Chapter 11 - Too far to go back

Then I took out the phone from my pocket when I heard it beep. It was a message from Andrew and it read: '[Still waiting for the photo bro]'

I heaved out a deep sigh - biting my lower lip in confusion before switching off my phone when I came to a final resolve. I like what was going on between I and Chloe -- and I wasn't able or willing to jeopardise it for anything, not even for my best friend Andrew!

So I placed the phone beside my pillow and closed my eyes, thinking of a possible reason to give to Andrew for not sending the photo when I fell into a deep sleep.

*****

I was woken the following day to the sounds of birds chirping outside the playhouse and the slow movement of someone's hands on my bare chest.

"Hmmm" I gave out a sleepy grunt as my eyes gradually opened - squinting and blinking hard to clear my vision which was a bit blurry.

"Good morning" Chloe whispered to my face and gave me a quick peck on the lips as she laid beside me with her face over mine which made me wonder just how long she'd been staring at me while I was asleep.

Then I instantly felt the cold chill of nervousness run down my spine as I fully woke to consciousness with my eyes wide in panick.

'Morning?!' -- This sounded like a joke in my ears. I mean, how could I have foolishly given myself to sleep that i lost track of time?

'Oh God! Mom' I gasped in my mind as I snatched my phone beside the pillow and hurriedly stood up from the bed - putting on my shirt in sudden swiftness that startled Chloe who didn't budge but kept laying down on the bed.

"What's wrong Liam?... Why are you so much in a hurry?" Chloe asked with an inquisitive tone, fidgeting her fingers playfully while she kept her gaze fixed at me.

"This Chloe... This" I blurted, shaking my head nervously as I bent forward to wear my shoes.

"This how?" Chloe asked immediately with a confused frown on her face as she raised herself to sit. "Are you feeling guilty we made out?" She added, sounding a bit disappointed.

"No no... I didn't mean that" I answered quickly, standing upright to give her a purposeful stare that brightened her countenance. "It's just me sleepover Chloe, what if your dad sees us... It could affect my job working for him." I heaved as I concluded my response.

"Well, he hasn't seen us. And besides, you don't need to worry-- he hasn't been to my playhouse for about two years now" Chloe said convincingly with a shrug of her shoulders and a wide grin on her face.

I barely said anything in response but stood - shaking my head as I switched on my phone.

Then my whole body froze the moment I lowered my gaze on my phone screen to see 7 missed calls and 5 texts messages - most of which were from my mom, and Andrew.

"Urrrm..." I slurred and gulped hard while slowly retreating my steps towards the playhouse door.

"is anything the matter Liam?" Chloe asked before jumping out of the bed to meet me.

"Urrh... I just need to get home, my mom will be worried sick" I answered, raising my head quickly to look at Chloe who was already standing in front of me. "But... But I'll text you later in the day though" I stuttered with an awkward smile on my face before giving her a quick peck on the left cheek.

"See you later Liam" She said, smiling softly at me - just in time before I turned and left.

***Back At Home***

"Good morning Mom" I greeted, smiling sheepishly moments after entering the palour as I moved to sit beside my mom on the same couch.

"Liam!" My mom exclaimed in a relieved tone - turning her body halfway on the couch to face me. "What happened?... I came back home last night and met your absence -- I even tried your line but it was unreachable."

"Am sorry Mom... I slept over at a friend's house and my phone was off that's why" I chuckled, leaning my back comfortably on the couch before looking at the television to see what she was watching before I came in.

Then my mom's comical look seemed to draw my attention again. What amused me even more was the way she pulled away to give me a searching stare.

"Why the face mom?" I managed to ask in a low chuckle - trying as much as to suppress the urge to burst into laughter.

"Why shouldn't I stare when my son is unconsciously smiling to himself" She teased with the smile on her face becoming more broader.

"I seriously don't know what you're talking about mom" I laughed with my head rocking backwards.

"Hm-mm, I bet you do more than you can deny" My mom hummed and rolled her eyes playfully at me as I turned fully to face her - clearing my throat purposefully before parting my lips to speak.

"Ohkay... what's on your mind mom?" I heaved out a surrendering sigh with my arms spread out as I spoke.

"This friend's house you slept over at, it's a girl right?" My mom asked with a smirk on her face - fixing her eyes on me to see my reaction.

I was completely thrown of guard by her inquisition as it rendered me speechless. What even puzzled me the most was that I found myself smiling sheepishly when infact i was supposed to be keeping a straight face -- but there was nothing I could do, except giving my mom the honest answer she deserved.

So I squinted my eyes in shyness and nodded my head in acceptance.

"And am guessing you two are in love?" My mom asked teasingly in a low pampering voice - grinning widely as she waited for my response.

"Uh uh!... Not in love mom, we are just friends and nothing more" I blurted sharply, raising my right index finger halfway up my chest in a convincing manner.

But truth be told, I felt even less convinced to believe in my own words and am sure my mom wasn't convinced too because she still wore that wide grin on her face.

"Oh Liam..." My mom heaved out in a soft tease and cupped my cheek with her right hand. "This mystery girl... Whoever she is has really gotten you falling. Don't lie to your mom, you like her don't you?"

"Okay now I see where this is going" I chuckled shyly and shook my head in amusement - slowly lowering her hand from my cheek.

My mind was boggled with so many conflicting thoughts as I sat and turned to stare again at the television. In a way, I felt like letting it all out- exposing to my mom how I was beginning to feel for Chloe and to seek her advice while the other part of me just wanted to hold on to my 'Never fall in love' rule -- after all, I'll be a coward telling my mom I was in love when I've always kicked against the subject!

"So what's her name?" My mom's voice snapped me out of my contemplating thought.

"Urmm... Chloe, her name is Chloe" I stuttered, clearing my throat halfway as I spoke before turning to face my mom who was smiling at me.

"Maybe you should invite her over one of these days to have dinner with us" My mom replied calmly.

"Maybe" I scoffed doubtfully and immediately debunked the idea in my head. Even if I did ask her to come over for dinner, I doubt she'd be able to come - atleast, not without getting approval from her parents and her dad most especially who might not like the idea of her spending time with his worker!

It was when my tummy rumbled that I remembered how hungry I was. So I turned fully to face my mom - placing my left arm on top the neck of the couch and said "Gosh, mom am so famished, what are we having for breakfast?"

"What will you have me prepare?" My mom asked and sat poised.

"I think toast bread and..."

I suddenly paused halfway in my response when the loud 'ding dong' sound of our doorbell filled the palour.

"I'll get the door" my mom said, tapping my left lap lightly before standing up to get the door.

"Shelly!.. how are you, please come inside"

My heart skipped a beat when my mom's hearty voice reverberated in my ears - drawing my attention to face the palour door.

'What in heaven's name is she doing here?' I groaned rhetorically in my head, leveling my gaze at my mom who sluggishly followed beside Shelly as she came Into the palour - approaching the couch where I sat tugging my butt from the feeling of discomfort. Nothing about her presence seemed to excite me - infact, I was very much annoyed seeing her and why on earth will she come back to me when we already parted ways?!

"Hi Liam" Shelly greeted with a warm smile as she paused her steps beside my couch.

"Shelly" My voice broke out bluntly as I looked at the traveling bag she was holding before raising my head to look her straight in the eye.

"Why are you here?" I demanded with a frown on my face.

"Liam?" My mom immediately called out to me, sounding rather disappointed by my response to Shelly. But what did I care? I was slowly beginning to feel angered by her coming already - let alone speak friendly to her!

So I didn't answer my mom but kept my gaze fixed on Shelly who turned to face my mom and said to her in a low courteous voice "It's fine Ma, I don't expect him to treat me nicely - not with what happened between us"

'Well, atleast she got that part right' I scoffed inaudibly under my breath and leveled my gaze at my mom who slowly nodded at Shelly before turning to give me a silent cautioning stare with the smile on her face instantly fading away.

Then my head buried on my shoulders as I shrugged - spreading my arms wide in a questioning manner before saying in a low growl "Mom, I seriously don't get why you'll give me the look when she was..."

"Uh uh... Let the girl say what she has to say first" My mom demanded as she interrupted my lament - giving me a stern stare that humbled me.

"Fine... Say whatever it is you have to say" I heaved out a surrendering sigh as I spoke to Shelly - rubbing my chin continuously with my right hand as my elbow rested on the arm of the couch.

Somehow I was panicking, all I tried to do now was guess Shelly's reason for coming before she even revealed it to us. The only two things that came into my mind was the possibility of her being pregnant or that she was coming to ask for my forgiveness. But how could she come to ask for my forgiveness was holding a travel bag?! This fact alone troubled me as I lifted my cowardly gaze up at Shelly who started speaking.

"Mrs, I'll like to ask for you and your son's permission to stay over at your place for some few days..."

"Is anything wrong my dear?" My mom asked sharply - pulling Shelly a bit closer to herself in a concerned manner.

'Oh shit... Is she pregnant?' this worrisome thought echoed loudly in my head as my heart began to pound hard and fast with my throat becoming unusually dry in fear. What if it was what I was thinking -- that she was truly pregnant? Then I'll have to kiss my new fond feelings for Chloe goodbye?! No, I wasn't willing to let that happen - even if it meant me deny responsibility, after all, she must have had sex with another after she left me.

"Just tell me dear... We're here to help you" my mom urged, wrapping her left arm around Shelly who nodded and was about speaking when I sprang up from the couch and interrupted in a nervous stammer "Mom, even if -- if we did allow her stay with us, where will she sleep?"

Yes, I know -- I know what I just said was stupid and I realised that, even more so when Shelly and my mom simultaneously raised their heads to gawk at me with a disappointing frown on their faces - making me wish like vanishing to somewhere where no one could find me. But that was mere wishful thinking and this was reality -- one way or another, I'll have to face it!

"Is something wrong with you Liam?... She asked if we can accommodate her for some days and you're concerned with where she'll sleep -- what happened to your room, and is there any harm in you sleeping on the couch?" My mom scolded at me with a stern voice that had my under arm sweating profusely - dampening the shirt I was wearing; even the hunger I once felt seemed to have disappeared. And besides, how could I have appetite for food when I was in a slim chance of fathering a child from a girl who I barely love or have feelings for!

"No mom" I shook my head and answered in a low submissive voice that even surprised me. I never knew I could be this humble, not until now!