Chapter 57 :

Chapter 57 :
\-ZOEY ASHFORD-

I waited for Mariah to return. Right after Chase and Wes left, she dressed up and left for work without saying a word to me.

I'm filled with so much guilt. I hurt her feelings, no doubt.

She's only trying to help me out, as a good friend that she is and I hurt her emotions.

I shouldn't have done that. Now I totally regret it.

I glanced over at the wall clock, keeping tracks on time while setting the table.

I made dinner...It's more like a compensation dinner"

I have just five minutes left and Mariah will be back home soon. I hurried back to the kitchen.. Took out an orange juice and returned to the dining table.

Five minutes later, I noticed Mariah is back because of the sound of the passes she's imputing.

The door creaked open and she stepped in. Her eyes glanced over my direction but she quickly looked away and proceeded to her room, pretending like I wasn't even there.

"Mariah?.." I called out to her, feeling bad that she had to ignore me this way.

We rarely fight. I mean, I cannot recall the last time we both had a misunderstanding.

"I'm just getting back from work, Zoey. I need to get some rest" She responded casually.

"Aren't you going to ask if I've eaten or taken my medications?"

"You are not a child. I'm sure you can take care of yourself... alone" She placed emphasis on the last word.

I sighed audibly and moved closer to her.

"I get that you're mad at me. But I'm sorry, Mariah. I didn't mean to hurt you with my words"

"You already did"

"I know and that's why I'm busy apologizing"

She didn't say a word, but crossed her arms over her chest.

"I'm sorry Mariah. I know you are doing everything to make sure I lack nothing. But I was just being unreasonable. Please just let it go"

I tried to press her buttons. One that would make her go soft.

I've been friends with Mariah for so long. I know exactly where and how to get her.

"I will be honest with you, Zo.. But I was so hurt and felt maybe I was just crossing the line. Maybe I should stick to just being friends and house mates with you "..

"You know I wouldn't say that on purpose. I was just overwhelmed by everything and I let my emotions get the better of me"

Mariah sniffed the air around.."What's that smell? Is it the rice cakes I smell?"

I smiled, knowing she can't resist the smell of rice cakes. They are her favorite.

"Of course.. It's rice cakes. It's on the table.. I made them special for you"

She looked at me with narrowed eyes.

"Is this some kind of bribe?"

"Nope!... So, come with me" I pulled her towards the dining room and made her sit.

"What about you? Aren't you having some?"

"I had something else to eat. Noodles"

"And your medications?"

"Now you're asking, uh? I thought you didn't care to know " I teased.

She eyes me and hissed then bites from the rice cakes.

"By the way, Zoey.. there's something I want to ask"

She became serious.

"Sure.."

"Do you have memories of your childhood? I mean your playful childhood days?"

I frowned slightly at the sudden question.

"I already told you, Mariah. I was involved in an accident when I was 8 years old. A part of my brain got affected and I lost every memory I have of my childhood"

"Do you really not recall a thing? Are you sure you have no memories?"

"I don't..." I responded, shrugging my shoulders

"What kind of accident happened? Did your parents not explain what happened?"

"All they told me was that a little boy caused the accident..."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes. Why? Why are you suddenly asking about my childhood?" I asked but she remained silent, starting blankly into space.

"Mariah!"

She jolted out from whatever stes busy thinking of.

"Are you okay? You spaced out"

"Yeah.. I'm fine. I just thought about something"

I explained everything to her again in detail and she kept nodding her head.

"What would! you do when the past comes knocking on your door?"

"I don't understand what you mean by that, Mariah "

Confusion spread across my face.

"What I mean is, what if the past you always believed in has a different and more complicated truth behind it"

"Then I guess there's nothing else to believe in. Besides, I don't find my childhood memories as something so important. I guess it's just filled with fin activities as a child. But, I blame the little boy for causing an accident"

"Right!.." She mumbled underneath her breath, taking another bit from the rice cakes.

I watched her eat.

"Do you think you would give Wes or Chase a chance? Perhaps, you might get to know them more better"

I rolled my eyes and scoffed loudly.

"I've already said it to you countless times already, Mariah. They both ruined the trust I have with them. It's impossible I give one of them another chance.."

"I'm just asking.. Because life is unpredictable sometimes. Who knows, you might end up falling for Chase again. Or better still, Wes "

"Can you just stop trying to ruin my mood, Please. I'm already trying to accept the fact that for nine solid months, I'll have them around me. I wish I can just change things, vanish into thin air and get the peace of mind I need"

Mariah laughed.

"You are one funny girl, Zo. Like I told you, life is unpredictable sometimes. By the way, She's your parents know they're about to become grandparents?"

I shrugged my shoulders.

'They don't need to know"

"Why? It's their grandchild?"

"First of all, Mariah.... You know my parents. They won't even care. I don't even know how they are doing and they haven't called in over a month now to know who I'm doing. You expect me to call and inform them about being pregnant?"

"Yeah.. they're still your parents after all"

I scoffed at her words.

"Parents indeed. You know what? Can we talk about something else and leave my pregnancy and my parents out of it?"

She raised up her hands in surrender.

"What should we talk about? My day at work? Trust me, it's going to bore you to death "

"I don't mind.. I'd rather listen to than ten times "

I'm She laughed while I chuckled.

"Let's have a movie night then... dim lights, popcorn and everything else to give but the movie night vibe. There's a new release movies and I'd love to see it"

"Sure. I'll go prepare the popcorn, you finish up the rice cakes and go freshen up.."

She nodded while I left for the kitchen.