It has been a week since my sister and I last went to school. We even changed the way we called our mother. Despite that, my sister still sleeps in as usual. Having her wake up in the morning is a very rare case.
As usual, I took a quick shower after getting up from bed. Showering in the morning makes me feel like I can get through the day smoothly, although it's just my own superstition.
I combed my hair after drying it, and changed into my home wear. Unlike other days, I'm not tying up my hair today since I'm not going anywhere anyway.
I went downstairs to the dining room after I was done dressing up. As usual, mother was already at the table by the time I reached. She always wakes up early even though she doesn't need to do anything, saying it's a good habit and we should adapt to her routine too.
"Good morning, mother."
I greeted her and sat at the dining table for breakfast. Ever since the day she started taking charge of us, we no longer have pancakes for breakfast. Instead, she asked the chefs and maids to prepare toasts, fried eggs and bacon, and a cup of milk for me and my sister every morning, while she eats the remaining turkey meats meant for father.
I agree it's better than before, but I still prefer pancakes.
During breakfast, I attempted to ask mother about letting me attend school.
"Mother, can I--"
"No means no, Amanda. Stop making me repeat this every single day."
Another fail.. No luck again today.
She wouldn't even return my phone, nor my sister's. I wonder how everyone is doing in school today. What are they talking about in my absence?
I drank the cup of milk in front of me in one gulp and placed the empty cup on the table. I choked a little since I have never drank something all at once before, so I went to the kitchen to get some water.
After I was done with my breakfast, mother asked me to wake my sister up. She hadn't eaten breakfast ever since her phone got confiscated.
I slammed her room door open like how I always did, only to see her throwing a tantrum on her bed.
"What's that? Already throwing a tantrum so early in the morning?"
She stopped and got up from her bed when she heard my voice. She hugged her pillow tightly, while still half-asleep.
"Say, Amanda. How did you feel when mother confiscated your phone the other day?"
"Nothing much. Maybe just a little sad because I can't tell Mia what happened to me that I couldn't contact her?" I said while she changed her pajamas. "Jeez! Don't you have a love interest or something?"
Huh? Why is she asking me that, and at this time? Was she so sad until now because she has a love interest that she couldn't keep in contact with?
"You are well aware that I'm engaged, no?"
"Oh come on." She sighed and placed her hands on my shoulders.
"Listen, Amanda. Think of your own happiness and leave that engagement behind. After you have found your true love, break that engagement. You have to promise me that, okay?"
I nodded my head in response and she had her pinky finger stuck out. I sighed and hooked mine on hers.
"Fine, okay."
We went downstairs to the dining room for breakfast together.
"Good morning, mother." We greeted our mother who was already waiting for us at the dining table before taking our seats.
During the entire breakfast time, I kept thinking about what my sister said earlier when we were in her room.
'After you have found your true love, break that engagement.'
Well, it's easier said than done. There is absolutely no way mother and father would agree to breaking that engagement after they've gone out of their way to get me engaged. Come to think of it, my sister is not engaged yet, is she?
When I first knew I had a fiance, the thought of 'if only father wasn't in charge of this' kept coming into my head. I used to feel more comfortable around my mother and would talk about almost everything to her. But ever since she has become in charge in this house, I started to have a feeling that some kind of distance has grown between us.
"...da. ...manda? Amanda!"
I was so lost in thought that I did not hear my name was called until several times.
"Yes, mother?"
"What are you spacing out for? Get eating."
"Sorry."
I apologized and resumed eating the food on my plate. It wasn't pancakes so I did not finish it as quickly as before.
"Are you eating your second breakfast today?" My sister asked. I was surprised she even knew I already had breakfast before waking her up.
"Father told me to eat more."
After my second breakfast, I returned to my room to take a nap since all of my assignments were completed already. After some time, my sister knocked on my room door. She was yelling in excitement before I even answered it.
"Amanda, mother just told me that we can get our phones back as long as we listen to her."
Really?!
Finally! I don't like to listen to her strict orders but I'm willing to do it if I can exchange my phone with that. Just when we were jumping in joy, Alice came looking for us.
"Beautiful Misses, the lady is looking for you in the living room."
We looked at each other and went to meet her quickly. Please don't tell me she changed her mind on giving back our phones!?
When we arrived at the living room, mother had two luggage prepared.
"You called for us mother?"
She invited us to sit on the couch opposite her, and gave each of us a luggage.
"Until I allow both of you to attend school, you will be staying at your grandmother's place."
...What?!
I couldn't believe my own ears, so I asked my sister when we went back to our rooms.
"I know right, I didn't believe my ears too at first."
We do not have the right to oppose mother's words since she is the leader now. Talking back at her is just like looking for trouble.