CARA

I have no idea why Mrs Johnson, Liam’s mum is treating me so nicely. Although she has always been kind, but all her offers seemed just too good to be true. A place to stay, employment, and a first-class flight back to Dublin. I needed to see her to thank her for her thoughtfulness before my truck comes the following morning. 

My heart begins to beat rapidly as soon as my Uber stops in front of their home. What if Liam was inside? or his dad? I still can't see him the same way I used to, even though he paid for my mother's care right up until the moment she passed away. I hold zero regards for him. I was just a helpless teenager in love.

"It is not too late to hop on the plane back to Boston." I think. I inhale deeply before ringing the bell.

As I wait for the door to be opened, my eyes wander to the patio at the upper floor. Once upon a time, Liam and I once used to look at the stars there through his father's old telescope huddled up in a fuzzy blanket, sipping hot cocoa and whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears while laughing. I smile as I recollect the good old days while gazing at the patio where I could almost picture the memories as clear as day. The home had been remodeled. When contrasted to the old design, this is sophisticated. The semi-detached mansion in front of me now screams 'wealthy'. I suppose the merger paid off in the end.

The door opens, revealing Mrs Johnson, Liam's mother. 

A picture of perfection, she hadn't aged at all. Liam inherited her freckles and green eyes. From the way she looked, one might assume that we were sisters. I'm not sure how much money they made from the ACE merger, but it was a lot of money, as evidenced by the mansion, the cars parked in the carport, her attire, and the jewellery she was wearing, all of which exude richness. 

She hugs the life out of me and calls me "my sweet not-so-little pumpkin." 

"Good day, Mrs. Johnson." I flash her a nice-to-see-you smile.

“Save me the formalities! Call me Bridget.”

“It's wonderful to see you. You've undergone such a drastic transformation. I hardly recognize you.” She says, her voice tinged with emotion.

“Bridget? Are you crying?” I ask worriedly as she sniffled.

“I'm truly sorry. It's just that I really miss your mother. Just being around you makes me miss her a lot." She gives me a sad smile.

"Well, come inside. It's so lovely to see you. A few weeks from now, Alfred should return from his trip.” She says as she ushers me into the tastefully furnished living room.

I take a long look around the house I had always loved to come to in the past, the interior is still as I always remembered it except for a few expensive additions like the expensive looking celadon that looked like one from the Qing Dynasty and the Victorian chairs that graced the living room. The 'Salvator Mundi' and 'Nafea Faa Ipoipo?'(Tahitian for 'When will you marry?') paintings that I always loved to gaze upon for long hours were still positioned the way I remembered. I trail my fingers across the walls and the furniture as if to grasp on to memories before they flitter away like dandelions in the wind.

“You haven't aged a bit. The house hasn't changed that much too”

"You are flattering me. You've developed into a lovely young lady. I would kill to have those thighs and hips you’ve got there. It's difficult to locate the ideal pair of pants, and I miss having slender thighs."

"In that case, I'll keep to my trim thighs. You are aware of how much I adore my jeans and business pants. By the way, I love your new hair color. She remarks while patting her perfectly groomed suit pants with her fingertips. 

"I'm grateful, Ma'am." I reply patting my burnt orange- coloured bob hair shyly.

To be honest, she makes me a little bit jealous. Even her age—late 40s—could not be discerned. Her bodily characteristics, sense of style, skin, and form were all exquisite. Yes, Alfred is a really fortunate man. 

"Tell me everything there is to know about Boston. Every single aspect, even the attractive males.” She squealed like a young girl

Did this woman just mention attractive males? I can barely remember focusing on any guy for up to two seconds enough to remember their faces? I recently found work as a waiter in Boston, but other than that, I didn't really have anything to say. I led a triangle-shaped life. My life just passed by in a blur while I was at Boston. I frequently alternated between being at the hospital and being at home when I'm not working or visiting my mother there. She began responding to therapies after a long period of time, and eventually she was doing great. All she needed to do was take her medications. She was completely pain-free. The last three years were the best time of my life up until the morning I noticed she wasn't responding as I made her favorite pancakes as usual and brought her breakfast. The world appeared to have stopped turning. Not when she was doing better, I wasn't ready. 

“Did I say something wrong, Cara?”

"You didn't," I said. 

"Your face and silence indicate the contrary," 

“It's just that there wasn't much time to notice lads, much less attractive ones.”

 “Oh Cara girl, come here," she calls out while stretching out her hands. 

"You never came, why?" I inquire.

"I looked for you and your mother when you abruptly vanished. Nobody was aware of your whereabouts. Until Alfred revealed to me that Mr. Ace's sponsorship of your mother's medical expenses was the only stipulation he placed on the merger. I was initially perplexed since I believed Mr. Ace was offering him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on a silver platter, so why would he impose such restrictions on the merger? He then stated that Mr Ace had no choice because he was aware of the potential of his business.”

What an awful liar! He wouldn't want to tell his wife, of course, that he came to me with a contract and requested me to break up with his son. I had no idea that such things could exist in reality. What a snake!

"I came to see your mother, but I just didn't dare to go near her since she was in so much suffering. I was too damaged. I didn't want to carry about for the rest of my life the image of her in agony. " She winced painfully.

I only realized now that tears had been rolling down my face. 

"Child, it's all right. Everything will be well in the end. I'm here for you.” She says as she engulfs me in her arms

“I miss her. God, I miss her so much it hurts.” I say as my body is racked with sobs while she smooths my back with her hands.

"We all do." She moans.

"Your phone is ringing, sweetheart."

I clean my eyes with the sleeve of my cloth and check my phone.

“Oh, that's the truck driver bringing my load, I see. I'll return straight away after I get this.” I sniffle.

"This is swift." I thought. Even though I paid for expedited shipping, there was a two day, tops, delay. 

“Mrs Johnson.”

 “Bridget.” she corrects. 

“Bridget, my belongings have come. The driver requests direction on where to deliver them.” 

“I apologize. The job and accommodation document should have been sent through email.” She says apologetically.

“I'm really appreciative, Bridget. No words can adequately explain how grateful I am. I owe you one.”

“Child, please. If I had the power, I would do far more than that. Here are the necessary papers. They have everything you need to get to work and return home. Chop, chop. We don't want to keep the deliveryman waiting.”

“I'll text him the location and arrange a ride to meet him there." I say.

"Request a ride? Nonsense! When we have fleets of cars.”

“ I truly can manage, please don't worry about dropping me off."

"Who made any remarks about me dropping you off? I insist that you have one or, even better, that you rent one until you acquire your own. I know exactly the right one for you.”

When she referred to "fleets of cars," she wasn't lying. I misunderstood her when I assumed she was talking about the three exotic cars parked in front of the house. A fleet of vehicles would be six in the garage and three in front of the house. 

I can't help but ponder how much Alfred must have gained from the merger as I stand in front of the garage looking at several new car models. 

She laughs as she gestures toward a white BMW SUV. I instantly have the impression that I am the missing daughter she has been looking for. 

"This right here is a 2020 BMW X1 MSRP." Girl, it's yours!" she exclaims with great joy as she looks even more excited than me who she was gifting the car to.

I'm just too stunned to do anything but stand there. I need someone to wake me up. To be sure I wasn't dreaming, I pinch myself. She throws me the key, and as it settles in my hands and I realize that I wasn't dreaming, It's all real.