Subtle Steps in Solitude is a poignant exploration of a young woman's journey through life's mundane routines and unexpected challenges. Priscilla "Cici" Tan is a 28-year-old financial adviser, seemingly content with her structured, solitary existen...
"I'm confident I can handle it," I said, keeping my voice steady. "I've worked hard for this promotion, and I'm ready for the challenge."
My mom raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Hard work is one thing, but you need to be careful, Ci. You have a tendency to overextend yourself. You always have. It's off-putting and people don't like to be with a know-it-all."
Is she hearing herself? I bit my tongue, resisting the urge to snap back. I knew she was trying to get under my skin, to make me doubt myself. But I couldn't let her. Not this time.
"I appreciate the concern," I said, keeping my tone measured. "But I know what I'm doing. I'm not overextending myself. I'm just doing what's necessary to succeed."
My mom gave a small, almost imperceptible sigh, as if she was disappointed in my response. "Just remember, Cici, there's more to life than work. You're almost 30 now, and there are other things you should be thinking about. Your future, your personal life..."
There it was. The real reason for this dinner. The subtle, but unmistakable, reminder that in her eyes, I was still falling short. No matter how successful I was at work, it was never enough. There was always something else, something more that I wasn't doing right.
I glanced at my dad, hoping for some support, but he remained silent, his focus on his plate. He seemed oblivious to the tension.
"I know, Mom," I said, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. "But right now, my career is my priority. I'm happy with where I am."
She gave me a long, appraising look, her expression unreadable. "I just want what's best for you, Ci. I hope you know that."
"I do," I said, though the words felt hollow.
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The rest of the dinner passed in strained silence, the conversation never quite recovering from that exchange. As good as that scallops meal looks and tastes, this dinner is quite the opposite. Well, I guess we can't get everything our way. By the time it was over, I felt drained, the weight of my mom's words hanging over me like a dark cloud.
As I drove home, the tension from the day finally caught up with me. The promotion, the pressure of dealing with Mr. Rodriguez, and now the added stress of my mom's negativity—it was all too much. I felt the tears prickling at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them back. I couldn't afford to break down now.
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