When the plane landed, we disembarked, and I got a taxi and left. I was so grateful that I did not have any luggage and that I could just get to her sooner. Exhaustion plagued my body, emotionally and physically. During my ride from the airport to my mom's apartment I opened my phone, I had 50 missed calls from Axel.
I rolled my eyes so far back; I swear I thought I saw the back of my head. I did not have the desire or energy to deal with him now, I just needed to assess how bad the situation was with my mother.
Feeling grateful that I still had my old keys; I paid the driver and went inside the apartment. The doorman had greeted me with a smile that I returned somewhat. Walking to the elevator, I took in a deep breath that I only let out when I was standing on the floor my mom and I lived on ... I used to live on.
I sighed once more then opened the door. The apartment was dark. I walked to the lounge and saw that everything was tidy, the curtains just were not drawn. I opened the curtains then went into the kitchen.
Everything was in order there too. There was a pleasant lemon smell that wafted into my nose. I opened the fridge and saw that it was empty besides some milk. The cupboards too. After pausing for a while and contemplating what I should say, I finally went into my mother's room.
I gasped when I saw that it was empty. Panic rising, I ran into her bathroom and saw that it was empty too. Where was she? I went into my old room. I was hoping that the familiarity of it would calm me. I opened the door slowly and choked at the sight I saw before me.
My mother was in my bed clinging so hard to my bed sheets I swear I could see her veins popping on her hands. I walked quietly towards her sleeping form and sat down on the bed. Her eyes had dark circles beneath them; and her skin was sickly pale and translucent.
Without another thought I reached out and stroked her back. She got up suddenly which scared me. I yelped in surprise. She glared at me in the dark thinking i was an intruder. She then moved carefully eyes never leaving mine to switch on the bed side lamp.
When she recognised me, her expression changed entirely, "Alexandrite baby", she cooed. Practically jumping, I went into her outstretched arms and she cried for a while I just held her and comforted her.
A few weeks passed while I was at home with my mom. She seemed to be doing better but she never reverted to her old self.
Today would probably be no different. Waking up with the same dull ache in my chest from the situation, I got dressed and grabbed her keys and went to the mall to buy some groceries.
Parking the car, I got out and decided that I needed a drink to just remind myself of my youth because the situation really was draining the life out of me and I wanted my mind to escape for a bit. I walked into the mall and found a restaurant with a bar. I was dressed in grey sweatpants, white Airforce ones, a white crop top and a denim jacket. It was a basic but cute outfit.
I really hoped the bartender would not ask for my ID and that my fatigue would work in my favour this once. Sliding onto a chair the bartender looked me up and down and asked for my order. The whole situation was exhilarating because I had been afraid that he would refuse and call my bluff.
"Long Island, please and can you open a tab for me", he nodded. It felt good to be in a different space. I went onto my phone and was scrolling through Twitter sipping on my drink, until I felt an intense pair of eyes watching me. I looked up and we made eye contact. The guy did not even bother looking away. His brazenness was intriguing.
I cocked an eyebrow in questioning and to my surprise he moved chairs and sat right next to me. "Hi", I said in greeting. He smiled and extended his hand.
"Jax", he said then added. "You probably will not remember this encounter." Which was an odd thing to say to someone you have barely exchanged pleasantries with. I smirked and took it as a challenge. "Xander".
"You seem underage", he whispered in a taunting tone. The proximity of our bodies had mine tingling, but I was still lowkey irritated by his words.
I glared at him, he had the gall to try and ruin my little piece of happiness unprovoked. "Officer, I do not recall seeing your badge" I responded cheekily. He chuckled amusement flowing from him. The tension between, as quickly as it had appeared, disappeared.
"Fair enough, though it's a Tuesday what are you doing at a bar so early?" he countered.
I frowned slightly, it was not his fault for not knowing that my world was in shambles and I needed an escape. It would be too much to divulge my lifestory to a stranger so instead I said, "Looking for some fun. How about you, shouldn't you be in school?" He rolled his eyes.
"Unlike some people, I'm no-longer in school. I am a businessman." I nodded. "What car do you drive?" I asked him. He looked taken a back.
"Today I am driving a Ferrari SF90Stradale", "Mmmhmm", I murmured not having a single clue what model that was.
"Can I try and drive it?" I asked him surprising us both. He scratched the back of his head in thought. My second drink had arrived as we started talking and was just about finished. "Please, just around the block plus I have barely had anything to drink".
He looked to be deep in thought for a moment and then he agreed. I settled my tab and told the bartender I would be back. He nodded and winked as he saw Jax and I leaving together. For a moment I was confused and then when we got to the car, I realised that he thought we were going to have a quickie and then laughed out loud amused. "What?" Jax asked. I filled him in and then he too laughed.
What I had not told Jax was that I could barely drive, and his car looked expensive and beautiful. I had resolved that if anything happened, I would just give him Axel's details and daddy dearest could sort it out. We exchanged numbers then Jax gave me the keys and I opened the car and slid in. The car had race car seats; I did an internal air punch. This was so exciting, irresponsible on my behalf as well and I could probably be kidnapped by this sexy stranger, but I felt so alive.
Inserting the keys, I turned the keys and the car purred to life. I adjusted the seat and he got in with me. For a moment, I looked into his stormy blue eyes, trying to determine if he really was a threat but nothing but warmth and power radiated from them. Satisfied that he was not going to harm me in any way. I put on my seatbelt and pushed down on the acceleration pad.
There were a lot of start and stops but he was patient. After about an hour I had gotten the hang of things and was now cruising down the highway with pop smoke's mood swings on blast. We returned to the mall in high spirits. "Nanatsu no taizai bodies Naruto any day," he said as I parked the car and got out then tossed him the keys.
"Itachi, that's all I have to say. Case closed."
"Meliodas is god status Xander," I giggled.
"Madara and the sage of six paths. Don't at me".
He laughed as we walked back to the bar. Before we got there, he stopped me and mussed up my hair and surprised me by kissing me. His lips were so soft but they held an urgency that I suddenly wanted to reciprocate too. I kissed him back just as fervently. "I rocked your world", he said coyly. I laughed and as we walked up to where we had been sitting earlier the bartender chuckled and this time, I winked at him. We continued talking for a bit and then I saw that 3 hours had passed since I had left the house; I realised that my mom was most likely up and alone. I did not trust her to be fine. I sighed getting up after one final drink. "I need to go but it was so nice meeting you Jax, text me?"
He winked, "it was my pleasure", he said walking out with me. He accompanied me as I got a few groceries and then headed back to my moms Jeep Wrangler. We were now standing by the car. "Did you enjoy the kiss earlier?" he asked sheepishly. I grinned massively, "Yeah, I did how about you?" He smirked grabbing one of my braids and tucking it behind my ear, "Yeah, may I?" he asked leaning in. Nodding, I decided to be bold and met him halfway. Our lips tangoed together for about 5 minutes before I got a text from my mom.
"You won't remember any of this its not yet time", he repeated his earlier words kissing my forehead. I found the repetition strange, but I really had to go so I waved goodbye and got into the car. On my way home, I tried to reflect on the day that I had had.
The harder I tried to recall; murkier the memory became. Maybe, I really had had one too many. All I knew was it was a good day, but I could not recall why. By the time I got home and saw that my mother was just staring lifelessly at the television all I knew was that I had gone to the mall for groceries and gotten a drink and that's all I had done."
I got into the shower and cried, allowing all my anger and frustration to just flow away with the water. She needed professional help, someone who would help her to pick up the pieces and rebuild. I could not do this anymore.
Low key I was heartbroken that I was not able to give her the help she needed.
She had taken time off work, but she would go back when things got crazy at the hospital. With resolve and my mind made up I got out of the shower and dried myself.
In my towel, I sauntered back to my room and took out my I-Pad pro that my mom had bought me when I realised, I had left the one at Axel's house since I left in such a hurry.
I searched, on the internet for the top rehab facility and therapists in the country. I found a man by the name of Joshua West and spoke to him about my mom. He reassured me that he could help and went through the plan and how he had to rebuild her self-esteem and self-worth. I was so happy and excited at the prospect of getting her back to her old self.
I booked her the 6-month plan and then went to speak to her about it. Initially she was livid that I had gone behind her back, but once I explained to her that I just wanted her to be genuinely happy she simmered down and agreed.
She had become depressed and it killed me to see her wakeup the same way every day. She thought I did not notice the sadness that dwelled permanently in her dull eyes or how thin she had become. Her skin still lacked that radiance and vibrancy that it once held.
She had become a shell of the woman she once was and now adorned herself in shades of grey, which she did not notice was her new modus operandi. She used to love cooking and being in the kitchen trying out new recipes but lately she would always order her food and groceries.
It had all become too much for me. I could not continue to watch her suffer. I had not told her that I had paid using Axel's money otherwise she would have refused. I now literally had $500 in my bank which meant that when I went back; I would have to stay with him. The facility was very expensive and had cost me couple hundred thousand dollars, but it was worth it.
She left the next day saying she wanted to get it over and done with. Her abrupt decision to go so soon had left me surprised because it thought I could have a day or two to get back to normal, but I did not fight her decision. We had informed the hospital and they were in board with the idea of her getting help. Doug had done a number on her emotionally.
After she left, I stayed in the apartment a few days but then I decided to go back to Axel's. I was too haunted by vivid memories in this house.