Chasing Fairy Tales (2)

"Mom, do you really have to do this?" Penelope asked as she joined her mother for an afternoon tea. They hadn't seen their mother at home for three days, as she would leave before any of them found her in the morning and would always come home late at night.

Penelope looked at the brochures and pamphlets stacked on the table between them and noticed they were catalogs for wedding gowns and events that host weddings. She clenched her fist on her lap and bit her inner cheek to stop herself from confronting her mother's actions.

Roselia lifted her gaze towards her eldest daughter and brought down her cup of tea before sighing.

"I'm trying my best to secure your sisters' future, Penny. I'm not sure how long your father's company would last in this economy," Roselia replied, her eyes weary with the weight of her responsibilities. "I know it's not easy for you to understand, but I'm just doing what I think is best for all of you."

Penelope studied her mother's face, searching for any hint of doubt or hesitation, but all she saw was resolve. She remained silent as she tried to sort out her thoughts. It wasn't like she didn't understand her mother, but she didn't want her sisters to live in a loveless marriage.

"But isn't Melody too young for Mr. Hendrix?" she asked her mother after a long silence. "You also know Melody has a boyfriend."

Roselia scoffed and rested her chin against the back of her hand as she looked at Penelope.

"What? You mean Oscar Milliani? You and I know that he will discard her as soon as he finds his next muse. I'm trying to save Melody from such needless heartbreak. As for Mr. Hendrix, you don't worry too much about it, Penny. Melody is still young, but a lot of men around his age like young women, and Mr. Hendrix is a good match for her in terms of financial stability. This marriage will benefit our family greatly," Roselia explained, her tone unwavering.

Penelope felt frustration and helplessness. She knew her mother believed she was doing the right thing, but at what cost? To sacrifice her sisters' happiness for financial security felt like a heavy burden to bear. 

 As she looked at the brochures in front of her, showcasing extravagant weddings and smiling brides, Penelope couldn't shake off the dread lingering in her chest. She had always been the responsible one, the pillar that held their family together in times of crisis. But this time, she wasn't sure if she could support her mother's decision. Deep down, she knew she had to find a way to protect her sisters from a fate they didn't choose for themselves. 

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she spoke with a steely determination in her voice. 

"But what about love, Mother? Shouldn't Melody have a say in who she marries? What about happiness?" Penelope's words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken reproach. 

Roselia's expression hardened; the vulnerability from moments before was replaced by a mask of authority. 

"Love doesn't put food on the table or secure a future, Penelope. We don't have the luxury of chasing fairy tales. I'm doing what needs to be done to protect this family," she replied firmly. 

A wave of resignation washed over Penelope as she realized the futility of arguing further with her mother. She glanced at the pile of wedding brochures, each representing a future she couldn't bear to accept. 

"I know you're just looking out for your sisters, Penny," Roselia said, her voice laced with no regret. "But sometimes, we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. After what happened to you, I thought you didn't believe in love anymore." 

Penelope was taken aback. She hadn't expected her mother to bring up her past to make a point about not believing in love. With a heavy heart, she met her mother's gaze with a mixture of sadness and frustration. 

 The memories of her failed love story flooded her mind, a wound that had yet to heal fully. Shaking her head, Penelope pushed down the memories that threatened to resurface at her mother's mention of her past. She took a deep breath to steady herself and met Roselia's gaze with determination. 

 "Just because I've been hurt in the past doesn't mean I've given up on love, Mother. It means I understand its value even more," Penelope replied, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and strength. 

"I don't want my sisters to walk into marriages devoid of love and happiness. There has to be another way." 

Roselia regarded Penelope with exasperation and begrudging admiration. She knew her daughter's resilience and fierce protectiveness towards her family all too well. A flicker of doubt crossed her features for a moment before she composed herself again. 

"I understand your concern, Penny, I truly do. But sometimes we must make decisions based on practicality rather than emotions," Roselia said, her tone softer now, almost pleading. "I'm doing what I think is best for all of you, even if it may not seem like it now." 

"If Father were alive, he wouldn't agree to any of these," Penelope answered in a low voice. 

Roselia's eyes flashed with a hint of pain at the mention of her late husband. For a brief moment, the facade of strength she had maintained wavered, revealing the raw grief that still lingered beneath the surface. 

"You think I don't know that, Penny?" Roselia's voice cracked slightly, betraying the emotional turmoil she had kept hidden for so long. "Your father loved this family more than anything in the world. He would have wanted nothing but happiness for his daughters. But he's gone, Penny. And it's up to me now to ensure you all have a secure future." 

Penelope was startled by her mother's sudden outburst. She instantly regretted bringing up her father in their conversation. 

"Your father isn't here, Penelope. And as much as I wish he were, we have to face the reality of our situation," Roselia said quietly. "I'm doing what I believe is necessary to protect our family, just as he would have wanted." 

 Penelope felt three conflicting emotions at once: grief for her father, frustration with her mother, and a fierce determination to stand up for what she believed was right. She knew she couldn't change her mother's mind easily, but she couldn't sit idly by and watch her sisters' futures be decided for them.

 There must be another way to deal with their financial problems without risking her sisters' happiness.