Moving Out & Wind Blows with Her

Sage parked Champ at the roadside. She alighted from the vehicle and approached the large brown and black metal gate. She pressed the doorbell and waited for someone to open the gate for her.

"Please wait!" A voice from the other side of the gate reverberated.

"Sage? Did your mother send you?" The family nanny opened the gate for her.

In this private compound, the families of the councilor and the Vice-Mayor, who was the councilor's brother-in-law, resided. Her intention was to request the councilor's help in connecting their water source to her mother's house.

"Is Uncle Wolf there?"

"No. He's at his office at the Council Hall," the nanny answered with a prideful smile, her gaze clearly looking down on Sage.

"How about brother FM or brother AM?" Sage felt uncomfortable under the nanny's scrutinizing look, annoyed at her intentional dawdling.

"Can I speak with them?"

"Just tell me what you want to say and leave. I'll pass the message to them."

Sage's smile twitched. The nanny might have the vice-mayor's ear, but she wasn't a trusted aide of the councilor.

"Oh, never mind. Thank you." Sage turned her back and waited for the nanny to close the gate.

When she heard the gate creaking, she inhaled deeply and shouted, "BROTHER FM! BROTHER AM! I HAVE A FAVOR TO ASK!"

The nanny swiftly opened the gate, struggling with the heavy iron in her panicked state.

"You can enter, Sage." Brother FM stepped out and invited Sage in.

"Bro, I'll be quick. I won't go inside," she said hurriedly, turning her back to tease the nanny with a stuck-out tongue. She received a glare, but her youth allowed her certain liberties.

"What is it?" Brother FM asked gently, his calm demeanor and ever-present smile a stark contrast to the tension.

"I'd like to connect a water source from your property to us. We will pay $250 a month, as soon as possible."

"I'll tell my father when he gets home," Brother FM nodded thoughtfully. The offer was substantial; they could profit from it. Another household was already connected to their water, and with the Everest family's contribution, their own water costs would be covered.

"I know my father; I'll accept it. Do you want the connection tomorrow?" Brother FM changed his stance.

Sage beamed and bowed slightly in gratitude. "I'm not sure about the installation fee and materials, but I'll pay our consumption fee in advance for 36 months!" Sage handed over $15,000 to Brother FM in one swift motion, foregoing any mental calculations to save time.

Sage bowed and thanked Brother FM repeatedly.

She ran from the gate to her mother's house, where the evening bustle of cleaning and cooking dinner filled the air.

Sage entered unnoticed and stored her personal bag, filled with official documents and souvenirs from friends, in the inventory.

Descending, she encountered her mother in a bath towel. "What a miracle to see your face here! I didn't know you still knew where your home is," Mother Everest mocked, eyeing Sage with disdain.

Sage inwardly retorted, "Pfft. This is never my home, as you've made clear."

But she maintained a pretense of a smile as she announced, "I'm moving out."

Francia, her sister, emerged from the kitchen with a curious look, ladle in hand, observing the intense interaction between Sage and their mother.

"As if you're capable! I'd be glad to not see your face in my house anymore!" Mother Everest laughed wickedly, her joy at the prospect of Sage's departure evident. "I don't need a useless child like you. A misfortune. An embarrassment!"

Mother Everest fantasized about Sage reduced to begging on the streets, a victim of misfortune. She relished the thought of her daughter's humiliation.

Sage concealed the pain in her eyes, recalling the times she had been used as a trophy for her mother's vanity. She was the only one among her siblings to achie-- she shook her head pushed the thought aside. Her siblings, too, suffered under their mother's tyranny, even their frail and old father. 

Sage swallowed hard to steady her voice. "I've arranged for Uncle Wolf's family to install water at your home. It's already paid for," she said, pausing briefly before continuing, "I'll cover the utility bills and send weekly groceries. I'll even provide funds for a housekeeper to maintain this house you love so much. That should compensate for any grievances I've caused you. Live well and without worry."

Sage placed an envelope full of cash on the table, turned, and opened the main door. With her back to them, she spoke:

"Ma, truth be told. You are toxic to the core; you cannot even be recycled. You'll end up killing everyone around you without receiving the love that a mother might deserve."

Sage's voice wavered, tears moistening her cheeks.

She laughed bitterly, "Oh, sorry. You despise advice. I'm a fool for offering it. Feel free to reach out if you ever tire of working. I won't stop you from visiting me, but you might need to beg before you could do so. We'll see whose pride prevails. And just so you know, if others are unaware of your true nature, I'm ready to enlighten them at any time. I understand you better than you know yourself, ma."

She raised her left arm, waving slightly, "You're always welcome to visit, sister. Until next time."

Sage closed the door behind her and left her mother's house. She cast one final glance at the place she had grown up in and fiercely wiped away her tears. "Ah, these cursed tears that refuse to cease," she whispered, a sorrowful smile gracing her lips.

She retrieved a hoodie from the inventory and donned it, allowing her hair to shield her face as she passed her neighbors, who paid her no mind. Sage rarely talked to them, and often saw her hiding her face.

Sage steadied herself before driving back to her place, offering a weary greeting to the Crown Homes' guard. "Good day, Chief!"

Her red nose and teary eyes hinted at the turmoil within.

She suspected her mother was painting a grim picture of her to her father, and braced herself for an impending call that would demand explanations. Yet, as night fell, the expected call never came. Instead, rumors of Sage's supposed ingratitude and disrespect swirled through the neighborhood, fueled by her mother's convincing theatrics.

In the kitchen, Sage busied herself preparing sweet and sour ribs, a distraction from her anxiety. Dinner time passed, and still, no ring from her father. Concerned, she reached out to her sister.

: Sis, did something happen to papa?

Francia: He ate too much spicy pollock soup this afternoon and was brought to the hospital. He had a false hemorrhoidal attack. 

Sage sighed in relief. She lay down on the white sofa and raised her phone at her eye level. 

: Does that mean she is out? 

Francia: Yes. Only me and baby brother are here. Are you really not coming back home? 

: Sis, that is not my home. Where I live now is. 

Francia: Where are you living now anyway? 

: Secret. But I can show you. 

Francia: Don't tell me Nick came to Seaview City and eloped with you? 

: Sister! Who the heck is that Nick? Why would I elope with a stranger? 

Francia: You are so in love and dreamy about him. I suspect you would even catch a bullet for him. 

: Ughh, all of you keep telling me that. 

Francia: Did the love potion and flowery words he gave you finally expired? You seem to not have a recollection of your own love life. 

: Oh my, I've been single all my life. Maybe I got possessed by a lovesick spirit.

Francia: Show me around your house. I want to make sure he isn't there. 

Francia also intended to check Sage's new home from a video call. She was worried that her sister might be selling her body to pay rent for a small room. 

***Sage Everest invited you to a video call***

You joined the video call. 

Francia saw her younger sister lying down on a snow-white sofa wearing light blue silk pajamas. She was confused. It seemed that her sister was doing well. 

Sage's voice, tinged with a mix of defiance and vulnerability, broke the silence. "Sis?" she called out, seeking her sister's attention.

Francia, momentarily lost in her own thoughts, snapped back to the present. "How can I be sure you're alone if you're just lying there?" she chided, her tone a blend of concern and curiosity.

Sage rose, revealing the backdrop of an exotic painting that immediately captured Francia's gaze. "Are you working as a maid? Is that your boss' living room?" the suspicion in her voice was evident.

With a light chuckle, Sage dispelled the assumption. "Nope. This is mine." The camera panned, showcasing a living room that was a testament to minimalistic elegance, anchored by a 50-inch smart TV surrounded by books. The 'premium+' label on the screen spoke of exclusive access, while the neatly arranged wires and speakers hinted at meticulous care.

Francia's envy was palpable, yet her purpose remained firm. "Sage, I'm not here to watch a show."

Sage's playful spirit shone through as she stuck out her tongue and rose from the sofa. "Shall I start outside?" she proposed, leading the virtual tour beyond the confines of the living room.

The sight of a bright, golden yellow e-trike named Champ and a well-tended garden greeted Francia. Sage's pride in her authentic greenery was clear as she tore a leaf in half, demonstrating its realness.

"I've started a farm garden too, but it's just mounds of dirt for now," Sage admitted, her voice carrying a hint of excitement for the future.

The camera then swept over to a jacuzzi area, flanked by rattan beach chairs and a coconut tree, evoking a sense of tropical tranquility. "Haven't had time for a bath there yet," Sage confessed, her busy life leaving little room for leisure.

Francia's suggestion of a picnic was met with a grin from Sage. "A picnic alone is boring. I'm thinking of getting some pets," she mused, already envisioning the companionship they would offer.

"What pets are you considering?" Francia inquired, her interest piqued as Sage returned indoors.

"A pig, maybe? Or a crow, or even a snake," Sage pondered, her eclectic taste in pets revealing a streak of unconventional charm.

Sage opened the shoe cabinet and showed her sister one pair of worn-out, blue slip-on shoes. "See? Only my pair is here."

There was a small cupboard on top of the shoe cabinet. There was Sage's old phone, keys, and old bag on it. Above the cupboard was a wall with geometric paintings. It added sense of aesthetic of the whole house. 

"Don't you like cats and dogs?" Francia asked. 

"I like huskies, but I can't last with the noises." 

Sage showed her sister all the corners and contents of cabinets and refrigerator. The cabinets were mostly empty, but her refrigerator was filled to the brim. Even the kitchen cupboard had variety of snacks. In contrast, she only had one casserole and one rice cooker.

She also showed her sister the empty guest rooms and even the neat restrooms. 

Then, she proceeded on the second floor. The master bedroom had multiple purposes. It could be bedroom, a recreation room, and movie room. It had good sound insulation that would not disturb the neighbors. Although her nearest neighbor was quite some distance away. 

Sage's wardrobe only had two pairs of track suits, one formal dress, two pairs of casual clothes, and three pajamas. 

"Why is your room almost empty?" Francia was surprised. 

"I got no money. I can't spend too much on clothes. How about we go thrift shopping soon?"

"Your treat?" 

Sage nodded, "Sure. I'll tell you when you can come here." 

"By the way, what did she tell the people about me?" Sage lied down on the bed, turning off the video icon and continued chatting with only the audio.