Chapter four- Late movie night

I dropped Lauretta off at the nearest bus stop while apologizing for like the thousandth time. "I'm sorry once again, Laurie... I would have dropped you off at home, but-"

"I know, love. And for the thousandth time, I said it's alright... you weren't supposed to come this way at all but you did anyway just so you could drop me off at my bus stop." She stated gratefully, opening the backdoor to grab her handbag. "I'll call you when I get home." She said after she had closed the door. I gave her a quick nod, "You better do, bye girl!"

I pulled up at the restaurant almost thirty minutes late because I took a detour but I knew Lee would understand. I had called him during lunch break to change our venue for hanging out since my big mouth had told mama about his new girlfriend. We could have gone straight to his house but he had wanted us to get dinner first since he was a horrible cook and I was too tired to whip us something.

"Mwah!" I planted a big kiss on his cheek and settled heavily into my seat. "Oh good. You ordered, what would I do without you?" I murmured absentmindedly, eyeing the tasty quesadillas before me.

Lee chuckled, a deep baritone sound that made me look up at him in irritation. "It's obvious you'd starve without me." He stated cheekily as I rolled my eyes, digging into my meal.

Lee was blasian; half black, half Asian in case you didn't know what that meant, and I must say he really got the best of both worlds... the looks ladies on other tables threw our way was enough indication, but Lee being Lee... always oblivious and a little stupid (Nah, I'm just kidding), he barely noticed.

Properly looking at him now, I realized he looked really tired. "You look tired, Lee. How's work?" I asked with concern. He shrugged nonchalantly leaning back in his seat. "Peachy, I guess?" He answered... more like asked. He was a doctor at the [St. James Hospital]... Yeah, I know I know, good looking and with brains too, but luckily... he has me to keep his ego in check.

We finished our food amidst conversation, and I drove him home.(He always left his car at the hospital when he was too tired to drive.)

I had two hours to spare before I had to head home so we decided to watch a movie or two.

It was way too early to head home and I knew mama would be waiting, filled with extra energy to stress up my life some more... especially when I had failed to return home with her new target; Liam who had at the moment passed out on the couch.

This guy...

Who was I going to watch the movie with?

I know I was supposed to consider that he had had a busy day saving lives at the hospital, but I had saved his ass too!!

I had saved him from mama's endless torture, while giving up my cozy bed and comfy clothes in the process, and at this point I was too far gone to see reason.

I inched closer to him, leaning in silently and then I let out a blood curdling scream.

Childish, I know...

But it did the trick.

My poor bestie shot out of the couch like NASA had launched him into space... the sight so hilarious, I just had to double over in laughter, holding my sides as I shook uncontrollably. Lee looked at me in sleepy irritation, if that's even a word. "That's not funny Mia, I wouldn't do that to you." He muttered, still glaring at me.

I snorted. "You'd totally do the same thing, and admit it... it was hilarious!"

I watched as his face morphed from being irritated to being slightly amused when he begrudgingly conceded. "Yeah it was, and see how I'm easily admitting it Mia?... I don't want you doing otherwise when it's payback time because I'm definitely going to get you for this." He stated calmly with a smirk.

Honestly what was it with guys and smirks?

I did the only thing that came to mind in that moment; stick my tongue out like a child.

Lee laughed, "You're such a baby sometimes Mia." He breathed out, his broad shoulders shaking with mirth when I threw a couch pillow at him and missed.

I got up from the couch and chased after him. "Hey! Take that back!" I whined, following him to his room and collapsing on his bed in a huff when he ran into the bathroom and locked the door behind him. "I'LL JUST TAKE A QUICK SHOWER AND BE RIGHT OUT IN A JIFF ALRIGHT, BABY?!" I heard him holler but I ignored him, a small smile on my face. I don't know but it made me happy how despite us growing old, we still took some time off to indulge our immature side once in a while.

******

Two hours had turned into five, and as I drove home, I realized that hanging out on a weekday hadn't obviously been one of my brightest ideas.

In fact, I could practically see myself arrive at work late... Marie shooting daggers at me as I walked to my office and the illusion was enough to make me cringe. My ringing phone brought me back to my senses... glancing at the caller ID, I winced sourly.

Dad.

I answered the phone, my voice automatically taking on a sweet saccharine tone. "Hello Daddy!"

"Where are you Mia?" I heard him ask worriedly,

"I was at Lee's. He was supposed to come over but something came up." I briefly explained.

Of course, mama was the "something" that had come up, but I definitely wasn't going to tell him that.

Dad loved me... loved us alright, but we all knew that his allegiance lay with mama and that he wouldn't hesitate to rat us out if that meant saving his ass.

"Is mama with you?" I asked tentatively, sighing in relief when he said no and continued that she had gone to bed early. He laughed at my relief, trying really hard to take on a serious tone. "Now, you better hurry up and get your ass home, girl." He scolded.

"I'll be home in fifteen." I assured him and hang up, turning on the radio, and humming along all the way home.

****

"Evening dad." I greeted, sitting beside him and giving him a side hug with my left hand, my right taking care of getting my stubborn heels off.

"Evening honey, how was your day?" he asked, placing his phone on the table in front of the couch, and turning to me, giving me his full attention.

I sighed dramatically, and began the spice-added tale of how my day went. "You have no idea what happened today..."