Chapter 2: The Undercover Mission Begins

02

The next morning, to Mom’s surprise, I was up at the crack of dawn.

She did a double take when she spotted me at the kitchen table, hands wrapped around my coffee mug like it was the only thing keeping me alive. I joined poor Dad to watch a rerun of “Temptation: Homeward Bound.”

“Samantha, are you feeling okay? Why are you up so early?”

“We young people, early to bed and early to rise—it’s good for your health, you know.”

Mom nodded, still fussing with her permed hair. “Mm, that’s right. You young folks really have good stamina.”

I stared at Mom in disbelief as she dabbed on face cream, grief welling up inside me.

Mom... why are you putting on so much makeup? And saying things like that in front of me? What’s the point of all this skincare?

Holding back my emotions, I watched Mom parade past me, decked out in the clothes, makeup, and purse I’d bought her.

On TV, a perfectly timed line played: “If you’re looking for excitement, don’t hold back~”

As soon as the door closed behind Mom, I leapt off the sofa, yanked off my pajamas to reveal real clothes underneath, and—under Dad’s amused gaze—dashed out to begin my secret agent mission.

Dad gave me a thumbs-up, munching popcorn, the John Wayne theme blaring in the background.

Mom got into an Uber. I flagged down my own ride.

“Driver, follow that car!” Maybe it was my sunglasses, mask, and black trench coat, or maybe the driver was just bored, but he threw on his own shades and nodded like we were in a buddy cop movie.

“Hang on!” he barked, and we shot off. I almost expected a Miami Vice theme song.

But less than five minutes later, Mom’s Uber pulled over.

“One intersection? All that drama for nothing?” the driver grumbled.

How was I supposed to know Mom would be bold enough to meet her mystery man so close to home? I paid up and tossed the driver a generous tip for playing along with my soap opera.

It was a Starbucks. As Mom reached the door, she stopped, dug around in her purse, and doubled back—like she’d forgotten something.

Just as I started to panic that my “catch the cheater” plan was toast, I spotted a young guy inside, scanning the room. My gut screamed: today’s male lead!

Sure enough, when Mom picked up her phone, his phone buzzed too.

As he was about to stand up, I blocked his path.

“Hey, are you Benny White?”

He looked startled. So was I.

So young?!

He looked like he just stepped out of a college brochure. And damn, he was seriously good-looking.

No wonder Mom would ditch Dad for him—totally worth it... Wait, no, no, snap out of it, Samantha!

Coming to my senses, I couldn’t help but suspect that with his looks, he had to be after Mom’s money, or up to something shady.

“Yes, and you are...?”

He was surprisingly chill. He waved to the barista and ordered me a lemon water. I braced myself—for my family’s happiness, I had to take the hit.

“I’m Mrs. Miller’s daughter. I think you know why I’m here.”

I said it coldly. He furrowed his annoyingly perfect brows. I forced myself to look away, determined to ignore his charm.

“So your whole family’s here? Trying to get in on our business, huh?”

Get in on... their business?

I was suddenly thrown, but his words ticked me off.

“You’re the one chasing after my mom! Look at you, barely out of college—already doing this kind of thing?”

He shot back, “Not as grown up as you!”

Did this punk just call me old? My temper flared.

Deep breaths, Samantha. I’m a teacher, older than him—I should act like it.

“Let’s cut to the chase—this is about money, right?” That was my honest guess. With his looks, if he wanted Mom’s beauty, I wouldn’t believe it for a second. He had to be after her retirement fund.

Hmph, want to be my stepdad? You’re way too green.

“Name your price. How much to leave my mom?” I tried to sound calm as I sipped my drink.

“One hundred thousand.”

I nearly spit out my lemon water but tried to keep my cool as I wiped my mouth.

Seeing his smug grin, I realized he was messing with me. Swallowing my pride, I stood up and glared at him.

“Fine. I wish you two all the best!”

I stormed out, cheeks burning, the lemon water still burning my throat.