My mom’s displeased voice carried a hint of anger when it boomed from the phone.
“That’s not what I meant, mom. It’s just that it really is that expensive to rent a place like that in Avenport. I don’t have that much money on me, and it’ll take some time before I receive my salary.”
I was quick to explain myself when I heard that my mom had misunderstood the situation. I was troubled as well. Naturally, I’d want to get Steven a nicer environment for him to recuperate in, but I simply didn’t have the capability to do so.
“How about this, mom? I will get a slightly smaller place for the time being and will find everyone a better place after I receive my salary next month.”
I honestly didn’t have the funds to rent a better place, so I had no choice but to negotiate with my mom. I knew that my mom could never bear to see Steven being hurt even a little, but I simply had no choice.
“I bet you’re just being stingy. You’ve been working for a while now, so how is it possible that you have no money for renting a place? Seriously, I have wasted my life raising you. I can’t believe that you’re not willing to even spend a few thousand on us.”
I was working hard to please my mom, but she refused to believe me. What makes her think that I am rich?
“Mom, it’s really not what you think. I don’t have the money. Why won’t you trust me?”
My relationship with my mom was already strained. I had tried to fix it. Unfortunately, my mom didn’t believe me at all, and that got me angry.
“Fine, even if you don’t have the money, that Shaw guy must have it, right? He is a manager, so a few thousand probably means nothing to him.”
My mom saw that she couldn’t convince me, so she shifted her target to Michael. Hearing her words got me even angrier.
“Stop targeting Michael, mom. I will not let him spend another penny on us. He has already paid for Steven’s medical fees and has given us over a hundred thousand! We can’t possibly ask more of him.”
I would never agree to let my mom ask Michael for more money. If things hadn’t changed and Michael and I were just in a business agreement, I might consider asking him for the money, but it’s different now. The way I see him has changed, and I don’t want our relationship to be rooted in money.
“You won’t give us the money, nor would you let the Shaw guy do so. Anna Garcia, are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for us? You’re just going to ignore us now that you have a rich boyfriend. Is that it?”
My mom lost her temper right away when she heard how direct I was in rejecting her request. She thought that I was purposely being mean.
“Mom, there is nothing between Michael and me. He is just my boss, and he has helped us a lot. We are not supposed to just keep asking him for money. What gives us the right to do so? And why should he help us, anyway?”
My mom was angry, but so was I. My family was like a bottomless pit. Michael had helped them out a few times, and they’ve already gotten into the habit of asking more whenever they needed the money.
Why should Michael keep sponsoring them? Can’t they be grateful for what they already have? Why must they depend on others?
“What the hell are you talking about, Anna Garcia? Do you want to watch your family die? Have you forgotten that the person lying on the hospital bed is your own brother? His legs wouldn’t even be broken in the first place if you had gathered enough money!”
My mom never realized what the family’s problem was. All she ever did was shift the blame to me.
“I won’t ask Michael for the money, mom, and that’s that. I will try my best to find a more spacious place for the three of you to stay in. I have to work now, so I’m hanging up.”
I didn’t want to continue arguing, so I hung up immediately after I finished speaking.
It wouldn’t matter what I say. My mom would just pin all the blame on me, anyway. As far as she was concerned, I was the one who was always at fault.
I took a few deep breaths to ease my frustration after hanging up. After that, I left the pantry.
The situation at home made it so that it was impossible for me to concentrate on work. All I could think about was the family drama. I honestly don’t know what to do now.
I turned and stared at Michael’s office. For a moment there, I was truly worried about my mom contacting Michael and asking for money. The last thing I wanted was for our relationship to be further complicated by financial ties.
I was distracted all day. I didn’t return to Birchwood after clocking off. Instead, I started looking for places to rent near the hospital and prayed that I could find an economical yet spacious spot.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything despite spending all my time on it. The hospital was located in a rich neighborhood, so the rent for the houses near the place was ridiculously high. I asked a few owners, but everyone asked for about three thousand a month.
I was stuck in a dilemma because I simply didn’t have any money.
I went to so many places that I felt like my legs would give away. Still, I could find an affordable house to rent. Even the less spacious places would cost over two thousand a month.
I took the subway back to Birchwood. I spent all day walking around, so my feet were sore. The first thing I did when I got back was to sit on the sofa. At that moment, I didn’t want to even lift a finger.
When Michael entered through the front door, the first thing he saw was me sitting there like a disheveled dog. His beautiful brows frowned tightly before he walked over and complained, “Is it really that tiring to work in the office? Just look at the state you’re in.”
Michael placed his briefcase aside and took off his coat before he tossed it on the sofa. Then he sat down beside me.
“That’s not it. I have been looking for a place to rent since I clocked off today, but I can’t find anything. I ended up walking all day. That’s why I’m tired.”
Joyful Success’ workload was huge, but working there wasn’t so tiring that it’d get anyone that tired.
“You’re looking for a place to rent? Are you planning on moving out?”
Michael’s frown became even tighter when he heard that I was out looking for a place to rent. His eyes also glowed with anger when he turned to me.
“No, I was just looking for a place for my parents and Steven. The hospital is discharging Steven soon, and he needs a nice place to recuperate. Renting a place nearby would make it easier for him to go for check-ups.”
I don’t know why Michael was suddenly angry, but I couldn’t stop myself from explaining the situation to him quickly.
The anger in his eyes faded quickly after I told him the truth. His gaze also became less distant.
He remained quiet for a moment before saying, “Just leave it to me. I will have my secretary go look for an ideal place tomorrow.”
Michael spoke nonchalantly, and it seemed that he wasn’t really worried about it.
“No, that’s not necessary. Please don’t involve yourself in the matter. You’ve already helped my family a lot, and I don’t want to keep dragging you into this mess.”
