<b>Chapter </b><b>141 </b>
Lydia
“You’re going on a date with Mason, again!” Mia squealed when I told her about epting Mason’s offer. I shrugged my shoulders, trying not to expose the fact that I was just as excited as she was.
“It’s not like you think. We are just going out, nothing serious.” I said, but Mia wasn’t ready to listen to that. “Come on, Lydia.” She said, rushing to my side. She was discharged yesterday afternoon, and even though I refused, she refused to stay at home and properly recuperate.
“What do you mean it’s nothing serious!” She nudged my side yfully, “We both know this is romantic.” “No, it’s not,” I said quickly, waving my hand on her face, but she wasn’t ready to listen.
“Where is he taking you this time?” I adjusted the seat and grabbed the ss of juice in front of me. “I don’t know yet,” I said before taking a long sip. Her eyes widened, “You don’t?” She questioned, and I nodded. “He said it was a surprise,” I stated.
“Oh my world, he’s going to ask you out.” A delusional Mia said dramatically, cing one hand on her chest. I ced the now–empty ss on the table and faced her. Mason wasn’t going to ask me out; we had spoken about keeping things between us slow for now, till I was sure what I wanted from him.
I shook my head, dispelling her words, “No, he won’t be doing that.” I assured Mia, but she wasn’t ready to take my words. She grabbed my shoulders and shook me back and forth, “You don’t understand.” She let go and brought her fingers in front of her, her eyes brightening as she spoke.
“You’ve been out of the game for a long time. I can confidently tell you that he wants to ask you out for a date. I am well experienced in this department.”
“I told him I wasn’t sure what I felt about him,” I said, stopping her from rambling further. “We decided to take things slow,” I added, watching her shoulders slump. She twisted her lips to the side and drew in slow breaths. She nodded, “So we have to rule out the possibility of you being asked out.” She said reluctantly.
“I may not fully understand what you mean, but I’m sure you know what you want. I support whatever decision you make regarding Mason.” She said, I smiled and pulled her close, hugging her. “Thank you,” I whispered.
After a while, she pulled away and stood, “I should probably begin preparing the clothes you want to wear.”
“Don’t you think it’s too early? I don’t even know where we’d be going.” but Mia was already on her feet and marching towards the door.
“It doesn’t matter. You just have to make sure you’re dressed, better to be well dressed than being underdressed.” She yelled, turning her back and then walking out the door. Seeing how determined she looked, I decided it would be best if I didn’t stop her.
By the time I got home, it was already past 10 pm, and the kids were asleep. After checking in on them, I walked back to my room humming under my breath. Just thinking about the date tomorrow was enough to set my heart on fire.
I was about to walk past Mom’s room when I heard a low whispering. I walked to the door, which was left ajar,
9:12 <b>Mon</b><b>, </b>Sep 8 B…
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<b>90 </b>
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and peeped in. I knew this was wrong, peeping at my mother, but I simply wanted to get a glimpse of what was happening inside.
“What do you mean? You got nothing? How is that possible? I told you about the room I saw, it definitely looked suspicious… What? No room like that anymore?”
I squinted, wondering what she was talking about. Pushing open the door fully, I stepped inside. Mom froze. It was brief, but I noticed it. My eyes never went past her actions. She ended the call. Her body went rigid, and the hand around the phone tensed.
I drew my brows together. What was wrong? Mom was up to something. “Mom, are you alright?” I asked.
She smiled, “Yes. Lydia, did you just arrive?” She asked, then walked to her nightstand. Her steps were unsteady. She ced her phone on the table and poured water into a ss before bringing it close to her lips.
“You seem distressed, what’s bothering you?” I questioned. She ced the ss on the table with a little thud, her smile shaking. “Me?” She pointed one finger at herself, and I nodded. “Why would I be?” She spread her hand, a smile forming on her face, “I am perfectly fine.” She began and continued, “I was just a little tired.” She blinked rapidly, arranging the books on her table into a pile.
She was avoiding eye contact, something she did when she lied. Since she didn’t want to talk about it, I would not be pressing her to tell me anything she didn’t want to say.
If there was one thing I hade to ept, it was the fact that everyone has something they are trying to hide from others. And it would be inconsiderate if I kept prying.
I will wait till she decides to tell me.
“Have you eaten?”
“Yes,” I lied. I hadn’t. With Mia gone, the workload doubled, and I had skipped meals all the time.
I spent a little more time with mom before I went back to my room.
The next day, I received a text from Mason, informing me he’d pick me up by 5 pm. I had cleared my schedule for the day. Mia was present this time. She had a good taste of fashion, which she proved once again by picking out the grey dress I was wearing.
“I think this is a bit too much,” I said, staring at my reflection in the mirror. “It’s just enough. Trust me.”
I pulled on the arm of the dress, “We don’t even know where he’s taking me.” I reminded her.
“All the more reason why you should dress so pretty,” Mia said.
She stood by my side when I got into Mason’s car and watched the car zoom into the busy highway before returning back into the boutique we were in.
“Your assistant seems to like you a lot,” Masonmented. I nodded. I didn’t know what true friendship was until I met Mia.
“She sure does,” I said, turning to steal a nce at him briefly. Why was he so handsome? He wore a blue
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9:12 <b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>8 </b>B.
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55 vouchers
tuxedo. “You never mention where we are going,” I said.
“You’ll see it in a while.” He replied, determined to keep his lips tight. “What do you think about going for a walk afterwards?” He asked.
I rxed into the chair, my eyes pinned outside my windscreen. “Don’t you think it’s too soon to n about that?” I asked, “We are not even sure I’ll like this ce you are taking me to.” I added.
“I am sure you’d like it.” The car took a turn.
Soon, the car pulled in front of a building. There were cars parked at the side. People sauntered around. He stepped out first and walked around. However, before he got to open my door, I did so myself. He offered his hand, and I took it.
What is this ce? I wondered as we started towards the entrance. On the side of the building was a poster. “Dada exhibition and anniversary.”
I dragged my feet to a stop. A gallery. This man!
My throat got stuck as a wave of different emotions hit me. “Mason,” I called out slowly. I have not been to a gallery for years. It had been my obsession in the past. Mason knew how much I loved collecting artworks.
“I thought it would be nice to attend with you.” His tone was rough, then he looked around cautiously, “At the same time, I would understand if you don’t want to go in with me. After all, this is a public ce.” He said his voice filled with warmth. I felt like hugging him. What did he mean by going back?
At this point, I didn’t care about what the public or anyone thought about me. I just wanted to have a good time with Mason in the gallery.
We started walking again, and I fought the urge to link my hand with his. Slow music resounded in the hall, which was filled with people.
I was blown away by the beauty of the entire ce. There were various artworks spread all over the ce. A small crowd of people gathered around the front of most artwork, but Mason and I decided to follow our old
rule.
We’d admire the artwork that had fewer people or no one at all in front of them, knowing most times the true prize in all these works was not understood.
“What do you think about this painting?” Mason pointed at a painting. I was about to speak, but someone beat me to it by calling his name.
“Mason.”
We turned to see Victoria and Julia in front of us. Now, how did they know we were here?