I got home past 8 in the evening with my mum sitting expectantly like she was waiting for someone as she glued her eyes on the big smart television flat screen in the living room while her arms folded resting on her boobs, her cleavages showed slightly from the V-neck gown she was wearing.

“Hey, mum!” I greeted, notifying my arrival whilst making my way towards the staircase.

“Hailey!” She called out heavily, making me stop in my tracks, I turned slowly facing her as she stared at me.

“Yes mum,” I answered as she began making her way towards me as I gawked at her wondering what was wrong.

“Where have you been all day? I tried your phone, but it wasn't going through,” She fretted worriedly, her forehead creasing with concerns while I sighed.

“I'm fine mum, I was with my boyfriend today after school,” I paused, taking in her amused look when her lips curled up in a bemusing smile.

“Hmm okay, just be careful,” She hinted while I chuckled rolling my eyes.

“It's nothing mum! We were just hanging out, and he showed me some exciting places around New York,” I told her.

“I see!” She smirked slightly while I smacked my lips together with a nod while I turned around and began climbing the stairs.

“Ryan is around, he dropped by when I called him, telling him you weren't at home yet,” She dropped, making me stop in my tracks as my face became pale. I quickly placed my hand on the rail of the staircase to support myself.

'He is around!' I thought as I began to feel my blood boil with anger.

“He is?” I questioned my mum for confirmation, while my countenance for sure changed annoyingly.

“Yes, he is,” She answered, taking me in with her gaze closely.

I was still angry at him, and the moment mum ingrained he was around, all I could think of was to stomp into his room and demand why he made me lose such a great mark from the presentation.

I needed him to tell me why he did that…

I began marching up the stairs, not bothering to listen to whatever mum was saying again as her words became incoherent to my ears.

I stared at the door leading into Ryan's room as I thought of breaking it down with a knock and shouting at him, or I should go to my room quietly and let everything die down then ignore him.

I chose the latter and dropped my left hand with a sigh which was folded into a fist ready to give an ear-blasting knock on Ryan's door as I turned around and took my leave quietly.

Likewise, I didn't want to cause a scene, especially when mum is around.

Closing my door gently with a light thud behind me after entering my room, I walked heavily, dragging my feet against the tiled floor as I walked towards my bed.

'A hot bath will keep me cool,' I groaned inwardly as I dropped my school bag on my bed.

I lazily stripped out of my school uniform, honestly, I don't know how the school authorities would feel if they see me wearing a school uniform by this time of the day.

'I guess I need to be taking casual wear to school as spare clothes then,' I anticipated packing my mound of school clothing piled on the floor as I walked in my panties and my bra, to drop my clothes in my laundry basket.

I was about to enter the bathroom when my phone rang, I turned around hastily wondering who it was as I walked back to my bed and checked the caller ID when I saw it was my dad calling.

A warm smile frizzed up my lips while I hurriedly grabbed my iPhone and swipe up the caller icon to receive the call.

“Hey, princess!” My dad's deep voice resounded in my ears, making me giggle.

“Dad, love!!” I chimed in, forgetting I was angry a few minutes ago.

“You've forgotten about me,” He uttered in a low gruff voice which he used to show he was hurt playfully while my eyes widened at his statement.

“Dad! No! How can I ever do that?”

“School works and trying to adapt here just got everything tight for me,” I muttered with a slight smile, then sat on the edge of my bed.

“Okay princess, I trust you,” He let out a short laugh.

“Dad, you know I love you so much! I can't ever forget you, “I assured him as he made a grinning sound while I can't help but smile where I was, drawing circles with my finger on my creamy exposed thigh.

“So, how are things there with you?” I asked him as I anxiously a bit, biting softly on my lower lips.

“Fine, Princess, I've tried to apply to many jobs I can lay my hands, eyes, body, and soul to but the outcome is just dissentient,” He muttered in a low sad voice while I sighed.

“Dad!” I called out to him.

“Yes, princess,” He answered.

“Say, I will make it,” I told him with a strong Faith, I knew dad can still be the bright man he is and always wanted if only he has that confidence in himself.

“I will make it, princess,” He repeated audibly after me as I smiled warmly.

“Trust me Dad, I'm sure you'll get your job soon, just believe you can do it, and you will,” I implied.

“Thank you, dear,” He appreciated.

“So, how's your mum?” He asked, making me smile, although mum had hurt him badly, nevertheless he still deeply cared about her and I wished someday they would get back together, hopefully in my dreams.

“She's doing great,” I told him as I glanced towards the wall clock and noticed it was getting pretty late, and I needed to take my hot bath.

“Uhm! Dad,” I uttered.

“Yes, princess,” He answered keenly, waiting for what I was about to say.

“I have to take my bath, I wanted to earlier, but your call came in, so--”

“No worries, princess,” He interrupted while I smiled warmly. I wished I could hug him.

“Just take care good care of yourself, princess, I'll hang up now,” He notified.

“Dad!” I called quickly in an anxious state, hoping he hadn't hanged up yet.

“Yes, princess,” He answered eagerly.

“Is something wrong?” He asked worriedly.

“No, I just miss you,” I blurted with a sad smile on my face.

“I miss you too, dear,” He reciprocated while I sniffed.

“Okay Dad, Good night,” I put forth.

“Good night princess, I love you,” He added.

“I love you too,” I retaliated and hung up the call.

I placed my phone carefully on the bed and stood up and made my way toward the bathroom.

I entered my bathtub filled with hot water as I peeled off my bra and panties throwing them on the floor next to the bathtub and hurriedly immersed myself in the hot water, and relaxed to the exciting thrills.

For the next few minutes, I walked into my room, dabbing my wet hair dry with the medium size towel as I approached my queen size bed.

I grabbed my body lotion on my draw and pull off my towel wrapped around my body, flinging it to the bed, leaving me just in my new selected undies as I began smearing the white creamy substance on my right arm while the cherry blossom scents filled my nostrils.

Suddenly, the door to my room opened wildly, I jolted backward turning around as fear gripped me.

'Who the hell was that?' I thought drastically as my heartbeat hardly against my chest as the blood drained off my face when my gaze settled on Ryan as he barged into my room.

My jaw dropped while his gaze landed on me as I caught the muscles in his jaw clenched vigorously as his eyes raked me over thoroughly.