I stared at the mirror for the fifth time, I always avoided mirrors. They showed too much—of me, too much of me, too much of the things I tried not to think about. but...now? It was different. I was no longer six or eight. I was 18. I had grown into a woman already and it was scaring me, I never want to end up like my mother—single and getting married at 39, but did I know what the future held?
"Lila! How many hours does it take to get ready!"
I sighed, her voice always annoyed me. Would I ever be able to forgive her for abandoning me as a child? Don't think so.
"I'm ready" I replied, taking my phone from the bed. Immediately I walked out, I gasped. She was putting on the most beautiful and definitely expensive dress I had ever seen.
"Did you steal it?"
Her smile faded immediately, she was definitely not expecting that sort of reaction.
"Lila! Be respectful and choose your words carefully!" She snapped.
"Well, we barely have money for feeding and rent and you just wore a dress that looks out of a Disney movie."
"You gotta start getting that poverty mindset off your head. Brace yourself, my husband is rich." She said with a smirk.
I stared at her stunned. So that's what this marriage stuff is all about.
"Oh, I get it now. Does he know you're marrying him for his money?"
"Seriously? Now you think your mom is a gold digger now huh?"
I shrugged, she had the answers herself.
"Whatever grudges you still hold against me, why don't you at least try to know me first before judging me."
I scoffed. You mean the woman who abandoned her child from birth? I think I know enough.
She grabbed the keys and her bag.
"Let go, the car is waiting outside."
I followed her reluctantly, dragging my feet. Who knows what her fiance looks like? How old was he? As soon as we stepped out, I stopped dead in my tracks. A long black limousine was parked right in front of the house.
"You've got to be kidding me,"
I muttered under my breath. Guess she heard me, because she smirked clearly enjoying my reaction.
"Get in Lila. We don't have all day."
I slid into the limo, keeping my face as blank as possible. My mom sat beside me, scrolling through her phone like this was just another normal day in her life.
The car started moving, and I stared out the window, the familiar streets of our shabby neighborhood blurring past.
"Mom," I said finally, breaking the silence.
She glanced up from her phone. "What now, Lila?"
"Who exactly is this guy you're marrying?"
She smirked, like she'd been waiting for the question. "You'll meet him soon enough."
"That's not an answer."
"Just be polite, okay?" she said, ignoring my tone. "And try not to embarrass me."
I rolled my eyes, leaning back into the seat. Typical.
The limo slowed, and my jaw dropped as we turned into a driveway that looked more like a private road. Trees lined both sides, and at the end of it stood a massive mansion. I mean, massive. The kind of place you see on TV or in magazines, not in real life.
"Are you serious?" I muttered, my voice dripping with disbelief.
My mom smirked again, clearly enjoying my reaction. "Welcome to your new home, Lila."