5- Focus on college

POV Isabella:

Twenty Days Later...

"Isabella, wake up!" my mother bellowed as she barged into my room. "Come on, the day is smiling at us!"

"Ugh…" I yawned. "Turn off that light, Mom, have you lost your mind?"

"Isabella, get up! We need to enjoy Saturday!"

"No, ma’am. Saturday was made for sleeping," I mumbled, burrowing deeper under the comforter. "Goodbye! And don’t forget to turn off the light."

"Come on, girl."

Tap tap tap. Her shoes clicked impatiently across the floor, assaulting my eardrums. Goodbye, sweet slumber.

Argh!

I exhaled sharply and covered my head with a pillow, trying to ignore her. I was exhausted, and my mother knew it. So why the hell was she tormenting me?

I had never studied so hard in my life. The twenty days of training had been intense, only reinforcing WUC’s reputation as the best in the world. My admiration for the university—which prioritized its employees' professional growth—had only grown. Their system was unique, developed in California, home of Berkeley. And yes!!! I’d have a MacBook at my desk—because I’d have a desk, pens, and a planner. After all, a new Isabella was born the moment I stepped into WUC.

I finally let my guard down, pleasantly surprised by my new friends. We almost always had lunch together, and never—not even in my wildest dreams—were we late again after that first incident. We didn’t slip up after that. Unfortunately, I had to say goodbye to two of them: Lucca and Renan wouldn’t be in the same department as me. But in return, I gained Raica, who I now considered one of the most amazing people I’d ever met.

I’ll admit, I thought about Dominic—his name, his face, his scent, those warm brown eyes never left my mind. But like a mirage, the man never reappeared. Fine, I might’ve acted a little crazy a few times, wandering the lobby like I had nothing better to do, hoping the dark prince would reappear in his chariot—nothing too luxurious, just a black Porsche—and look at me, and I’d look at him, and… well, something magical would happen.

But it was all just dreams and expectations.

The day before, our last day of training, Ellen Castiel—the beautiful, powerful woman I’d come to admire—handed us our scholarship letters for the university. Undoubtedly, the most special moment of the entire process. If I hadn’t gotten in as a scholarship student, I’d never have been able to afford that school. I’d probably have had to sell a kidney just to cover six months of tuition.

After twenty grueling days, I was wiped out. All I wanted was a weekend rotting in bed or on the couch—and vice versa. But trouble (a.k.a. Mom) had other plans.

"Let’s go shopping at the mall!"

This was far from an invitation—it was a command.

"Huh?" I said, emerging from my refuge only for the sunlight to assault my face. She’d thrown open the curtains and windows, letting the daylight murder my peace. "No. Negative. Not happening."

"Isabellaaaa…" The woman I call mother has the most grating, annoying voice in the world. "Get up right now!" She stopped right in front of me.

I don’t have the strength to fight her. Dona Ana is stubborn, so obeying her was the smartest move.

"Fiiiiine…" I sat up in bed. Wait—Saturday morning, salon packed, where does mall shopping fit in? "Hey, businesswoman, shouldn’t you be at the salon? What, did you go bankrupt?"

She forced a smile and sat on the edge of my bed.

"Today is exclusively girls' day. We need some time together." She rested her hands on my head, sliding them down to my messy improvised braid, then gently began unraveling it. "You’ve started a new chapter—college and work." Lightly, her finger touched my chin, turning my face toward hers. "I’m so proud of you, sweetheart."

"Mom, you know none of this would’ve happened without you."

"My treasure, you deserve every achievement."

"I love you, Mom."

We hugged, and of course, the tears came—just to remind us we’re both ridiculous crybabies.

"So today, I’m all yours. Take advantage." The woman I love more than life itself pulled away, giving me space to disappear from her sight. "Now, shower!"

"Guess I better get up, then."

I jumped out of bed and bolted to the bathroom. My shower was quick—within thirty minutes, I was heading to the living room, lured by the smell of coffee in the air. As I poured the liquid into my cup, I noticed Mom’s elegance. She couldn’t be basic, even on a simple mall trip. Despite all the hardships she’d endured, she remained stunning—toned legs always guided by high heels.

"We need to shop. You’re now a college student and a WUC employee. You have to look presentable," she said, smiling. "You know you’re my life, right?"

"I know, Mom."

"Then it’s time to grow up, become a woman, and face your future with more responsibility. And never forget to always use… condoms."

I nearly spat out my coffee.

"That’s how you start the talk?"

"I just want to know if you’re having sex, Isabella!" the nosy woman demanded dramatically, arms crossed, face full of concern.

"Why bring this up now? Do I look like I’m having sex?"

(Though I had been touching myself more often lately—thanks to a certain someone who’d fueled my pervy imagination. I’d even nicknamed my vibrator Dominiczinho.)

"Who knows? You young people hide everything. Yes or no?"

"Maybe… Could be!" I teased, just to piss her off—knowing she’d scream any second. "Hard to say."

My mom wasn’t the most liberal woman in the world, but she hadn’t raised me with strict rules either. Trust had always been our thing. No secrets between us—never had been.

"Isabella, don’t make me eat all your chocolates," she threatened, jeopardizing years of built trust. "You know I’ll do it."

"Relax, I’m not having sex," I confessed quickly, then checked my reflection in the closet mirror. "Forgot I don’t have a boyfriend?"

"A boyfriend is out of the question too—at least for now. Focus on college."

"Yes, Captain!" I finished my now-lukewarm coffee, agreeing with her. Dating was off the table, but I couldn’t resist dropping the bomb of the day: "And what about you? Are you having sex?"

Her eyes bulged so wide I thought they’d pop out.

"Mall. Now. I’ll be waiting in the car." The little devil fled like the devil from the cross. I cackled, watching her cheeks flush as she left.