The path before her was crystal clear; it was her calling, one she could not ignore.
But she also knew the harsh and bitter reality. A necessitous person like her, who even commoners scorned at, had no chance of becoming a perfumer.
No potential nor requirements.
It would always remain a dream. A sweet, addictive dream she wished to wake up from soon.
There was no reward. Reality does not change.
"You're still awake?" Adriana's drowsy voice cut through the silence of the night, instantly jolting Diana out of her thoughts.
Diana slowly turned to face her mother, who looked at her with a tired yet perplexed expression on her face, and whispered, "Yes."
"Why is that? Are you unable to sleep?" Adriana asked as she gently caressed Diana's warm cheeks.
Feeling her mother's warm touch, Diana felt the tears she had been holding back begin to well up in her eyes. She leaned into her mother's embrace to hide her face, even though it was too dark for her mother to even take notice.
Her mother had the mild scent of rose that was intertwined with the sweetness and sugariness of Vanilla and the calmness of musk. A distinctive mix that Diana found extremely comforting.
"I guess." Diana whispered back softly. "Can I stay like this for a While?"
Adriana pecked her forehead softly and said with a gentle smile on her face, "Of course. Now sleep, okay?"
Diana hummed and snuggled closer to her mother, soon falling into a blissful abyss of dreams, unaware of the cold, murderous glint that flashed in her mother's eyes.
…
Diana woke up to the sounds of shuffling. She blinked slowly and noticed that her mother's side of the bed was empty, but still warm.
It seemed like her mother had just woken up.
"You are awake?" Adriana asked in a slightly surprised tone.
Diana slowly sat up and stretched her limbs as she answered groggily, "Yes. Good morning, Mother."
"Good morning." Adriana greeted back as she walked towards the little girl, "You should get some more rest. It's still too early."
It was then Diana noticed the darkness of the room. It was the pre-dawn darkness.
"I don't feel like sleeping anymore." Diana said as she stared at her mother with her big doe eyes.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Diana said in her drowsy voice.
Adriana pursed her lips before letting out a defeated sigh, "Then I guess you need to take your bath, no?" She asked lightly as she poked Diana's soft cheeks, causing the latter to giggle a bit.
By the time they had finished their morning routine, the sun's golden rays had already spread across the village, announcing the start of a new day. They both headed towards the kitchen to make a light breakfast.
Diana possessed a keen sense of observation, particularly when it came to her surroundings and the individuals in her life.
She meticulously studied the actions of those around her, allowing her to notice even the most subtle habits― including those of her own mother.
Of all the habits Diana had observed, her mother's knife-handling technique stood out the most.
And today was no different.
As she watched her mother hold the knife in a reverse edge out grip before quickly adjusting it to a pinch grip, Diana couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern.
It was strange, but then again, her mother had never been predictable.
She held so many secrets that Diana wanted to unravel all at once but knew it was near impossible.
"Diana?" Adriana's voice rang out, jolting Diana from her thoughts.
"Yes, mother?"
"I have a question." Adriana said solemnly.
Diana, noticing the soberness of her mother's tone, instantly tensed up, "What is it?"
"Do you have an aspiration?" She asked, her eyes still on the mushroom she was chopping.
The question was so sudden that Diana didn't know how to react, "Huh?"
Adriana paused from what she was doing and let out a weary sigh before turning to her daughter, "Tell me, have you ever had dreams? Dreams of what your future could be, of the life you long to live? Do you have any ambitions at all?"
Diana blinked at her and then formed a small smile on her lips, "Well, every child must have had an aspiration at some point. Why the sudden question?"
"Don't try to dodge the question." Adriana deadpanned.
"I'm not trying to dodge the question."
"Yes or no?"
"Is there even a point of answering?" Diana shot back, but soon bit her lips in regret.
She shouldn't have said that.
There was a moment of silence, until Adriana knelt before her and asked, "What do you mean?"
Diana bit her lips. She really didn't want to say it.
If anything, she wanted to avoid saying it.
… But you just can't control the human emotions, can you?
"Mother, Is there even a point of dreaming? To have an ambition? A goal? An aspiration? What is the point of all these things if they aren't going to become a reality?" A small yet sad smile painted her lips, "I know our standing in this village, mother. I am not oblivious, neither do I wish to be. Instead of pushing myself into believing in false hopes and dreams, I'd rather face the harsh and bitter taste of reality." She said fluently, even though it left a bitter aftertaste.
She could still vividly remember the whispers of those children who'd walked past her.
'She doesn't have a father.'
'Her mother is a night worker.'
'How did you know?'
'My mother told me.'
'Poor girl. She'd end up in her mother's footsteps. It's a pity.'
Compassion seemed elusive, Diana mused, as all they could offer was mere pity.
Meanwhile, Adriana stared at her child's dazed eyes and realized with a start.
The childhood innocence was gone. Not because of time nor experience, but because of the wicked hands of society that had ripped it forcefully away from her, forcing her to face the rough and formidable reality she was not ready to experience.
But who was Adriana to judge? After all, she had also played a fair part in this.
"Diana?" Adriana's voice rang out with concern as she observed the beads of sweat on the girl's flushed face, her laboured breathing, and trembling hands.
Adriana's eyes widened with an acute awareness of the situation.
She was having a panic attack.
"Diana, listen to me. Breathe in slowly, then breathe out."
"M-Mother…" Diana gasped, her voice strained and trembling, as she clutched onto her mother's sleeves, her fingers gripping tightly in a desperate plea for support. Tears streamed down her cheeks like torrents, mirroring the overwhelming surge of emotions that engulfed her. Her heart raced, constricted within her chest, as panic consumed her every breath.
Why was this happening to her?
What's going on?
"Yes, I'm here. Calm down and breathe with me. In and out." Adriana whispered as she patted Diana's back slowly. Her heart squeezed to see how pained her daughter looked.
Listening to Adriana's warm and soft voice eased Diana a bit. She could feel herself relaxing to the tranquil tone of her mother.
Adriana felt Diana's tensed body relax a bit and noticed Diana's breathing had begun to stabilize. She slightly withdrew from Diana's embrace to observe her face for any signs of discomfort.
"Feeling better?" Adriana asked slowly as she stared at Diana.
Diana could only nod in response as a shuddered breath escaped her lips.
Adriana opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a knock on the door.
She pursed her lips tightly and decided to ignore it. She didn't feel the need to argue with anyone this morning, especially with Diana in this state.
Turning her attention back to Diana, she stared at her with worried eyes, "You should get some rest. I will make you a light―"
Her words were interrupted by the consistent knocking at the door. But this time, the knock sounded even louder and rapid.
A gruff voice called out from behind the door, "Come out, you wench! I know you're in there."
Hearing the familiar gruff voice, Adriana's brows furrowed. Not because of the vulgar words; She was already far too familiar with them, enough for her to even become numb. But because of the sudden visit.
She had already paid this month's rent. So for what reason would he come here for?
An exhausted sigh escaped Adriana's lips as she slowly turned to face Diana with a wry smile plastered on her lips.
Adriana kissed Diana's cheeks and rested her forehead against hers, "I'll be back." she promised.
She rose to her feet and walked towards the door, which was still shaking due to the consistent pounding on it. With another sigh, she yanked the door open, revealing a short and thin man with thinning salt-and-pepper hair.
His eyes were red from drinking and he looked haggard.
Adriana's face contorted with disgust as the stench of alcohol and sweat hit her nose.
As Eugene beheld the alluring woman before him, an unsettling smirk involuntarily played upon his lips, revealing the jagged edges of yellowed teeth, while his eyes raked over her figure with an unsettling desire.
If only she had not been so resolute, he mused, she might have belonged to his inner circle of partners by now. He could have enjoyed unhindered and exclusive intimacy with her, and everything would have been within his grasp.
His gaze ascended leisurely, only to be ensnared by the captivating frigidity, emotive void, and piercing sharpness that resided within her eyes.
He harbored an intense disdain for those indifferent orbs, for they bore witness and passed judgement upon him with an air of insignificance, as if his existence held little value in their sight.