Zen…

There are two types of girls…

The girl who can have anything she wants without stress.

The one who will go to any length to get whatever it is she wants.

***

Jewel walked into her room and banged the door. She really needed a space to cry.

Everyone kept saying,

“Take heart”

“It happened for a reason” …

What reason?

Every part of her was breaking into several pieces. No one understands.

Is this what it feels like to lose two parents at a go? The agony, the fear, the loneliness.

Family and friends came. Some, their eyes reek of insincerity.

What is next?

A knock disrupted her thoughts. “Jewel are you there? Can you open the door?”

The house will be taken by her dad’s relatives, exactly what they’d always wanted.

She sniffed and quickly wiped her eyes.

She took a deep breath and pressed a smile on her lips before opening the door.

A man, probably in his 40s walked in. If there’s anyone who had ever cared for her, it should be this man.

“We are leaving for the states first thing tomorrow morning” Mr Jefferson Edward touched her soft cheeks.

“You were crying again?”

She squeezed a smile, her eyes red and worn out.

The man held her gaze, he had something to say.

“Darling, you have a call” Imelda walked in and handed him a cell phone.

Jefferson smiled at Jewel and left. Imelda gave her a quick look and followed behind.

Jewel sniffed.

Speaking of a new life, Imelda Edwards is one tough nut to crack.

***

“What’s your plan Jewel?” Jefferson was staring in his normal unusual manner.

They we’re having Grilled chicken and chips with red wine.

Slices of watermelons, avocados and red grapes on the side.

Jewel on the edge of her seat pretended Imelda wasn’t glaring at her. “I really don’t want to be a burden to you and your family sir, but I was going to tell you I don’t want to keep going to school…”

“What? Why ?” Jefferson had expected the opposite.

“It’s a waste of time for me sir.”

For some reason Imelda smiled.

“What do you want to do then?” Jefferson dropped his spoon and leaned back on his chair.

Jewel chugged a glass of water and cleared her throat. “Work. I want to help at the company. I’m a very hardworking person sir and I will not cause you any kind of trouble”

Imelda broadened her smile. “Aww, sweet child. Are you sure you don’t want to continue schooling? You might regret later”

“I won’t.” Jewel firmed her lips looking at the couple.

Jefferson wiped his mouth, his thick brows curved. “I’ll discuss this with my wife before going to bed, we’ll get back to you in the morning.”

Jewel nodded “Good night”

She walked to her study and picked her journal, going over the pages.

It’s a new year. And she made a list.

It read.

Get a job. Save enough money from working at uncle Jefferson’s company. Get online rich.

The last two will shock you.

Lose my virginity. Disappear and live life on my own terms.

“Let’s explore life from a newer perspective”

***

“I don’t understand why she’d quit school. It’s her parents’ dream for her to finish school and get a high paying job and truth is, I’ve never seen a girl quite as smart as Jewel.”

Jefferson continued brushing his teeth then stopped and sighed in the mirror.

“You know how young people are… losing both parents same time can be traumatic plus she could have ptsd, her parents died in a car accident after visiting her in school..” Imelda left her mirror and walked to the bed.

Jefferson flossed his mouth and turned. “You’re right.”

The woman changed into her pink silky night wear and laid the bed. “I was going to tell you, I’m going to Greece and… will take some time before I return”

Jefferson flexed his jaw and walked into the bedroom. “When have you ever needed my permission?” He opened his wardrobe and closed it again.

Imelda scoffed and sat on the bed. “You and I…”

Jefferson walked back to the bathroom. “Get her on the marketing team. Socializing with people will be good for her mental health” he banged the door.

“Jeff, we need to have this conversation. We are adults…” Imelda followed him.

“One more thing.”

Her heart stopped.

“Put her on payroll” Jeff turned on the shower.

If Jewel were here, she’d tick off the first thing on her list.