Chapter 27 When the Door Opened
The porch light flickered and it showed my mother’s face.
I clenched my fist as I remembered that night.
The way she smiled when she handed me that cup and the way I woke up the next morning, naked in my bed.
At that moment, I hated that she was my mother.
She looked at me and smiled as if she hadn’t done anything wrong.
“I tried to open the door and noticed that you have changed the lock,” she said softly.
“I changed it intentionally… you shouldn’t have free access to my house anymore,” I replied, my fists clenching even tighter.
Her smile dropped, just slightly.
“Alex…”
She wanted to talk but I immediately cut her off.
“You need to leave,” I said as I stepped closer to the door, my hand already on the handle.
She sighed, her expression turning into something that looked almost apologetic.
“I came to say I’m sorry… I didn’t mean for things to turn out that way,” she said, wanting to reach for my hand.
“I know you gave me that drink because of the wicked plan you had with that girl,” I muttered, my fingers curling tightly around the door handle.
“Trust me, I was only trying to help you relax,” she said, her voice low and undoubtedly annoying.
“You drugged me!” I snapped.
I couldn’t bear hearing her lies anymore.
“And the outcome of whatever your intentions were is unforgivable,” I added.
“How would a mother do a thing like that and lie like this to her own son?” I thought to myself.
She wanted to argue but stopped when she saw my lips.
“Oh my God!” she gasped.
“What happened to your lips? Did you fight with someone?” she gasped.
“That’s none of your concern,” I replied curtly.
“I’m sorry, please. I’ve reflected on my actions and I’m really sorry,” she insisted, rubbing her palms together.
I looked at her face, hoping that I would see something real, but I couldn’t find it. All I could see was pretense.
“I’ve accepted your apology,” I said blankly.
“Thank you,” she said and smiled.
“But,” I continued, my tone firmer. “That doesn't change my decision.”
With that, I opened the door. She wanted to follow me in and I quickly blocked the doorway.
“I want you to leave and I don’t want you to come back here anymore,” I said, my eyes burning with anger.
Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something but I was sure that the look on my face stopped her.
After a long while, she nodded.
“If that’s what you want, I will leave now,” she said, her voice soft.
“It is,” I replied without hesitation.
“But I will come back,” she added.
She walked a few steps away from the door, her heels clicking against the pavement as she turned to leave.
I watched her leave, heaved a sigh of relief and locked my door.
JOAN COLE’S POV
Theo came back late at night.
He didn’t knock on my door like he usually did.
He didn’t call my name either.
I did the same.
The next morning was worse, we moved around each other like strangers forced to share the same space. I heard him in the kitchen while I stayed in my room longer than I should. When I finally walked out, he was already at the dining table, scrolling through his phone.
“Morning,” Lena said as she passed between us.
Theo didn’t look up.
“Morning,” I replied.
I poured myself a glass of water, pretending to be fine with the silence between us. He stood up and brushed past me as he walked into his room.
“That rude brat,” I muttered under my breath as I followed him with my eyes.
“He will surely come around,” Lena said, blowing over her tea.
“I’m off to work,” I said and walked out of the house.
I got to the site that morning and noticed that Alex wasn’t at work.
I set my things and waited patiently for him to show up, but he didn’t.
I checked my phone too, and there was nothing new which didn’t make sense because he had texted me the night before.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
I had stared at the message for a very long time only to reply with okay.
“Okay?” I tapped my forehead slightly, realizing that my reply felt off.
“Did Alex check in?” I asked one of the supervisors casually.
“Yes… he called in sick,” he replied.
“Sick,” I repeated.
“See what Theo has caused,” I mumbled under my breath.
After what I heard, I couldn’t focus on work and I couldn’t bring myself to text him.
I was so angry with myself for replying to his text that way.
About an hour later, a car drove in and heads turned again.
I looked up and saw Dave.
Then I looked away immediately and focused on what I was doing.
“What is he doing here again?” I thought to myself.
After a few minutes, one of the supervisors approached me.
“He’s asking for you,” he said and left immediately.
“Geez! I just hope he didn’t see the following notification,” I thought to myself as I walked to meet him in his car.
“Hey,” he smiled.
“Hop in,” he added as he opened the passenger door.
I hesitated at first, then I stepped in and closed the door behind me.
“So,” he said, smiling as he glanced at me.
“You followed me.”
My face burned instantly. It felt as if that car should swallow me completely.
“I… what?” I muttered, feigning ignorance.
“And then unfollowed me… that was very dramatic,” he added, clearly amused.
“Oh my God,” I covered my face in embarrassment.
“I’m so sorry… that was a mistake.”
“Relax,” he chuckled.
“I liked it.”
“I came because of that… to tell you that I found it cute,” he said.
I turned to him sharply.
“You came because of that?” I asked, confusion clear on my face.
“Yes… mainly,” he said unapologetically.
I didn’t know whether to laugh or sink into the chair.
“That’s embarrassing,” I admitted.
Then he laughed loudly.
At that moment I couldn’t help but think about Alex.
By closing time, I rushed to my car and drove out of the site, heading straight to Alex's place.
When I got to the front of his door, my heart started beating faster.
“Relax, Joan,” I told myself and raised my hand to knock.
After a few seconds, the door opened.
He stood at the doorway, his eyes looking tired and his lips still slightly bruised.
“Alex…” I started.
But before I could say another word, his hand grabbed my waist. He pulled me towards himself and placed his lips on mine.
Without even giving me the time to gasp.