub for the first time and lathered myself with the expensive brand of soap. The lather was soft and fragrant.
I soaked for a few minutes, closing my eyes. It felt so peaceful.
When I felt the skin on my fingers wrinkle, I got out of the tub and stood under the shower. I poured the shampoo over my hair and massaged it in.
I sang confidently, imagining myself on a grand stage with thousands of people in attendance.
When I lived with Anna and Gilbert, I was embarrassed to sing in the bathroom because they could hear me.
I was sure no one in the mansion would hear my terrible voice because the bathroom was far from the door.
"My body feels refreshed, like I've just come back to life." I chuckled as I exited the bathroom and headed for the closet.
I still couldn't believe I could use all these facilities whenever I wanted without paying.
However, I hadn't bought a hair dryer. I didn't know why things always broke when I didn't have money.
So I had to wrap my hair in a towel and stand out in the sun until it dried. It actually worked pretty well.
I played with my phone while sitting on the sofa, answering texts from my host parents and my two friends.
"Okay. Time for a house tour." I was curious about what was inside this mansion.
I wore a white short-sleeved shirt and black pants. I was the only woman in the mansion; they were a few years older than I. I didn't feel comfortable exposing myself in front of them.
I walked down dozens of steps, scanning my surroundings. The atmosphere was quiet, and a chill hit me, as if no one lived in this place.
My feet entered the kitchen as my senses picked up a delicious aroma, and I found the chef making breakfast.
I quickly left before he noticed me.
I didn't see Richard. He said he was always in the kitchen. I shrugged.
I stood in the living room with a frown. A sudden feeling of doubt came over me. What if I got lost?
I still didn't dare to text or call Diego, and if I screamed, would anyone hear me?
Finally, I decided to look out into the front yard while drying my hair in the sun.
I pulled the big, imposing door with all my strength. It turned out to be light. Good thing I didn't fall over.
The cool morning air greeted me. The sun was shining brightly. Several people were exercising.
There was nothing but two wooden chairs and a table on the porch. This mansion truly reflected its owner.
I walked to a tree in the left corner, not knowing what it was.
"This tree looks like a palm tree found near the sea and the beach."
I walked around the yard for 30 minutes while listening to music. Walking is excellent for burning fat.
Then I sat on a chair on the porch, breathing heavily. This is the result of not exercising enough.
I wrote down everything I would do today and tomorrow on my phone.
The first thing I had to do was find a job online.
"I need to go shopping, and I also want to bake a cake."
I've got some savings, and my parents give me an allowance. At least I can buy skincare and baking stuff.
Anna suggested I bake a cake for Diego. While I wasn't sure it would be to his taste, I was sure he wouldn't throw it away. He wouldn't hurt my feelings, would he?
I entered the mansion feeling strange and out of place. Hard to believe my life has changed in just four days.
"Dala."
I gasped in surprise and froze at the sound of his deep voice. My neck stiffly turned towards him.
Diego wore a white t-shirt and jeans, while Justin walked beside him. They looked like they had just come from somewhere.
"I want to give you something." Diego stood beside me, his index finger pointing forward, urging me to follow him.
I didn't know if I'd ever get used to him. His mysterious aura made me not want to be around him.
He led me into the family room. It was pretty warm compared to the guest room, perhaps because it wasn't spacious. The lighting was dim, the sofa was dark blue, and an ocean painting stretched across the wall.
I first sat on the leather sofa and was surprised to see Diego sitting on the same sofa.
My heart was beating fast with anxiety. There was nothing wrong with his actions.
"I got you a laptop and a phone." Diego set a large and a small paper bag on the table.
"Thank you so much." I pulled the boxes out of the paper bags.
My laptop and cell phone were still in good condition. I wouldn't know how to repay him if he kept giving me unexpected things like this.
Despite that, I was excited to see my new laptop and cell phone. I turned them on with a bright smile on my face.
"I'm glad you like them," he said.
"I like them." I nodded. "I'll take good care of them." I blinked, catching him smiling briefly. Why was he so embarrassed to show his smile?
"I want to go to the shopping mall and the convenience store," I said. "I have money. Don't worry." I told him I wouldn't use his credit card.
"I'll go with you." I blinked. Had I heard him right? "We'll leave after breakfast," he added.
He didn't see my shocked expression. Not only that, but he didn't care about my opinion, and he decided when we would leave.
I didn't want to go with him, but somehow my mouth wouldn't say it.
