CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Cherry maintained her bright smile, aware that feigning normalcy was her best defense. She wasn't prepared for another round of therapy or Lady Yo's meddling.
"You're here," Cherry said.
Lady Yo's gaze stayed on Cherry's hands. "Why's that in your hands?"
Cherry's eyes darted around puzzled. "What, Mom?"
"You're holding a saucer, Amy, and the tea."
One of the maids, eager to clear her name, stepped forward.
"Madam, I swear I warned her not to do it, but she wouldn't listen."
Another maid chimed in, "Yes, ma'am, we all tried to stop her, but she refused."
The maids' explanations only confused Cherry.
She stood frozen, still clutching the saucer.
"What's going on?" Cherry asked, genuinely confused.
"What happened to the saucer in my hands? Is it broken?" She inspected the delicate china, turning it over.
"THIS isn't like you, Amy," Lady Yo said.
"With all these maids at your disposal, why bother with such mundane tasks?"
Cherry's eyes sparkled with inspiration as she grasped the situation.
"Looks like this is not what Amy would normally do. Think fast, Cherry," she thought.
With a sly smile, Cherry came up with a convincing excuse.
"Actually, Mom, I was challenged by a fan on social media. They doubted I could even brew tea without my maids' help!"
She chuckled, feigning amusement.
"So, I decided to prove them wrong. I was making a video to post online, showing I'm perfectly capable of doing things myself."
Cherry called out to a nearby maid, adopting a bossy tone.
"Take this to my room."
She went close to embrace Lady Yo, and guided her towards her room.
"Welcome, Mom. Let's catch up inside."
Lady Yo's was happy as she assessed Cherry's attitude.
"You seem significantly improved since our last meeting."
"Yes, Mom," Cherry replied, maintaining her bright smile.
"That's exactly why I felt the therapy sessions were no longer necessary."
"That's precisely why I came to ask: the therapist informed me you'd canceled your sessions. She said you instructed Juana to turn her away."
Cherry's smile never wavered.
"Yes, Mom. I felt it was pointless continuing."
Deftly shifting the conversation, Cherry asked, "And how have you been, Mother?" as they strolled toward her room.
"I've been well, Amy," Lady Yo replied.
"Just worried about you, but seeing your progress...my concerns are slowly dissipating."
They got into the room and settled into the couch.
Cherry turned to Lady Yo with a smile.
"Mom?"
"Yes, dear?"
"I have a tiny favor to ask."
"Go on."
"Could I get just five more days before resuming work with the manager?" Cherry requested.
Lady Yo's brows furrowed,
"I'm not sure, Amy. Your fans are eagerly awaiting your return, and now that you're better, it's the perfect time to re immerse yourself in your career."
Cherry said with a sweet gentle voice, "Just five more days, Mom. I promise I'll dive back into work afterward."
Lady Yo's heart was melted by her daughter's innocent face and she fell for it, succumbing to her daughter's plea.
"Alright, alright. I'll request an additional five days," Lady Yo conceded.
Cherry's inner scream of triumph echoed silently: "Yes!"
As Lady Yo reached for her phone, the locket necklace slipped from her neck, landing softly on the floor.
Cherry swiftly picked it up.
"Your locket," Cherry said, holding it out.
Lady Yo, already engrossed in her call with Amy's manager, stepped aside with a hushed voice.
Cherry's gaze drifted to the opened locket, revealing a faded photograph of three people: Amy as a toddler, Lady Yo in her youth, and a mysterious man.
"Who was this man?" She was curious
Lady Yo returned to the couch, concluding the call.
Her eyes opened as she spotted the locket in Cherry's hand.
"Who's this?" Cherry asked, her finger tracing the outline of the stranger's face.
Lady Yo's expression faltered, and for a moment.
"Where did you...?"
Lady Yo's hand extended, seeking to reclaim the locket, but her eyes lingered on Cherry's captivating expression.
"I'm not sure you'd want to discuss him," Lady Yo said hesitantly.
Cherry's gaze remained fixed on the photograph.
Lady Yo's voice softened. "That's your father, Amy."
She expected resistance, but Cherry's face revealed a genuine interest, devoid of the usual anger and pain that Amy typically displayed when discussing her father.
Lady Yo's eyes narrowed, sensing something different.
Amy always recoiled at the mention of her father, still hurt by his abandonment.
Yet, Cherry's awed expression invited Lady Yo to continue.
"Your father...he was a complex man," Lady Yo began. "Brilliant, charming…"
Cherry leaned in, her eyes sparkled.
"He got me pregnant at 20, and he married me soon after."
A bittersweet smile crossed her lips.
"He left when you were just two years old," she continued, tears gathered in her eyes. "Since then, I've had no contact with him."
Cherry remained still.
"I only told you he left, but not the whole story," Lady Yo said with nostalgia.
"Your father came from a wealthy family, born with a silver spoon."
A melancholic chuckle escaped Lady Yo's lips.
"I don't blame him for leaving. Who would want their son to settle for less than what his family offered?"
Lady Yo looked at Cherry with a cracked voice.
"What hurt wasn't that he left me, but that he abandoned you without a second thought. Never asked about you, never cared..."
A lone tear rolled down Lady Yo's cheek, and Cherry instinctively clasped her hands.
"That's why I worked tirelessly to provide for you, to give you the life you deserved," Lady Yo whispered.
"You were my motivation, Amy."
"But why keep his picture all these years?"
Lady Yo gave a bittersweet smile.
"Love is a peculiar thing. Despite everything, I still care for him. He was a part of my journey, a catalyst for my success."
Sadness and gratitude showed in her eyes. "I refuse to hate him. He drove me to strive harder, to become who I am today. Can I truly resent him for that?"
Cherry sensed the depth of Lady Yo's emotions and wrapped her in a warm hug.
"I pray he's doing well, wherever he is," Lady Yo whispered.
Lady Yo's words then took on a softer tone. "Thank you for listening, Amy. I want you to let go of the anger, to forgive your father and move forward."
Cherry's hug tightened.
Cherry nodded as she thought, "Amy's tough exterior makes sense now, given the pain she's carried."
The once emotional moment turned to joy as Lady Yo pulled back, noticing Cherry's outfit.
"I have to go now," Lady Yo said.
"And what's with the dress you're wearing? You look like you raided my closet!"
Cherry glanced down, realizing she was still wearing Lady Yo's clothes.