Chapter 103- The Happy Memory
I froze, I couldn't move as I felt my heart beating like it would come out of my body.
Did I just hear Claudia’s voice or was I hallucinating?
I looked at the phone that had fallen from my hand as I slowly picked it back up and looked at the screen and the caller was still on.
I placed the phone back on my ear.
“ Hello," I said as I waited for the person on the other end to speak,
“ Hardin,” I wasn't dreaming, I wasn't hallucinating, that was Claudia's voice.
" Claudia,” my voice was barely above a whisper,
" Yes,It's me Claudia," her voice sounded as sweet and melodic as I remembered.
Wait, what the fuck is wrong with me? Without a second thought I ended the call as I threw the phone to the passenger's seat.
If only Vera could see me now I'd get an earful.
What was I going to say to her? I miss you? That would have been the most pathetic thing I would have done in my life.
I didn't need her, I already moved on from her, she didn't need me back then so there's no need to come back to my life.
I sigh as I ran my fingers through my hair before starting the car and driving off.
I drove into the garage and parked my car as I took my bag and opened the car door and walked out of the car.
I walked out of the garage and into my house as I removed my shoes and started walking to my room.
Just as I touched the doorknob of my room door my phone started ringing again and I looked at the phone to see it was a strange number, I had a feeling it was Claudia calling.
I looked at the screen not knowing what to do before I decided to ended the call. I quickly blocked the number before I opened my room door and walked in.
As Vera said, her sudden appearance in my life wasn't for good so I was going to take it that way.
I walked to my bathroom as I took off the clothes I had on and went under the shower. I needed a distraction and a good shower would do just that or a woman.
I groaned as I dragged my hair in frustration, what do you want Claudia? What do you want? Why wouldn't you leave me alone?
I turned on the shower as the water ran down my body and I closed my eyes enjoying the feeling of the water running down my body.
It was Friday and I was supposed to be out with friends but here I was sulking over a woman that never valued me.
After the shower I stepped out as I dried my skin with a towel and then I dried my hair before wrapping the towel around my waist.
I walked to my closet to get dressed and I left my hair to air-dry.
I picked blue silk pajamas to wear as I got dressed and then walked out of my closet into my bedroom.
I decided to spend the night watching a movie instead of sulking. I didn't have any engagement until tomorrow evening for the fashion show.
I walked into the kitchen to make myself coffee before I took snacks from the shelf and returned back to my room. This counts as not sleeping without eating right? Not like she was here.
I climbed back into bed as I turned on the television and went through Netflix for something to watch.
I scanned through the channels until I found something worth watching.
I made myself comfortable on my bed as the movie started.
I suddenly found myself staring blankly as my mind suddenly filled with thoughts of her, of when we were young and free.
Flashback
‘ The big kids won't let me play with them,’ she cried as she looked down in sadness,
‘ It's okay, you can always play with me,’ I said as I took her hand and she looked up at me with tears in her eyes,
‘ You don't have to cry, I'll play with you, you can always play with me,’ I said as I brought my small hand to wipe her tears,
‘ I thought all big kids are supposed to be mean,’ she said with a pout and I chuckled,
‘ No, I'm not mean, I'm not like the big mean kid and anytime you want to play I'm here for you,’ I said as she wiped her tears looking up at me with a smile,
‘Really?’ she asked as she looked up at me with a toothy smile,
‘ Yeah,’ I said and she smiled,
‘ You promise?’ She asked and I nodded but she wasn't satisfied so she brought her little pinky finger,
‘ Pinky promise,’ she said as I joined my pinky finger with hers and she laughed,
‘ Pinky promise,’ and that was how I became a young protector, always being there for her
I blinked as I came out of my thoughts, I wasn't even following the movie.
Instead of staying up, I decided to call it a night as I turned off the television and went to sleep.
*****
ARIANA'S POV
“ I think you guys should go home and get some rest, you've been here all day, I can take care of him,” I said to my aunt and Mom and they shook their heads like it was planned.
" You're the one who needs rest, you've been at work all day so you should properly go home and sleep, I and your aunt aren't complaining,” my mom said.
I still wasn't talking to her after the fight we had, I wasn't going let it go just like that,
“ If you're so worried, just go lay on the couch, when we get tired you can come watch him," my aunt said and I nodded before I stood up from where I was seated beside my grandpa and then I walked to the couch.
I sat on it as I looked at my family, we were still waiting for grandpa to wake up.
I laid on the couch as my Mom brought a blanket and covered me.
“ Honey you can't…”
" Mom, I'm tired, good night,” I said as I turned my back on her and I heard her sigh before she got up.
I wasn't asking for much, I just needed her to take care of herself and she couldn't do that.
Aside from hiding whatever it is that was going on between her and my uncle she was still putting her life in danger.
Until she realizes how important she is to me I think it's better she stays away from me.
Mother or not.