The day went on as usual. They attended class and while Amias tried to start up conversations during lessons, she’d write notes requesting him to behave. His loud voice would drift into her ear since he refused to sit anywhere but beside her. In every class, glued to the hip. His best friend. 

When it was time to head home, Amias pouted, “Can’t go, Thals. I got detention. Unbelievable right?”

“Nope. It would be more unbelievable if you weren’t in trouble.” She said, waving him goodbye stiffly. It felt too cute for her to do so she instantly stopped and walked home. A small frown on her lips at the empty space beside her. 

Too quiet. 

She popped her earphones in, turning up the music to drown out the lack of honeyed sound on her left. The entryway to her family’s sprawling house loomed ahead. The gates opened as Madelaine stood there in her uniform, she smiled in greeting. Thalia nodded back and walked past her. She pushed open the door. The sterile, crisp smell of the house assaulted her senses. Empty. 

Thalia took out her earphones.“What time is father returning?” She asked, her bag slipped from her shoulder to the sparkling marble floor. 

“He has a meeting this afternoon so I’m not entirely sure, young miss.” 

Thalia nodded her head, her gaze darting to the empty living room. “I’ll go visit mom then. Ask Davian if he can drive me.”

Madelaine’s dark eyes widened, “Miss, is that…” She shook her head, “I’ll go ask then.” 

Thalia noted the swallowed protest. But no one would dare try to tell her not to see her own mother. After Madelaine scurried to speak to Davian who had been hovering in the outhouse, he immediately waited by the black sudan outside. Thalia stayed in her school uniform, slinking into the back of the car, a sharp nod of acknowledgement to Davian before they took off to her mother’s residence. 

Her penthouse at Bermant towers was quite a ways distance from the Vassal home. Luxurious and elegant. Everything that embodied her mother, Selena Iyer. The doorman instantly recognized Thalia as she walked by, opening the doors to the building. She paused in the elevator, pressing the penthouse floor. Floor 30. The elevator doors opened into the suite. Her mother, a breathtaking beauty, greeted Thalia with a hug. 

The kind of hug that Thalia wanted to envelop her always. A mother’s hug. An embrace that made her heart warm after the emptiness of her own home. Home is here. 

“Ammaa, how have you been?” She asks, her voice softened.  

“I have been more than perfect. Taking it one step at a time.” 

“Any news about gigs?”

Selena hummed softly, her eyes, warm hazel, sparkled. “My agent told me that Eves wants me to be the new ambassador for their new perfume. Revival. Then I will take a role in Blanc’s directorial debut.” 

Thalia smiled softly. Pride had broken through her veneer of composure. Her mother had once been an award winning actress. She had stepped back from acting for her new family but now she was officially returning. “Thats amazing–” 

“How’s your father?” 

Thalia’s smile stiffened. Of course, she’d ask about him. 

“...He’s working hard, mum.”

“He always stresses himself too much. Oh, that poor thing…Working hard on what? What is he busy with?” 

Thalia sighs and tries to quell her dispirited expression, “I am not sure. You know how he is.”

“Will you find out for me, my treasure? I am sure if you ask then he will tell. I just want to make sure he is alright. It’s my right as his wife to know. Don’t you think? You’ll ask for your dear mom, right?” 

Wife? Even now she still thinks she holds that title. 

“...What does his work have any relevance to..” She saw that pleading look in her mother’s eyes and her retort was instantly silenced. She nodded. “Of course. I'll ask him for you.” 

Selena’s smile broadened, sickly sweet as she cupped Thalia’s face, her thumb sweeping along her cheekbones,lingering beneath her distinct scarlet eyes, “There’s my beautiful girl.” 

Thalia gulped and forced that disarmed smile. You know I would never say no. That’s the problem.