"Here at BioGene Pharmaceuticals, our mission is to further the development and the commercialization of safe medications. This will help us thrive, so that your family flourishes as well."

My eyes ascended from polished flooring, looking beyond the succession of glass that showcased the rainy, winter night. I disregarded the photographed spectacle of revered doctors hung above summarized accolades listed in polished bronze.

How can such small paragraphs contain such grand fabrications? Instead of embossed names to identify the staff, inmate numbers would be more fitting.

At last, my focus shifted to the screen adjacent to my seat within the empty lobby. Oh, how the actress upon the monitor appeared so falsely joyful while scripted lies spilled easily from her tongue.

Not giving into regurgitation must've been tough while uttering this bullshit. Was it difficult to speak of how my mother's employers were intent to save humanity rather than profit from it?

"BioGene, credits its life saving medicines to-" she rambled on.

"It's lack of morals and greed," I finished from behind slightly pursed lips while shaky fingers shoved the black strands of my wayward hair behind my ears.

Bitterness was pungent upon my tongue, and the grinding of my incisors seemed almost deafening. In the center of my palms, a collection of sweat gathered. Its formation prompted my restless action of smearing moisture against my jeans while anxiety resulted in the incessant bounce of my extended leg.

"You say something, Miss Kara?" Dean asked from his position behind the counter. The aged guard hunched over its glossy surface, addressing me with blue eyes that held kindness that verged on sympathy.

"Just repeating her words in verbatim," I lied with an artificial smile. "Feels like I've seen this video a million times."

"With how often I find you sitting there, I'm sure you have." Dean's grin widened. "Heck, sometimes I wonder if I repeat those words in my sleep." His hand moved to pick up the receiver. "Should I phone her again?"

A routine of sorts commenced as I glanced at the watch around my wrist-- a face that had become more familiar than my mother's.

Seven... like the number of birthdays missed.

My reflection, the picture of discontent, was mirrored in the spotless white tiles beneath my sneakers.

"That's not necessary. I'm sure she's finishing up something of great consequence," I mocked, "and will be down soon." Oh, how I internally choked on those words.

"Time sacrificed equals advancements made and lives saved, or at least that's what the good people of BioGene are fond of saying." The receiver was abandoned in favor of a set of keys before he continued, "Of course, when my wife was left waiting up for me, that quote never lessened her frustration. I must say, you have the patience of an angel compared to her."

If only he knew...

When my response consisted of a polite smile rather than my usual chatter, he stated, "Well, I should make my rounds, but I'm sure she won't be long."

Watching his retreat, I couldn't help but think, so nice, and yet so delusional. The only advancements BioGene makes is to their profit margins.

Turning back to behold such mind-numbing propaganda once again; in the end, I did what I did best when it came to her... I waited.

As time progressed, my inner struggle between fury and apprehension intensified. Then, with a faint groan, a ping, and the illumination of the ground floor symbol, the elevator's doors opened to reveal my mother's frazzled figure.

She was supposed to meet me twenty-five minutes ago.

Slowly, my body skulked toward the cart.

Mindful of how my pace infuriated her, I reveled at the sight of my mother's tight smile. For I knew that beyond it, lay a mind that ticked away minutes lost due to the disruption of my presence.

Once enclosed in steel, the scent of disinfectant was almost as strong as my annoyance.

Manicured fingers scanned an identification card before she pressed the twenty-fourth floor. Unfortunately, my refusal to look at the esteemed Dr. Harlow didn't stop the sensation of her eyes on my pissed stance within the opposite corner.

"BioGene has your family's welfare at the center of everything that we do," that same annoying actress stated from the monitor installed within the elevator's wall.

God, was this bitch everywhere?

"How is your father?"

"Happy and still divorced."

Her sharp intake of breath was unmistakable, but still she forged on. "How was school?"

"Long."

"And that little club of yours?"

A moment of unadulterated terror hit me, my knees buckled slightly before they steadied again.

Calm down Kara, she doesn't know.

Going on the defense, I glared at the source of my rage. "Are you really asking me that while we're here?"

"Kara, I'm trying to show an interest in something that you care about."

Well, that would be a first.

I snorted, unamused. "My little club held a meeting that I missed because I was ordered to meet you."

Just let anger overshadow every other feeling.

A small victory was won in the sight of her clenched fist before it released again. "Your father and I have shared custody. That means-"

"That for a couple days out of the week I'm forced to decorate the lobby in order to assuage your guilt." My vision focused on that stupid display again rather than expose the hurt triggered by revealed truths.

She sighed. "I was in the middle of analyzing-"

"Trust me, it's not important."

Once again, her movements were predictable. Without looking, I knew from experience that her fingers ran through her short brown hair in frustration before she'd shove her black rimmed glasses further upon her nose. "It was a few minutes, Kara."

My livid gaze met hers. "It was twenty-five, but as a BioGene underling, I understand your tendency to exaggerate."

"You never give your father this much attitude when he's late picking you up."

A smirk stole over my lips before my hands tightened around the strap of my book bag. This was a gesture that curbed my irritation, but most importantly, concealed my palm's tremor. "He's a real doctor. He actually saves lives."

She rolled her eyes. "And, what do you call what we're doing here?"

"Creating another expensive, marketable form of aspirin and yet labeling it a cure."

Her jaw tensed. "It's nice to know how you view my career. You know, BioGene has reinvented the way the world-"

"Benefits off agony?" I suggested.

She grunted, her eyes intent to watch the displayed numbers above the elevator doors. "Wow Kara, tell me how you really feel."

Smiling sweetly, I replied, "I thought I just did."

"You know that here at BioGene, we-"

"Put the company before family?"

Mother took a deep breath before she insisted, "This is just a job, Sweetheart."

True amusement lay behind my grunt this time because at seventeen, I knew better. "No, Mom. Your family is your job; BioGene Pharmaceuticals, is your life."

"Kara-" she began, only I didn't want to hear those same excuses; thus, I did my usual. I hid the emergence of my emotions behind a wall, for the collapse of my resolve due to her false sentiment, would only spark indecision.

Kara, get your shit together.

The elevator doors slid open, and yet her hand on my shoulder halted my exit. She shoved my resistant body into her customary hug. However, even the gentle squeeze I felt seemed foreign and oddly out of place. Nevertheless, this moment of obligatory tenderness did provide me with what I wanted.

It's now or never...

With baited breath, my fingers quickly slipped into her lab coat to pilfer her badge before I slid it into the back pocket of my jeans.

She pulled away until brown eyes met hazel. "Look Kara, you may not respect what I do here, and I get that. Yet, for the time being, let's cage the family dysfunction while we're in this building."

My heartbeat increased with every second that slipped away. Its pound caused the growth of fear, the expansion of dread for the moment when my actions would be discovered. It thrust me into an usual silence. Rather than retort with my typical hurtful comeback, a forced grin found its way onto my lips. "No problem, Mom."

"BioGene Pharmaceuticals, the wave of the future," the actress finished.

I certainly hope not.