When I returned to the room, Mom was already already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.
“Mom,” I took her hand, “Pack your things. We're leaving.”
“Leave? Where? Aren't we waiting for Liam and his mom?” My mom looked bewildered.
“No. We’re not waiting. I'll take you somewhere nice to relax, just the two of us."
She looked at my determined expression, then at the wooden comb I had thrown into the trash last night and seemed to understand something.
After packing my limited belongings and getting into the reserved taxi with my mother, my phone began ringing like a death knell.
The screen flashed Liam again and again. As soon as the call connected, his impatient questioning came flooding in. “Anne, where did you drive my car? We’re heading to the next scenic spot soon. Bring it back now!”
My voice stayed calm and composed when answering, “I didn’t drive it away. I sold it.”
There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds, followed by his furious roar, "Sold? What did you say? Say it again! You sold the car? Anne, are you crazy? Why did you sell my car?"
I sneered and spoke calmly, "Your car? Liam, after driving it for so long, you seem forget about something now. That car is registered in my name, black and white on paper."
There was a choke on the other end, clearly stuttering at the words. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "That… that doesn’t mean you can just sell it by yourself! Why didn’t you ask for my permission? How can you decide on your own?"
"That’s my own my property, why should I need your permission?"
Without waiting for his response, I continued, "Also, just to let you know, I've signed my mom up for a tour and we're on our way to the airport. About your next trip, you handle it yourself."
"Tour? Airport? You...you..."
He was completely stunned. When he came to his senses, he exploded with even louder shouting, "Anne! Get back here! Right now! Do you hear me? If you dare leaving me, you will..."
I didn’t give him another chance to speak. I cut the call off. My fingertip tapped the screen, turning off the phone decisively.
The taxi reached the airport quickly. After checking in, I took my mother’s arm and walked toward security.
"Anne, is it really okay for us to just leave like this? Liam...." My mom asked quietly and gripped her boarding pass.