Chapter 2: Fried Rice and a Father's Gift
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Manon's alarm clock shrieked, a jarring assault on her still-sleepy ears. She instinctively reached for her pillow, a familiar comfort in the morning chaos. But her hand met empty air. Huh? Disoriented, she blinked, the blurry edges of her bedroom coming into focus. She was sprawled on the floor, her neck protesting with a sharp twinge. Fantastic, she thought, pushing herself into a sitting position. Just what I needed.
She stood, the rough carpet a stark contrast to the softness of her discarded pajamas. Today already felt like one of those days – the kind where gravity seemed to have a personal vendetta. A rushed visit to the bathroom, a simple blue dress pulled over her head, and her dark hair twisted into a haphazard bun later, she felt… resigned. Ready to face whatever the universe decided to throw her way.
Her fingers hovered over her phone when the door swung inward, revealing Andrien. Her older brother. But something was… off. The usual bright spark in his silver eyes seemed dimmed, replaced by a subtle shadow.
"You didn't wake me," he said, his voice unusually subdued.
"Oops. Sorry," Manon mumbled, avoiding his gaze. "Mom said she has something for me downstairs."
He nodded slowly, the sadness in his eyes still lingering. "Okay. See you." He turned to leave, his shoulders slightly slumped, then paused. "Oh, and…"
Before she could register his intention, strong arms swooped beneath her, lifting her off her feet. Manon gasped, a startled laugh escaping her lips. "Andrien! Put me down, you goofball!"
He just grinned, a flicker of his usual teasing self returning. "Nope!"
Ignoring her playful protests echoing through the hallway, he carried her downstairs like a sack of potatoes, finally depositing her in a chair at the dining table. Mom, her back to them, was bustling around the counter, arranging breakfast.
"Morning, Mom," Manon said, leaning over to plant a quick kiss on her cheek.
"Morning, dear," Mom replied, her smile warm and welcoming.
Andrien slid into his chair opposite her. "Morning, Mom! Slept like a log!"
Manon rolled her eyes dramatically. "Can you believe him? He just kidnapped me!"
Her playful annoyance faded as her gaze landed on the breakfast spread. Sandwiches, a colorful fruit salad, and glasses of orange juice – Mom's standard morning fare. But then she saw it. A separate plate, piled high with fragrant fried rice and a golden-brown, crispy chicken leg. Her absolute favorite. The savory aroma alone seemed to nudge away the lingering weight of last night's disappointment. She didn't even spare a glance at Andrien's perfectly ordinary plate. Who cared about his sleep habits now?
Then, the empty chair at the head of the table caught her eye. Dad's chair. A familiar pang of loss tightened in her chest. She swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and sat down.
Mom, her eyes filled with understanding, came over and gently kissed Manon's forehead. "Let's eat, okay? Andrien, phone down."
Andrien grinned sheepishly and placed his phone face down on the table.
"Who is it this time? Levin? Eleven? Marveling?" Manon teased, trying to lighten the mood.
Andrien just started eating, a small, private smile playing on his lips. Soon, the clinking of cutlery filled the air. After a quick goodbye kiss to Mom, Manon and Andrien paused by the framed family photo hanging on the wall. "Goodbye, Dad," they murmured in unison, a shared moment of quiet remembrance before grabbing their bags and keys.
Just as Manon reached for the doorknob, Mom's voice stopped her. Her blue eyes, usually sparkling with energy, were soft with a hint of melancholy as she looked at Manon. "Your father… he said that when you turned sixteen, I should give you this." She sighed, a faint tremor in her voice. "You turned sixteen yesterday, but… you spent your whole birthday in your room."
Mom took Manon's hand, her touch gentle. "Ever since you were a little girl, your father knew you'd grow up tall and strong. And he was right. You're so incredibly smart, Manon."
Manon's eyes began to sting. The mention of her dad, the missed birthday… it was all hitting her at once.
"He said I should give you this necklace," Mom continued, her voice thick with emotion, "so you'll always find your heart's desires."
Manon looked down at the necklace Mom held out. It was a delicate gold chain with a smooth, marble-like pendant. Something about it sparked a flicker of recognition. "Mom… this is Dad's necklace!"
A sad but loving smile touched Mom's lips as she carefully fastened the clasp around Manon's neck. The cool metal felt strangely comforting against her skin.
Manon glanced at her watch, her heart suddenly pounding with the urgency of the school day. "Mom, I'm late! I need to get to school before Andrien tries to blame me for it."
"Have a wonderful day, dear," Mom said, her voice carrying a weight Manon couldn't quite decipher.
Something in Mom's tone, something in the familiar weight of the necklace against her chest, sent a shiver of unease and anticipation down Manon's spine. It was as if a page in her life had just been turned, revealing a path she hadn't expected. She hurried out the door, got into her car, and drove off, the image of her mother's wistful smile lingering in her rearview mirror.