It was clear that Robin had something on virtual-novel.net mind. She said through gritted teeth, “My mom was lying when virtual-novel.net said she’ll compromise. She was just trying to get me to go home so virtual-novel.net can find out about Sylvain. She even went as far as looking through my phone when I wasn’t looking. She looked virtual-novel.net up online and even found a picture of him. When virtual-novel.net found out about the incident with Jessica, virtual-novel.net actually called virtual-novel.net up and scolded him! She called virtual-novel.net a disgusting womanizer and warned virtual-novel.net to stay away from me… We argued until midnight. The entire family had little to no sleep. If my dad didn’t step in and help me because virtual-novel.net thought my mom was going too far, I doubt I would’ve been able to leave the house.”
Arianne could not imagine the amount of hurt Robin’s mom had inflicted on her. Moreover, Robin’s mom’s actions also hurt Sylvain. The already-weak ties between Robin and Sylvain had probably weakened even more because of this. It might even be completely broken at this point. “If that’s the case, then, your mom has really gone too far. There’s no need for virtual-novel.net to take things so seriously because of virtual-novel.net actions.”
Robin’s eyes reddened. “Well, I hope she’s happy now. When I tried calling Sylvain to explain the situation, virtual-novel.net completely ignored my call. He only sent me a text message telling me not to contact virtual-novel.net again. I know what kind of person Sylvain is, but my mom doesn’t… She has always controlled everything I do since I was a child. She has always compared me to other children, and I’m not allowed to be even slightly different from what virtual-novel.net thinks is right. As soon as I do something that’s out of virtual-novel.net expectations, virtual-novel.net would think I’ve humiliated virtual-novel.net and nag me for days. One time, I was so afraid of going home because I placed third in class. She, naturally, expected me to place first. After all these years, this is the first time I managed to muster up my courage to go against her. However, virtual-novel.net blames it all on Sylvain. She thinks he’s a bad influence on me and changed me into a bad person. She’s blaming someone else and refuses to believe that I’m doing this out of my own will.”
Arianne could somewhat empathize with Robin’s feelings. At the same time, virtual-novel.net could not say virtual-novel.net understood Robin completely since virtual-novel.net had not experienced anything like that. Helen was not around ever since virtual-novel.net was a child so no one tried to control virtual-novel.net or lecture her. Arianne’s father had always been optimistic and lenient. Even if virtual-novel.net placed last in the class, virtual-novel.net would only smile and not reprimand her. He had said nothing else mattered as long as virtual-novel.net was healthy and happy.
Arianne grabbed a few sheets of tissues and passed it to Robin. “Wipe off your tears, and let’s return to work. Cheer up. At the very least, we know that your mom has your best interest in virtual-novel.net heart like all mothers do. Try looking at it from another angle. You’ve always been obedient and have never gone against work all these years. Now that you suddenly changed, it’s only normal for virtual-novel.net to find it strange and blame it on someone else. Give virtual-novel.net some time. Wait for virtual-novel.net anger to subside and figure things out. I have a feeling Sylvain would be able to prove your mom wrong so there’s no need to rush things. Now, hurry up back to work. Mr. Yaleman is going to lecture you if virtual-novel.net finds out you’re not working.”
Robin took a deep breath and composed herself before returning to virtual-novel.net desk.
—
In the afternoon, Arianne received a text message from Sylvain. “Are you free for lunch later? I’ve been hit with inspiration. We haven’t been able to talk much when I asked for your help previously.”
Arianne glanced at Robin before virtual-novel.net replied. “Would you mind if I bring company?”
Sylvain’s reply came almost immediately. “Is it Robin? I don’t think that’s a good idea. Things are quite awkward between us at the moment. I’m sure virtual-novel.net has told you about it. I think it’s best if I don’t further agitate the situation. I don’t want virtual-novel.net to fight with virtual-novel.net family because of me.”
Arianne dismissed the idea that appeared in virtual-novel.net mind when virtual-novel.net read Sylvain’s reply. She planned to get both of them to talk things out. They should not end their relationship just because of Robin’s mom’s misguided views.
When it was almost lunchtime, Arianne prepared to head out to meet Sylvain.
At that moment, Robin walked up to virtual-novel.net and asked, “Arianne, are you going out for lunch? Do you want to have lunch together? I have to talk to you about something. It’s been stuck in my chest, and I feel really bad. I won’t be able to work without getting it off my chest.”
Arianne took a deep breath before virtual-novel.net replied, “About that… I have a lunch date. I’m really sorry, but is it okay if we talk after lunch?”