15 You Can Do It!

I got home and I smelled something very delicious. Summer is probably cooking for our dinner.

I went straight to the kitchen. "Wow, someone's in a good mood," I teased her while she's mixing the pasta sauce.

"Why wouldn't I be in a good mood? I got a perfect score in chemistry," she proudly said with a smile.

I'm not even surprised that she did. Ever since she was little, I can already see that Summer is a very smart girl. Always top of the class and also one of the best representatives of their school. I'm just a bit sad that mom and dad won't be able to see her wearing a cap and gown in a couple of years.

"Aww," I hugged her tightly. "You never failed to make me proud, young lady. And if mom and dad were here, they're probably being problematic about what they'll give you as a gift."

I could see the look in her eyes when I mentioned them. Summer is very close to our parents, especially to mom.

"I miss them so much, Liv," she said and smiled bitterly.

"Me too, Summer. Me too," I answered.

...

We were happily eating together and we also had some talks about what she wants to take in college. Summer wanted to take architecture which is not a bad idea because she's into art. When she was a kid, mom and she used to paint a portrait together because mom is also an artistic woman.

"Summer," I called her. She looked at me because she must've noticed that my voice is a bit serious this time. "I would like to say sorry."

Her eyebrows furrowed. "For what, Liv?"

"For being such an overprotective sister. I know you're at the right age to spend time with your friends-"

"Liv, I completely understand. You don't have to apologize for it. You're not being an overprotective sister, you're just being a good one because you want me to have the best, and I can't thank you enough for sacrificing just to make sure that I'll have a normal life even mom and dad aren't here anymore."

My heart melted when I heard those words that came out of her mouth. All I ever wanted was for her to have a good future, a better life than what we have now. Every hard work that I make, she makes it so worthy. Summer had grown up so well, more than I ever wanted her to be.

"I love you, Summer. Always remember that, okay?" I softly said and gave her a small smile.

She smiled before she stood up and hugged me while I was still sitting. "I love you more," she sweetly said.

...

"I thought you wanted me to give you a lot of work?"

I can't believe I'm now backing out on this. I didn't want to disappoint Mr. Parker but I also know that what he wants me to do is just impossible.

"Sir, no matter how much paper works you'll give me, I'll have it done. Just not this one," I begged in front of him.

He leaned against his chair and crossed his legs in a manly way. "Why don't you just do the thing I want you to do?" He raised a brow.

"Because I don't think I can do it, Mr. Parker. I'm not skilled enough to organize a big event. I didn't even finish college," I explained, it can probably change his mind. Why would he ask me to do such a big thing? He trusts me too much.

"I don't care if you didn't, Liv. You did a lot of training, will you let your hard work go in vain?" I was hoping he'll change his mind but now he's forcing me to change mine! What a turnabout!

"I don't trust myself, sir," I almost mumbled. I didn't want to fail in front of his eyes. It's too much to handle.

"Well, you have to, as much as I trust you. What's the point of learning if you won't even give yourself a chance to try?"

He's quite right about that. But I still don't trust myself. What if I'll just be an embarrassment to all of his guests? I can't let that happen because it's also on Mr. Parker. But it's not like I do have a choice, this is my job. I'll just wish for my luck.

...

"Yes, I would like to see your invitation designs," I said. I went into the town's famous store of generating invitations for events.

"Okay, ma'am. Please follow me," she said so I followed her. "Here are our best designs, ma'am." I saw a tall glass cabinet and the invitation samples are displayed inside of it.

It was all presentable and some of them are simple yet elegant. How can I choose one if the choices are all fabulous?

"Are you perhaps getting married, Ma'am?" She shyly asked me and I laughed a bit. "Do you want to see our wedding invitations instead?"

"No. I'm not getting married. I'm organizing an event," I corrected her politely.

"Oh, okay. I'm sorry for asking, ma'am," she apologized. I'm actually not angry about it. To be honest, it's somehow ridiculous because I think she's seeing me as a woman who's ready to get married. Well, that will still be a long way ahead for me. I need to see Summer finish college first I'll get into that.

"It's fine. Maybe before I'll marry someone, I'll visit your store again to look for my wedding invitation." I smiled at her.

This is the first time I talked about marriage. I mean, who doesn't want to settle down, right? Marrying someone, having lovely kids, and just being happy for the rest of your life, who doesn't want it? But how can I talk about it if I know in myself that I haven't experienced falling in love yet? Not in middle school, not in high school, not even once. Frankly speaking, I'm curious about how it feels to have that kind of inspiration.