Chapter 44

Lauren

"And it was horrible for Eva." Shaking my head at Elena who had an empathetic look on her face, I placed my coffee cup on the table and leaned back in my chair.

"Oh, Poor child." Elena sympathized with a soft face.

"Right." I agreed to her folding my legs on the chair getting comfortable in my seat.

"How is she now?" she asked with the same expression.

"Well, she is better now, of course. I hope so." I spoke animatedly to dramatize my saying and Elena softly chuckled at my actions.

It's almost seven in the evening and after finishing my office hours, I came to Elena's house. Well, Ethan wasn't much supportive of my plan to come here, but he didn't oppose me either. To be honest, I hoped he wouldn't openly oppose me because I don't want any riffle between us right now. Not ever.

This is the third time I've come to Elena's house since the night I came here for the first time two weeks back, I guess. The night where she showed me Ethan's childhood pics and then we cooked together chatting and laughing about anything and everything. That was the same night when she said how the whole turned deaf to her pleas when she wasn't even the driving force for her husband's suicide. How they all blamed her for something she didn't even do.

"Well, all for good I guess, as Ethan and Eva are reunited again." I spoke giving her soft smile.

"I guess... I'm happy for them." She sighed with a wistful expression.

"What about you?" I asked her and she looked at me as if I grew another head.

Well If I was that Lauren from three weeks back, I would think thousand times before asking a simple question to Elena. But we grew close lately. I've grown fond of the woman who sat in front of me. She is Ethan's mother but she never treated me any less than a daughter. Honestly, Elena treated me right more than my mom ever did. Maybe Elena had her flaws in the past treating Eva wrong, but time changes people. Or maybe situations, in her case.

"I already am, dear." she lied simply and I nodded at her.

I decided to drop the sour topic for now and thought of a distraction to clear the thick sadness fog.

"So Elena, are you hungry?" I asked Elena emphasizing about her wish this time.

The last two times I've come here, Elena cooked something for me while I did the least amount of work. Well, she never let me do any major work for the most part. She cooks food while I stand beside her and talk about Ethan or even the childhood memories I cherish in my heart. Talking to her was the easiest part. She doesn't judge nor she pretends to listen. She actually listens and tells about Ethan, Ethan's father and even about her parents sometimes.

Well, looking at our on-going journey, I can say that Ethan might be the initial connection for our meet, but he is not the only common topic for our conversations.

I talk endlessly about the mischievous things I did with my friends in the high school and other things while she tells me about her parents or her life before her marriage. Apparently she graduated in business management and she and Ethan's father met in their college and eventually married although grandpa opposed their marriage in the begin.

"No, Lauren. Are you? I'm sure I can whip up something for you real quick." She spoke already trying to get up from her chair.

"Elena!" I glared at her playfully and she pursed her lips at me.

"I was just-"

"You always cook for me and although I love your cooking to the death, I feel bad sometimes. So, why don't you sit down and let me cook for today."

But, Lauren—"

"Nope. I'm not listening anything." I shook my head not listening to her anymore.

"I think—" I cut her off before she could speak anymore.

"Nuh-uh."

"Do you even know how to cook, dear?"

"Is that important right now?" I asked not listening to her properly.

"I think it's the most important thing, sweetie." She spoke hesitantly.

She gave me a blank face and I didn't realize what I said for a moment.

"Right." I scratched my forehead with an exasperated sigh.

I looked at Elena who was looking at me intently trying to stop her smile but when she saw the tiny smile on my face, a huge grin made its way on her lips.

Although, that wasn't even funny, looking at Elena's laugh, I couldn't stop my own smile and laughed along with her.

My mother-in-law is the cutest. Isn't she?

***

Freshly showered and dressed in one of my pyjamas, I entered the office in our penthouse and stared at Ethan who was dressed in a black T-shirt and grey sweatpants.

He was lost in his thoughts with a frown on his face and a hand tucked below his chin but his attention fell on me when I cleared my throat. Milo's excited tail-wagging and jumping beside me also helped in getting Ethan's attention.

I lifted Milo in my arms and walked towards Ethan's desk softly rubbing my pet baby's fur. I breathed in nuzzling my face kissing Milo on the head. Why do dogs smell so good.

"What are you thinking?" I asked standing in front of Ethan with Milo in my arms.

"Nothing." He brushed my question away smiling at me. When I continued looking at him suspiciously, he sighed.

"Don't you think its odd?" He asked me and I frowned at his question.

"What is odd?" I asked him.

"The whole Eva's article and reporter incident." He narrowed his eyebrows thinking deeply.

"What do you mean, Ethan?" I asked him although I get where he is coming from. Ryan is a sweetheart to his fans but is also very private about his personal life. He wouldn't be careless regarding Eva's safety or privacy.

"Ryan is very careful, Lauren. This has never happened before with his previous girlfriends or relationships unless they are PR. This just seems very odd." His frown deepened mirroring mine.

"Hmm." I agreed with him. Well, he is not wrong though.

I smiled at the way Milo looked excited and just happy to be here, completely unaware of the serious discussion that's happening between us.

"Did you eat something?" He asked me after a moment and a soft smile greeted my face looking at him.

Listening to Ethan's voice this time, Milo jumped from my arms and ran excitedly towards Ethan. Traitor. I glared at Milo shaking my head before remembering Ethan's question from earlier.

Isn't it irony how I grew up my whole childhood with someone who made their life mission to stop me from eating contently. And now I'm with someone for the rest of my life whose love language is probably making sure I eat.

My mother loved me but she had some flaws in her loving method. I gaslighted myself into thinking that she did everything for my own health, for my own benefit. But is that healthy love if she made sure that I know how many pounds I gained for just eating a second slice of cake on my birthday. Is that healthy love if her love gave me complicated issues which needed healing.

But then again, Ethan unknowingly help me heal my issues. He helped me in finding me. All that without his knowledge.

"Yes, I ate with Elena." At the mention of his mother, he had a wistful expression on his face but with a sigh he masked it.

"Hmm." he nodded at me.

"I brought something for you." I grabbed his hand and dragged him to the couch and forced him to sit before sitting beside him. Milo jumped on the couch sitting in the tiny gap between us. I love Milo and I would die for him in a heartbeat but my boy makes sure that he always snatches Ethan's attention away from me. Like now. He sat in between us cuddling towards Ethan.

I lifted Milo in my arms and placed him in my lap and shifted towards Ethan, practically clinging to him while Ethan only give me a look with an amused smile.

"What is it?" Ethan asked me tucking my hair behind my ear.

"There." I pointed to the small container on the coffee table in front of us and Ethan looked at me for a moment before leaning in and grabbing the container.

Milo is still cuddled in my arms while I petted before he yawned and lazily stretched his paws. He looked at me for a moment before getting up and walking towards his bed in Ethan's room. He is always like that. He has energy of a dragon when he is not sleepy but one yawn and he will run to his bed, or Ethan's bed sometimes, as if he hadn't slept for seven years.

"Open it." I gestured to the container and he did slowly as if I would gift him a bomb. Not yet, I don't hate him that badly. He is safe for now.

"You made it?" Ethan looked surprised at the chicken alfredo in the container before bringing his gaze back to him.

"Yes."

I know it's just food and nothing special. But it is for me. This is the first time I ever cooked without burning something and it tasted like heaven, thanks to Elena. And I had to save some for Ethan to show my wonderful creation.

He ate some using the fork and chewed slowly while I waited staring at his face for a reaction like a ghost who is looking at her next victim.

A hint of recognition flashed on his face while he chewed and I know what he is thinking.

"Did you make it?"

"I cooked while your mother gave me instructions."

He nodded at me.

"You want some?" he asked me bringing the fork to my lips.

"I already ate, Ethan."

"Just one spoon." He urged me and I gave in parting my lips and he fed me with a smile. After feeding me, he did the same.

"Is it good?" I asked after chewing and swallowing the food.

He was silent for a beat and my heart did crazy dance waiting for his reaction.

"It is delicious, Lauren." He spoke eating another spoonful. I gave him a big grin and he smiled softly at me.

"How about we play a game? Would you rather?" I asked him after a moment of silence.

He brought the fork to my lips again and although I opposed, he insisted I eat so I had to give in.

"Would you rather?" he asked me.

"Yes. I'll you ask you a question. You have to answer would you rather this or that."

"Okay."

"I'll start." He nodded at me to continue. "Would you rather be overdressed or underdressed?" He looked at me as if I've asked him the silliest question question of the decade before a playful smirk sneaked up on his lips.

"I would rather undress you." He shifted towards me giving me the most handsome smirk and blood rushed to my cheeks but I coughed trying to play it cool.

"Ha, funny. It's not about me. I was asking about you." I glared at him.

"I'm serious." He shrugged his shoulders. "And about the answer, I don't care as long as I have clothes on." He spoke confidently and to be frank his answer matches his attitude. He can rock any outfit.

"Now my turn." He spoke and I nodded at him.

"Would you rather live near mountains or beach?" He asked me intently waiting for my answer. I gave it a thought before answering him. I don't know what I expected from him but that question wasn't one.

"Mountains, mostly." He nodded at me.

"Would you rather gift me a private jet or a private island?" I asked him tucking my hair behind my ear and giving him a shy smile batting my eyelashes at him. His lips twitched at my actions but he didn't give me a smile. Not even a smile? Damn.

"Let me think...how about a private show or a massage. Whatever you prefer." he suggested raising his eyebrows and I scoffed at him playfully.

"Stop, Ethan. You are acting like a horny teenager."

"I am. But only for you." This time, he gave me a big grin showing off his dimples and let's just say I couldn't keep the stern angry face for long

"Would you rather choose Milo or me?" He asked me.

"Milo, of course." I lied. I mean I could never choose one from them but he didn't have to know that.

"You hurt me, Lauren. You could at least pretend to think for a moment." He placed his hand on his chest near his heart and looked at me as If I plucked his heart out and crushed it into million pieces. Dramatic much, I see.

"What is your biggest wish?" I asked him after a comfortable moment.

"You say first." He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

"That's not an answer." I squinted my eyes at him.

"I know." I shook my head at his ignorance but answered his question.

"Honestly, I don't know. I don't have just one. I have many dreams. I want to buy a nice house in mountains far away from the city. I also want to set up many animal shelters to rescue and love them. I want to be the best version of me everyday. I also want to earn a lot of money and spoil myself. I want to spoil you too, although I know you're rich enough, but anyway. See, I can go on with my dream list." I chuckled shaking my head and looking at Ethan who had a smile and keen look on his face.

"Nice."

"What's yours?" I asked him excitedly only to be disappointed by his answer.

"Hmm...I'll tell you one day."

***

Chris' POV

Ringing the doorbell, I waited for the person to open the door, worry and uneasiness rearing its head up inside me. The doctor beside me stood straight with his first aid case.

I was in my home, working in my office, when Alice called me. Although she calls me sometimes just to ask dumb questions, like why are zombies blind or why do ghosts act like attention seekers, just to annoy me. It would be a huge lie if I said I didn't wait for her calls. But she never called me at midnights.

The fashion show was wrapped up two weeks back and Alice is back to her office now. I don't see her like I used to. I can't annoy her anymore and that thought was such a energy down for me. She used to be first thing I would want to see as soon as I came to office and also the last thing I usually see when I dropped her at her apartment.

But now she isn't here anymore. Although I would never say this to her or anyone, I missed her. I missed her constant glares at me. I missed her I'm-the-queen attitude she used to give me all the time. I missed how she makes me laugh, not just smile, without much hard work. And the weird stares she gives me when I crack a joke. I know my humor is bad but that woman will not waste a second to prove it all the time.

Her texts, her talks, her laugh, her eyes, her everything. I miss her everything. I thought all these reactions I've had for her will subside with time. But this shit only intensified when I saw her, three days back, due to Eva's tabloid incident. The protective urge I felt for her is out of the world, when Ethan called me and said that Alice might be in trouble for being Eva's roommate.

I didn't call her since then and she didn't too. Until today.

When I heard her panic filled voice in the phone, my heartbeat stopped for a moment. My thoughts reeled up different scenarios of her in danger. And I didn't like any of that thoughts, not even a single bit. I had to get hold of myself and not let my own anxiety consume me.

The door opened bringing me out of the thoughts and my eyes took in the form of Alice's tear-stricken face and her trembling body.

"Let's go." I spoke to the doctor and Alice nodded weakly leading us into her mother's bedroom.

The doctor immediately went to Alice's mom and checked her pulse rate and other conditions. An elderly woman, I assume Alice's grandma, was sitting on the other side of the bed. She looked like she could pass out any second with worry staring at the doctor.

Alice is no better. Although she tried grasping the last straw of strength, I can see it fade away with every passing second. She was trembling and her tears were streaming down her cheeks as if they don't know how to stop.

"Does she take any regular medication?" The doctor asked staring at Alice.

"Yes." she spoke bringing a tiny bottle of pills out from the drawer and giving it to him.

The doctor spoke after examining the medicine.

"Her health got worse because of the overdose."

Alice widened her eyes and her voice broke while she spoke, clenching my own heart for some reason.

"You mean she tried taking more pills than usual. Did she tried to attempt suicide?"

"I don't think she meant to attempt suicide. She only took four or five pills than regular. It doesn't kill one but will surely give side effects like temporary paralysis or rapid heartrate and unconsciousness. Does she have zone outs?" The doctor asked.

"Yes, sometimes."

"Well, there it is. I think she was zoned out while taking her medicine and didn't see the overdose. So, nothing to worry. she will get better. I'll have to check up on her tomorrow morning again."

Alice nodded her head at him.

"Thank you, doctor." I spoke leading him out of the house. He gave me a final nod before leaving.

When I retuned back to the living room, Alice was sitting on the bed, beside her mom, wiping her mother's face with a wet towel. Alice herself looked weak, but there she is, still trying to be a wall for her mom.

Alice's grandma came from the bed and looked at me narrowing her eyes.

"Follow me." she ordered lifting her head to look at me. She is a tiny woman, with gray hair and wrinkled face, but I can say Alice got her eyes from her grandma.

"I'm Sofia Miller."

"Christian Hudson." I introduced myself and she nodded at me.

"Are you my granddaughter's boyfriend?" she asked me with a frown.

"Uh...no." I sat in the living room couch when she gestured me to sit.

"I don't believe so. But whatever." She shrugged sitting on the opposite side.

"Do you want anything?"

"No, Mrs Miller."

"You can just call me Sofia."

I nodded at her.

"Thanks for coming this late. Our regular doctor was out of town and Alice was too anxious to think straight. The one time she comes home to visit her mother, it ended up like this. Poor child." Sofia sighed and my heart felt heavy listening to her. It was Alice's pain but still I felt it in my bones.

"Your grand daughter is different. She might breakdown sometimes but she knows how to rebuild herself stronger than before. She is smart but also empathetic. You raised her right, Mrs Miller." I spoke and the older woman gave me a small smile.

"My Alice is very independent, dear. She would rather move the mountain alone than asking for help. She thinks it's weak to ask for help. She has always been like that but she became a wall when her father died leaving her  mother traumatic." I nodded at her taking her wrinkled hand in mine.

"I've seen her vulnerable before, Mrs Miller. I know she hates to ask for help. I know she is very independent. But I will be with her whenever she needs me. I will be there for her even before she could ask for help"

"Thanks for having her back, dear."

"I will, always."

***

It was the next morning and I am at Alice's house again with the doctor. He had to check up on her mom again so, here I am.

Last night, Alice didn't leave her mother's side even for a second. And she was too preoccupied with her mom that she didn't even see me before I left. And I tried understanding her rather than getting hurt at her distant attitude.

Alice's mom is better now and she is wide awake sitting on her bed while the doctor checked her.

"She is completely fine now. Don't worry." The doctor said before leaving us again. Alice stared at her mom before sighing and throwing her arms around her mom.

"Don't ever scare me like that again, mom. Please." Alice whispered.

Her mom gave a hmm and Alice pulled back from the hug turning towards me.

"Mom, this is Chris. He is my...friend."

Her mom gave me a curt nod.

"Alice, dear, can you come and help me with the groceries." Her grandma yelled from far outside and Alice rose up from the bed.

"I'll be right back. You can talk to her, she doesn't like to talk back but will listen." Alice spoke to me giving me one of her rare smiles before dashing out.

Seconds passed, or is it minutes, but I stayed silent before sitting on the chair beside the bed.

"Hello, Mrs Miller." She didn't reply but I knew she listened at the subtle glance she gave me.

We stayed in the silence for a beat again.

"Do you love your daughter?" I started staring at her mom while she only glanced at me for a minute before returning her gaze back to the wall. And I took that as my cue to continue.

"Last night, you didn't see your daughter, Mrs Miller. Your condition was physically worse but hers was mentally worse. I couldn't even recognize her last night. She was obsessed with being there for you all night and didn't leave you for at least a second. She was losing herself trying to protect you. Protecting you from your own self destruction."

I waited for a some reaction or something from Alice's mother but I got nothing. Absolutely no reaction.

"I know that I have no right to talk about your family issues, but I watched Alice suffer for the same issues. I watched her emotional breakdown. I was there when she cried. You lost your husband in an accident. You have your problems and darkness to fight against but how fair it is for Alice to let her suffer. To let the darkness consume her."

"Your daughter is strong and I know that she got that strength from you. So, fight for her and prioritize her. Think about your daughter again like you did once. Be there for her like she has been for you all this time. I want Alice to laugh without anything pressing on her shoulders or her heart heavy and I'm sure you want the same for her too."

Alice's mom didn't talk anything except staring at the wall in front of her. But I knew she was listening at the way she swallowed sometimes and her moist eyes. Except that she had a dead expression on her face.

At this point I know I sounded too desperate for my own liking but I don't care. I just want to see Alice happy with no worries and I don't want to regret never trying to achieve that. If talking to her mom and showing the other side of the coin can be a step in achieving Alice's happiness, then I'll gladly be the one to take that step.

Alice entered back in the bedroom and with a final glance at her mother, I rose up from the chair walking towards her.

"I'm getting late to office. I'll go now." I spoke and a frown crawled up her face.

"Have some breakfast." she spoke and I glanced at my watch.

"I'll have to go, Alice."

She looked like she wanted to oppose but nodded at me and we walked out of the house and stood in front of my car.

"Take care." I spoke but I couldn't turn around and walk. I don't even see her in my office, these days. I want to see her. One more second. One more minute. I'm trying to imprint her face in my memory. When I realized I was ogling her, I sighed.

"Why did you said all that to my mom before?" when I was about to get in my car, Alice stopped me.

I thought for a moment while hundreds of words that I want to say to her were on my tongue.

"Because I want to." I spoke with a shrug and her eyes lifted up to look at mine and the emotions in her eyes felt like a force throwing me into an another dimension.

"Did you mean everything you said?" Her voice was vulnerable as if she was scared to listen to my answer. Or maybe she was just scared of her own emotions.

"I wouldn't have spoken if I didn't mean it." I spoke not thinking much which was a first time. I choose my actions. I pick my words. I plan my steps. But not with her. With her, everything changes. And to be honest, I like the change she brings in me.

Alice stared at me for a moment or two, I don't know, before fisting my shirt and pulling me closer crashing her soft lips to mine in a kiss spoiling my every intention of staying away from her.

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