Chapter 55

“Do you really think it a good idea to carry a date to Tristan’s wedding?” Angela squinted at her son, tip-toeing and swaying slightly to allow herself to peek into Harvey’s car. He’d definitely lost his mind. No real time had passed since he and Mia had to part ways, getting involved with another woman would was not a sure remedy to heal him, rather it would cause him regression. What was it with men and distraction? They always thought that the way to erase one woman was to replace her with another. Worst yet, he was taking her to his friend’s wedding. Was a fling and relationship treated with the same likeness nowadays?
Harvey shifted in front of her to block her gaze. If only he had anticipated his parent’s phone call to make an emergency stop he would have picked her up at a later time. If he was honest, he wasn’t the one to reach out to Raya, but having nothing to lose he’d accepted her offer to accompany him to Tristan’s wedding.

“I rarely make good decisions, remember?” he teased, Angela not being at all convinced by his easiness. He’d not too long explained to them the situation revolving around Mia and her marriage. After hearing the facts it was difficult to despise the woman. It was difficult to feel anything other than pity and sadness. The situation resonated a lot with Angela, if her own husband hadn’t truly made up his mind to love and cherish their family she would have also been in a similar situation.
How funny was it that a similar situation could have gone either right or wrong? Angela shuddered at the thought. It was unfortunate that one person was the cause of keeping them apart. From the revelations Harvey gave to Angela and Brad, it did seem as if Mia felt similar to Harvey about their connection. Angela had a lot of respect for her though; Mia was trying her best for her daughter, putting her above everything else.

“Don’t you think you need some time to be alone and to decide how to properly cope?” Angela questioned but in reality she was giving him advice; either way men were prone to do things a certain way once they had been convinced it was their decision.

“I am coping.” He shook his head as if his mother was spouting incoherent riddles. He didn’t want to be alone with his thoughts, especially at a wedding. This was the best option for him. It would keep him from getting wasted and or forming a rebound attachment. Those were messy and he needed to avoid it, this was the only way he knew how.
Angela twisted her lips up petulantly, growing silent. If she said anything further it probably wouldn’t come across as heartfelt. She’d had to learn to temper her emotional outbursts when she became a mother. She always intended her children to always feel safe and loved. That didn’t mean that she was perfecting this without fail. She had set backs especially when they couldn’t listen to reason.

“Drop Eva off safely and thank you.” She cut the initial conversation short. She’d asked Harvey to drop Eva off so she and Brad could have a discussion. They’d recently found out about Eva’s ‘relationship’, Brad obviously ready to show up at the boy’s house with a shotgun. He’d been arguing with Eva about keeping secrets for the past hour until Angela intervened.

“How did dad find out anyway?” Harvey’s eyes fell on his sister. She had a haughty expression on her face, her head held high as she made her way out of the house.

“She left her whatsapp web opened on the computer downstairs while she rushed off to the bathroom. No one was at home at the moment but Brad came in and saw some…” Angela cleared her throat, “spicy messages back and forth.”

“Spicy messages?” Harvey gazed back at his sister shoving her feet into sandals. He shouldn’t have asked. The blood from his body was evaporating.

“And I guess Brad’s blood pressure instantly skyrocketed.” Angela replied calmly. Harvey felt as if he was about to suffer from the same illness. He instantly felt sick.

“He and I have to discuss how to handle the situation, Eva is getting older we cannot prevent her from having relationships or sex forever…” Angela was rationalising the situation well.

“Nah uh,” Harvey raised a hand to silence his mother. “This is also something I cannot hear if you want me to behave normally around her right now.” He said. He was also feeling the urge to lock her into her room and throw away the key until she was at least thirty.

“Who’s the broad?” Eva nodded off to the woman in the car as she approached them. Her mood already sour at the fight she had with her father. He’d basically patronised her for having normal biological needs and emotions. She was glad to get away for a bit.

“I get that you are annoyed generally but please refrain from such comments.” Angela warned her. Eva rolled her eyes and walked over to the car, pulled the backseat door open, shoved her bags in and slid in.

“Difficult age to be at.” Angela shook her head irreverently.

“Women are difficult at any age.” Brad had joined them, encircling his arm around his wife’s waist and pulled her against him.

“What’s that now?” Angela pushed against him slightly but his grip tightened and a smile rose to his lips. “Some are worth the trouble though.” He whispered against her hair and she rolled her eyes playfully.

“That’s my cue to leave.” Harvey responded before his eyes were assaulted with any public displays of affection. He made his way over to the car and sank into the front seat.

“Everyone comfortable?” He gazed at his sister in the back seat, eyes furious, arms crossed. Raya just smiled silently.

“Can we just leave?” Eva snapped at him, her eyes refusing to look in his direction.

“I am pretty sure I wasn’t the one to anger you today.” Harvey responded good naturedly as he drove onto the street. Eva didn’t respond. She focused on the blurring images as she stared out the window.
Just recently her brother had went on about how great Mia was and now another woman was in his car. She couldn’t help her anger. She had recalled the conversation she had with him when she felt guilty for not hating Mia for being married and leaving her brother heart broken, but it was clear he was doing more than fine.
She had knocked on his bedroom door one night; her hands shaking. “What’s wrong?” he’d asked her instantaneously, her face was drawn and pale.

“I don’t know how to feel.” She was playing with her fingers, standing by the door.

“About what?” he’d risen at this point to a seated position.

“I really like Mia, and I want to hate her, I tried.” Eva had begun rattling off the thoughts in her head, “I just can’t bring myself to do that and I feel as if I am betraying you in some way.” She’d told him. Wasn’t she supposed to side with her family? Her brother who’s heart was breaking?
Harvey was shaking his head. “Mia is one of the best person’s I have ever met.” He’d told Eva. You have good instincts to like her. Whatever happened between us wasn’t much any of our faults, life is just messy sometimes.” He’d convinced her. She’d sworn he’s had so much respect and love for her but seeing another woman is his car made her think otherwise.
***
Brad and Angela stared after both their children leaving. “Did you think they’d grow up so fast?” Angela rested her head against his shoulder while he rubbed her back. Angela raised her head as a figure walking towards them began coming into focus.

“Is that?” she didn’t finish the thought. She didn’t have to spell it out for him. Brad’s arms tightened around her but he said nothing.

“Looks like we’d be neighbours soon,” The figure stood behind their fence and smiled at them menacingly. “Planning on buying the house next door.” It had been a long while since Rose appeared before them, she only maintained eye contact with Brad.
Angela knew she needed to distance herself from the situation. She pulled away, attempting to walk off but Brad grabbed her back.

“The day you move into this neighbourhood is the day we’d be leaving.” He responded imperviously.

“Oh, come on Brad.” She drawled seductively. Angela had forgotten just how much this woman’s presence annoyed her. “You know you miss me, remember how fun it was between us?” she leaned against their gate.

“We remember different version of events. You were easy, you didn’t make me want to be a better person, so do not flatter yourself.” Brad replied, her face instantly morphing in disgust. Brad didn’t wait any longer he steered his wife towards his house.