A Reason to Panic

"Mum," Anna whined as her mother pulled her into the living room. She had only returned a few days after her surgery, what was the rush?

Walking into the mid-century modern living room that featured simple lines, wood accents and pastel colours along with eclectic and unique pieces of furniture, Anna was reminded of what it meant to take a fresh breath.

Her five senses could taste the freedom that came with being home.

Ms. Carter ignored Anna's complaints until they walked over to the tapered legs rectangular sofa with straight backs that had clean and sleek straight lines, and plopped themselves down on it. 

"Don't tell me you don't have any desire to return to the national lawn tennis team?" she probed, raising a questioning brow in the process.

"I didn't say that." Anna let out a deep sigh and leaned back on the couch to make herself more comfortable. She wasn't crazy enough to think of abandoning the only thing she knew how to do best. 

She had only needed some time to take in the progress of her sight. She wasn't in the consideration mode.

Her mother cast her a dismissive eye. "Then, what are you saying?"

"Mum, I am definitely going back to the team. I just need a little time to sort some personal stuff out," Anna stated. 

She still has yet to get a hold of tangible evidence against her boyfriend and her best friend. And already, a plan was being put in place in her head.

Also, there was another matter about her impending marriage to the handsome stranger who has been giving her premium treatment since they met. 

She needed to settle down with him before her career plans would be put in place. And once she starts with it, it will be her main focus for a long time.

Anna's mother considered her for a moment. "And how long will this 'little time' take?" she inquired.

"Umm…" Anna sank in thought for a few seconds. When she finished with her quick analysis, she offered an answer, "Between a week or two."

"Two weeks will be a waste of time." Ms. Carter did not seem to agree with her for various reasons she thought would not be beneficial to her, based on her stagnant career.

"A week should be enough. As soon as seven days starting from tomorrow is up, I will contact your coach," she asserted.

Anna had no room left to refute her mother's declaration. On second thought, there were fourteen days in two weeks which was quite a long time.

With her plans already set in motion in her head, there was a high possibility of their accomplishment within seven days, so she had no reason to argue.

On the other hand, her mother took her silence the other way round.

Thinking that her daughter was nervous about rejoining her former team as it had been a long time since she last practised, she added, "Your coach will help you train. That's his job. You have to keep your confidence up. There is nothing you can't achieve when you put your mind to it."

"Thank you, Mum." Anna managed a smile. "You are welcome." Her mother flashed an encouraging smile as she patted the back of her hand.

Anna was going to continue dwelling on her eyesight recovery by basking in her healthy pure unfiltered joy, but it was cut short the next moment by her mother's question.

"Have you spoken to Sam and Susan? Are they aware of your recovery?"

Anna suddenly had zero desire to say anything. She wished she could ignore that question, but that would only work against her by getting her mother worried. And once her mother becomes worried, surely, she won't be able to keep hiding that ugly fact.

With this in mind, Anna chose her next words carefully. "No, they are still not aware. But now that I'm back, I'm going to meet them to officially reveal the good news."

Hearing her response, Ms. Carter held her gaze for a moment. She looked like she had something to say regarding the reason she kept holding back the good news from the two people who were supposed to be close to her heart. But in the end, she let out a deep breath.

Anna was relieved with no more comments on that issue. Sitting up with her back straight, she took her mother's arm in hers. "Mum, are you going to keep questioning me without feeding me?"

Anna was not all that hungry. In fact, she could do away with eating for a few more hours after enjoying quality meals, courtesy of her first-class flight ticket. 

She had only wanted to change the subject and the mood. And she succeeded. 

"Ah! Forgive me. Food is ready, I had turned off the stove before going to open the door for you." Her mother's facial features softened as her eyes turned kinder.

"I was going to try your number and confirm when to pick you up from the airport, but here you are," Ms. Carter recounted as she rose to her feet. "You wanted to surprise your mother, isn't it?"

Anna chuckled softly while gazing at her mother. She was happy to have pulled off that surprise so perfectly.

In a few minutes, Ms. Carter served the food on the dining table before calling Anna over to join her.

Coming over to the dining area and seeing the several breakfast options, Anna knew she was in trouble.

She could already picture stuffing herself just to not let her mother's kind efforts go to waste.

Twenty minutes later, Anna walked into her bedroom while pulling her luggage behind her. As soon as she saw her well-made bed, a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

Without wasting a second, she made her way over and just let her body fall on it without considering changing out of her airport outfit.

As soon as her head hit the pillow, she fell into a deep slumber, not knowing that her mother would give her a reason to panic when she woke up.