Chapter 56 Chapter 56

Chapter 56 Chapter 56


Tessa

After eating breakfast with Leah, she rose from the table to take the plates to the kitchen while I waited for her to come back. I've been having peaceful breaths ever since Liam went to work and hadn't come back. I wish it could continue going like this.

Leah came back from the kitchen and sat down in front of me, her eyes staring at me with something I couldn't dispatch. She had been asking me what was wrong and why I had left the house since we woke up, but for real, I don't think I'm ready to talk about it. Especially mentioning Mr. Carter wasn't part of the plan at all.

She cleared her throat, supporting her hand with her jaw, her eyes mainly on me. "Now that I've served your empty stomach and it's now full of your cravings, can you tell me what I desire to know?" She asked for the umpteenth time. I looked away, trying to avoid her question, but her persistence gazed at me, doesn't change anything.

"I told you it's nothing," I scoffed, trying to downplay everything.

"Really?" She asked with wide eyes, and I shook my head.

"Did I look like a fool you can just lie to? Will you just tell me the truth and stop lying?" she scolded, her voice a little sharper than normal.

I contemplated what to tell her, but in everything, I'm not going to share about Mr. Carter. 

"The thing is that," I began, and she swallowed down emptiness. "I have issues with my mum," I answered her, and she became silent.

"I know you have issues with your mum, even without you saying it, I know," she replied with a cold face. "I mean, why did you refuse to go home all this while?"

She beat in the table, getting me scared to the core.

"I've told you what I want to. It's because I'm having issues with my mum," I replied with confidence again, and she bit her tongue.

"Stop lying. If you have issues with your mum, that doesn't mean you shouldn't go home. Wait," she paused, giving me a keen eye, and I suspected what she wanted to say. "Don't tell me you have issues with your new dad," she concluded, and I couldn't help but give her a slap on her shoulder.

"Stop with the stupid thought," I quickly changed her opinion; my breathing became trembling, my eyes searching around for any possibility.

"I mean that's the only thing that makes sense to me for now," she repeated, stretching her neck with her fingers.

"Why would you think of something like that?" I said, my heart beating faster.

I didn't have an issue with Mr. Carter, or did I? My thoughts became wide. My phone suddenly rang, jolting me back to reality. I stared at the phone for a while, seeing it was Mum. I wondered why she was calling me early in the morning.

"It's your mum, pick the call," Leah uttered, pointing to the screen of the phone.

I took a moment to think about it before picking up the phone and sliding the green button, pressing it against my right ear. Both of us started with a breathing competition, with no one making a statement. Leah noticed the awkwardness and stared at me; she made a signal for me to say something, but I didn't know if I should.

"Talk," she said in a way that only I could hear.

"Good morning, Mum," my voice was barely above a whisper, and I wondered if Mum could even hear me.

"Good morning. How are you doing?" Mum's voice tiraded in the speaker, and I swallowed down emptiness.

"I'm good, and you?" I asked, and she went mute, only her breathing sounding on the speaker.

"I'm not fine; I've been sick for the past few days," she replied, getting me curious. Should I believe she's sick? With the fact that I saw her some days ago.

"You're not saying anything," her voice brought me back to reality, and I blinked my eyes repeatedly.

I cleared my throat before raising my voice. "I'm sorry; hope you've taken drugs?" I asked.

"Yes, I have gotten some," she replied.

We both went mute; I didn't know what else to say.

"Can you come home now?" She suddenly said, getting me to choke on my saliva.

"Now?" I asked again.

"Yes, now," she replied.

I didn't know what to say. Should I go home or tell her not to? I exchanged glances with Leah, who had no clue about what we were saying.

She raised her gaze in confusion, but I just shook my head.

"What's the essence of asking her? She'd boldly tell me to go,"

"Okay, I'd come," I said and immediately hung up.

My head collapsed on the table.

"What happened?" Leah raised some of my hair up.

"Mum wants me home," my voice was barely above a whisper.

"Really?" She asked, and I nodded.

"That's good; you should go get ready now. I think she's about to forgive you," she said happily, prompting me to raise my head.

"Forgiveness? Did I need her forgiveness?" I asked, confused about her words.

"Of course, you do. You have to ask for her forgiveness," she answered.

"But she's the one offending me. She accused me, so why did I need her forgiveness?" I asked, and she scoffed.

"No matter what happened between you and your parent, you have to ask for forgiveness, and..." she breathed down heavily, "Because of your mum accusing you of what you didn't do doesn't mean you should pack away from home. I have different issues with my parent, but I didn't move away from home," she explained, taking my two hands.

"No matter what happened between you and your mum, don't ever think of leaving the house again, okay?" She emphasized, and I nodded my head, staring at her like a complete stranger.

"Now, go," she said, pointing at the door.

"What did you mean? Won't I change my clothes?" I stood up to head upstairs, but she quickly doubled-crossed me.

"No, go like this; don't put your mum on hold," she pushed me out of the house. Despite the fact that I tried to talk, she pushed me out and locked the door.

I inhaled loudly, staring at the door before directing my gaze to the front. I walked further and grabbed a taxi, giving the driver my address before entering.

My mind rolled around the awkwardness that would take place between me and Mum. I would've rather listened to Leah or listened to Mum when she told me to come home, but I think it's the best time to go back home.

The driving state went by like a blur; soon I was in front of our house. I paid the driver's fare down heavily before walking to the door and pushing it open.

My eyes caught Mum's, who was just coming out of the kitchen.

"Tessa," she proclaimed slowly, walking toward me.

"Mum," I also called, my eyes staring at the floor.

She stayed in front of me for a second, staring at me, before pushing me into a hug that took me by surprise.

"I missed you," she whispered, her voice shaking.

"I missed you too," my voice was trembling also.

We hugged for some moments, exchanging breaths between each other, before departing.

"You look lean; are you sick?" she asked, but I was the one who was supposed to ask her, because she looked more lean right now.

"No, Mum. Are you? You look more lean," I asked, touching her cheeks.

"No, I'm not. I only said that so you can come home," she grabbed my hand and walked me to sit beside her on the couch.

After seating, the next thing that followed was awkwardness. My fingers fought against each other, not knowing what to say or where to start.

"Don't ever leave the house again," her voice called me back.

"I've forgiven you for this one, but don't ever repeat it again," she smiled nervously.

I stared at her before nodding my head.

"Okay, Mum. I'm sorry for leaving the house," I said under my breath.

"I'm also sorry. Sorry for accusing you," she smiled.

I wanted to say more, but I heard the sound of Mr. Carter's car, forcing me to stand on my feet.

"Mum, I'd be inside my room for now," I stood up, she looked surprised but didn't bother to ask any questions.