Spoken Lies And Broken Ties

Mark's P.O.V.

"Aunt Mia, I'm sorry, I heard everything but I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, I promise. I just came here to tell you that mom's asking for you. "he paused. "And please don't worry about Reb, I'll go with her and I promise to keep her safe," I said and walked into the kitchen to stand next to Aunt Mia. I know she was hesitant at first because she didn't want us to know about the problem but she really was tensed about sending Reb alone so I just offered to help. After a little convincing she finally gave in and was all praises about how she thinks I am a sweetheart and expressed her relief and said she is relaxed knowing that I am with Reb to protect her.

I would be lying if I say I wasn't already looking for an opportunity like that; to spend some time alone with Reb but I swear that wasn't my only intention behind offering help. Aunt Mia is like a mother to me and seeing her so tensed made me want to help her immediately. I would have helped her anyway even if it wasn't about Reb. But at that moment it felt like nature wanted us to spend time together that's why it sent me at the right time to help Aunt Mia and score a night with Reb. This could actually be my chance to win that bet. I was so happy about it until Reb spoke up.

"Mom, I'm 19, I don't need a babysitter anymore. I can do things on my own. Do you still doubt it? It's fine if you do. But one thing is for sure that either I go alone or I don't go at all. You decide now that I'm going or not." She looked angry all of a sudden. I was shocked after hearing this. I know we have been away for three long years and I understand she must be angry that I didn't try to contact her for all these years and I was ready for her anger yet I never thought she would say no for going out with me, she never did that before but I let it slip. Perhaps it wasn't her words or her anger that surprised me the most, it was the way in which she was talking. She sure was referring to me but she never even once glanced my way. The way she was speaking it seemed like talking about me was like a curse to her tongue. Now that was mortifying.

Aunt Mia stopped midway after hearing this. She looked at Reb with her eyes full of misery and said, "Reb, I don't doubt you, I never did. But baby I am worried about your safety all the time. If you go alone, I wouldn't be at peace knowing that you're alone outside at night because of me, but if Mark's with you, I could sit peacefully knowing he's out there to protect you. Please do this for your mom. Besides, when did you ever have a problem with going out with Mark?" That got my full attention. I was continuously staring at Reb hoping for an answer so that I could know the reason behind her actions. But I got none when Reb suddenly walked out of the kitchen.

I was lost in thoughts when it suddenly occurred to me that Reb didn't argue any further about going out with me which means we were finally about to spend some time together and that thought was enough to lighten my mood and forget about all other things. I immediately walked out of the kitchen to grab the keys of the car.

Just when I was about to reach and grab the car keys someone passed by me and grabbed them before I could. I turned around and found Reb standing there with the car keys. "I'm driving, period," she said and went ahead. I just stood rooted at my place and a smile made its way on my face when I thought about our old times. Minutes later, Reb turned around; probably when she realized that I wasn't coming and asked, "What?" I know I must have looked like a fool smiling or rather smirking like that but I can't help it comes on automatically. "I don't mind you driving my car. In fact, I love the idea." I said to cover up for my stupid smirk and started walking. But then she suddenly held out the keys for me to see and gave me a menacing look. "Uh, sorry. I thought you took my keys to tease me like you used to do every time we went out together." I let out rubbing the back of my head feeling embarrassed about it.

"Were you always this lame and I didn't notice it before or is this your new way of picking up girls? Whatever it is I don't have time for all this. Now hurry up and get your sorry a.s.s inside the car. I'm taking my car just so you know." she said and start walking without looking back at me. That was like the fifth time in the day when she said such words to me and even this time, she didn't look my way she had her eyes towards her car while saying this. But I let it slip too, the only thing that mattered to me at that moment was that she said her first complete sentence to me in all these years even if it was a rude one. I had my mind on the things I would say to Reb on the way to get her to forgive me so that I could win the bet when she says yes. I was already getting excited about winning the bet.

Just when she was about to get into the car I said, "I'm so happy today Reb. I can't tell you how much I missed." "It's Rebecca for you" she didn't let me finish and cut me off harshly. I couldn't believe my ears. She just denied me to call her by her nickname. What was that? How serious is the matter? I need to find out quick or I'll lose that bet. It would slip right out of my hands. Besides, I don't even remember the last time I called her by that name. She was always Reb to me. What happened? She can't get this angry over such a small thing. This isn't fair. I need to talk to her.

She just got into the car without wasting a minute and started it and I eventually came and sit in the passenger seat right next to her a moment later. She pulled the car out of the driveway and we hit the road.