Mother's Questioning

Mia's mother was obviously curious and worried about the presence of a man in her daughter's house at night.

Her parents had been the ones picking up the pieces that Nyck left and it was only natural that they worried about new men entering her life.

That's why her mother's question didn't surprise her that much.

"He's a skater, I told you that. Alex invited him to dinner and you know how hard it is to say no to that boy."

"You said he is a skater that Alex likes."

"Yeah, he's apparently good at it."

"And where is Alex?"

"Sleeping..."

"So...why is the skater still here and cuddling with you on the couch?"

Mia stopped for a second, staring at her mom.

They weren't cuddling.

Maybe Mia was leaning into him slightly as sleep came to her and he was brushing his hand on her leg, but they weren't cuddling.

"We were just talking for a while, it's nothing."

"You seemed to be doing a lot more than talking"

"It's not like that but it doesn't matter either way."

"What do you mean?"

"He's just visiting, Yuzu will be back in Japan in a few days and probably never come back so stop worrying."

"A nickname and everything... Girl you're down bad." Her mother said with a huge smile.

It made Mia realize that maybe she wasn't as concerned about having a man here as she initially thought.

"Mom... Stop."

"He's cute."

"And probably has a girlfriend or whatever."

"You don't know?"

"I just met him!"

"Another reason for my curiosity. I've never seen you entertain a man with cuddles and conversation, especially not when Alex is around."

"I can't get too attached. The last thing I need is to get my heart broken when he leaves and Alex gets too hopeful. It's his skating idol, for god's sake..."

"So you admit that you're feeling something?"

Yuzuru seemed to have chosen that perfect moment to come inside the kitchen.

"Hey, sorry for interrupting" he said with his cheeks slightly flushed. Mia wondered how much he heard.

"My driver is here, so I'll be going..."

"Oh..." Mia tried her best not to sound disappointed, but she didn't expect it to come out believable. "Sure. Thank you for coming."

"No, thank you for having me."

Looking into those intense eyes was more than enough to make her forget about the other woman inside the room and just get lost in him.

"Huh... Will you be at the rink in the next few days?"

"Yeah... I'm here for two weeks."

"Okay."

"Will I see you there?" He asked hopeful, Yuzu didn't expect too much, but he wanted to at least see her again.

"I have to pick Alex up, so I guess."

"Ok."

"Ok..."

"Have a good night, Mia." He said with a gentle smile before his arms enveloped her in a small hug making her gasp audibly.

"I should... Take you to the door."

"I will be fine. I know the way."

"Goodnight, Yuzu"

"Bye. Goodnight, ma'am" he said to her mother before disappearing from the room.

And just like that he was leaving the house and leaving her completely dumbfounded and without reaction. Oh, the hug... How could he be so sweet...

"Oh boy..." She heard her mother say and was certain that it was only the start. "It looks to me like you're both down badly."

"Don't..."

"You have to face the reality. And right now, you seem to like this guy."

"I already told you why I can't like him."

"Sometimes things are not how we think they will be."

"It wouldn't work and you know it."

"I'm just saying that not every man is like that jerk..."

"I had enough heartbreaks for a lifetime."

Her mom looked at her with a serious expression. It wasn't the first time they had this fight and it never ended that well. Mia's parents wanted her to be happy with someone but she always said that Alex was the only man that she needed in her life.

It was never as if they tried setting her up with men, but there was the encouragement to go and find someone, to get on dates, and live the life that she never did in college.

Even if Mia knew that there was a lot to experience in the world, her priority had always been her son and that wasn't going to change because of a small infatuation with a Japanese skater that she barely knew.

"Maybe think of yourself for once. Alex is already a big boy and he will understand if you want to have some time for yourself. I don't just mean to get a relationship but also to do what any woman loves. Go shopping, do your nails, get dressed nicely, and go out for dinner... I don't know, but do something for yourself every now and then. You won't be young forever."

"Mom..."

"We can watch him for a few nights too, I always told you this."

"I know... It's just that..."

"You don't know how to relax and stop being a mother for a few hours."

"Yes."

"Thankfully, it's something that you can learn."

Mia knew that this was a useless fight. Once her mom had put something in her head, there was no going back.

"What do you even suggest that I do?"

"Well, you can start by asking that cute skater out..."

"No."

"Yes."

"No, I'm already too attached to him"

"Isn't that the point?"

"Yeah, and what if I do get too attached in two weeks and he goes to Japan?"

"Well, I hear Japan is quite nice in the Summer."