Chapter 14

“Why didn’t you tell us that your girlfriend is coming?” His mother turned to Aldous with a bright and wide smile plastered on her face. She seemed happy with the idea that their visitor was his girlfriend.

He scratched his head and turned his gaze at Nova, who was still looking at his mother.

“Ma, she is not my girlfriend. She is—”

“We’re good friends,” Nova cut him off. “We were schoolmates back in college.”

Yeah, right. It would be nice if they will stick to the original plan. And for now, he would let her lead the charade. That would be safe. All he needs to do is to say yes.

His mother scoffed and laughed as though she did not buy what Nova had told her.

“Ma, you shouldn’t be laughing like that. Your wound hasn’t healed yet,” Aldous reminded his mother, who seemed to forget that she was currently recuperating from her operation.

“Oh, right,” his mother said and sighed. “Anyways, my daughter Natalie is preparing lunch. You should join us, Nova. I only ask for understanding that what we have wasn’t as grand as—”

“You don’t have to apologize for that.” Nova smiled apologetically. “I’m the one who’s at fault for coming here unannounced at this hour.” She held on to her nape and pocketed the other hand at the back pocket of her jeans before turning in his direction.

Aldous had seen her many times when they were together at her apartment but looking at her now when she was inside his own residence seemed to fascinate him more. And he was willing to be bewitched by her.

A willing victim…

If only Nova knew what effect she has on him, maybe things between them would change.

“Is that from Nova?” his mother asked afterward.

His gaze reverted to the basket of fruits that Nova brought for his mother.

“Oh, yeah,” he muttered. “I’ll bring this to the kitchen.”

As he slowly sauntered away from the two, his ears caught his mother’s words.

“You know what, Hija, my husband and I started as friends too.” Aldous could hear the giggles in between her mother’s words. “I’m pretty sure there’s a big chance for the two of you to end up the same way.”

He glanced back at them when he heard Nova laughed awkwardly. Their eyes met for seconds, and he saw something in her eyes that was not there before. But then, he was not certain what it was. That woman was unpredictable and hard to understand in the first place.

“That woman, she was the one who gave you the money for mother’s medical expenses, isn’t she?”

Aldous almost dropped the basket he was carrying. How come his sister knew about that when he did not mention it to anyone?

“W-what?” He let out a nervous laugh as he put the basket down on the kitchen counter. “Where did you get that idea?”

Natalie strode towards him with her hands on her sides.

“That friend of yours was a con, isn’t he?”

His mouth dropped open, but he closed it as soon as possible.

“Lower your voice. Mama might hear you.” He grasped her arm and pulled her near the backdoor. “Where did you learn about that.”

They stared at each other, for he did not know how long before his sister decided to speak.

“I mentioned to my best friend last time that you were in Manila to get your money from your friend Francis. That was when I learned from her that his boyfriend was also scammed by him. So, I had this feeling that he did the same to you. And when you didn’t call for hours after our last conversation, I knew my hunch were right.” Natalie heaved a deep sigh. “But then, you came home with money that was more than enough. And now, here is your so-called girlfriend that you denied. Do you think I’m dumb? I’m good at connecting the dots, brother.”

“Yeah, right. You and your critical thinking skills. You got me.” Aldous tapped his sister’s cheek.

“So, how are you going to pay her? Don’t tell me you sold your virginity to that—”

He covered her mouth with his hand. “For Pete’s sake, Natalie, I wasn’t even a virgin.”

She shoved his hand away. “How would I know?”

“You two, what are you doing there? I thought Natalie’s preparing lunch.”

They both turned in the direction of the voice and found his mother on her way to the kitchen. Nova was holding her by the hand, ushering her.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Don’t worry, Ma, it won’t take long,” said Natalie as she rushed to set the table for lunch.

***

The meal was simple yet delicious. It satisfied her taste buds. But what made Nova happy was the fact that she met a new set of people. And it thrilled her that Aldous’s mother has so much story hidden in a chest. She loved listening to them, especially the ones about Aldous. Because of that, Nova failed to keep track of time.

It was already past four in the afternoon when she realized how long she had been there.

“I really had fun with you today, Tita,” she said with a genuine smile on her face.

“You should visit more often.” Aldous’s mother smiled back at her.

“Ma, Nova’s always busy with work—”

“I can always find time. Besides, I can write anywhere I want,” she countered and looked in Aldous’s direction. There was this warning look in his eyes as if he was telling her to take back what she just said.

“You’re a writer?” Tita Lorelai’s eyes seemed to glisten in amusement.

“Ah…yes, I am,” she said shyly.

“It would be nice to read your works. I’m looking forward to reading one of your works on a beautiful day.”

“I…I’m not sure if you will like the genre.” Nova scratched her brow.

“Do you also write children’s books like my son?” Tita Lorelai asked.

She abruptly turned to Aldous. So, he was a writer too. A children’s book author. How wholesome. Now she was beyond shy to tell his mother what kind of stories she writes.

“She writes adult stories,” Aldous chimed in without breaking eye contact with her.

Nova could not understand why she suddenly felt her cheeks burning. There was something in the way he stares at her. It was not judgment, but something she was scared to give a name.

“I’m an adult in senior years.” His mother laughed. Ah, such a tease.

“Then I’ll bring you something to read on my next visit.” She turned her gaze back to Tita Lorelai. “Anyway, I have to go now, Tita. Thanks for the lunch and happy hours.”

Tita Lorelai turned in the direction of the window.

“Are you sure you want to leave? It’s raining hard outside.”

“The typhoon already made its landfall in our province. That’s why,” said Natalie when she walked past them.

“Why don’t you spend the night here?” Aldous’s mother suggested. “The typhoon was already here, and the road must be slippery. You will surely be driving home in the dark, which is quite dangerous at this point.”

Nova heaved a sigh and gave it a thought. Tita Lorelai was right. But she did not know if Aldous would agree with his mother on that.

“What do you think about it, son?”

Aldous turned to his mother and looked at her again.

“You should stay here tonight. I can’t let you drive home in this kind of weather.” He gestured to the stairs. “My room’s upstairs. You can use it.”

“I’ll just sleep with your sister—”

“Natalie’s sleeping with me since we turned her room into a storage,” Tita Lorelai butt in. “You can sleep in his room for tonight. Don’t worry, it’s clean and comfy.”

Nova felt shy and guilty at the same time. Once again, he had to sacrifice a good night’s sleep on a warm and comfy bed for her.

Aldous turned around and started walking away.

“Come, follow me. I’ll show you the room,” he said as he reached the staircase’s landing.

Was it really necessary to show her his room? She looked at his mother, who gave her an encouraging nod. Right, she was left with no choice now, so she grabbed her bag and followed Aldous upstairs.

Nova immediately closed and locked the door when she got in.

“H-hey—”

“It’s not what you think.” She plopped down on the edge of the bed. “Do you really have to agree with your mother on this, Aldous?”

“As if you didn’t agree with her too.” He scoffed and strode towards the cabinet at the other side of the room.

“Are you going to change the sheets?”

“Yes. Why?”

“No need.”

Aldous glanced in her direction. “I’ve been using that sheet for a week now—”

“It looks clean, though.” She lay down on his bed.

“It’s not,” he said, pulling a clean sheet out of the cabinet.

“Did you jerk off on your bed?” She raised her head so she could see his reaction. His ears turned red, and it already went down on his neck. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Just get off the bed so I can change the sheet.”

“What if I don’t—” The clean sheet landed right on her face. When she took it off, Aldous was already out of the room.