Chapter 5

(Prima's POV)

Inside a 2 story house, in the dining room connected with the kitchen, 2 people are currently eating together. The woman was eating with a smile on her face contentedly while the girl is calmly eating expressionlessly.

"Prima, I have this friend of mine whose daughter needs help for her studies. So, I thought maybe you'd like to teach her?" My mother asks me with that famous twinkle in her eyes.

"I don't want to."

"What did you say honey?" My mother asks me with her eerie voice, this time her smile is no longer warm.

'Fake' thought Prima.

She knows what I'm like. I never liked talking to people much. Outside the family, she may be asking a favor, but I know better. My mother, ever since knowing I was above average when it came to my I.Q has done nothing but show me off to people. All I have ever remembered when I was a child was study, study and more study.

'Why can't I be more normal?" I have done everything my mother has told me to do but it never seems to be enough. I've joined competitions internationally until universities all over the world gave me scholarships, but it wasn't just any other competition. There was this specific competition that happens for every 5 years, I was 9 at the time. And then 10, when I got into one of the most prestigious University in the world.

'Of course, my mother being the woman she is, gossiped around the neighborhood until all they seem to know in life is to look at me and expect to do my best and do better all the time.'

"Honey?" My mother asks making me come back to reality. She looks at me with impatience and a little bit of anger.

"I don't think I'll be able to do that, Ma'am." Whenever my mother is angry I have to call her ma'am or madam. She doesn't like being called mama, mom or any other title for a mother you can think of. She always wants me to respect her for the woman she is. But sometimes when she's in a good mood, she'll allow me to call her mother, mostly when were outside.

"And why is that dear?"

'She called me dear' My mother had a specific order in which to call me that is connected to what she is feeling. When she's a little bit angry she calls me honey, and when she's near to exploding she calls me dear. I think that there is more to that order, I just never pushed her buttons enough to find out.

"My teacher told me that I need more time with my friends than studying." The *teacher* that I'm talking about in reality is our school psychiatrist.

"Is that so? A shame I'll have to tell my friend that" She looks at me sadly.

If my mother wasn't a single mom and always busy to be perfect, she would've been given an Oscar for her acting. She's a snake through and through.

"Since I can't get you to help a friend of mine, then I can get you help."

'What? I don't think this is good.'

"You look a little shock." My mother playfully giggles.

"Not really mother, I'm just amazed that even though you're so busy you're still thinking about me." Two can play this game. She may be the best in this, but I learn fast.

If I wasn't imagining things, I think I saw a vein popped in her head near her eyes.

"Well, there's this handsome boy my friend told me about. They introduced me to his family and they're quite well off. So, I told them about you and they seem quite interested in meeting you next time. Meeting this boy could also help you in your....problem" When she says *well off* she means rich. And whenever she sees rich people, her eyes sparkle.

"I have good news too mother. A friend of mine invited me for a party with other *friends*" Whenever I say friends, mom's eyes wouldn't sparkle nor twinkle but explode into different places as her eyes grew wide and her smile wider. I didn't think a person's smile could occupy her whole face. She looked like a person who just came out of a horror movie.

"Oh...that is great news indeed. It seems I will have to reschedule then."

The breakfast was peaceful after that, even for a while. I left the house feeling better. Even if she is my mother, she is cunning with her words and ruthless with her hands. I'll be eaten whole if I don't play with her.