Lina stacked the empty plates and carried them to the kitchen while her mother busied herself with the leftover food. She knew her mum wouldn't let a single bite go to waste—her mother had always been like that.
"You're packing all of it?" Lina asked, watching as her mother carefully portioned the food into different plastic containers.
"Of course," her mum said without looking up. "You think I'd let all this food go bad?"
Lina sighed, rinsing the dishes before placing them in the sink. She knew exactly how this would go. Her mum would neatly pack every bit of food, carefully storing them in different-sized containers, then arrange them in the freezer and fridge like some kind of food Tetris. There was a system—one for meals that needed to be eaten soon, one for food that could last a few days, and one for absolute emergencies, like if the world decided to end tomorrow.
Lina shook her head, grabbing a towel to dry her hands.
By the time they finished in the kitchen, it was late. The house was quiet except for the distant sound of crickets outside. Lina leaned against the counter, letting out a deep breath.
"Alright," she said. "I should get going."
Her mum, who had just closed the fridge after carefully placing the last container inside, turned around with a frown. "What do you mean, going?"
Lina glanced at the clock. "Mum, it's late. I have work tomorrow."
Her dad, who had just entered the kitchen, leaned against the doorway. "It's dark outside, Lina. You should stay the night."
Her mum nodded in agreement, already moving toward her. "Exactly! You'll leave in the morning. What's the rush?"
Lina let out a groan, rubbing her forehead. She knew this was going to happen. "Mum, I can't. My workplace is far from here. If I leave in the morning, I'll be late."
Her mother waved a dismissive hand. "Then wake up early."
"Wake up early?" Lina scoffed. "Mum, I'd have to wake up at 4 a.m. just to make it on time."
Her dad crossed his arms. "That's not too bad."
Lina threw her hands up. "Are you guys serious right now?"
Her mum grabbed her arm. "Lina, it's not safe to go out this late."
"I'll be fine," Lina insisted, pulling away. "Mum, I have to go."
For the next fifteen minutes, they went back and forth. Her mum kept trying to convince her, and her dad added his own quiet but firm disapproval. Lina, however, wasn't budging. She needed to leave.
Eventually, her mother let out a dramatic sigh, placing her hands on her hips. "Fine. But at least take food with you."
Lina groaned. "Mum—"
"No arguments!" Her mother was already moving toward the storage bags.
Lina sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. She had been hoping—no, praying—that her mother would forget. She knew it was unlikely, but a girl could dream.
She had seen this coming from miles away. From the moment they went shopping earlier, she knew her mother would insist she take food and clothes. But she had still held onto that small, ridiculous hope that maybe—just maybe—her mum would be too distracted tonight.
Clearly, she had been delusional.
"I don't need all that food," Lina tried one last time.
Her mum shot her a sharp look. "So you're saying you won't eat?"
Lina opened her mouth, then closed it.
Checkmate.
"Exactly," her mum said, shoving bags toward her.
Lina muttered a string of curses under her breath as she started packing the food. She took only what she could carry, knowing her mother wouldn't let her leave empty-handed.
Then, just when she thought she was done, her mum clapped her hands together. "And your clothes!"
Lina's jaw clenched. "Mum, I really don't—"
"No excuses. Pack half of them now. I'll bring the rest when I visit."
Lina stilled.
Visit?
Her mum was planning to visit?
Lina forced a tight smile, nodding. "Sure, Mum."
Lies.
She had no intention of letting her mother visit anytime soon. Not until she was successful enough to buy a fucking villa.
The last thing she needed was her mum showing up at her tiny apartment and realizing that Lina wasn't actually living some fancy, dream life.
Her mum smiled, satisfied.
Lina exhaled slowly, stuffing some clothes into a bag.
Once everything was packed, they carried her things outside. Her mum balanced a bag of food on her hip while her dad carried some of her clothes. Lina had her hands full as well, and they made their way to the gate together.
As they stepped outside, her mum turned to her. "Lina, why don't you have a car yet?"
Lina blinked. "Huh?"
"A car," her mum repeated. "You work, don't you? You should have one by now."
Lina's mind raced.
She couldn't tell them she couldn't afford one. That would ruin everything.
So, she did the only logical thing.
She fucking lied.
"I'm actually going to buy one soon," she said casually.
Her mother raised a brow. "Oh? What kind?"
Lina took a deep breath. Then, with the confidence of someone who definitely wasn't lying through her teeth, she said, "A Tesla."
Her mum's eyes widened.
Her dad blinked.
Silence.
Then, her mum's lips slowly curled into a proud smile. "A Tesla? Ehn! My daughter is really living well."
Lina forced a tight smile, ignoring the way guilt twisted in her stomach.
Her dad didn't say anything, but he seemed to be thinking.
Lina could almost see the thoughts running through his head. He was the type of man who didn't believe in unnecessary luxuries, but at the same time, he had always trusted that they raised Lina well enough that she wouldn't lie.
Which meant…
He was starting to believe her.
Fuck.
Her mother patted her arm. "I'm so happy for you, my dear. Just make sure you take care of yourself. Buy yourself nice things before worrying about anyone else. Enjoy life first, okay?"
Lina swallowed. "Yeah, Mum. I will."
Her dad shifted slightly. "I'll drive you."
Lina's heart stopped.
Oh, hell no.
She knew exactly what that meant. If her dad drove her, he would take her straight to her apartment. And that was a disaster waiting to happen.
Just as her brain went into overdrive trying to come up with an excuse, bright headlights cut through the night.
A cab pulled up in front of the house.
Lina let out a breath of relief.
She had planned for this. She had fucking known her dad would try to drive her, so she had ordered a cab earlier.
"Ah," she said quickly, gesturing toward the car. "I already called one."
Her dad hesitated, then sighed. "Alright."
Her mum helped load the bags into the car, giving her another warm smile.
"Take care, okay?"
"I will."
Lina hugged them both, then got into the cab.
As they drove off, she glanced back.
Her mum was still smiling.
Her dad?
Still thinking.
Lina groaned, leaning her head back.
She had just pulled off the biggest bullshit act of her life.
And somehow, it fucking worked.