Chapter 21: Stay for the night

Chapter 21 ~ Valerie's POV

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Arriving at my apartment, Dante swiftly got down from the driver's seat, as he came to assist with bringing my mother down from the car.

"I can walk myself you know," She uttered, avoiding our help.

"Mom, let's just help you inside, I know you can do it yourself," I pleaded with her.

Finally, she agreed to cooperate, "Okay fine,"

And so, both Dante and I helped her out of the car and into my apartment.

Sitting here on the couch, as we reached inside, I remembered, we needed to go to work but I also felt I couldn't leave my mother home alone. So I decided to beg Dante to please spare me today as my day off.

"Please Dante, I want to ask you a favor," I began.

"What's that, I will do anything for you," Dante said as he was about to take his seat.

"Can I have today as a day off, so I can take care of my mother," I continued.

"Come on, Valerie, I'm not a child," my mother spoke up.

Ignoring her words, I didn't give a response to her, but I was patiently waiting for Dante's response.

Suddenly, Dante busted out into laughter and I was curious to know what seemed so funny that got him hysterical.

"Did I say anything funny?" I asked with a firm look.

"I'm sorry," he chuckled out his leftover laughter as he responded.

Clearing his throat to resurface a composed state, he started, "Dear Valerie, I knew we wouldn't make it to work today, so no worries I have sacrificed today also, that was why I instructed Ruth to handle all official matters today, and reschedule all my meetings to hold tomorrow, it's the least I can do for you,"

"What would I do without you," I said to him out loud, without even considering it in my thoughts.

His eyebrows raised in shock at my words so I suddenly swallowed back my remaining words not to seem I was overstepping my boundaries.

In all of this, I couldn't help but see a wide grin on my mom's face, and the kind of look she gives whenever she is about to whine a person.

"Are you good mom," I gestured with my facial expression, making her aware I knew her intentions.

"Oh Darling, I am perfectly good, Are you?" She responded as she chipped in a question.

Not wanting Dante aware of our little melodrama, I instantly, shifted the mood, "So who wants to eat because I know we would all be starving and infusing a happy atmosphere would cure you faster," I said, while I faced Mom.

"A healthy meal would do just fine with me," She responded.

Then I faced Dante, as I asked, "How about you Dante?"

"Anything, that's available would suit me," he replied.

"Okay," I uttered, as I stood up and headed to the kitchen.

After spending several minutes in the kitchen, I returned to the sitting room where I left Dante and my mother only for me to meet them seated at the dining table.

"Why are you two here?" I questioned.

"What else would we want to do a the dining table, to eat of course," my mother responded rhetorically.

Sneering at her words, I shook my head as I was fed up with her tantrums.

Suddenly they both began laughing, and I was left dumbfounded.

"What's making you two laugh," I asked.

"Oh honey, you should have seen your face, I'm sorry we just wanted to tease you a little," She confessed.

"Yes, Valerie, and your expression made our plan successful, we are sorry though," Dante uttered with laughter following it.

"Ha-ha-ha, extremely hilarious, anyways, food is ready," I uttered finally easing the echoes of their laughter.

"Alright," they both said in unison.

So, I went back to the kitchen, getting there I dished out individual meals on separate plates, and I carried them at once as I returned to the dining table.

Arriving there once again, I dropped the plates on the table and all I received was praise from both my mother and Dante.

"Culinary skills plus balance, I envy you, Valerie," Dante said.

Upon hearing his words, I blushed and I began my food.

After spending the whole day with my mother and me, Dante moved in an unbalanced way on the couch, noticing this, I got curious so I asked him, "Is everything okay with you?"

"Yes it is Valerie, I am only preparing to take my leave," he responded.

"Oh, I see," I realized.

"Aww, can't you stay for the night?" My mother interfered.

Oh no Miss Skye," he rejected her offer.

Thinking of it also, I joined in my mother's request, "Yes, Dante stay for the night, we can share my room, you can take my bed and I will sleep on the couch,"

"No, Valerie my parents would be worried about me," he said.

"Come on, Dante, my mother enjoyed your company, granting the request for only today, doesn't mean you have to do so every day,"

Proclaiming all my words, I halted as I knew he would definitely give a positive response.

After waiting for some minutes for his response, finally he said, "Alright, I will spend the night,"

"Yay," I interjected and Mother was also delighted by his change of mind.

"So shall we continue with a fun activity," I suggested.

"Oh, let's do a guessing game," Mother said.

Without wasting more time, I agreed immediately because I hadn't seen her this happy in a while and I wouldn't want to jinx her mood.

So I replied, "Sure Mom, you take the lead,"

And with that, I sat conveniently likewise Dante as we all began the guessing game with a lot of heartfelt laughter cocooning around the house.

As the day turned into night and it deepened, Mother yarned out loudly.

"Mom, are you okay," I inquired.

"Yes I am honey, just sleepy, I think the medication I took earlier after my meal is starting to act on me," she responded.

"You should go to bed," I advised her.

"Yes I should, I'd call it a day then," She uttered as she struggled to stand on her feet but I decided not to assist her to help with her stamina so she would be fine on her own but reconsidering it, I decided to speak out,

"Do you need my assistance in getting to your room,"

"No, Valerie this is my flight, and I have to do it on my own," she answered.

And so l kept mute and looked at her but I was pitiful towards her so I decided to take my gaze off her.

Suddenly, I heard her gently taking her steps and I looked at her watching her go, I was filled with gratitude seeing that.

A few minutes later, she finally left the sitting room and I believe by now, she would have reached her room.

I must admit, I felt happy because I knew with time she would walk without needing assistant from anyone.