Triple Threat

Victoria's brow was furrowed and her lips were pressed into a pout as she followed her mother around the house. "Please, Mom, let me go," she pleaded, her voice growing more desperate. "I promise I'll be careful and I won't cause any trouble."

Victoria's mother seemed deaf to her pleas, busying herself with scooping steaming hot rice from a pot and transferring it to a plate. Victoria watched her mother's movements, growing increasingly frustrated with her lack of response.

The smell of the food was irresistible, and Victoria could feel her mouth watering at the mere scent of it.

She shook her head, trying to stay focused on her goal of convincing her mother to let her go. "Ma, please, just listen to me for a moment," she said, her voice soft but insistent.