For Better or For Worse

Chapter 8---Velvet Box

Mia's P.O.V.

An hour later my doorbell rang. Was it him? Maybe not. He'd usually call or text me when he's already near.

I went to the door and saw the mailman with a huge box. Did my mom really send this much decorations for the house? I was excited to see what's inside.

"Good evening, Miss Cordova." he said with a smile.

"Yes, good evening to you too." and he handed me the clipboard and asked me to sign on it. "This is from my mom, right?"

"Yes. Apparently, your parents have been too eager to send this right away...as soon as possible they said." he said as I handed the clipboard back.

"I apologize for keeping you guys up late for work."

"Don't think about it, miss. It's our work and we never complain. And I thank your family for everything they did to help mine." he said cheerfully.

I just laughed. "Here's something to return the favor of keeping you late." I offered some cash to him and I see his widened eyes.

He shook his head. "I can't accept that huge amount, miss."

"I insist--"

"We can't."

"It's late. A little extra can't hurt, right?"

"...well if you--"

"I insist." I said with a smile. I handed him the money and he accepted it.

"Thank you. It was nice working with you. Good evening." he said as he left.

"Thanks again!" when he left, I was alone with the huge box. I carried it to the living room. Thank God it was light!.

I got a cutter and before I knew it, I opened the box. On top was an envelope. It was labeled as:

'Tuition Fee Money'

After that I see decorations. Cobwebs, spiders, fake tombstones...did my mom really mean the word 'glamorous' by sending these decorations? Then when I got to the bottom, I saw the more useful. It consisted of yards of fabric, bead works, masks and my personal favorite, the liquid Nitrogen. Not only for display but also great for desserts like, ice cream! I should get a scoop--wait! No, Mia! Don't let the cravings give in. It'll ruin your appetite.

A few minutes later my doorbell rang. Again? I opened one door and I saw Ma-an holding another box and she was with her boyfriend, Greg. Oh yeah, she said she'll drop off my dress. I let them in but Ma-an was staring creepily at me.

"Mia...is that you?" she asked. Did I look like someone else?

"No, it's your mom." I played along.

"It's Mia, Ma-an. Now snap out of it before I kiss you again." he said as he started to embrace her.

"OKAY! NO MAKING OUT INSIDE MY HOUSE!" I pulled them apart. Darn, PDA.

"It's just that, she changed." Ma-an still staring at me.

"It's still me, Ma-an!" I hugged her so tight.

"You're glowing!" she added.

"Okay, stop flattering me and let me have my dress." I demanded and she gave it to me. I placed the box on my sofa.

"You're not gonna look at it or try it on yet?" she asked me.

"I'll try it on tomorrow."

"So, Mia, who's the first victim?" Greg chuckled. Really, Greg? Victim already? Hello?! I just knew the guy for, oh I don't know, a day?! And besides, I'm not yet ready for that kind of thing.