Chapter 4

"Wait, what?" I squeaked. "What about me? I'm her daughter."

The attorney understood what I was trying to communicate with my panicked eyes. He squinted at the paper. "Ahh. . . There's more." I calmed myself long enough to hear what he had to say. "To you Uno, my talent and beloved friend, I have left my—" Blah blah blah. I tuned out. He said more things after that but my ears only registered the next words. "If my death happens sooner than expected, I will entrust the care of my only child, Riri, to you as her guardian. Should you accept this responsibility, the attorney will handle the rest of the paper works."

If I wasn't drowning before, it was definitely happening now. He glanced at Uno. "Do you accept? From what I understand, you're twenty-one and legal enough to be Riri's guardian."

"And what if I refuse?" she asked. Yes Mr. Meyer, please answer that question. I was dying to know. Literally. My lungs were burning.

He removed his eyeglasses and placed it on the table. "Well, I've discussed this with Estella before. She doesn't have any relatives in the States. Her other family members are scattered in the world. Because Riri is a minor, she'd have to go to a foster home if you don't agree to be her guardian."

"My eighteenth birthday is just a few months from now," I reasoned. "Can't you let this slide? I can care for myself or stay with my friend's family until I'm legal."

"I'm required by the law to continue this process the right way Riri. If you stay with your friend's family, they have to support you financially. Meaning they have to be capable to do that." I thought about Carter. He wasn't poor, but his family members were more than enough to pile up the bills. Plus I didn't want to be a burden to him. Sensing that I wouldn't argue, Mr. Meyer said, "Uno is your only chance."

My heart sank. I hated the thought of leaving my fate to another person, albeit knowing her. But I hated the thought of going to the foster home more. There was no shame in it, yet somehow my mind rejected the possibility. Uno turned to Mr. Meyer thoughtfully. "Can you leave the room for a while?" she said. "I'd like to talk to the girl alone."

"Sure, but I'll be right back," he promised. "I hope you have your answer by then."

When he was gone, Uno didn't speak to me immediately. She was fixated on the trophy on the attorney's desk. I stared at my shoes. I wasn't the type to worry, but this was my future we were talking about. Things would change yes, but this drastic? I didn't think mom could give away all our possessions. Was that even legal?

"I don't like the idea of having you in my house," she said, breaking the silence. "I don't know you, and I don't like total strangers touching my things."

I glanced at her in surprise. "I wouldn't call us strangers when you were kind enough to invite me for dinner."

She stared blankly at me. "I have no idea what you're talking about. This is the first time I saw you." Huh?

"No it wasn't," I insisted. "We went to a restaurant about three days ago and talked to each other." I frowned. "Is this your idea of a joke? It was fine at that time, but this is no laughing matter. My future is at stake."

Uno took her time mulling over her decision. I remained silent to give her space. Inside, I was praying that she would agree to the set-up. It was just for a couple of months, and then I'd get a job so I could move out and support myself. Though I've known her for a little while, I knew that she was kind. I was banking on the kindness today.

"Alright, I'll agree to be your guardian," she finally said. A surge of gratitude ran through me. She wouldn't regret this. I would be the best occupant there was. She wouldn't hear a peep from me. "To get it out of the way, I'm informing you that your stay wouldn't be free," she said.

"I know that. I'll get a job as soon as I can. Maybe I'll sell more designs to people." I thought about the scarves I sketched. I'd move on to bigger projects like dresses and t-shirts. It would be a good source of income, and experience for the course I wanted to take. "You don't have to worry about me," I promised. "I'll take care of myself."

She crossed her legs. Uno didn't appear to have heard a word I said. "Who said anything about designs?" she asked. "I'll own you from now on, so everything you do will be subject to my decisions."

"Excuse me?" The joke department was getting out of line.

"You heard me," she said arrogantly. "Being your guardian means your life is basically mine. Your work will depend on my instructions too. And when I tell you to shut up, you will close your mouth like a good little girl and do as I say." She leaned back on her chair. "I do owe Mrs. Chance a lot, but those are my rules. Either you live with it or not. Your choice."

The person in front of me seemed like a changed woman. She was nothing like the Uno I've spoken to before. Was she perhaps toying with me again? Regardless of her behavior, I had to think of my future. If I were to say no to her offer, I'd end up in the foster home. I had to make my choice fast. "Okay," I said resignedly. "Let's go with that."

"I knew you were smart under that long hair, Strawberries."

"Strawberries?"

She pointed to my head. "You remind me of one with that hair color. I've hated it then. I still despise it now. We're calling you that."

My mind was all over the place. Did she wake up on the wrong side of the bed? "What happened to you?" I asked.

She intertwined her fingers. "You don't want to know."