Chapters 24 - Ayumi Clarck

***Result and Outing -Part 2***

It's almost 6 p.m., and as soon as I place the book I was reading on the coffee table, the elevator doors open,” I lean forward to see who's entering since only people we know have access, and I see Mayke walking in, arm in arm with my mother. I quickly get up and rush over to them.

“What happened?” I ask as I approach, noticing that my mother has some scratches on her arm and face.

“They broke into her house,” he says, and I move closer, embracing her as she starts crying. I lead her to the couch, and we sit down.

“Tell me exactly what happened. But first, let me get a glass of water for you, Mom,” I say, and she hugs me even tighter.

“Stay here with me, just for a little while longer,” she says. Mayke goes to the kitchen and returns with a glass of water, handing it to my mother.

It's still a bit strange for me to have someone to call 'Mom.' Despite wanting, it so much throughout my entire life, it's still something new and sometimes feels like a dream. Mayke sits down in the armchair across from us, bringing me back from my thoughts.

“While we were on the call, Officer Forgs called me. Remember?” I nod. “We received a report of a home invasion and arson, with a woman being held hostage in her own home. So we rushed over, and when we were almost there, I realized it was your mother's house. The fire department was extinguishing the flames, and she was being comforted by neighbors.”

“They broke into my house looking for money. They said that since my daughter is wealthy and a renowned architect, I should give them whatever they asked for,” Mom says, wiping away a tear.

“How did they know that? It didn't even make the news!” I say, puzzled.

“I think they might have overheard it from the neighbors…”

“We still don't know, but I'll investigate,” Mayke says.

“My son, forget about it! It must have been some local boys. I don't want any mother to suffer because of this.”

“But ma'am, the fire was intentional. If you hadn't managed to untie yourself and escape from the house rushing, you could have died.”

“I know that, but I'm fine and alive. I don't want any mothers to suffer because of this,” Mom says, getting up.

“Where are you going?” I ask, standing up and holding her hand. I noticed marks on her wrist.

“I'll look for a hotel and figure out what to do since I don't even have any money… everything was taken or burned,” she says, her eyes filled with tears.

“You're not going to rent a hotel. Do you really think I would let you go to a hotel or figure it out on your own?”

Of course not, ma'am, you're my mother, and I need to fulfill my role as a daughter by taking care of you. Come on, let's go upstairs to take a shower, and I'll prepare a meal for you to have dinner. I think some of my clothes should fit you, and tomorrow we can go out to buy everything new,” I say, pulling her towards the stairs. “Mayke, I'll be right back.”

We climb the stairs together, and I show her the room that will be hers. I grab towels from the closet and hand them to her.

“I'll get the clothes for you. Everything is there in the bathroom,” I say, and she smiles, closing the door. I leave the room and go to mine, grabbing a shirt and sweatpants, since she's thin and has the same body as mine. I also take some underwear that I had bought, still in their packaging, and return to where she is, placing them on the bed.

“Mom, I left the clothes on the bed,” I say after knocking on the bathroom door.

“Thank you, dear.”

“I'm going downstairs to prepare something for you to eat.”

“Okay, and thank you again, dear,” she says with a choked voice.

I leave the room and descend the stairs. I look around the living room, but Mayke isn't here. I go to the kitchen and find him chopping vegetables. As soon as he sees me, he smiles.

“What are you doing?”

“I'm making broccoli risotto,” he says, stopping chopping, washing his hands, and drying them. He approaches me and hugs me around the waist. “I missed my girlfriend,” he says and kisses me, a calm and pleasant kiss. He pulls away and caresses my face.

“I missed you too,” he gives me a quick peck and steps back, returning to the stove to uncover the pot and check if its contents are ready. I continue chopping the broccoli.

“Do you think Kaléo will complain about your mom being here?”

“I don't think so. He's been a bit irritated lately and very annoying, but he won't let her stay on the streets! We know our friend, and we know he can be hot-headed, but he has a good heart.”

“True. Do you remember the woman we found burned in that guy's house, and we thought it was you?” I nod in agreement. “He bought a burial plot for her and even helped her husband by giving him a job, in addition to paying for all the child's education.”

“Yes, Kaléo will understand the situation, and later I'll talk to my mom about it properly. This apartment is huge, and she can stay here. There's also a small studio apartment on the first floor that would be perfect for her. But if she doesn't want to, I can buy her an apartment or a house nearby,” I say, handing him the chopped vegetables. He washes them and puts them to cook.

We continued talking about my work and his. Mom arrives to help us with dinner, and we smile. When we finish everything, dinner is filled with laughter. Mom even says that Mayke could get married.