I don't know what love is but I Love You

Chapter 4

On the way home, Ali called Joe. Since she didn't feel it was a good time for a longer conversation, she told him briefly about the auction of her painting, but decided not to mention the bet with Leo. She also agreed to visit Joe in Berkeley the next weekend. 

When Ali finished her phone conversation, Mia asked her if she would like to sleep over at her place. Mia explained that her father was on duty at the hospital, Rebecca had gone to visit her parents, and Joe was staying in Berkeley for the weekend, so she'd feel more comfortable having company. Ali agreed without hesitation, and the girls drove to her house to pick up some clothes and other necessary items. In the meantime, they decided to order pizza and watch a movie on Netflix.

After arriving at Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie's house, Ali carried her things to Mia's room, which was on the second floor. As she walked down the stairs, she heard Mia talking to someone. From a distance, she saw a young man with an Italian type of beauty.

The pizza delivery guy,  Ali thought as she walked into the kitchen, but he and Mia must know each other well because the conversation takes much longer than usual when someone is delivering food.

"Leo is coming for dinner the day after tomorrow. Father told me not to come back until you promise to come too," he said, handing Mia two boxes of pizza.

"I'll definitely come," Mia replied, adding, "Victor, how much do I owe you for the pizza?"

He waved his hand, got on the scooter, and drove away.

Mia closed the door and went into the kitchen. That's when Ali saw that she was very pale.

"Are you all right?" asked Ali worriedly, taking the pizza boxes from Mia.

"Yes, yes. Too much excitement for one day. Besides, I'm hungry as a wolf, the last time I ate was in the morning," Mia said, sitting down on a chair.

Ali poured two glasses of water and gave one to Mia. Then she got two plates from the cupboard and put a slice of pizza on each of them. They ate in silence for a while.

"Leo's uncle makes the best pizza in town," Mia said when she recuperated.

Ali looked at the pizza box.

"We order Italian food there too."

"He inherited the place from his father. My mother and Leo's father met there," Mia continued.

"When your mother died, did Leo move in with his father?" asked Ali.

"No, Leo never met his father, just like I never met..." Mia's voice began to sound shaky.

Ali hugged Mia tightly and said softly, "It's so unfair. I am so sorry this happened to you."

After a while, Mia continued with her story.

"You know, I am really grateful that Rebecca came into my and my dad's life. I am glad  they are happy together and I know that without her, I would not have known anything about my mom."

Ali waited in silence for the rest of the story. Mia took a sip of water and continued.

"My mom and Rebecca had been friends since high school. When my mom died, Rebecca couldn't imagine not helping my father take care of me, even though she had a two-year-old son. She's never told us anything about Joe's father.  After mom's death, Leo moved in with our grandparents. At first, they wanted to take us both in, but they decided it would be better for me to stay with my dad. Grandpa was very anxious for Leo and me to have a good relationship. When I was about three years old, Rebeca and Joe came to live with us. Joe and Leo never liked each other. Leo was jealous because Joe had me every day. And you know Joe well enough to know that crazy and unpredictable Leo, is not someone Joe would like to be friends with."

Ali smiled and nodded her head as a sign that she agreed with Mia. Then she looked at her smartphone screen.

"It's getting late. We will watch the movie next time, but now we should go to bed."

Mia remembered that she had another busy day tomorrow, so she agreed with Ali that it was a good idea to go to sleep.