Chapter 4

Today is the day Alex and I agreed to meet with my family.

After the whole drama with his mom, followed by the apology, I sent a message to him last night that he should meet with my family too.

I have a beautiful family who lives In the rural part of California.

My mom had to work her ass off to ensure a good life for me and now that I can take care of myself, she still has to take care of my little sister.

That woman is strong.

Ever since my father's death, she didn't give any man a chance in her life until recently.

She raised me as a single mother.

She met Thomas about 5 years ago and gave birth to baby Ivy 3years after. Ivy is such a cute kid and honestly, Thomas is an amazing stepdad too.

It hurts him to know that I don't consider him my dad but the love just doesn't fill in.

Don't get me wrong, I have a good relationship with Thomas and we talk a lot.

sometimes, I tell him stuff I couldn't even share with my Mother.

That is how close we are.

My phone begins to vibrate on my lap, snapping me back to reality.

Shit! it's almost 12.

Alex and I agreed to meet at his office at 12 on dot.

He would have loved to come to pick me up but he had a meeting to attend earlier this morning and his driver has a personal issue to attend to, leaving me to myself.

Knowing how much Alex loved to keep to time, I rushed down the stairs to call a taxi outside.

I got to Alex's office Fifteen minutes past 12. He was just coming out from the meeting room so I guess I didn't keep him waiting after all.

He looked angry and I could tell the meeting did not go as he had expected. It is either his employees have a weak presentation or something else is bothering him.

Either way, I know he wouldn't go easy on his workers.

I found myself thanking God on behalf of his employees that he is going out, if not, most of them would cry home.

It took him a few minutes before he noticed my presence and he dissolve the conversation he was having almost immediately to come to me.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, he apologised".

" Not a problem, I just got here too".

"Are you ready, or you would like to take a rest in my office first?

" Nah, if you have nothing to attend to anyone, then let's get going."

He lead me to the car park with that being said and opened the passenger seat for me, while I make myself comfortable.

I entered the address on GPS and took a nap, while he drives.

My schedule crashed last night, so I had to stay up all night to meet up with my deadline knowing I'd be busy today too. so that leaves me here tired and sleepy.

Alex shake me lightly in an attempt to wake me when we reach our destination.

I smiled at the view of the neighbourhood.

I haven't been here in 6months. It's now I realized how much I had missed my mom and ivy.

Alex parked his car in front of mom's apartment calmly, but I can see the look of discomfort in his eye. I didn't bother to comment since I am so eager to meet my family

I drag him to the door while I ring the bell.

surprisingly, it was Ivy that opened the door, along with Thomas

"Vivian! Ivy jumped in delight

Look how grown my baby is, I said, looking at her adorably.

Thomas interrupts how little-make-up as he pulls me into a hug.

"It feels good to have you around again"

"Yeah, I missed you guys! guess this is the longest I stayed away from home."

"Yeah it is"

"where is mom?"

"In the kitchen, making your favourite dish."

"Aww, I miss that woman."

"Who is this young man, by the way, Thomas asked."

"Pardon my manners, Thomas, this is Alex, my fiance."

Thomas reached out to Alex for a handshake.

"Nice meeting you, he said"

"my pleasure" Alex spoke for the first time since we entered.

I took it as a cue to leave the men to do some introduction while I took Ivy to the kitchen to join mom.

Hey mom, I said smiling from ear to ear knowing how much she must have missed me.

"Darling! she said as she pulls me into a hug.

I have been waiting all day to see my girl

"And here I am mom.

What is the smell of this delicacy, can't wait to taste them?

"I prepared your favourite, chicken fried steaks, soup and salad, apple pie and chocolate cake for dessert."

"Geez mom, isn't that too much?

"Not when you will be eating my food for the first time in 6months.

"Aww, I love you, mom."

"So, who was the lucky man you brought home?"

"Well, it's Alexander Bills. I'm sure you must have heard about him or the Bills family."

"What?

The Bills?

As in, the same Bills that we all know?

"Mom! Don't be discouraged about someone because of a rumour. Alex is a good man. I can't say the same about his family though but Alex is amazing."

"Are you sure about this?

I heard the news recently about how the Bills embarrass a lady at a party or so. That family is infamous.

Are you sure about this?"

"Mom, I know all of these things and I am the lady from the news. And to be honest, I wasn't exactly polite to his mom too and we have settled it"

"You know I want the best for you right?"

"Certainly mom"

"I'd give him a trial to prove himself.

but then again, I am only doing this for your happiness.

I don't want anything to do with those filthy rich."

"Can you at least be nice to him for my sake?

he is a good man."

"Nice?

definitely, but I won't tolerate any form of disrespect."

"Thank you mom, I love you."

"I love you too.

now, help me set the table."

I helped mom in setting the table and once we are done, I called Thomas and Alex to join us while mom help Ivy to sit comfortably.

I couldn't read the expression on either Thomas or Alex's faces so I couldn't tell if they are getting along or if they have a bad impression of each other already.

We all eat in silence until mom decided to break the silence.

"So, You are Alex."

"Yes ma'am."

"I've heard a lot about you."

Alex remains silent while mom carries on with the conversation.

"What are your intentions for my daughter?"

"I intend to marry her if you would give us your blessing."

Vivian finds the tone Alex was using annoying but she chooses to ignore it.

"You know your family's reputation don't you?"

"of course, I do."

"How does your family feels about her?"

"They are fine, I suppose."

"you suppose?

What do you mean by that?

I heard about what your mom did, so how come you are not saying anything?"

"What happened that night was a mere misunderstanding. I can assure you that such wouldn't happen again."

"Should I believe your words?"

"You should. I'm known to be a man of my words."

"Good."

With that being said, everyone kept quiet. I begin to feel discomfort because this is not what I had imagined. And to be honest, Alex isn't helping either with his cold attitude.

I know he is not used to being in a small house and all but really, does he have to make it so obvious that he is not comfortable? I hope mom didn't notice this or chose to ignore it.

once we are done eating, I helped mom in cleaning the dishes, leaving Alex and Thomas alone in the living room.

I seriously hope this ends up well. I didn't hear any noise or mom raising her voice so I felt relieved. the first sign that mom is angry, she raises her voice.

once I'm done cleaning the kitchen, I went back to the sitting room to join them, only to find Ivy playing innocently with Alex's suit. The look he gave her was that of a dirty look as if she was bigger.

Of course, mom noticed and so does Thomas. I tried to carry baby Ivy to clear the tension but it was too late. mom flared up.

"Alex? I have a question".

"Go ahead, ma'am".

"Do you not know Vivian's family background when you choose to come here or you are just here to finish what your mother started?"

"I don't think I get your point"

"of course not! I don't know why you are here, neither do I care but one thing a can assure you is you will not get what you want by being disrespectful to my family. The only reason I'm trying to welcome you is because of Vivian not because of your wealth or whosoever you think you are. So don't favour and leave my tiny house right now and go look for your mansion where you belong.

" I'm sorry but I think there's a misunderstanding here"

"Of course, there is and it lies in your expression. You can't come to my house and start treating my family like scorn. If anything, you are not wanted here.

" Mom" I tried to intervene.

"You would stay out of this Vivian, I raised you better".

"But mom, he didn't do anything wrong"

"Oh! so it's until he expresses himself verbally that you get how low he thinks of us?"

"Mom!"

"No mom girl.

You are my daughter don't know how valuable you worth. If he can't respect you and your family for who you are, then he doesn't deserve you.

I'm not going to accept him. You deserve better".

Alex didn't utter a word as he picks up his car key and walked out but his expression says it all.

He would have probably said something ridiculous if she wasn't in my room. I didn't know what happened when I was in the kitchen but one thing I know is mom wouldn't have been so angry if he had not annoyed her.

I followed immediately after Alex just so that he wouldn't leave angrily but honestly, I wish I didn't.

" Alex, wait up" I shouted.

I'm sorry about my mom, she's just protective of us"

"Isn't that how the lowlife behave?"

"excuse me?

Did I just hear you say, lowlife?

" Isn't that the attitude your mom and stepdad portrayed?"

"Ah! lowlife? really? my mother Alex! did you just call my mom a low life?"

"look, I know the whole idea of coming here is wrong but I did it to make you happy. The least you can do is try to control your Family."

"Oh! I see as you did with yours right?"

"Stop being a hypocrite Vee.

At least my mom had a reason to be angry but what is your mom's excuse?

She is just an aggressive poor woman."

"Wait, I'm confused.

Did I at any point in time fake my identity about being some rich kid?

"No, why?"

"So right from time, you knew I wasn't up to your standard yet, you choose to go out with me."

There we go again!

"First, it was your mother, now you!

I'm so done with your insanity.

Just because we are not as rich as you are or even popular doesn't give you the right to look down on us.

No, we are not beggars. We work hard to get what we want. If anything, we deserve respect from you but since you didn't have it in you to respect either me or my family, I'm putting an end to whatever this is.

I must have been getting ahead of myself by thinking maybe our story will be different.

Can we never come across each other again?

"Just because I like you doesn't mean I'll keep taking your shits. If you think I'll apologise to you later or try to settle things, then you are wrong."

"I have no intention of getting back either."

"I hate to admit that you poor people are the same low minded creature."

with that being said, he entered his car and drive off. Motherfucker.

I went back inside and apologize to my mom for his action and returned home. I had intentions of spending the night before but not anymore. I am so mad at myself right now for allowing someone to walk down on my family