Chapter 28

I stepped out of the bathroom after a shower, drying my hair with a towel. Just as I sat down on the bed, my phone began to ring, and I reached for it on the nightstand to check who's calling. Mom.

I picked the call with a smile on my face. “Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, Honey. How was your day?” Her soft voice filled my ear, making me miss her more.

“Great. The presentation was today. Though I was scared, but we nailed it. We had another team join ours, and that helped too.” I said, excitedly. “For the first time since I've been there, I walked through the school's compound with…” My sentences stop short.

My face and neck heated up as I remembered walking with Mason. I want to share it with my parents but I'm scared of Dad's reaction, and I'm sure he's lingering around mom. Else I would have told her about it.

Moments like this make me feel alone.

“Honey, that's amazing. Your Dad is busy right now, but I'm sure he's listening in. He'll have to call you back later.”

Of course, he is. I snorted silently.

“Oh wait. Here he comes.” Mom said.

“Munchkin.” Dad's voice booms. “You nailed the presentation?” He asked, but it felt like a statement so I nodded with a smile, even though he couldn't see me.

“Of course sweetheart. She's our daughter.” Mom gushed.

“You did well, munchkin. Dad's proud of you. Did you celebrate with your friends?” He asked.

“No. It was a long day, and I just got out of the shower.”

“Okay. But you should celebrate this. No win is a small one. I'm so happy this evening, but I'll be happier if I could see you though.”. His voice is evident that he misses me. “Is everything good over there? How's it going? How are you?”

He always asks these questions on our phone calls, as though he wants to make sure I'm really okay. That was why it was so hard for me to tell him about the incident on my first night here. I don't want him to worry, and I don't want him to drag me out of California.

But then, I realized the longer I keep it from him, the more hurt he will be when he eventually gets to know about it. I don't want to hurt him, but I want to finish my program here. It's my lifelong desire.

“I miss you, and mom.” At least, I'm not lying about my feelings. “I'm really happy here.” I told him, as Mason's earlier statement rang in my head.

“That's what I need to hear, munchkin.” Dad said, and I smiled. “Wait a minute, the pizza guy is here.” He handed the phone to mom, and I heard him walk to the front door.

I can imagine them having a romantic movie date at home. I hope I'll have what they have when I get married. My parents are an example of the saying - Love never does with time.

“Honey,” mom’s voice echoes in my ear again. “Are you not going to tell me about it?” She whispered, making me wonder. “Who is the guy? Is he your course mate?”

Her questions shocked me to the core, and I almost dropped my phone.

“Wwhat?” I stuttered, trying my best to hide my nervousness. “What do you mean, mom?” I faked a laugh.

“Come on, honey.” Mom sighed, still keeping her voice down. “I am your mother. Do you like him?” She asked softly.

Damn. Now that she has said it, I don't know what to say anymore. Mason has turned my world upside down.

“So does he make you happy?” She asked in an assuring tone, even though I can pick on eagerness from it.

Oh my God. Mom makes me even more speechless.

Never underestimate a mother's intuition, Happy.

“Happiness,” She sighed again. Her tone is gentle and understanding. “It's okay. You can tell me everything. I want to hear more about this guy.”

“This guy?” Dad's voice suddenly interrupts, and I almost have a heart attack. “What are you two talking about? Who is this guy?” Dad asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

I can imagine a frown on his lips.

“Pizza guy.” I exclaimed suddenly. “I ordered pizza too, Dad. To celebrate. And he's here outside my door.”

Dad went silent, but then he said, “Really?” His protective mode is on.

I gulped. “Yes Dad.” Even though I know he's not fully convinced. But before he could say anything else anymore, I quickly said. “I gotta get the pizza now, Dad. Bye. I love you.”

And with that, I hung up. I sighed then stood up to start my evening skin care routine before going back to bed.

I'm applying my body lotion when my first time with Mason crossed my mind again. Heat travels to every inch of my body each time I remember.

I can't deny that my first time hurt, but feeling Mason's embrace was beyond anything I could explain. To be one with him means everything to me. I still can't believe I'm the one by his side. Even though I still have doubts, I want him.

Sometimes, it feels like a dream. For an ordinary girl like me to be with Mason feels like a dream. I never thought I would have a desire as fierce as this to be a beautiful woman.

A knock on my door snaps me out of my thoughts. “Happiness.” It's Mason's voice.

“Come in.”

The moment Mason opens the door and sees me in only my bras and panties did I realize what was happening. I let him into my room while I'm still half naked.

Damn, Happy. What were you thinking about?

Mason stopped short and closed the door behind him. Even though he's seen me naked before, it seems like he was still taken aback.

I don't know what to do. Hiding my body from him sounds stupid, but I turned my back on him regardless.

“I, uhm, I just finished taking a shower.” I stuttered, trying to make him see why I invited him in while half naked. I poured the lotion on my palm before applying it to my leg.

Please Happy, don't say anything stupid.

I tend to blurt out silly things when I'm nervous.

I heard Mason's footsteps approaching me, and my heart beat faster. Tomorrow is the weekend so we'll be spending a lot of time together.

I look forward to it, especially now that I'm ready to take what's between us to the next level. But then, why are my palms so sweaty, and heart beating so fast like this?

We're alone in my bedroom, and I can't help but think about what we did the last time we were in a room together.

He sat on the bed, close to me but I'm not facing him yet. I don't know how to act in this moment, so I kept myself busy with applying the lotion to my skin.

“Let me help you put it on your back.” He whispered close to my ear, sending shivers down my spine. He took the lotion from me, and began helping me with it. I felt him applying it to my back, be stopped when he reached the clasp of my bra.

After a few seconds of excruciating silence, he pulled the clasp tightly but not enough to unfasten it. He releases his hands and began applying lotion to my shoulders. He even massaged my shoulders, and I moaned, feeling good.

He placed open-mouthed kisses on my neck and shoulders. The feeling of his mouth on my skin lit my body on fire. He sucked on the skin on my neck gently, and I tilted my head to give him more access.

“Mason,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. My heart raced as his hands moved down my arms, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stop him or let this moment consume me entirely.

“Happy,” he murmured against my neck, his voice low and rough. “You make it impossible for me to stay away.”

My breath hitched as he turned me around to face him. His hands rested on my waist, his touch both firm and gentle. His gaze burned into mine, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.