The woman on the line did not respond immediately.

"You finally called. Hmm. What did you just call me?"

Laurice did not want to argue about 'that' (about the way she addressed her) with the woman, especially not over the phone. So she relented.

Laurice: "Mother, have you realized what you did wrong?" She sounded aggrieved and menacing, her tone was deep and low as if sending warnings to the other person. She hated being restricted the most. She values her freedom and privacy so much. Any one who dare crosses her over these shall face her wrath.

Although Laurice was not a vengeful person really. But her freedom is most important to her. Her freedom of choice, of how to live her life ... this is what keeps her going. For the same reason that she started becoming independent. That way, she believed nothing and no one can ever hurt her. Again.

Perhaps she learned all these from her father. A person who chooses to free himself of everything. But she was not completely the same at all. 'His father fled.'

'He vanished just like that.'

In her vocabulary, she marked her father a coward.

'I will not be branded a coward just like him.' She thought.

'I will stand on my own feet, fight for my rights, for my goals and not let anyone come in between me working on it. But i'm definitely not going to be stupid as to not protect the things i love, the people i cherished.'

That thought was giving her complex emotions.

'... people she cherished.'

She closed her eyes and tried to hold back the impending surge of emotions. But she could already taste the bitterness in her mouth.

'Mother'

'Huh!'

How long has it been since the last time she called her mother. She could not recall anymore.

Her mother was unfazed and still spoke in a condescending tone, "What did i do? I was just trying to find you my dear."

'Shameless!' Laurice felt a headache building up. It was always this way when she was talking to her mother. She was just too pompous.

'Calling her was such a bad idea after all.'

Laurice: "I'm not going to repeat this again mother. If you dare use Louis again to track me down, i'm going to make sure you will never find me ever again. You know i'm capable mother. And let me remind you that I am not a child. I am not and will not be lost for my own good. I can find my way to you and will come to you at my own conveniece. Besides, I did not promise you anything when i said i'll be coming back here. I hope you still remember the deal mother."

Putting emphasis on the way she calls her 'mother' she continued her message, "And please do something for The Walsh Family. Show your sincerity for disturbing their slumber. I will expect a good news from your end very soon."

Her mother was silent the whole time. She did not interupt nor counteract her indignant bantering.

She only heard her 'Hmm' and did not speak at all.

Having said her piece in one go, Laurice thought she have achieved her objective already and considered her mother's silence her answer so she hung up the phone call.

She stood there for awhile contemplating on what she should do next.

She sighed.

'It has begun.'

Her worries.

She thought initially that coming back will be good for her. That it will eventually give her a fresh start with her career and that her coming back means she will be able to bond with friends and seniors and bandmates again.

Her mother was definitely the biggest obstacle.

She needs to surpa.s.sed her to achieve her goals.

She made a mental note and with a decision, she entered back at the villa.

There was only Sid who was left waiting for her on the sofa at the living area.

'Was he really waiting for her?'

Laurice suddenly felt her walls collapsing the instant she saw the man. She wanted to explain everything to him but also did not want to complicate things so she remained pa.s.sive as much as she can.

'Now is not the right time.'

She was confused. 'd.a.m.n right! This man is making her confuse.' She already made a decision that she will ask for him to make her leave already so she could move on and not cause him difficulty in any way. But looking at the man, she was somehow unsettled as if she does not want to leave any more.

'Why is this man looking at me that way?'

'Is he trying to read my thoughts?'

She hopes not.

...

With the way she's behaving, Sid was able to a.n.a.lyze how her phone call ended. 'She probably called her mother.'

While she was on the line with her mother, he has already sent word to his a.s.sistant to followup on the things he asked for. Not surprisingly, the a.s.sistant was able to provide him everything he wanted to know. In fact, his a.s.sistant had them all along. Since his boss made the order, he did his work without missing a detail the first time. But only sent his findings as per his order. This time, his boss was actually asking for the whole file, so he sent it immediately.

Sid read the findings and an indescribable feeling enveloped his entire being. 'This woman...'

He was in deep thoughts when Laurice entered the villa with heavy footsteps.

Sid stared at her not budging at all.

He then stood up and walked towards her.

Laurice's heart was beating fast out of her chest the instant he walked towards her.

'What now?'

As soon as he reached her, the man suddenly held her nape on one hand and her waist on the other as he drew his warm body closer.

Laurice: " ... !!! "