Alexia's dream

"Seriously? Allow me to doubt him." I decided to keep attacking her using her boyfriend since I felt there was a clue there to convince her to study.

"You're... you're just jealous that he has a beauty like me. I bet with your looks, you don't even have a girlfriend."

Alexia took my comment very badly and even counterattacked using my appearance.

I see, it seems she is overly confident in her looks, to the point where she has convinced herself, or has been convinced, that she can live off them alone.

(So beautiful but so naive, what a pity.)

I sat back in my chair, ready to continue attacking her.

"I don't need a girlfriend, I have a fiancée and I'll marry her when I graduate," I responded calmly.

(I never said my fiancée had to be real), I lied, but I didn't lie.

She gave me a look of contempt and continued.

"She must be plain or ugly to be with someone like you," she attacked again with that weak argument.

"Hmm, tastes are relative, but if you ask ten people, nine out of ten would choose my fiancée."

"You're lying..."

"Unlike you, I have more than just my looks to offer. In fact, she proposed to me, smitten."

I lied again, but technically, I didn't lie.

This argument has a greater purpose than just bothering my future pupil.

(I just need her to make a mistake...)

Don't want to study willingly? No problem, I'll force you by other means.

"Ha! I see, I understand, I understand. Your goal is to seduce me, right? You want to convince me that my boyfriend is worthless and then take advantage of me using studies as an excuse to steal my inheritance," she said, standing up and pointing at me, 'triumphant.'

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at such nonsense.

(Should I destroy her ego? No, that would be too much), I thought for a moment.

She took it as if my master plans had been discovered and continued:

"I warn you, pervert, my boyfriend is very tall and would surely knock you out with one punch," she threatened, once again using her boyfriend.

Excessive love... Dependence... Lack of approval... one of those must be it.

(Unfortunately, you made a mistake.)

"Do you know who would be happy for your boyfriend to hit me?"

My question made her look at me as if I were a loser.

"Are you scared? Clearly..." she started to respond, but I was quicker.

"Your mother."

"Ha, of course..."

That answer put a smile on her face until she processed it fully and realized something was wrong.

"Huh? Wait, what did you say?"

Do you think your mother would approve of a boyfriend who doesn't care about your academic performance? In fact, in that little chat I had with her, I found out that your already low grades fell even more when you met your boyfriend.

It goes without saying that her opinion of this guy is completely negative.

"Your mother would happily take advantage of your boyfriend hitting me to screw him over. Is he of legal age? A record of assault would be an interesting blemish on his resume, don't you think?"

"Wait..."

That revelation made her take a few steps back, and her mocking and triumphant smile was nowhere to be seen.

We're not in school, dear. Welcome to real life, where one record can ruin a good opportunity.

However, there's no need for me to keep attacking her.

(I guess that's enough), with that thought, I decided to implement another strategy.

"But, you know? I think you're right. From what I've seen, you two surely love each other passionately."

"You... what are you saying?"

I got up from the chair and prepared to leave the room slowly, not without saying a few parting words.

"I also think your dream is very respectable, so I'll help you convince your mother."

*Shiver.

Hearing that, she trembled for a moment before quickly coming toward me.

*Grabbed arm.

"Wait, wait, what... what will you tell mom?" she even grabbed my arm.

"Hmm? Just the usual, you know, how to cope with the fact that her daughter wants to be that kind of actress. After all, for a mother, it must be a bit hard."

Alexia didn't respond, but her eyes widened with urgency seeing that I was serious. Clearly, her mother's opinion about her 'dream' mattered a lot to her.

"Don't worry," I said, placing my hands on her shoulders before continuing, "it turns out I have some contacts with people who specialize in these matters. I assure you, your mother won't abandon you."

Unfortunately, her dream isn't very well regarded by society, so I offered my humble help to soften the impact of the news on her mother.

"I'll also make sure to support you in all your productions," I nodded like a wise grandfather giving his support to his granddaughter, but inside...

(Ha, ha, sure I will, ha, ha.)

She released my arm and clenched her hands with... anger? shame?

"See you. Send me your stage name on my phone when you come up with one," I said, bidding farewell with those words.

And just when I was touching the door handle to leave...

"You win... I'll study, I'll study. Just... don't tell mom," with her head down, she finally agreed to improve, without unclenching her fists.

"Don't worry! I promise that with studying, your performance as an actress will be infinitely better," I said with an enthusiastic and slightly mocking voice.

Her sulking face was definitely a great sight.

--

After drafting a provisional schedule, Ethan and Alexia went down to the living room to give Adriana the good news.

But Alexia's thoughts were anything but optimistic.

(Damn bastard...), she remembered the past humiliation, but could do nothing but resign herself. She loved her boyfriend, but wasn't naive; she knew he might leave at some point. Her mother, on the other hand, was all she had. She couldn't lose her over something so stupid.

As they went down the stairs, they found Adriana sitting on the couch, drinking coffee with a worried and slightly hopeful expression.

Ethan took the lead and announced himself.

"Mrs. Adriana, I have good news: Alexia agreed to study."

*Standing up quickly

Adriana stood up like a lightning bolt and asked for confirmation.

"Is that true, Alexia?"

"...Yes, mother," the reluctance in her words was almost palpable.

Ethan then wanted to give some words of encouragement.

"That's right. I've convinced her that improving in her studies will be very useful for her DREAM, as I believe she has great potential to achieve her DREAM if she studies more." Emphasizing the word "dream" strangely.

(Damn you! You said it twice!), Alexia cursed him in her mind, understanding what he was trying to make her mother understand.

"Huh? Do you already have a dream? You haven't told me, what is it?" her mother, a bit confused, didn't know what this so-called dream was.

"That... that..." Alexia, nervous, couldn't help but stammer.

"It's a surprise, but it's related to the arts," and without any hesitation, Ethan kindly came to her rescue.

(You... you again.)

*Tears *Tears

Hearing that her beloved daughter's dream was related to the arts, Adriana got emotional and brought her hands to her face to wipe her teary eyes.

*Steps

*Quick steps

"Alexia... finally, my dear... Don't worry! Your mother will support you in everything you need! You'll surely be a great artist! No, I'm sure you'll be the best!" with words of encouragement, Adriana ran to her and gave her a big, warm hug.

(Ha, ha, maybe you're right, ha, ha), Ethan mocked in his mind while watching the scene.