Elena appeared at the threshold, her hands resting confidently on her hips, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. "Peony, come help me deliver the presents to the guests I had invited for your birthday."
Hazel reclined lazily on her chair, waving a dismissive hand. "No, Mom. I can't. Just have a mail service deliver them and pay the courier. Problem solved."
Elena's brow arched, a sly glint in her eyes. "And what if I offered to pay you?"
Fiona's eyes twitched subtly, though she maintained her composed demeanor, the faintest glimmer of amusement flashing across her features as Hazel shuffled toward her mother, attempting to enlist her in the theatrics.
"No, really, just use the mail service," Hazel insisted, her tone lazy yet insistent, as if she had single-handedly discovered the most ingenious solution in the world.
Elena straightened to her full height, folding her arms tightly across her chest. Her voice rose, cutting through the room like a blade. "No. You will not outsource basic courtesy. Get up. Put on your shoes. And help me deliver the gifts now."
Hazel peeked at her, gauging her mother's expression, then sighed dramatically.
"You're really serious about this."
Elena's stare hardened. "I've never been more serious about anything in my life."
Without missing a beat, Hazel slid an arm around her mother's shoulders, coaxing her toward the door with exaggerated sweetness. But Elena reacted
instantly swatting Hazel's hand away and gripping her shoulders, yanking her back with decisive force.
"Why are you trying to chase me out?" Elena snapped, planting her feet firmly. "This is my room."
Hazel froze, eyes wide, then sheepishly gestured toward Fiona. "Oops, I forgot. Fiona, let's go to my room," she murmured, attempting to salvage the situation while Elena's dramatic glare lingered.
Fiona stepped forward gracefully, her poise effortless and commanding. "Hi, Mrs. Elena," she greeted, her voice smooth and measured, carrying the subtle authority that seemed to naturally follow her.
"Hi, baby," Elena cooed sweetly, reaching out to clasp Fiona's hand as she strode closer. She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Try to convince your friend. I'll even pay her."
"Mom, I can hear you," Hazel's voice rang out, sharp with impatience.
Elena gasped, one hand flying to her chest. "Hear me? Impossible. You're clearly invisible."
Hazel stared at her. "Invisible? I'm standing right here!"
Elena squinted, scanning the room theatrically. "Hmm? Where? I see nothing."
Hazel spluttered. "Then why are you sending me on errands if I don't exist?"
Elena's eyes lit up with wicked triumph. "Ah, that's because," she said sweetly, "you only become visible when it's time to work."
"Oh, Mom, come on!" Hazel groaned, dragging a hand down her face.
Elena suddenly grabbed Hazel's hand with dramatic flair, lifting it as if presenting evidence to a jury. "Peony, if you wish to exist in this household," she proclaimed, "then be useful for once!"
Hazel paused, tapping a finger against her cheek like a philosopher contemplating the meaning of life. "Hmm" She nodded slowly. "Nah."
In a flash, she snatched Fiona's hand and bolted down the corridor, laughter echoing as they disappeared.
Elena spun toward the hallway, throwing her arms into the air. "You silly child! If you refuse to be useful, then at least allow someone else to be!" she shouted, her voice ricocheting dramatically off the walls.
She turned back, shaking her head in defeat. "I gave birth to a menace," she muttered.
Hazel and Fiona sank onto the bed, the soft pink duvet adorned with whimsical ducklings cradling them like a cloud. Hazel flopped back with an exaggerated groan. "Ah, this woman will be the death of me," she murmured, rolling her eyes. Then, with a mischievous smile, she added, "But before I forget, thank you once again for the gift."
Fiona stretched lazily, a faint smirk tugging at her lips, savoring the quiet moment amidst the chaos.
Fiona waved her hand dismissively, mock humility dancing in her eyes. "Honestly, it wasn't worth it, a cheap little thing. I'm almost sorry I even—"
"Stop it!" Hazel cut in, her voice bubbling with laughter. "Who cares about that? I love it! The bracelet is gorgeous. I'm even wearing it to work on Monday."
Fiona's lips curved into a smug little smile, eyes gleaming. "Aww thanks for liking my gift," she said, letting her playful triumph linger in the air.
In a split second, Fiona pouted, lips forming a tiny, exaggerated "Hmmm."
"Yeah?" Hazel's voice rang with curiosity.
"I'm open to taking on some gigs now," Fiona said, voice calm but teasing.
"That's amazing! I'll talk to your agency, then," Hazel replied, eyes sparkling like she'd just uncovered a treasure.
Fiona tilted her head, expression thoughtful. "But my wardrobe is a disaster. I really need to change it first."
Hazel clapped her hands together. "Easy peasy! I'll give you money. How much do you need?"
"Nah, I can't take your money," Fiona said firmly, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.
"Why not?!" Hazel protested, pointing dramatically. "We're friends! Helping each other is mandatory! Don't want it now? Fine. Borrow it. Pay me back later. Simple."
Fiona raised an eyebrow. "Thanks, Hazel, but I really can't. How about I just handle the errand your mom is sending you on?"
Hazel groaned, rolling her eyes like the drama queen she was. "You can go, I guess. But I have no choice, I'm coming too. Someone has to make sure the Queen doesn't eat you alive. Let's go negotiate."
Fiona sighed, a small, amused smile breaking through. "You really are impossible."
"And you love it," Hazel shot back, grabbing her bag and tugging Fiona along.
Hazel swung the door open, dragging Fiona along with her. "Hey, Mom. We're heading out to run the errand, but—" she paused, kneeling on the chair, hands gripping the edge like a general ready to issue commands, "—you have to pay before service." Fiona sank silently onto the couch, watching the impending battle unfold.
Elena hesitated, rubbing her temple. "Umm… a hundred bucks," she mumbled.
Hazel's eyes narrowed, sharp as a blade. "Mom, which courier in the world would take a hundred bucks for these boxes?" She gestured toward the other room, where the stacked parcels stood, with almost surgical precision. "Okay, let's do some mathematics. If you're paying me a hundred bucks for seventy packages, tell me how much is that per package?"
Elena groaned, pressing her palms to her forehead. "Ahh, my head! Do you want to stress me out with calculations?" Her voice trembled between exasperation and defeat.
Hazel's lips curved into a sly, victorious smirk. "Math doesn't lie, Mom. But apparently you do."
"And Mom," Hazel's tone was sharp, yet teasing, "I'm just being a good businesswoman. You don't have to keep holding your head. I don't want your husband accusing me unjustly."
Her laughter rolled through the room like a soft storm, filling every corner with both amusement and authority. "Ah, okay, let me help you with the calculation," she continued, eyes gleaming. "A hundred divided by seventy you get 1.4 and some fractions. So are you telling me I'm supposed to deliver all these packages for just a dollar each?"
In that heated moment, Elena's defenses crumbled. She knew, deep down, that arguing was useless Hazel's calculation had trapped her, leaving no room for escape.
"Seven hundred grams!" Elena's voice rang out like the opening gavel, sharp and commanding, each word a declaration of power.
"No, one million grams!" Hazel's counter sliced through the air, eyes flashing with mischief, her tone daring Elena to outbid her.
"Jesus Christ! This child, are you trying to bankrupt me?!" Elena roared, slamming her hand down as if marking her stake in this invisible auction.
"No, Mom," Hazel said smoothly, a sly smirk playing on her lips, "you're worth far more than mere bankruptcy."
Elena's fist clenched, frozen midair in dramatic protest, like a warrior refusing to yield. "Seven hundred and twenty grams!" she snapped, her voice a mix of defiance and desperation.
"Seven… eight hundred grams!" Hazel's words came fast, precise, each number landing like a hammer striking the auction block.
Elena's eyes widened, caught mid-motion. "Yeah" she muttered, the agreement slipping past her lips before she even realized it.
"Wait! No! You played dirty!" Elena protested, the heat of the battle coursing through her veins.
Hazel's laughter rolled through the room, sharp and victorious. "Hahaha, no, Mom. Eight hundred. Final."
The gavel of her words slammed down, and in that moment, Elena knew the auction was over Hazel had claimed victory, her teasing smirk a crown atop the battlefield of numbers.