Chapter 18 The Sapphire Engagement Ring.

Kiaria

My hands were clapsed tightly on my lap as Io drove us to my mother's bistro. I was nervous, extremely nervous that I thought I was going to faint. I glanced at Io to see if he was nervous. His face showed a determination I had once seen when he was in my bedroom trying to woo me into being his. He was all concentration and was determined to get what he wanted. I silently wished I felt the same. But this was my mother we were talking about. I mean, she didn't even want me to date until I was older and now I'm going to tell her I'm getting married to a man I just met?! She'll go ballistic!

When I was in high school, there were times I did something I knew my mother would not approve of, so I would hide at my dad's workplace. I would go to his office which I hardly ever did, so he immediately knew something was up. I would tell him what I did and after a lecture, he would have me do my schoolwork at his office before we went home. At home, after telling my mom what I had done, I would receive a tongue-lashing from her while my dad would try to negotiate a more lenient punishment on my behalf. Honestly, the disappointment I would see on my mother's face was punishment enough for me every single time. She would go on and say I was smart and beautiful, a perfect young woman, so she expected great things from me.

I would always chide myself after, knowing my mother was right. However, I argued with that litte voice inside my head; I was just only human and it wasn't right to just let all the other kids hurt me. I never did anything wrong to them to ever merit such treatment. So as hard as I tried to ignore them, I would get back at them. Especially when they spoke ill of my parents.

I could never wish for better parents. They were always there for me. As a small child, my mother would always keep me beside her. So when it was time for me to enter school, she suffered from separation anxiety. I remember my first day of school, the bell rung and I was ushered into my classroom by my teacher, but she wouldn't let go of my hand. My dad had to literally pry her hand from mine and when she finally let go of me, I saw the tears in her eyes. She was scared to let me go.

She eventually got past being clingy to give me some space so I could grow. I was a model student in grade school and middle school but when high school came, the hormones kicked in.

I didn't like being bullied nor did I like other kids calling my mom and dad 'my fake parents' or making fun of my Asian mother using really appalling words most especially when it was a scrawny, pimple-faced, color-blind boy making fun of my mother. So I would get even, making sure they knew it was me each time. I would make sure I was a stone's throw away to see what damage my prank had done them, so all "my victims" knew it was me.

I would sometimes place a rotten piece of fruit in their locker or trip them in the cafeteria when they weren't looking at where they were going because they were too busy getting the juicy details of this week's gossip or drop whiteboard marker ink on their essay. I did have some help though. Selene, who apparently was the voice inside my head, helped me with my pranks. I wouldn't have timed everything so perfectly if it weren't for her.

Sometimes I went too far. There was this one time in gym class, in the middle of a game of hockey where I swung at a girl who was spreading a rumor that my parents had embezzled money which was the reason why we were so rich. She was actually a part of my team and when the puck managed to go her way, I ran towards her and swung, not at the puck, but at her butt. She fell forwards face first on the shiny gym floor. I was called in by our principal to explain why I had done something uncalled for. I lied and said I made a huge miscalculation when I swung. She didn't believe me, but because I was one of her best students, I was only given detention for a month instead of a suspension. The principal told me if I ever physically harm another student again, I would be expelled.

Of course, I had to tell my parents of my predicament. After I explained my side to my mother, she didn't speak to me for a whole week even if I tried to make it up to her.

"Kiaria, so what if she's spreading rumors. You know it isn't true," my mom said angrily. "Why did you have to swing at her with a hockey stick? Good thing nothing happened to her face. If something did, you would have been expelled."

"Mom, you don't understand. I have to live with the whispers at school every single day. And I can't believe you would take her side. She's badmouthing you and Dad!"

"You're right. What she did to me and your father is awful, but you are no better, young lady. I raised you better than this, Kiaria. I expect more from you."

For the rest of that school year, I behaved. I decided to volunteer and help out with my mom's soup kitchen. When my dad needed volunteers to distribute relief packs to people displaced by wildfires, I quickly offered my help. Good thing I did. Some of those families had kids that went to my school. So during my last couple of years in school, when rumors circulated about me, they would defend me and tell people I'm better than the rest of them

I did continue seeking revenge from the jerks in high school, but I kept it PG-13. The last prank I pulled off was giving a love letter to the scrawny boy who always made fun of my mom and making him think it was from the girl he really liked. When he approached her at lunch and said, "I like you too and would love to go out on a date with you," she took one look at him and loudly said, "ME?! GO OUT WITH YOU?! OVER MY DEAD AND GORGEOUS BODY, LOSER!" He didn't come to school for a couple of days after the humiliation and kept his head down low hoping people would forget. But we were in high school...no one forgets something as embarrassing as that.

Io maneuvered the car into the parking lot of my mom's bistro and parked beside my dad's car. I inhaled and exhaled deeply. "Think of it like taking off a band-aid, Kiaria. Tell her quickly. Whatever she'll say will sting a little, but it will all work out in the end," I said to myself as I sat there nervous and scared. Io took out a small velvet box from his pocket then he gently grabbed my left hand and slipped off the cute little plastic ring he gave me earlier.

"Why are you taking off my engagement ring?" I asked him.

"Because I have a better one for you. Well, better suited to face your mother. Every time I mention your mother, you look so upset. I know her opinion matters to you, so before we go in and tell your mother, I'd like to give you a proper engagement ring. Something she can fawn over." He opened the box and took out a ring with a velvety blue sapphire, the color was just like his eyes. He slipped it on my ring finger and I was surprised it was a perfect fit. I raised my hand to take a look at it.

"It's...It's...stunning," was all I said. I couldn't find the right words to describe it. Saying it was beautiful wasn't enough. "What I really want to say is it's perfect. Thank you, Io."

"Well, thank you for agreeing to be my mate," he replied, winking at me. "No backsies. Now it's time we face your mother. Come on." He exited the car while Marcus opened my door.

"Luna," he said, bowing his head low.

"Hi Marcus! I didn't notice you were following us." I smiled at him and got out of the car. He smiled at me.

"Stealth is a requirement of my job, Luna," Marcus explained. "I should be where you are or at least know where you and Alpha Io are at all times. If I am not with you, rest assured I am nearby to assist you in anyway I can."

"That sounds a whole lot like slavery," I whispered to him. "I hope you're paid well."

"I am well taken care of, Luna. If you may please follow Alpha," he gestured for me to follow Io. He noticed I hesitated and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Luna. If the Moon Goddess wills it, it will happen without any obstacles." He moved his eyebrows to the side towards where Io stood. I inhaled deeply, took Io's hand and led them to the entrance of the bistro. I paused and inhaled and exhaled quickly. It was time to tell my parents.

I felt like an inmate on death row. As I pushed the door of the entrance, I looked up at Io for reassurance. He gave me a dazzling smile and I saw his love for me in his eyes. I smiled back. I have found my strength.

I entered the bistro, a bit more confident. It was time to face my mother.