"Andrey?"
"Yes?"
"What would you do if you knew what will happen in the next six months?"
Andrey raised an eyebrow as he carefully looked at Angela. His mother was not quite a talker, more like a slammer. Thous her questions never had a right answer.
Besides, they just had that fight. This should be her being sarcastic and her tone made it clear this wasn't casual conversation. A ting of worry and seriousness in her usually aloof tone.
'This really sounds like bad news... Is it me or is it Father?' He thought while glancing at her with anxiousness.
"Let's say you experienced the next six months and know that something bad might happen. Something like an apocalypse! What would you do?"
Andrey, who was playing on CP, stopped the game and turned to his mother. So, it was that!! Testing his common sense and survival skills. She was always like that. Acting as if catastrophes has lined up on their door to befall them...
Relived that at least it was actually a small talk, he stretched his hand and put it on Angela's forehead. Indicating 'you sound sick!'. An act that made Angla regret her question.
It was only normal to have this kind of reaction. She wasn't a teenager and this kind of actions wouldn't be chunibiyu anymore. It could as well make an inflexible child like Andrey think she has gone insane.
In fact, even if it was her being asked a question this imaginary by someone else, she would have shown sarcasm and disdain too.
However, in her opinion, he did not have the right to react like that towards the one who birthed and raised him. Her blood boiled, and she glared at him badly, making him shrug but also answer her question as he went back to his game.
"Hmm, I would buy lottery tickets, I guess?"
His answer softened the stony gaze in Angela's eyes. After years of education and phenomenal discussion, she had successfully gave him common sense. A big step towards not being a pushover!
"Well, I guess you are my son, after all!"
She had already done that. If she won, it was her win. If not, also a win. Who in their right mind want's to see a blood bath?
Then as she was drowned in her entangled thoughts Andrey mumbled something that made her angry again.
"Unfortunately, that's true!"
She took in deep breathes to prevent herself from beating him into a bulb!
"Don't get ahead of yourself and go to school or somewhere before I run out of my patience! "
Andrey made a surprised face.
"WOW. I didn't know you had any!"
'This child is really my child!!'
Angela had turned to go that Andrey's voice came again. Making her look back.
"But are you okay?"
This time, he had just turned off the TV and turned towards her with his whole body.
Now, it was Angela, looking at her son with confusion.
" It's Sunday... Is something going on with you and dad? You have never confused the date... You know, you could always talk to me if there is any-"
"I lost my job."
"..."
Her expression was neutral, and she didn't look unhappy about it, but for someone who has known her for 16 and half years, her tone sounded awful.
"Unfairly so."
Maybe a bit pissed off, though. It must really have gone on her nerves to even show it in her words. Andrey hadn't seen her complain or talk about the unfairness of anything. Ever.
At that, he had never seen her complain. It was strange to see his always strong mother show sadness. Because of something as trivial as a job... To think that he thought she would never get hurt, no matter what.
"... ah. It's okay, you didn't look the part anyway- Ouch! Why did you hit me?"
Feeling Andrey's concerned gaze, she came out of the depressed mode. She has 6 entire months to worry.
"You know what? I know a job perfectly befitting an ungrateful brat like you!"
Half an hour later. At diamond shopping:
"Why are we here?"
"Why else? To make you work, of course!"
"MOM!"
"Here."
"What is this?"
Angela cast him an "isn't it obvious?" look.
"Wear it and start the work right from now!"
He cried out: "WHY?"
"Well, now that I am jobless, someone has to take responsibility so we can meet ends."
"Excuse me! Why should that one person be me? Why can't you work here yourself? No, from the beginning, where is your store manager?"
"To answer your second question, I have to say I fired him since he sold cigarettes to minors!"
"Why m-"
Angela didn't give him any time to complain further. She had to have him in her sight.
"AND to answer your first one, for the same reason as the one you get to tell your mother you hate being her son! Because you are a big boy now! Hah!"
Even if that meant
"I never-"
Angela placed her index on Andrey's mouth. Her eyes glowing dangerously.
"Sheesh, not a word more! Big boys ought to earn their keep!"
Defeated, Andrey wore the uniform and gazed at his mother pitifully. It made Angela smile satisfactorily and throw him the food heaven keys.
"Unfortunately for you, you aren't as close to eighteen as you assumed to be my son dearest. Your evil young mother has some stock to buy! I will come and get you at nine. Eat anything there is in the store but don't remember to pay for it baby~ Adios!"
She said that but couldn't bear to leave until almost two hours later. Even then, she went to the coffee-net across the hall. Actually, buying stock. There just was no way those experiences were another dream.
Even if they were just dreams, they would turn into reality when they came to her. They would become lucid. This time not only hurting her but also putting her beloved ones in danger. She could never put them through experiencing that alone.
Not when she had this feeling of being able to help. She felt powerful, full of energy and feelings. Almost as if she wasn't a faulty product. As if she wasn't the cold-hearted rational robot she remembered to be. From the oldest of her memories.
With just a few clicks, she sold her apartment and used all her savings. Now, she could either save herself from the monsters or get devoured in the hell of her reality.
[ Your total debt: $4100000
next payment is due: January 25th
From XXX BANK]
That was just the pick of an iceberg. She had to pay property taxes for an inherited villa she didn't even want to inherit in some countryside.
[Pay your property taxes as soon as possible!
total tax: 250000
Due: January 10th
From Tax agency]
An only pass on inheritance.
Her reality doesn't seem to have changed much. She received the same messages. Not seen or talked to Tae-Hyung since that day. Neither has she met with that child.
[ You choose.
Divorce or instant repayment of your debt plus the interest?
I will only wait until the end of the month.]
Was it really worth it? She asked herself now and then. Just to get a useless diploma to hang on a wall...
She has been working herself to the bone. Repaying diligently only for the yearly interest to add on. What would her life have looked like if she weren't a faulty product? She wondered at times like this. How would Angela be doing now?
***
*Andrey*