Chapter 12

They're here!!

I was super excited to see mom again, we probably haven't seen each other in a year and I know its not fair but honestly I've tried to fix time to visit her but work always ends up tying me down. It sucks honestly.

We hugged for pretty much the longest time and I felt tears falling to my cheeks, I didn't realize I missed her that much until now.

"Oh...honey, I've missed you so much" she said while still holding me. I couldn't respond because the words hooked in my throat as I was already crying messing up her shirt. She heard me sniff and withdrew me from her body before looking at my face and wiping my tears. She gave me a really contagious smile as I also found myself smiling back at her.

"My poor baby, c'mon let's get in" she cajoled me inside and placed her suitcase at the corner of the living room as we entered the kitchen.

" you hungry?" She smiles at me and walks over to the kitchen island.

"Of course I am, where do we start?" I giggle and start to lay out the ingredients for what I wanted to make for dinner today since its almost time. I decided some pasta and pasta sauce and vegetable sauce too would do finished with some fried chicken.

"Mom are you sure you don't wanna rest a bit? I mean you must be tired"

" what? And let you cook alone? No way I'll manage, who do you think taught you all these? No one makes it better than I do"

"True. I'm sorry if I was trying to care a little, I wouldn't want to stress you" she turned to me and smiled.

"Baby I'm fine, by the way where's Cassy?" She turned to look at me from chopping the vegetables. She was the only one Cass ever allowed to called her Cassy, if it was me, she'll pull my hair off. Crazy girl.

"Oh, her and Micheal are running late but they'll be here before dinner, that should be less than two hours from now"

"Cassy seems happy with her boyfriend, I can't help but be happy for her"

"oh no way, I know where this is heading to, mom no" she dropped the knife and faced me fully.

"I just want you to be happy, a good man in your life can make you happy you know" she turned back to what she was doing" you should really find yourself someone, you're not getting any younger" she whispered under her breath.

"I heard that" I gave her a playful glare.

We got finished with cooking dinner and I had already started setting up the table for everyone, just before I finished, I heard a knock on the door.

Great that should be Cass and Michael.

I opened the door with a bright smile on my face as I received the greatest shock of my like, my smile faded away immediately in a hurry. What the actual fuck is he doing here? No no no no too soon Chris.

"Hi" I tried to sound so cool even though I was dying inside of worry.

"Expecting someone else?" He gave me a really cute smirk.

"Uhh...yes my best friend is supposed to be here with her boyfriend I thought she was the one" I tilted my head to the side" by the way, what are you doing here?"

"What do you mean what am I doing here? I came to see you" he sounded hurt but what was I supposed to do? I'm literally freaking out in my head because any moment from now, mom might come out and see him and I'm not ready for that yet. I have to be in the right state of mind for this. Now hold on, why am I even getting worked up about this? Remind me again why I'm so nervous? Ohh that's true, I really want mom to like him and I might just be hoping for a good impression about him.

"I uh—" before I could speak, a call came in. Oh thank God, what a relief. I nodded at him to pick it up and waited patiently as he talked, I saw as his nose would scrunch up before he gave a defeated reply and ended the call. He looked too cute.

"I'm so sorry Tina but there is a huge emergency at the office I have to go. I promise I'll make it up to you" he hurriedly walked away. I heaved a sigh of relief and closed the door. Thank God mom left earlier to take a shower before dinner. She came down immediately in her pajamas, all smiles.

"Who was that?"

"Uh...a umm...wrong house I guess" I said scratching the back of my head with my bottom lips in between my teeth as I scurried away. Mom looked at me suspiciously but I knew she wouldn't stress on it.

I was really feeling bad for what I said to Chris, I know he's just trying and I really appreciate that. He's all I want but I'm really confused why I can't let him in.

Another knock was heard as mom opened the door. My heart beat to the extent it almost came out of my chest. What if its Chris again? Mom cannot see him, she doesn't even know what's happening.

"Cassy!" She squealed and hugged her tight, my legs came to a hult at the wall between the living room and the front door as I watched what was happening. I can tell you that these two are more of best of friends than anyone. They can pretend I'm not around when its just the two of them talking. Its worse when they're catching up, oh my God its like everyone else is invisible.

"Oh my God aunt this is my boyfriend Michael, Michael this is my lovely aunt, Mrs starstone, literally my second mother" I saw that admiration in her eyes, the way she smiled, it showed she belonged here. Cass has and will always be part of the family no matter what.

Mom gave Michael a look from head to toe before giving a smile.

"Welcome son, come on in" She led them in as they dropped their luggages by the door and removed their coats.

As they walked further into the living room, Cass noticed me. She jumped on me, squeezing my body.

"Hey you, this is Michael" I finally got to see him up close, the other times I've seen him have either been in pictures and videos that Cass sends or whenever I video call her and he just pops into the camera. He looks really handsome, really tall, dark skinned, brown beautiful eyes and from the simple white shirt he wore, I could see how his muscled threatened to burst out of the shirt. Damn, he is sexy and did I mention he is very very handsome?

"Stop staring at my boyfriend like that, you look like you wanna eat him" she said into my ear. I giggled and gave her a playful glare.

"Hi Michael, its so nice to finally meet you. Welcome" he gave me a smirk and brought out his hand for me to shake.

"Like wise Christina"

"Alright alright, can we all eat this dinner now before it gets cold people" mom yelled as she motioned us to the dining table.

The table was filled with laughter as we talked about the weirdest things. My mind couldn't help but wonder back to Chris. I should really give him a call after dinner. It felt right at that time, but now I just fell bad over how I treated him. God what is wrong with me?

"Tee, you okay?, you haven't even touched your food" Cass said giving me a concerned look.

"I uh...I'm fine, just happy that you're all here" I tried my best to give the best smile but failed. Even I don't believe myself. I have to call him, excusing myself, I left.