After Daddy Had Tortured Us

Lies Upon Lies

Audrey's Pov

Sweetie, I found this letter in your school bag. Why did Principal Helen had to make you a recommendation letter for extracurricular activities?

"So that I would finally be accepted," I responded.

"Are you telling me that they've been depriving you of participating?"

"Uh-huh." But there's no need to get welled up because it's been settled. I've been given access to everything, and I am doing tremendous things. Sooner or later, I'll be the face of that school." I said with excitement, but what my Mom said next got me shrinking:

"I'm glad that Helen still has regards for our friendship. I should call and thank her," she said, attempting to dial her.

"Call her?!!"

"No! You can't!" I grabbed the phone.

"Sweetie, I am sorry. I was so caught up in my misery that I forgot the difficulties you were facing for being "the new girl." Now, the least I could do is to let her know that I am grateful."

Mom, she isn't the one you should be thanking. It's Mr Watson, but... you can't thank him either because the whole thing is embarrassing and complicated.

"What makes it complicated? Is it the fact that you've been catering to Scott's every need?

Honey, you shouldn't be embarrassed. Rather, you should be proud that your own sweat earned you that recommendation and not something fishy.

Always remember that it is an honorable thing to make an honest earnings in the mist of this corrupted world. And for that, I had just won the proudest Mom's crown," she said, caressing my hair.

Hearing her speak so highly of me only escalated the guilt. I wanted to confess, but I was apprehensive. What if I shatter her hope?

"Audrey, come with me. I need your opinion on something," she said, leading the way

I followed her reluctantly, and as the front door slided, I couldn't help but yell: "Woo hoo!" "An e—electronic...dirt b—bike?!" I choked.

"Happy belated birthday, sweetie! Meet your new playmate!"

Because of my mom's financial constraints, I told her to forget about throwing a party and just take me to the cemetery this Saturday to spend the whole afternoon with Dad.

"Oh my God! oh, my God.... I... I have my.... own... bike? I teared up.

You're the best mom! I hugged her as I continued to sniff, holding back the snot.

Mom, does this mean that you don't mind me becoming a racer anymore?

"Audrey, as long as it's just a hobby like you promise, then I don't mind. However, here are my rules:

‐You must wear your helmet at all times.

You must never ride after dusk.

‐You must stay off the main street until you're nineteen.

Lastly, you will ride only at its minimum speed."

Chill, Mom, you know that I am an excellent rider.

"You're eleven, so it doesn't matter if you are as good as "Maria Costello." You're going to do it my way. Now affix your signature here," she handed me the paper and a pen.

"Spoiler alart, Mom," I am a minor, so no jury will hold me accountable for this.

"Flash news, Sweetie, I.. am.. the jury, so if you break these rules, I.. will... break... the bike," she trailed off. Her emphasis gave me a chill.

"Mintues later, I heard her call from her room window: "Audrey, come in here," I immediately ran upstairs.

"Listen, I am going to take your grandma for checkup. Mr Watson is entertaining some guests in the garden, so do not go anywhere around that vicinity while I am gone," she warned.

"I copied," Mom.

The thing about lies is that they can get you whatever you want, but a continuation of it might cause you more damage than good.

I am Mommy's perfect little girl, and not a liar, Therefore, I will go up to Mr Watson and confess and accept my punishment. I said after his colleagues had left.

I waited for Uncle Benjamin to leave as well, but it was clear that he wasn't going to leave anytime soon. Hence, I came up with a plan that would give us alone time.

"Hi, Mr Watson and Uncle Benjamin!" I greeted as I rolled my red and black razor MX400 towards them.

Seeing me all dressed up in my red Moto Bomber faux jacket, a pair of red and white leather gloves, and a polarized lense sunglasses, they both were stunned—

"Bam!" Sweetie, you're look flashy and cute," Uncle Benjamin complimented. Then, turning to Mr Watson, he asked, "Dude, doesn't she look fabulous?"

"Well, in my opinion, the bike and everything is an ostentatious display of "bling," but sadly, "a five-million" doesn't last a— "

"Spy girl, can I get a few shots, please..." Uncle Benjamin asked, interrupting him because his response was kinda mean.

"Uh-huh, I nodded!.

"Dude, stand right here and hold her like this," he said to Mr Watson. Who was reluctant at first, but forging forward, I could tell he was having fun too.

As he held me, I felt an indescribable feeling. It was a feeling that I had never experienced before, yet it felt so familiar. Though out the shots, I was trying to analyze it.

"I never thought that you knew how to ride a bike," said Uncle Benjamin.

Actually, I was hoping that Mr Watson would help me learn, I said, using that as an excuse to be alone with him.

"Why would your mother waste money on a bike when you don't know how to ride? Anyway, it's a pass because I have some documentation to complete," he said and left.

"Cheer up, little spy. It's Uncle Ben to the rescue! Just a second, let me change into something more comfortable."

I stood with my helmet under my arms, recounting the lies, and I felt broken.

After his intensive theoretical teaching, he sat me on the bike, placed the helmet on my head, and made sure that my hands were on the handles properly.

"V–vroom.... vroom!!" I started the bike preparing to take off.

"What?! So you know how to ride? Why, then, did you lie? You made a fool out of me," he scolded.

I'm sorry I made you feel this way. I only wanted to spend some alone time with Mr Watson.

"Seriously, I can't believe that you would lie just to have your way and all this while I thought you were a pure and sweet little girl."

"I am very much a sweetheart. It was just a tiny white lie," I protested.

"Yeah, but that's how it all begins. Here's the truth about lies: They can get you whatever you want and, in return, steal your joy and gradually turn you into a monster.

In the beginning, you might use it for favor, then to skip punishments, and before you know it, your personality will go down the drain."

"Uncle Benjamin, I committed fraud! I forged Mr Watson's signature and identity," I blurted.

"Nice try, Audrey, causing distraction because you don't want to adhere to discipline," he trailed off.

I swear I did. I used his phone and email to create a letter of recommendation, and I also imposted myself as his daughter.

He halted and said, "Stop cooking up more lies, young lady, because even hijackers can not access Frederick's accounts due to its firm security system."

He left me in his study for about fifteen minutes, and the widows of his computer were opened and his phone as well.

When he heard this, his face grew red, so I hurriedly continued narrating the whole story, and by the time he heard the ending, he chuckled.