Fene’s POV


    Back to present day…


    “Oof,” I exhaled from my mouth after cing the boxes containing used books that I would sell at the bazaar this time. I wiped a drop of sweat from my forehead.


    Since about 9 in the morning, I have been helping my mother prepare our bazaar stand for fundraising. The air still felt freezing cold, but we were determined to raise money to hold a Christmas celebration at the hospital for children. This was onest effort to get donations for Christmas gifts and medical expenses.


    “I think that’s all, Mom,” I said to my mother.


    She rearranged the pretty trinkets for home decor on the table, covered with a red tartan cloth. “Thank you, dear,” she said with her characteristic smile.


    My mother was indeed not young anymore, but there was still some beauty left on her face. Her skin was porcin white but is now adorned with ck spots as a sign of aging. Her facial skin had be wrinkled, and her blonde hair had mostly turned white. I imagined that when I grew up, I would be like her someday.


    Honestly, I didn’t know how she could manage all by herself this time. She said it was all thanks to the children and the foundation’s administrators, who kept herpany. I said it was all thanks to her resilience and patience, which had been tempered very well.


    “Hey, Mom. If it’s okay, I’d like to take a walk to the park over there,” I asked for her permission.


    “Yes, dear. Go get some fresh air. Usually, customerse during lunchtime, so there’s still some time,” she said with a nod and a motherly smile.


    “Thanks, Mom. I’ll be back shortly,” I murmured.


    After getting permission, I walked through the park. Not much has changed since thest time I wandered around here. There were just a few additions: garden lights, upgraded park benches, and frozen fountain statues.


    I walked closer to the baseball field, full of childhood memories. When I was in elementary school, I came to the field almost every week to watch Laird’s games. Now, the field felt strange to me.


    My hand gripped the wire fence. This was the ce where Laird and I kissed for the first time. Too many memories flood my mind at the moment. I didn’t know whether it was because of the cold air or my sadness, but I cried.


    My tears fell as I looked at the empty baseball field, with no activity at all. Honestly, I didn’t want to lose Laird. No matter what, I had depended on him too much.


    All I want is to be with him. Why is that so hard?


    Sometimes, the world is unpredictable. In every happiness, there is always sadness behind it, and vice versa. When I thought I had achieved everything I wanted-the person who loves me and a career I could be proud of-I ended up facing this mess.


    I wiped the tears from my cheeks. It seemed like I had been crying too muchtely. My head felt like it was about to explode from all the pressure I was facing. When I thought bing a model would get me Laird, I was wrong. When I had Laird, I could lose him anytime with this career of mine.


    No, wait.


    My career was already not doing well. I could be kicked out anytime as I got older, but n took me back. He gave me the opportunities I needed. He made my dream of being a dream girle true. However, the career n gave me was like poison that would ruin my rtionship with Laird.


    I took a deep breath. Honestly, nothing was going my way. Even so, I tried to rebuild my spirit again to be stronger like my mother. Now was not the time to wallow in useless sadness. I’d better go back to the stand and not leave my mother alone for too long.


    ***


    “Fene!”


    “Hello, dear!”


    The mothers immediately crowded around me when I arrived at the bazaar stand. One by one, they gave me hugs and little kisses on both cheeks.


    They all turned out to be my mother’s friends who were also involved in this social foundation. Most of them were old widows, and it seemed they were quite united, considering that this fundraising bazaar was also their idea.


    “Youdies have arranged your stand so beautifully!”N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    “Oh, my goodness! Are these original Oscar de Ragetti shoes?”


    “This bag! Oh, no, this dress would be perfect for a wedding party!”


    “Do you think it will fit you?” Then theyughed and teased each other.


    “Are these all genuine branded items? Are these your old clothes?”


    Their eyes blinked, and one of them looked at me. She waited for me to confirm her question right away.


    “Uh, yes.” I nodded with a faint smile.


    “Gosh, I don’t know if I can afford them. Their original prices are in the thousands of dors.”


    “You must be happy to have a daughter who is a famous model.”


    “Where have you been hiding Fene all this time?”


    They giggled and chatted in a friendly tone. It seemed that none of them had seen that cursed advertisement.


    “Oh, no. I had to call her multiple times to make here home and help me set up the bazaar stand.”


    My mother chuckled, but the blush on her cheeks couldn’t be hidden. She seemed happy and proud. Well, thank God. If she had seen or if these mothers knew about the condom ad, I’m sure they would wrinkle their noses in disgust at me.


    “Come on, don’t just stand there. You guys have to try my eggnog.” My mother took out some paper cups she had prepared.


    “She shoulde home more often and share the expensive clothes she got from the designers.”


    “Remember, this is for fundraising.” My mother cut off their words, which were immediately met with groans of disappointment.


    “No one will be able to afford it.” Theyughed.


    “How much are you going to sell these for, Fene?” They turned to me and again waited for my answer. Their breaths seemed to hold in tension.


    “Uh, well, since this is for fundraising, I’m selling everything for $100 each.” I shrugged, and they immediately screamed with excitement.


    “Are you crazy? Dear, you should use an auction system to sell them.”


    “Oh, my money won’t be enough if I have to fight in an auction against you!”


    “What if I buy them for $200 each? Take whatever you like, and I’ll happily pay for it to be donated.”


    Instantaneously, all the women around us stopped talking. They fell silent as a tall man approached us with a charming, wide smile. He clearly offered an attractive deal that was hard for the widows to refuse.


    I frowned and wrinkled my nose as I saw the man. How dare hee here!


    “Stay away from me,” I whispered firmly to him.


    “Don’t be so cold, Fene. The air is already cold enough for me to stay here,” he smiled crookedly while the mothers were still mesmerized, staring at his face with their mouths open like dead fish.


    “Hello, are you Fene’s friend?” My mother asked him.


    “No!” I refused to acknowledge n as my friend.