Romance in Disguise

Lying on the bed reading a book I had most definitely tried to finish, my mind goes blank and suddenly back again at remembering the situation I am in. My life these past few months have been unsteady and really hard. While my mind comes back, I continue reading the book only to hear my mom shouting my name downstairs. “Anastasia, Anastasia!!!” My mom called. Mrs Grace Tucker is my mom's name, she and my dad have been trying everything possible to elevate this family. My mom calls me by my full name and I wonder if she does not get depleted by it. “Yes mom, I'm coming please…..” I shouted back. I threw the book on the bed and hurried downstairs, it was not long before I saw my mom standing, washing some vegetables in the kitchen sink. The distance from my room in the attic to downstairs is really not far, besides it's a small house with just two rooms with bathroom each, kitchen and of course the attic. The last floor is mainly used as the shop. “ It is too late to still be in bed, what are you doing?” My mom asked. “I was reading the book I took from Peter's room” I said in a sad tone. You might be wondering who Peter is, well, I have a younger brother who is nothing but a pain in the ass, as all younger siblings are. “Why do you look so down? I know you are still thinking about this, you have to give it time, everything will fall in place” My mom advised. “ Easy for you to say mom, I know what I am going through and it is really hunting me” I sat down while responding. “ Look, there are other companies that would pay much more than the last one you did , and besides you were unfairly treated there, if you fish out more, I believe you would get a better job”. “Mom you know how much I enjoyed working there, it was not far from here and I had so many friends there too, I was finally starting to flow with everyone, I still do not understand why I got fired” “I loved creating new food menus and it is something that gives me so much joy” I complained. Mrs Grace sighed deeply and said “Well, there is no reason to cry over spilled milk or sulk about it too, you have been in bed for too long, go back up, take your bath, do the necessary and come help me” “Customers can come in at any time” My mom said sternly. “This is not fair mom, Peter is in his room,playing video games or something and you are so focused on me that is trying to get over this”. I said picking up a carrot to eat looking at her. “You really should not make me say something you would be unhappy about, I also woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning”. She looked at me. “Mr Ben that supplies our food ingredients brought the vegetables without the frozen foods, chicken and the rest”. She said angrily. “ Besides you should not compare yourself to your brother,he just finished secondary school and you are a graduate, I need you to bargain a reasonable price buying the chicken with Jackson's mom down the road, she likes you for reasons I am not fully sure about, can you do that for me please?” She said while cutting the vegetables. “ I am not sure either why she likes me but I think there might be many reasons” I said chuckling “ Okay mom, I get it, let me quickly wash up” I replied smiling. I stood up and ran back to my room, untied my hair, pulled my clothes off and entered the shower. I quickly washed up, wore my bathrobe and stepped out. Oh my goodness! I have not brushed. I remembered while smelling my breath. I sighed and did that too. I shuffled through my cloths and decided to wear a pale-blue jean with a striped red and white cropped top, this particular top has been in my drawer far too long most especially because I dress cooperate while I was working It seems so different picking this out, I thought. I quickly dried my hair, looked at the mirror and adjusted what was needed, knowing that my mom could call me at any time, I hurriedly checked myself. I finished and put my phone in my back pocket. Walking down the stairs, I peeped into my brother's room. He was lying in bed playing a video game as I had predicted. “Hey, won't you get something to do with your life” I yelled, opening the door widely. “ Please leave if you have nothing important to say” he responded without even looking at me. “ I hope you know you are in charge of doing the laundry today” I said, tackling him. “You don't have to remind me, I know”, he said, stood up immediately with the phone still in his hand walking towards me “Go away” he yelled and shut the door in my face. Wait! Did he just shout at me? This boy is starting to grow some wings “Wait till I tell mom what you are doing up here, I would be sure to say it in a very detailed way” I screamed back and walked away. Just two steps from the door, he opened it again and said holding my hand, “Okay sorry, please don't tell her, you know how she would react, mom could even come up here” he said begging I removed my hand and looked at him I came closer to him and whispered “Then come downstairs now.” I walked away immediately. “ I hate you” he screamed “ same” It gave me so much joy looking at his face like that. I got downstairs to the shop only to see customers flooding in. “ Anastasia go get what I asked you to, I thought you had gone since” my mom shouted to me UGH!!!! I really need to get a job. I thought to myself while walking out.