Chapter 9: Questions and Memories
Mom slowly let me go, but her hands stayed on my cheeks for a second longer, as if she needed to make sure I was real. Her green eyes shone with tears that still hadn't fully fallen.
"How are you here, Ethan?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion. "Your father…?"
I didn't let her finish. I raised a hand and interrupted her with the story I had rehearsed a thousand times in the taxi
"Dad had an urgent business trip abroad," I lied, trying to sound natural. "He gave me permission to come visit for a few days. He said I was old enough and could travel alone."
The lie didn't even sound believable to me, but it was the best I could come up with on the way. Mom frowned, clearly doubtful. Her blonde eyebrows drew together and she looked at me with that expression only a mother can have: half worry, half hope.
"Really?" she asked, still uncertain.
"Yes, Mom. I swear. I'm already of age, remember? I didn't need his permission, but… he wanted to give it."
She sighed, still wearing that maternal look that wrapped around me like a hug. She slowly ran her fingers across my chest, feeling the hard muscles that years of training had carved under my t-shirt. The touch was soft, almost absentminded, but it sent a shiver through me that I tried to hide.
"You've become such a handsome young man…" she murmured, with a smile full of pride.
Then she looked to the side and seemed to remember we weren't alone.
"Do you remember Maya?"
I turned my head. The brown-skinned woman was still standing by the door, with a warm smile lighting up her face. Her honey-colored eyes slowly traveled over me, from top to bottom, pausing a second longer on my broad shoulders and defined chest.
"Of course I remember," I replied, smiling back at her.
Maya took a step forward and greeted me with an elegant wave of her hand.
"Ethan… look at you. You've grown so much," she said, and her honey eyes once again scanned my toned body, openly admiring the results of all that exercise. "You look like a real man now."
I felt heat rising to my cheeks, but I tried to cover it with a sincere compliment.
"And you're still as beautiful as ever, Maya. Even more."
She let out a bright, genuine laugh, and her heart-shaped lips curved into a smile that lit up her whole face.
"Oh, what a charmer you've become," she teased, tilting her head slightly. "You're quite the sweetheart."
Mom also curved her lips in a small smile, but Lila, who had been quiet until then, crossed her arms and said in a slightly annoyed tone:
"Close the door already, it's horribly hot in here."
At that, Mom shot her a stern look, eyebrows furrowed and lips pressed into a thin line. Lila shut her mouth instantly, knowing she had crossed the line.
To break the small tension, Maya stepped forward and closed the door with a soft click. She did it with a slight smile, moving her hips naturally as she turned back toward us.
"Let's sit down, okay?" she suggested, her voice calm and welcoming. "I'm sure there's a lot you all want to talk about."
We headed to the living room. Maya went straight to the fridge to get some cold drinks, and as she walked I couldn't help but let my eyes lock onto her voluptuous ass: two huge, round cheeks that moved with every step, pressed tight against the black leggings. The movement was hypnotic, but Mom's and Lila's voices quickly brought me back to reality.
"What have you been doing all this time?" Mom asked, sitting next to me on the sofa and taking my hand.
"Intense studies and a lot of physical training," I answered. "Dad wouldn't let me do anything else. Private classes, gym every day… it was like living in an endless routine."
Elena shifted in her seat, her face reddening with anger.
"That man…" she muttered through gritted teeth. "He didn't let you have a normal childhood or enjoy yourself like any other kid. How selfish!"
Her voice broke and she started gesturing with her hands, growing more agitated. Maya, who was returning with the glasses, sat on the other side and rubbed her back with soft, circular movements, calming her without saying anything at first.
"Easy, Elena…" Maya whispered.
Mom took a deep breath and apologized, lowering her gaze.
"I'm sorry, son… all of this is my fault."
"No, Mom," I said quickly, squeezing her hand. "It's not your fault. It never was."
She kept blaming herself in silence, her eyes glassy. Maya then spoke simply, without drama:
"Leave that behind already. Ethan is here now. That's what matters."
Maya's words were like a balm. Mom sighed and visibly relaxed. I thought about how close they still were after so many years; that friendship seemed stronger than ever.
Mom gripped my hand tighter and looked me in the eyes.
"Tell me everything, my darling. Everything."
It was then that Maya, with a curious smile, tilted her head and asked:
"And tell me… do you have a girlfriend?"
The question instantly sparked curiosity in all three of them. Lila raised an eyebrow, Mom leaned forward, and Maya looked at me with those honey eyes full of interest. All three waited for my answer.
"No…" I replied, suddenly feeling pathetic. "I don't."
'That sounds so sad… nineteen years old and not a single girlfriend. My whole life locked away, with no time for anything else.'
Mom smiled tenderly and caressed the back of my hand.
"Don't worry about that. You're so handsome that I'm sure you'll find someone special very soon."
Her words unleashed a storm of thoughts in me. For a second, my mind flew back to the past: to when I was a kid and was completely in love with Maya, to how I saw her as the most beautiful woman in the world. Now, with her sitting in front of me, mature, curvy, and smiling at me like that… the memory felt more alive than ever.
End of Chapter 9