Chapter Sixty-One-2

I walked up to him and he greeted me with a fond expression as he opened his arms to welcome me in his embrace "Hey, you alright? Ready to go?" I nodded, plastering on a fake smile "Yeah, I am. Let's go." *  *  * He noticed my silence on the way back to his house. He occasionally sent me worried glances and even from the passenger seat I could feel his gaze drilling holes into the back of my head, but I knew he didn't wanna pester me about it until we arrived at his place. "Hey," cutting off the engine of his car, he reached out to hold my hand once he parked on the driveway of his house "Are you okay? You haven't been talking the entire day." Rubbing my forehead, I felt an urge to want to pull my hand away and not talk to him about my problems, but that was just being a total fucking coward at this point. I've moved past the need to be guarded and I know if I don't vent to someone about this I'm just gonna keep my issues bottled up and eventually explode. Plus this is Evan. He knows me better than anyone. "I talked to my mom about wanting to go to New York for college." I started as Evan's eyes instantly lit up because of that. "Baby, that's amazing." he lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles, making me smile, thanking myself for resisting the urge to pull away because this was better than being withdrawn. "Thank you, and I felt proud of myself for telling her about it until..." his enthusiastic expression then faded as he noticed my earnest demeanor, leaning forward as he encouraged me with his eyes to continue "Until she told  me it wouldn't be possible considering my dad is there." His face fell completely at the mention of my father "What the fuck does he have to do with this? He's not even here to provide for you guys nor contribute anything to his family yet for some reason you have to limit your goals all because of him?" "That's what I said, but she just kept insisting that it wouldn't be a good idea considering the family business is here and how she wouldn't be able to keep a close eye on me and it's just... it's so frustrating how we have to walk on fucking eggshells all because of that man when he's not even a part of our lives anymore." I felt a headache begin to develop as I rubbed my temples in agitation "I just fucking hate him and what he did to her and how she feels the need to be anxious even when he's not here." "Hey, hey, look at me." he reached out to hold my chin and turn my head so I was looking at him "I know what you mean, I know what it means to feel trapped in a certain place in your life and feeling like you need to accommodate to everybody else's needs except your own and not feeling like you get to dictate your own life. I know that feeling all too well." "I know you do," I mumbled as he grinned, stroking my cheek as I leaned into his touch. "But like what you said before, your mother is only looking out for you, and that's not to say that you shouldn't pursue your dreams because you should. But you need to look at things from her perspective and to understand that as much as your mother is being unreasonable right now, a lot of the time a parent is just looking out for their child. This one I'm actually sure about." I didn't wanna fight, I didn't wanna argue, and I didn't wanna disagree with him saying that he's wrong because I know he isn't, at the end of the day as much as I grow frustrated with my mother I know she's just looking out for me and I know her intentions by heart. She may act inconsiderately and even self-centered at times, but I know it all stems from love, it always does because I know her true nature and she'd never, ever be as cruel as my father. I know her and she isn't like that. She's not a monster. "Try to see things from her point of view but to also stand your ground, okay? I know you love her and it's hard to stay mad at someone once you understand their real intentions, so I know you'll be able to empathize with her. But keep in mind this is your life, and only you get to control it." he advised me. My heart pounded inside my chest as I felt an overwhelming wave of emotions surge through me, feeling a huge ounce of gratitude for the way he was being so sympathetic right now. "After all, isn't that what we all deserve?" he muttered "To live our lives in whatever way we want, without anybody else's input?" I couldn't help but smile upon hearing his words, slumping back into my seat as I felt the previous tension in my system begin to dissipate "You always know what to say whenever I need it," I scrunch my nose playfully as I added, "It's sickening." He chuckled, amused at my remark before he planted a kiss on my lips "I love you too." *  *  * I texted my mom telling her I'll be arriving home late but to not worry considering Evan will drive me home. She texted back saying for me to be safe and if I ever need anything, I should just message her and she'll come to me right away. I was instantly crushed with a heavy burden of guilt seeing how she's over here worried about me and my well-being, while not only a few hours ago I was being the most disrespectful I've ever been just because she acted her role as a mother. I made a mental note to myself to apologize once I return home and to discuss my future with her properly, from daughter to mother without feeling the need to dispute but to instead understand her this time. We planned to just relax in Evan's room and to watch movies like we normally do, with his choice this time as we had already spent the last week back at Lake Tahoe watching documentaries and thrillers. But we were stopped on our way up to his room by no other than Tiffany "Oh Maggie, you're here!" she cheered upon seeing me. I smiled, going back down to give her a hug "Hey Tiffany, I hope you don't mind me visiting." "Oh, never, dear. If anything I'd suggest you move in here if only if it weren't for your mother, you're practically family now plus I love seeing your little baby face," she said, pinching my cheeks as I heard Evan let out a snicker. Trying to dismiss her distinct note of my childlike features and not wanting to take offense from it as she probably just meant it as a compliment (hopefully) I proceeded to ask her "So? You wanted to tell us something?" "Oh, yes, about that. I was waiting until you came by to visit to tell you both that we'll be hosting a party to announce your engagement and the wedding soon to take place." she declared as my eyes widened "The party will be happening a week from now and yes I know, we just had one recently but this is to announce our affiliation not only as a family but as business partners." "Be sure to look your best like how you did so at the party, I'll be the one to coordinate your outfits like last time because I want this whole event to be perfect!" she said with a squeal before giving my cheeks one last pinch "Get ready in a week, you two!" She exited the room and left us in stunned silence, all the while as I turned around to look at Evan who stared back at me with an equally dumbfounded expression. "It's official." I told him "Everyone is finally gonna find out we're engaged."