[|]

"Why am I so bored?" I asked out loud, getting the attention of the duo playing video games in the living room.

"Come play with us," Axel said.

"Yeah," Lucas added in a distracted voice.

I grimaced at them before rolling my eyes. Another full week had gone by yet I was either waking up, going to sleep, eating, watching TV, and repeat. It was getting tiring. I had even started adding weight because I was overeating these days and being lazy. I was not used to this lifestyle. I was either out there working.

I gasped and dropped the chip in my hand. I smacked my hands clean and walked toward them. I stood in front of them, blocking the screen. They glared at me and tilted their heads, trying to look past me. They growled in unison and glared harder at me.

"Babe, get out of the way," Lucas demanded.

"No," I said and crossed my arms.

Axel scoffed and tossed the controller beside him. I smiled and faced Lucas.

"I have something to say," I said and stood closer to Lucas.

"What is it?"

"I want to start working again."

"Not happening," Lucas said and I got angry instantly.

"What's that suppose to mean?"

He saw my change of emotions and forced a smile on his face. He rose to his tall height and scratched the back of his neck.

"Jackie, I know you want to work and all but I don't like how you overstress yourself. Look, I know you are independent and that's fucking hot but I want to take care of you this time around. Please, Jackie. You don't need to work. I have enough money to take care of the both of us," he pleaded and tried to take my hands but I placed them on my waist.

"Lucas, I am not used to such. Almost all my life, I've been working to achieve everything I wanted. I know life has been hard for me these past few years it even got worse when I started college on my own. I still want to work, Lucas. I don't care if you are a billionaire or whatever, I still want to work to help. I don't want to sit at home, doing nothing. I don't feel too good about that sort of relationship," I said, standing firm on my decision.

Lucas opened his mouth to speak but shut it back with restlessness on his face. He pinched his nose and sighed then looked at me.

"Baby, I know. It's just... I hate seeing you stressed out. I know what you went through when you were cleaning Clark's house. You sometimes came home tired, hungry, and had muscle cramps. I don't want that happening to you. I want you to go to school without a worry in your head or mind. I want to provide for you while you focus on getting that certificate. Please."

Lucas grabbed my arms softly and pulled me closer to his body. I dropped my hands from my waist and peeked up at him from under my lashes. He sounded genuine and ready to take care of me but I didn't want to rely on a man for everything. I wanted to also work and earn my own money so I could help in my way. He may be earning higher than I am with his racing but I wanted to assist with my pennies.

"But—"

"No," he said, cutting me off. "Okay, let's make a deal." He stepped back and stretched out his hand for a handshake.

"What deal?" I asked.

"I can only feel comfortable with you working if you allow me to take care of you, spend on you and get you things like a boyfriend should to his partner. You can earn and assist with whatever you have. What do you say?"

I eyed his hand then glanced at Axel who shrugged his shoulders and motioned for me to shake his hand. I looked up at Lucas' serious expression and took a deep breath.

"I can do any job and you can do whatever you want with your money, right?" I asked and he nodded. "Well, I have something to add to this... You will allow me also spend on you with the few I have. If I want to buy you something, you will accept it, alright?"

Lucas smirked. "I'll gladly accept whatever you give me. I still wear your bracelet."

My eyes went to the bracelet around his wrist and a blush stained my cheeks. I nodded and shook his hand, then gasped when he pulled me closer to his body. I smiled when he cupped the back of my neck and tilted my head close to his face.

"No, no, no. You two won't be kissing in my presence. Enough of the love shit. Ew!" Axel hollered, coming between us.

I poked the back of his head and wiggled my fingers at Lucas.

"Thank you, Lucas." I jogged away and went back to my chips on the kitchen counter.

Now, I needed to find the perfect job to do. I'd have to check the stores close by because I needed to start focusing on school and resuming soon.

My phone vibrated on the counter and I picked it up. I swallowed the chips in my mouth when I saw it was a text from my mother, asking for us to meet. I dropped the phone and looked into the distance.

"Maybe it's time we just talk. I can't keep holding this in my heart for so long anymore," I said and picked up my phone again to reply to her text.

[|]

I stopped in my tracks when I spotted the back of my mother's head. She was sitting on a park bench, facing the fountain in the middle of the park. I looked around the sunny place before making my way to her. I went around the bench and sat down beside her.

She quickly turned her body and from my peripheral, I could see her smile. I gulped and stared at my hands resting on my lap.

"You came. Thank you," she said.

I nodded my head and we sat in silence, listening to the chatters from the people close by. I spotted an ice cream truck and felt the urge to have one.

"Do you want ice cream?"

I flinched at my mother's voice and stared at her in shock, wondering how she knew I wanted one.

"H-how did you know that I—"

"You were staring at the truck. I could see which direction you were staring at. So, should we go get some?" She was smiling.

I could see how different she truly was from the stressed-out, malnourished woman from months ago. I could tell that Martinez affected her in her way just as he affected my life.

"I... Yes, let's go," I said and she stood up. I followed suit.

"You still love chocolate with a mix of lemon?" She asked as we walked on the soft grass.

"Yes," I replied in a stiff tone.

"I'm sorry, dear."

I stopped walking, feeling slight anger. Instead of letting it come out of me, I exhaled and looked at her.

"Stop apologizing." I walked ahead of her and heard her steps closing in on me from behind.

We arrived at the ice cream truck. My mother went ahead and spoke to the man, who nodded and started on our orders. Two minutes later, she took our ice creams from him and turned around. She stretched her left hand that held mine. I stared at it, tears brimming my eyes as memories flooded my mind.

Dad, mom, and I used to eat ice cream every Sunday at the park in Redside. My dad would always buy two cones because I loved ice cream so much and mom would always help me eat mine until there was nothing left. I missed those days. Days that were filled with loving memories and I hated how Dad died and left sorrow behind.

I hesitantly took the cone and brought it close to my chest. I raised my eyes and saw my mom with tears in her eyes. She was staring at my ice cream before meeting my eyes.

"I miss your father," she said and shock appeared on her face. "Sorry, I should not have said that. I shouldn't be saying much. Sorry."

I shook my head and tightened my hold on the cone. The one man that ruined our lives were gone and I had another chance to reunite with the only family I had left. I had to make up with my mother, letting everything go. It was Martinez who caused our lives to something else, not my mother. She was manipulated and even in his death, he was still trying to.

A smile appeared on my face when I watched my mom take a lick out of her ice cream. Some of the ice creams stained the side of her mouth. She reached for it but I was quicker and wiped it off the back of my hand. It stunned her that she eyed my hand before staring at me.

"I'm hungry. Can we go eat somewhere after this ice cream? I miss eating with you," I said, smiling wider.

"O-okay. I mean... Sure. Yes, Jackie. We can go now." She started to walk away but I grabbed her sleeve, stopping her.

"Wait for me, mom." I wrapped my arm around hers and stood closer to her. "Now, let's go eat. You owe me a lot of food, you know."

She chuckled. "Of course."