The Moonlight Lilac Chapter 16: 3 - THE ONE WITH FRIENDS AND MARINATED SQUID 1.0

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**CHAPTER 3 - THE ONE WITH FRIENDS AND SQUID 1.0**

"Thank you for the delivery. Take care." I politely said goodbye to the butler who delivered me, whose name was Harry. He was also the butler who assisted me earlier at the mansion. He gave me a polite smile and slightly bowed his head. He then got into the car he had used to bring me home and drove away. I waved my hand one last time until he was completely out of sight.

When I was alone, I walked towards the gate. I heaved a deep sigh before pushing the doorbell.

"Wait a minute!" I heard my mom's voice approaching the gate.

Excitement quickly spread across his face when he opened the gate and saw me.

"Oh, my beautiful daughter is herel!" she said full of energy as she pulled me inside.

"Quick, quick! I'm just preparing a snack. Let's talk about what happened at your interview. When was your start date? How much was the offer? Were they nice? Did you talk to Arentsvelt? How did they react when they saw you? Do you think it worked?" he asked me one after another as he dragged me into the house.

I mentally rolled my eyes because of her last question. What's wrong?!

We both went straight inside and mom was so excited that she didn't even seem to notice the change in my clothes and the bandage on my arm. When we got to the living room, she stopped pulling me and sat me down on the sofa.

"Tell me everything!" she started when we were both seated, clapping our hands together.

It's like crazy, crazy.

I remained silent and showed no emotion. Because of that, mom's reaction changed.

The smile on her lips disappeared and her shoulders slumped.

"W-why daughter?" she asked nervously.

I remained silent. I still can't get the scenes at the mansion out of my mind. Especially the last thing that happened before I went home. Everything feels unreal. It's like you just got back from your country and then it feels like so many strange things are happening to you. It's so overwhelming. Especially the part where...

I signed the contract.

\- Flashback

The entire mansion was filled with silence. It's been a few minutes but I still haven't answered her question 'Do you accept it?' because, I really don't know!

I've never experienced being a stay-at-home professor, even when I was abroad. I'm the kind of person who always looks for me time. The time that's just for me. No one bothers me. The kind where I can do whatever I want to do. How would I do that if I'll live in this mansion?

Of course, that would be a bit of a stretch for me. In my own house, after all my work is done, that's where I'll call my friends and invite them to eat out or Netflix and chill while eating popcorn or chips and whatever other way you can enjoy the break.

How would I do that here? Do I have my own TV here? Even if they tell you to cook your food anytime, I'll be left alone for sure. What if I order from grab or food panda, am I required to give them all? Because, right?! The order will arrive and then I'll pick it up and then everyone will just stare at me.

Oh no! I was just thinking I was choking. I'm overthinking!

On the other hand, where can you find a job in the Philippines for 200,000 a month?!

Especially as a teacher?!

"Sky..."

I was shocked by Dahlia when she called my attention. Her face was filled with nervousness. Her reaction seemed to be saying, don't keep the young lady waiting. Son of a bitch! This is a lot of pressure. She wanted an answer right away.

My gaze landed again on the woman on the stairs, her back still to us. She's checking her wrist watch. You see that! Okay, who gives a job without even looking at the person applying to them? What kind of behavior is that? Then she'll be my boss?

It's so bad when you put pressure on them, their behavior is even more annoying. The accent is so thick! It's hard to understand!

"You know what, Ms. Parker, you just wasted---"

But the salary! I need the salary!

I stopped overthinking and made a decision under pressure.

"I'll accept it." I quickly replied, only thinking about the salary.

I felt Dahlia moving next to me so I looked at her. She looks so happy, doing small jumps, and small claps. I almost bet Dahlia and I are going to bet.

Dahlia mouthed, "Congratulations."

"Okay." the young lady seemed to respond reluctantly, then called out "Oreo!"

She also whistled as if calling a dog. I looked around. There was no dog. Wait---is it me she's scolding like a dog?!

Before I could even finish my thought, a dog suddenly appeared from the 2nd floor and was now approaching her. It's a white golden retriever! How cute!!

I couldn't help but smile because of the dog approaching its owner while its tail was wagging. But my reaction was replaced by frowning and surprise when I noticed the dog was holding something in its mouth. It's a brown envelope.

"Good boy. Now, do mommy a favor and give that to the new lady downstairs." The young lady spoke a little softly but I heard the change in her voice as she spoke to the dog. From a voice full of authority...your sister was baby talking!

The dog immediately followed, very cute, coming down the stairs and then approaching Dahlia and I. When the dog approached, Dahlia bent down to pat its head. The dog was obviously trained because when it approached me, it stopped, sat, and seemed to be asking me to get the envelope.

What a smart dog!

"Thank you, baby" I said to the dog after I took the envelope that still had bite marks on it.

As soon as I got the envelope, the dog immediately climbed back to his owner and sat down near his feet. It was so cute to see Oreo's face with his tongue sticking out between the railings. Can I have the dog?

"Sign that before you leave and hand it to Dahlia. You'll start on Monday morning. Since you will be living in this mansion, I advise you to prepare the things you will bring here once you go home. So that on tomorrow, Sunday, you can begin to move all your stuff properly. That way, everything would be set for Monday." he said, his voice full of authority again.

Is this person really like this? It's like making decisions about other people's lives? But, she got a point. I need to move. I'm going to be late if I move on Monday.

"Dahlia, give her your personal number. Once you're ready to move, we'll send assistance to help you bring your things here." she then sighed. "That's it. Welcome, Ms. Parker and good luck."

Dahlia suddenly pulled me and hugged me tightly.

"Congratulations! Oh my god! I'm excited to introduce you to everyone. I'll let you choose your room. There are still vacant rooms on the third floor. Before you go, I'll tour you. So you know what things to bring to your room. Welcome to the mansion, Sky!" she said so carelessly.

When I raised my head again to look at the young lady, she was gone. Oreo was gone too. It was terrible! It was like a mushroom. Suddenly it would appear and disappear.

\- End of flashback –

"Stay in?" Mom asked after I told her everything that happened. We were now in my room while she cleaned my wound.

I just told her all the details now. Earlier when we were in the living room, I didn't know how to start sharing so I just kept quiet. Because of that, mom noticed the bandage on my hand. That was the first time I told her how I got it.

She immediately pulled me into the room and got a medical kit even though I told her the nurse who took care of me earlier. I also told her that I would be teaching twins and that I had not passed the interview before. Now I told her that I would stay in the mansion. But what I hadn't told her was the salary.

"Yes"

It seems like my mom isn't happy that I'm staying in. Of course, we haven't been together for years and then this is how it's set up when I get home.

Besides, he was worried about my trip. I told him that I got my wound from a scratch on a broken window. Of course, I didn't tell him the truth. My future student cut that part of my arm with broken glass. I'm sure my mom wouldn't let me work there if she found out.

"Don't you want me to be home with you, daughter?"

"Mama, of course I want to. That's why when it was offered to me, I didn't accept it right away."

"So why did you suddenly accept?" she asked.

I looked directly into her eyes.

"Ma, the salary is 200k a month."

Mom stopped putting things in the medicine kit and her face lost its reaction. She took a deep breath and stood up.

Wait, isn't he happy? Does he want me to reject him because of the stay-in set-up?

"Mom? Why? Where are you going?"

"Well, I'll probably get your suitcase. Once your stuff is in order. So that when you leave tomorrow, you won't be barking. It's mine! I almost took your stuff out of the suitcase earlier. I wish you had texted me and informed me so I wouldn't have taken it out," she said, her excitement returning.

Are you serious?! I don't know whether to laugh or be hurt by my mother's reaction. I think she's the one who don’t want me at home anymore.

"Mom, you're serious. There's no violent reaction at all? Are you throwing me out right now?"

"Shut up, don't act like that, Sky! You've been in Canada for so many years, but here in Tanay, Rizal. Even if you leave now, look at me. I'll still take you there." she replied foolishly.

"You're so sick, Mom! You're already pimping me and then you're throwing me out." I joked as I stood up and hugged her from behind as she opened my clothes.

"Hey, it's your decision. I guess I'll just support you," she said, reaching for my cheek.

"But no kidding, I'm so proud of you. The opportunities that are really coming your way are big time. Let it go, once we've paid off all our debts, I'll save up everything you give me. I'll also go into business to help you."

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**ENJOY**