My Four Miraculous Treasures

Chapter 121

How did he know where she lived?

Willow had no clue, but she didn't dwell on the issue. She went straight inside.

Inside, the lights were still on in the living room. Someone was sitting at the dining table, worried sick.

This startled Willow, until she realized it was her own mother. She heaved a sigh of relief, and patted her own racing heart. "Mom, what are you doing, up so late? You gave me quite a fright when I found you here!"

Seeing that her daughter was home, Lara's expression of deep concern was immediately replaced with annoyance. "You foolish girl... don't you know to give us a call, to let us know when you'll be working late? And why in the world wouldn't you answer when I called your handphone?! You think you're such a big girl now, making your own money... no need to bother with your old mother anymore, is that it?!"

Lara prodded Willow in the forehead with an admonishing finger, using anger to balm her lingering feelings of helplessness and despair.

"I don't have my handphone with me when I'm cleaning, mom. That's why I couldn't answer your calls," Willow explained. "It was just one thing after another at work today, so it totally slipped my mind to give you a heads-up. I'll remember next time."

and the police had only given her stuff back when they released her. There

mother might worry, which was the only reason she'd gotten a ride home with

always used scolding and complaints to hide her concern. Good thing

do, there? Until so late at night? Tell mother the truth... have you been dating somebody?" Lara asked

heard of janitorial staff doing overtime,

it that way, Lara realized something was amiss. Her

like that, I promise you'll be the first to know! Anyway, it's late, I'm tired, let's go to

scanned her with X-ray eyes. "Drop the act. That time when you turned down Mr.

told you already, that was a misunderstanding all around, mom!" Why did her mother enjoy bringing up old

have caught a bus, at this hour... Who drove

I'm about to keel over dead on the spot." If

to have that conversation all over again. She stumbled into the bathroom, took a quick shower, and then

unwound rapidly, and she soon drifted off into peaceful slumber. Meanwhile, Lara remained behind