Emily's Diary
Date: November 7, 2026
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This is ridiculous!
I didn't think my dad would be so stingy with his shopping.
I asked him many times; I wanted Wagyu beef as the main course at the party, but he kept saying it was unnecessary, and that there was more than enough food for everyone. Besides, I also asked for a giant chocolate fountain, but he only brought a small one.
Doesn't he understand that I have friends to surprise?
I've worked hard all this time to be the best in my school.
I'm good at sports, math, science, and even English. All the teachers adore me, I'm the principal's favorite, and I've never gotten into trouble.
Wouldn't it be fair if these simple wishes were granted? Am I not behaving well enough?
On the other hand, he also wouldn't let me bring a classmate as my date.
Does he want others to laugh at me at my own party?
I had a lineup of people I could choose from.
I could have chosen the most handsome, the most athletic, or the most intelligent.
But no.
"I'll be your date… You shouldn't trust men, especially impulsive young men", he said without a trace of shame.
How could he possibly think he'd be my date at my 18th birthday party?
If my friends find out, I'll have to start all over again, just like last time.
I swear, if he ruins my party with something else crazy, I won't forgive him!
Never!
In fact, I'll write down anything he does wrong here.
That way, I can complain to him later.
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First-person POV, 7 a.m.
"Emily, darling!", my mother exclaimed from downstairs.
"What do you want?!", I replied from my room as I put my diary away.
"We should go get your party accessories!", she replied urgently.
"I'm coming!", I replied as I quickly got up and ran to the bathroom.
I washed quickly. I put on some light makeup, as I would have to redo my makeup later and didn't want to upset my face.
"I don't think I'll run into any classmates, will I?", I mused as I applied a light pink lipstick.
Now I was going out with my mother to the jewelry store we usually visit to pick up what we wanted for the party. I had requested star-shaped earrings, several bracelets, and a necklace with an eclipse design. Instead, my mother only chose ruby earrings and a new bracelet that said "Dear Daughter" in gold.
Just as I was about to go downstairs, I heard my father talking to someone on the phone. He was laughing and joking, which was unusual for him.
Normally, he addresses his employees with an authoritative yet approachable tone, while speaking to others with a veiled formality. Even to his work "friends", he speaks with a kind of insincerity I've grown accustomed to.
Out of sheer curiosity, I leaned over to listen a bit from the doorway of his office.
"Hahaha… And you didn't want to work for me, but now you're asking for things like this".
"Hahaha… I know, I was just joking".
"But no matter how much you insist, I won't sell you drugs. I know you, and I don't want you to end up trapped in vices like that".
"Are they really not drugs?"
I didn't like the subject my father was discussing with that person at all. I didn't want him to get into trouble like he did in the past.
"Were you talking about getting drugs?", I thought, confused, as I continued listening.
"Well, if it's not that, then there's no problem".
"What exactly do you need?"
"Are you going into the pharmaceutical business?"
"I've seen Breaking Bad, and that's going to end badly for you".
"Hahaha… So why do you need so many medications?"
"Paranoia? Well, that'll cost you dearly".
Apparently, the conversation wasn't what I initially thought. It seemed like my father was involved in some important business, but I was still puzzled by the familiarity with which he spoke to this person.
I was about to leave when I heard the man mention "paranoia".
"A person acquires many medications and it's only due to paranoia? What kind of people is my dad associating with?", I wondered, deciding to stay a moment longer to continue listening.
"Are you sure?"
"Since I like you, I'll get what you need and only ask for a small amount upfront. However, if your project doesn't work out, you can return everything. It's like a loan, but only because I like you, Alex".
"So, his name is Alex… I'll ask my mom if she knows him", I thought as I walked downstairs, since it seemed the conversation would continue with business topics that didn't interest me.
"Mom, I'm ready!", I exclaimed from the entrance, staring at the chandelier adorning the threshold.
It was dazzling, each element bathed in a soft light that made them sparkle. For years, gazing at this little light show has calmed me after a hectic day.
I once asked my mom if she thought the chandelier was beautiful, to which she replied that she considered it outdated and needed replacement. I got so mad at her that I didn't eat for a whole day, worrying my parents, who decided never to replace it.
"Let's go", my mother said as she approached from the living room, jingling her keys.
Three hours later.
The drive to the jewelry store was fairly serene. The order we had reserved days in advance was ready. All the pieces were beautiful.
We took advantage of the trip with my mother to organize some additional party favors, as well as special gifts for my friends who would be arriving later.
We also stopped at a very elegant café and enjoyed a delicious morning coffee, accompanied by some freshly baked pastries.
"This birthday celebration is going to be fantastic", I thought as I entered the house and paused for a moment to admire the chandelier.
"Ow! Why are you pushing me?", I complained as I felt a bump on my back.
"And why are you stopping right at the entrance?", my mother asked in disgust.
"It's nothing… hahaha", I responded, pretending not to know as I started up the stairs.
"Your bags", my mother pointed out, raising her hand with the shopping bags.
"You're right", I said as I quickly went downstairs, took the bags from her, and hurried back upstairs.
When I got home, there was quite a bit of activity. My father had hired people to take care of organizing the party, following the instructions we had given them days before. Now they were decorating the backyard and the interior of the house.
"Dad!", I called as I went up the stairs.
First, I looked for him in his room, but no one was there.
Then, I went to his office, and as I was about to enter, I realized he was on the phone, just like that morning. However, this time, there was a concern in his voice, very different from the one he had with that Alex.
I approached the entrance and began to listen.
"Are you kidding?"
"France? The United Kingdom? Japan? Even India?"
"I understand it's unusual for those major powers to start moving critical supplies to military bases, but maybe it's just a preventative measure against the Russians... they do it often".
"Fuuu... They're censoring information like last time".
"What's going on with China? Or the Russians themselves?"
"I thought maybe it could be a war they started and that they weren't preparing for it in the same way, but if you tell me they're preparing the same way as the rest of the major countries, it seems it won't be a war".
The conversation my father was having left me very confused. He talked about very strange things as if a cataclysm were about to happen. His tone went from disbelief to annoyance, then to concern, and back again.
"Are they talking about a war?", I wondered, shocked.
But the thought immediately vanished, as I didn't think my father could have known if a war involving those countries was coming.
I continued listening, trying not to make a sound.
"Yes, the movements are similar to the last pandemic".
"How did I find out? … It was a friend who called me early to warn me".
"No, he's not from the government. Like the rest of the countries, ours won't notify the population until everything gets worse".
"I'll try to prepare as best I can".
"Yes, I won't get involved with the items the military is buying".
I felt more confused as I continued listening. I focused so hard on analyzing the conversation that I kicked the door lightly.
"He's going to find out!", I thought in alarm as my face turned an unnaturally pale.
"Dad, we're here!", I shouted as I entered his office and banged on the door he had already opened. "I hope he didn't notice me listening to his conversation", I thought, trying to act calm.
"Emily", my dad said with a big smile, realizing it was me who had entered his office without permission. "Wait for me downstairs. I'm on an important call. I'll be right down", he added in a friendly tone.
"Okay, I'll wait downstairs", I said, immediately leaving his office, frightened.
At dusk.
"Mom, what did my dad say about my date?", I asked my mother, who was watching a stylist who was helping me with my hair for the party.
"I think he wanted to escort you himself", she said mockingly as she looked at me in the mirror.
"What?!", I exclaimed, surprised and annoyed at the same time. The stylist looked at me sternly and held my face tightly so as not to ruin my hairstyle.
"Hahaha… He was just joking. He said he invited a friend of his to join you", my mother explained, wiping away a tear before it ruined her makeup.
"What friend?", I asked suspiciously.
"Your father said he spoke to him this morning", she replied in a nonchalant tone.
"I see… Do you know why Dad seemed so worried?", I asked, trying to find out if she knew about the morning call.
"Relax, Emily, everything will be fine today. You'll have your party just like you dreamed it would be", she said in a warm tone, thinking I meant something else.
"You say that, but I don't see the chocolate fountain", I grumbled, feigning annoyance as my mother looked at me tenderly.
We continued watching the stylist, who was marveling at my hair and makeup. We were both amazed at how much they could change in professional hands.
"Mom, do you think something like the pandemic will happen again?", I asked her in a worried tone when the stylist left my room.
"Relax, it won't happen again", she said, gently caressing my face with her warm hand. "And if that's the case, I'll make sure nothing happens to you", my mother added in a determined tone.
"Thank you, Mom", I said, holding her hand on my face for a moment longer.
The warmth with which my parents treated me always surprised me. I know many people have told them that I'm too spoiled and that they should change the way they raise me, but they've never taken those opinions into account and have loved me with all their hearts.
"I don't know why those bad memories came back to me… It must be because of my father's conversation with those people", I reflected as I hugged my mother.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
New novel from yours beloved author.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
By the way, I wanted to clarify that the posts won't necessarily be regular. There may be weeks with 3 chapters or even 7 depending on support.
Read my other novels
#The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future.
#Vinland Kingdom: Race Against Time.
You can find it on my profile.]