38 - unexpected unions

Amina

<>

I got a lot of things done today. I did a shit ton of homework, went to the gym, and I even made time to get a bit of grocery shopping in. But what I didn't have on my to-do list was to deal with Isaac.

So to say I was shocked when I saw him seated in a booth with Dominic and Andre was an understatement.

What the hell were they doing together? And what were they talking about?

I take a deep breath, clocking into the machine in the back to start my shift. Halle enters the back of the break room where I stood.

"What's going on out there?" I ask frantically.

"Boy bonding? They've been sitting out there chatting for a while. Dominic even bought him lunch."

"What? Why?"

She shrugs, "I don't know, yet. Andre and I usually debrief after work." She raises a brow at me, "Are you guys together now? I saw the article."

I sigh, "Yes and no. We'll talk later." I tell her as I pick up my waitress apron before tying it around my waist. I move to the side, allowing Halle to clock out of the machine.

"Yes and no? Only you two could make dating so complicated." She says hanging up her apron. "I will see you next weekend."

I chuckle hugging her, "I'll see you later."

She sashays out of the break room making her way out to the diner dining area. I take a deep breath, picking up my notepad to take orders.

I approach the table reluctantly, "Isaac, what are you doing here?" I ask.

He smiles widely, "Come on Ami, you're happy to see me I know it."

"Do the twins know you're here?"

He shakes his head, "Not yet, I'm gonna swing by their place after this." I sigh tiredly, as his smile widens. "We handled that situation for you."

My eyes widen, "We?"

He nods, putting a hand on both Dominic and Andre's shoulders. "He won't be bothering you anymore."

"What!"

"Woah, I was not involved." Dominic quickly adds in.

"Oh Dominic don't be modest, you delivered the final blow!" Isaac turns to me, "You should've seen him. It was awesome."

I give Dominic a mortified look as he quickly shakes his head no. I take a deep breath trying to calm myself down. "I'm going to go take that nice couple order and then Dominic I need to speak with you."

I don't wait for a reply before putting a smile on my face and greeting the couple that had just been seated. Halle had just come out from the restroom, meeting Andre at the booth.

"We'll see you guys later." I hear them say as I post the couple's order for the cooks. I wave them goodbye before shooting my eyes at Dominic.

He sighs before getting up and sitting in front of the counter to face me. "I did not beat up Aaron." He clarifies. I let out a sigh of relief. "Only because your cousin beat us to it." He quickly adds.

"Dominic! Do you really think this is the time for you to go around beating people up? Your face is on magazines and blogs!"

"He was at the diner! We were just going to scare him off but Isaac beat us to the punch, literally." I frown shaking my head at him, "Why are you trying to protect him? He deserves it."

"I'm not protecting him, I'm protecting you."

"Okay well, Isaac handled it. So things are good yeah?"

"No! What have you been saying to him?"

"Nothing crazy, we've just been talking about guy stuff." He raises a brow as I let out a sigh of relief, "Why are you so stressed? He seems like a cool guy. And he likes me, finally, someone in your family doesn't hate my guts." He says smiling proudly.

"Isaiah doesn't hate your guts."

"Yeah, but he doesn't like me either."

I chuckle nodding my head, "But please don't befriend Isaac." I say trying to get back on topic. "I don't want him involved in this. He can be very overprotective and if things don't work out with us I don't want him coming after you."

Dominic chuckles, "I'm not afraid of Isaac. And hey," he says taking my hand, "What do you mean if things don't work out? Things will work out, we talked about this."

"Yeah but-"

"You trust me right?"

"I do but-"

He shakes his head, "No buts, we'll be good." I sigh nodding my head at him as he leads me around the counter, pulling me over to him for a hug. "What do you think about going away for spring break?" He asks suddenly.

I pull away from the hug to look up at him. "What?"

"Yeah let's get away from here for a bit."

I chuckle, "Dominic I can't just go away. To where?"

"Cancun."

I furrow my brows, letting out a laugh. "Cancun? You can't be serious."

He shrugs, "I don't see what's so humorous."

I scoff, "I cannot afford to go to Cancun."

Dominican chuckles, "You're not paying to go. I'll take care of it."

My eyes widen. "You're insane."

"Andre and Halle invited us to join them for spring break. I think it'll be good for you. For both of us."

I shake my head, "A double couples trip? We haven't even learned how to be a couple on our own yet."

Dominic laughs, "There's nothing to learn. It's just four friends hanging out. Plus I can tell this whole couple thing is still freaking you out, even if you won't admit it. I think this will be good." He sighs, kissing me on the cheek. "Just think about it okay?"

"It's not freaking me out." I reply defensively.

"It's definitely freaking you out. But that's okay, baby steps." He says with a small smile.

I look at him tempted by the offer but reluctant. Suddenly my phone starts buzzing in my pocket, I pull it out to check who it is before sending it to voicemail.

"You're not going to answer it? Wasn't that your mom?" He asks as I slide it back into my pocket.

I shake my head, "She's been calling me nonstop about the blog article. I'll call her after work." I sigh pulling my notepad out of my apron pocket to prepare to greet a table that had just been seated. "I have to get back to work."

He nods, "This conversation isn't over though." He says before heading back to Isaac in the booth. I continued with my shift as Dominic and Isaac continued to talk with each other.

I kept my eye on the two of them as I worked and every time I glanced over they were laughing and talking, paying me no mind as I made my rounds to different tables.

Why were they getting along so well? They had absolutely nothing in common. Isaac was an impulsive outspoken hothead with a passion for basketball. Dominic was more of a reserved level headed person with deep trauma that makes him difficult to read.

I guess unfortunately for me, opposites attract.

After a couple of hours, I was allowed to take my 15-minute break. Dominic and Isaac were still at the diner, and I made my way over to join them.

"Why are you both still here?" I ask as I take a seat next to Dominic in the booth.

"We're keeping you company." Isaac says.

"Yeah, besides I figured I might as well stay to give you a ride home. You're off at 7 right?" Dominic asks.

"Yeah, but you don't have to wait that long for me. Haven't you both been here a while?"

Dominic shakes his head, "It's okay. We're just hanging out. Pretend we're not here."

"Yeah, unless it bothers you that we're here?" Isaac asks.

"No, it's just weird to see you two be so chummy."

Isaac chuckles, "And why is that?"

"It just is." I sigh, taking a seat beside Dominic in the booth.

Isaac smiles at the both of us, "You make a decent couple." He compliments randomly.

My cheeks heat up in surprise. "Shut up Isaac."

He shakes his head, "I'm being so serious. You have my full support." He says taking a sip of his coke.

"Thank you, Isaac. It's nice to know one of you like me." Dominic says.

"Let me guess, Caleb doesn't like you?"

"How'd you guess that?"

"I know my brothers." He chuckles, "Don't be offended, I don't think there's anyone Amina or my sister could date that he would like."

"We had a fight over his overprotective nature recently. I always thought you were worse but Caleb can't even be pleased." I sigh.

Isaac furrows his brows, "Why would you assume I'm the worst?"

"You beat up a man you don't know today."

"Yeah, you're welcome by the way." He scoffs.

"You're impulsive Isaac. I'm afraid to tell you things because I don't know how you'll react."

"I'm not impulsive, I'm passionate." He defends, making Dominic laugh. "See Dominic gets it. He's been wanting to pound that bastard's face in for months but he told me you won't let him. Why's that?"

"You both have too much at stake to be resorting to senseless violence. Sorry for caring about your futures." I scoff.

"That's for us to worry about, isn't it? We're just trying to protect you." Dominic adds.

"Yeah exactly." Isaac adds.

I shake my head as I glare at the both of them, "Oh no, you guys are not about to gang up on me. I don't like this new friendship."

They both chuckle, making my frown deepen. "Sorry Ami, we're besties now. Whether you like it or not. Right, bro?"

Dominic nods, "Exactly." As they both high-five proudly.

I sigh, wondering what I did to deserve this union.

-

"Son of a bitch!" A loud voice yells followed by the sound of a loud crash.

"You fucking idiot!" Another voice calls back as more loud crashes can be heard from upstairs.

My eyes widen as I look over at Oliver, who is groaning at the noise. "This has been every day." He says leading me into the living room before calling up the stairs. "Ami's here!"

The sound of loud footsteps could be heard as Isaac rushed down the stairs. "My favorite baby cousin." He greets engulfing me in a hug.

"You're crushing me." I comment as I attempt to breathe against his chest.

Two days had passed since Isaac's sudden arrival. The boys were happy but confused about his presence but welcomed him nonetheless.

"Stop hurting my cousin!" Isaiah comments as he jumps from the steps on the bottom of the stairs and onto his brother's back, with me still in Isaac's embrace.

I let out a screech as we all come crashing onto the ground loudly, with me on the bottom. "Get off of me!" I exclaim annoyed.

"Just like old times." Caleb says reaching out a hand for me to take as I attempt to push the other two off of me. I let out a tired huff as Caleb helped me to my feet.

"I see you've already turned this place into even more of a madhouse." I comment dusting off my jeans.

Isaac chuckles, "Ami don't act so prim and proper, you know you were the one constantly trying to beat us in wrestling growing up."

"Yeah, when we were like 10. My body is fragile now." I whine.

Isaiah chuckles, "Oh yeah, real fragile like a little old lady."

I shove him gently making him laugh. Isaac smiles, taking a seat on the couch, "It's good to be together again. Where's that boyfriend of yours?" He asks.

"And he's at home, why?"

"You guys don't all hang out?" Isaac asks in surprise.

Caleb scoffs, "No way."

Isaac frowns, "Why not? I like him, he's a good guy."

"You spoke to him once, how would you know?" Caleb quips back making me roll my eyes.

"It's still more than you've ever bothered." I mumble under my breath earning a glare from Caleb as I feel my phone buzz for what felt like the hundredth time. Before he could reply to my comment I diverted the conversation. "Anyway! Did Isaac tell you guys what he did as soon as he got here?" I ask the twins as they shake their heads no. "He paid Aaron a visit."

Caleb's eyes widened as he looked over at his brother. "What did you do?"

"What you should've done." He replies simply.

"If he files a police report against you your basketball career is down the toilet Isaac!" Isaiah adds.

He shrugs, "I don't care."

"Isaac, I appreciate the sentiment I really do. But your career is important." I tell him.

"So is your safety." He counters back simply. I let out a sigh before he continued, "Guys what's done is done. He won't file a police report. Trust me."

"What did you do to him?" Caleb asks.

Isaac shrugs, "Just scared the shit out of him. Teach him not to touch women, simple."

I smile softly, "Thank you."

"Anytime kiddo." He says with a smile. He turns to his brothers, "So no ladies for either of you? Is that why you're so grumpy all the time Caleb?" Caleb ignores him, scowling in the corner as he sinks into the couch making us laugh. "Isaiah?" Isaac asks.

"Isaiah kissed Kendra." I blurt out making his eyes widen.

Isaiah narrows his eyes at me, "Ami! What the hell?"

I chuckle, enjoying creating chaos. "We all already know. Isaac can know too."

Isaac smirks, "Kendra? The one with the banging body?" He asks making me frown.

"Okay don't sexualize her." I warn.

"Sorry, but she's fine as hell." Isaac grins.

Isaiah's eyes grow dark as he frowns at his brother, "Chill."

Isaac raises a brow, "Territorial now aren't we? So this is real?"

My eyes widen in surprise at Isaiah's reaction. But he shakes his head quickly, "We're just friends who kissed one drunken night. That's it."

"So then I could ask her out then?" Isaac asks.

Isaiah's brows furrow, "You don't even live over here. Why would you want to willingly get into something long-distance? Don't bother."

He shrugs, "Maybe I want to see. Unless of course, that's all yours?"

Isaiah hesitates, trying to decide how to respond to the question. His hesitation makes me think that maybe he does have feelings for Kendra, and would be forced to out himself.

"Might I add that Kendra belongs to nobody?" I add in, attempting to alleviate the pressure off of Isaiah.

Isaac chuckles, "That's true. I guess it's fair game then brother."

Isaiah doesn't reply, unsure of how to respond.

We spent the rest of the afternoon catching up and hanging out. It had been a while since we were together like this, apart from the recent Christmas holiday. Will and Oliver joined us downstairs as we turned on a comedy movie and loaded into the living room.

Isaiah was quiet the whole film which was unusual for him. He looked to be in his own head, thinking deeply about something. Halfway into the film he gets up, making his way into the kitchen to refill some snacks.

I follow him a moment after as he opens up the cupboards. "You okay?" I ask quietly.

He looked up at me in surprise, not realizing anyone else was in the kitchen. He nods, "Just peachy." He continues to open a new pack of popcorn before throwing it into the microwave.

"You seem lost in thought. Is this about Isaac and Kendra?"

His eyes snap back to me, "What?"

"You've been quiet since we brought her up."

"I just didn't like the idea of Isaac and Kendra. You know she's my friend and that would be weird."

"Is that the only reason why it would be weird?" I ask.

He furrows his brows, "What are you talking about?"

I sigh, "You like Kendra! Just admit it."

He shakes his head, "We're just friends, okay? Drop it."

"But you-"

"Ami, I said leave it alone."

I frown as the microwave goes off and he grabs the fresh bag of popcorn before dumping it into a bowl. He made his way back to the living room, ending our conversation. I followed behind him to finish the film.

As the movie reached its end and I stuffed the last of my popcorn into my mouth, the doorbell rang. We all looked at each other in confusion.

"I'll get it I guess?" Isaiah says standing up from his seat. He walked down the corridor to the front door, and in the distance, I could hear his voice. "Aunty?"

My eyes widen at the sound of my mother's voice. "Amina, why are you not answering your phone?" She asks angrily as she enters the living room.

I quickly rise to my feet as do the boys as I go to greet my mother. "Mom, what are you doing here?"

"If you would take any of my phone calls you would know!" She exclaims waving her phone in my face. "Why do we pay your phone bill if you aren't going to answer?" She grumbles. Her eyes widen at Isaac, "Isaac! What are you doing here? Don't you go to school in Texas?"

He smiles giving her a hug, "Yes ma'am, I'm on break and decided to visit."

She smiles, "Good, we're so proud of you." She turns to me with a frown, "His mother never complains about him not picking up her calls."

"Hi Aunty." Caleb greets her as she hugs him.

"How are you? And how is school? I hope Amina isn't stressing you out too much."

He chuckles, "Everything is good."

"Mom once again, why are you here? How did you get here?"

"In an airplane, duh. Do you think I'll drive 6 hours alone? I'm not your father."

"Why did you come here without dad?" I ask.

"He didn't want me to come, so I came alone. You weren't answering my calls and I needed answers." She looks around the room before pointing at Oliver. "Are you the boyfriend?"

His eyes widen as do mine. "No ma'am I'm just the twin's roommate."

"Mom!"

"Where is he? I want to meet my future son-in-law." She replies making me want to bury my head in my hands and hide forever as the snickers of my cousins filled the room. "Is he Nigerian?" Ask asks.

"No Mom he's not, and he's not here so unfortunately you won't be meeting him today."

She shrugs, "That's fine. I'm here two days."

My eyes widen as Caleb holds back his laughter. "Where are you staying?" I ask quietly, afraid of the answer.

"The apartment you had us pay $1.2k a month for." She snaps.

I sigh, "Of course, let's get you settled in." I reply reluctantly."

"Why don't I drop you guys off?" Isaac offers.

She smiles, "Thank you." She pulls her small suitcase forward for one of them to take. Isaac grabs it as he grabs his keys for the car.

"It was nice seeing you, aunty." The boys say as we load into Isaac's car.

"See you both again soon!"

They give me sympathetic looks as I mouth the words 'help me' through the window as we drive off. "So Isaac, have you met Amina's new boyfriend?"

He nods, "Yeah, great guy."

She nods in approval, "I expect so, being a future CEO and all."

"Mom he's not going to be a CEO for sure." I correct making her frown.

"The news said so, his father said so, why would he not?" She asks.

"The news isn't always right."

She frowns again, "Don't tell me you're trying to talk him out of it. Amina think of your future."

"Doesn't my future depend on me? Not some boy?"

She nods, "Yes, but if you decide to marry a janitor over a CEO your future can turn out very differently. So choose wisely."

I sigh, giving up on the conversation itself. As we're driving I send Dominic a text that he doesn't need to pick me up anymore and that I can't meet him tonight. We were supposed to meet to work on our project but I can't do that with my mom around, especially with her wanting to meet him.

We finally got to the apartment after what felt like hours and said goodbye to Isaac as we made our way up. "Over $1k a month and this place doesn't even have an elevator?" She asks as she walks up the steps.

I sigh, not bothering to answer her as I unlock the front door. I had warned the girls about my mom and they made sure to hide anything that could get me in trouble. Including our collection of alcohol normally displayed in the kitchen.

"Good evening Mrs. Bassey! It's so great to meet you." Kendra greets us as we walk through the door.

"We've heard a lot about you." Bianca says politely.

My mom looks both of them over with a small smile, "Nice to meet you both. I've heard nothing about you, what are your names?"

"Kendra."

"And I'm Bianca."

My mother nods, "Nice to meet you, but I need to have a bath. It was a long flight." I internally roll my eyes, it was only an hour. She turns to me, "Which is your room?" I point to the door behind her as she makes her way to the room. "Goodnight girls." She calls back before shutting the door behind her.

"This is my worst nightmare." I whisper to them, "And now she wants to meet Dominic."

Bianca winces, "Yikes, good luck."

Kendra nods, "Yeah, I'll pray for you."

I sigh before making my way to my bedroom where my mother had already placed her suitcase on my bed to bring her clothes out. "This room is overcrowded, why do you already have so much stuff?" She asks.

I shrug, "Life I guess."

She pulls out a towel and pajamas before making her way to my bathroom. I let out a tired sigh as well, pulling out my planner to see what I'm supposed to be doing tomorrow.

"So Mom, just a warning you came at a very busy time. I'm not on break like Isaac." I call out to her as the shower starts running.

"You didn't look so busy at the boy's house!" She calls back.

I roll my eyes, she doesn't know my schedule. Today was Monday, I had time because my classes were online and my internship let me out early today. But tomorrow I have my in-person classes and a full internship day.

I sit down pulling out my planner to see what I can do. I'll readjust things to the best of my ability to keep my mom from being left alone too long but I could only do so much.

After a while, she comes out of the shower. "Why were you not answering my calls?" She asks suddenly.

I look up at her, surprised by the sudden question. "I was really busy."

"Right. For weeks?"

I sigh, "I knew what you wanted to talk about and I didn't have a straight answer for you. Dominic and I are still figuring things out."

"That's no reason to ignore your mother."

"Well, it was the reason. Take it or leave it."

She huffs, "We'll talk more about this after I talk to him."

I shrug, "Fine." That was something I wasn't looking forward to. I was going to hope and pray that their meeting would go well. And that my mother wouldn't ruin anything for us.

Fingers crossed.

—————

Uh oh lots of surprise visitors!

Thoughts on Ami's mom?

Don't forget to vote and comment! It makes me happy. :)

- AuggiePooh_