*Stella's pov:*
The soft knock on the door was unmistakable - it was my mom. I opened the door, and she enveloped me in a warm, tight hug. Her gentle squeeze was a comforting contrast to the tension that had filled the air just moments before...
As I closed the door behind me, I wrapped my arms around my mom, hugging her back tightly. It was exactly what I needed in that moment. We stood there, embracing each other for a good five minutes, the tension and stress melting away.
Finally, she broke the hug and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. "I'm so proud of you, my sweetheart," she said, her voice filled with genuine happiness.
"Thanks to you, Mom," I replied, smiling.
She chuckled and shook her head. "You don't need to thank me, dear. Your amazing skills are what brought you to the top."
We shared another warm hug, and then she led me to a chair, where she began to gently stretch and comb my hair. I closed my eyes, savoring the tender moment. It was a feeling I'd missed deeply.
As she worked on my hair, my mom spoke in a soothing tone, "My sweetheart, you're about to start a new phase of your life. You're just a few steps away from achieving your dreams. I know you're excited, but remember to stay calm. Every phase of life comes with its own set of problems, even when you reach the top. So, relax, stay focused, and keep working hard."
Her words touched my heart, and I felt a surge of gratitude toward her. It was clear that she'd been through tough times herself, and her advice was born from experience.
She continued, her voice filled with wisdom, "As for what your dad said earlier, just take your mind off it for now. Focus on being the best at what you do. Play along with him for a while, until things get better."..
The ringing of my phone broke the serene moment, and I was surprised to see my part-time boss's name on the screen. I picked up the call, and her cheerful voice burst through the line.
"Congratulations, Stella! I've always known you're great, and now you're going to be a rich miss!" she exclaimed.
I was taken aback, wondering how she'd already heard about my achievement. "Thank you so much, ma," I replied, feeling grateful for her kind words.
"I'm proud of you, Stella," she continued. "When you're free, come let's treat you to a nice lunch." Her generosity touched my heart.
"I will come over when I'm less busy," I promised, knowing that my life was about to get a lot busier.
"Alright then, till then," she said before hanging up.
As I put down the phone, I realized that it was time to bid farewell to my part-time jobs. A new chapter was unfolding, and I was ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that came with it...I turned to my mom, curiosity getting the better of me. "Mom, was it you who told my boss about me coming top?" I asked.
She smiled and shook her head. "No, dear. You were broadcasted on the news, that's how your dad found out."
I couldn't help but feel surprised. "I guess I'll have more congratulations coming from those who truly care and those who are faking it," I said, a hint of skepticism creeping into my voice.
My mom's expression turned understanding, and she nodded gently....