Finally…
Dad allowed me to live in an apartment.
I couldn't hide how I felt—excited, nervous, curious, but also incredibly happy. What would it feel like, living alone in an apartment? Would it be fun? Or… maybe scary?
But I think… it'll be a new experience I'll never forget.
At that moment, I remembered a conversation I had with Dad, shortly after he agreed to let me go.
"Dad… When I start school, I don't want people to notice me because you're the CEO of Valencorp."
Arvind, who had been organizing some documents, immediately looked up, staring at me as if I'd just said something ridiculous.
"What?" he asked, half in disbelief.
I walked toward the door. Once I reached the doorway, I turned back and looked him in the eyes—firm and serious.
"I'm not joking, Dad. I want to live my life as Raeya, not as 'the CEO's daughter.'"
And without waiting for a reply, I stepped out, closing the door behind me—slowly but surely.
Because to me… that title felt more like a burden than an honor.
Back when I was still in elementary school, I had a rather unpleasant experience. A lot of kids suddenly wanted to befriend me, invite me to play, talk to me sweetly like we were best friends. But sooner or later, I realized one thing—it was all fake.
They weren't interested in me. They were interested in who my father was. Because we were rich.
Once I realized that, I began to pull away. I turned them down one by one, and since then… I never got close to anyone. Until the day I entered a new class—and met Vira and Layla. They were different. They didn't care who my father was. They didn't come near me because of my family's wealth. They simply saw me as… Raeya.
That's why now, as I prepare to start middle school, I want a life that's truly simple. I want to be known as an ordinary student—not the daughter of someone important.
＊•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚ ˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚＊
The apartment Dad originally chose… honestly, made me frown.
Too big. Too fancy. The elevator even had facial recognition sensors.
"What?! You want this apartment?" Dad shouted when I pointed at a smaller, simpler unit a few blocks away from my new school. "It's too small and not suitable for you! Do you know how big my first apartment was when I studied abroad?!"
I stared at him with unwavering determination.
"I want to live here, Dad. Period."
"But—"
"It's not small. Especially since I'll be living alone. I don't need something big. I want to look normal. I want to live an ordinary life, Dad."
In the end, although reluctantly, Arvind agreed to the apartment. Thank goodness. Even if Dad thought it was too small, to me it was perfect. What mattered wasn't prestige—but my intention to grow independent.
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That night, I sat cross-legged on my bed, staring at my suitcase—already packed full. Clothes, books, school supplies, even the little bunny plushie I'd had since I was little—everything was ready.
Auntie Lily sat beside me, helping me fold the last jacket and tuck it into the suitcase. The room was warm and quiet, but also felt like it was holding back something heavy.
"Auntie…" I whispered softly.
"Hmm?"
"Soon, I'll start school… and live in the apartment. I'll begin my own life."
Auntie Lily smiled, her warm eyes always able to calm my heart. "I know. Raeya can do it. But… can Auntie stay at the apartment with you for a little while? Just for a short time. I want to make sure you'll be okay there."
I paused. A part of me wanted to say yes, because of course I'd feel safer. But…
"I'm sorry, Auntie… No. I want to learn to be independent. If you stay with me, I'm afraid I'll end up relying on you. I'll get spoiled. And my plan to live on my own… will fail before it even begins."
Auntie Lily looked disappointed—but only for a moment.
"But Raeya, mmhh… how about just temporarily? Not forever. Just until you get used to it, okay? After that, I'll let you live on your own. Promise. But at least, let me help you adjust first. I'd be too worried if you were suddenly all alone."
I stared at her for a long moment.
Her kindness always had a way of slipping into the most fragile parts of my heart. She never forced me—but she always knew how to make me feel seen and cared for without making me feel trapped.
I nodded slowly, then smiled.
"Alright… You can stay with me for now. Be with me at the start. And help me… learn to be independent."
"There she is, Auntie's little sweetheart."
Auntie Lily pulled me into a gentle hug. "I promise I won't get in your way. Just help you get everything settled. Once you're ready, I'll go home. But if anything ever scares you, or if you need help… just tell me, okay? Anytime."
"I will, Auntie. Thank you… for always being there for me."
That warm hug felt like a blanket that soothed my entire soul.
I know this journey won't be easy.
But at least, I've taken the first step.
And the first step toward freedom… is right in front of me.
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
Finally… today, I'm standing in my very own apartment.
I stood facing the three-story building in front of me. It wasn't as luxurious as people might expect from the daughter of a CEO—but that was exactly why I liked it. The apartment complex looked clean and well-maintained, painted in a soft cream color, with small balconies for each unit. On the ground floor, there was a tiny garden with a few potted plants and an old iron bench.
Elevator? None.
Just a staircase at the end of the corridor. And somehow… that made me feel a little more human.
"At last… the day is finally here!" I cheered silently, a bright smile forming on my lips without me realizing.
Some of our things were being unloaded from the car by Father's driver and assistant—my suitcase, boxes of clothes, school supplies, and shopping bags filled with personal items. I knew Father had originally wanted to give me a much fancier apartment, but I insisted. And in the end… I won.
"This is it… the place where I'll start everything from scratch."
My unit was on the second floor. As Aunt Lily and I climbed the stairs and arrived at the door marked 208, I took a deep breath. My heart was pounding.
I slowly turned the doorknob.
And as the door creaked open…