angel baby (heavy editing)

22.0

Chris exited his room and walked slowly to the living room where Kathy sat with his mother. When he got closer, they noticed him. His mother immediately stood and went to him.
“Chris, baby, are you feeling better?”
He didn’t answer her. He was still upset. Instead he said,
“I’m hungry”
Lia sighed. He never understood why she did that so much.
“Come, we were waiting for you”
She pulled him to sit and walked towards the kitchen area. Chris sat and faced Kathy who frowned at him. He frowned back.
“You’re such a baby. Throwing a tantrum without listening to mom's side of the story. Mom also shared good news which I won't tell you by the way"
Chris frowned at her, fighting the urge to hit her.
"Kathy stop riling your brother up. You know how hard it is for him",
Lia arrived a few seconds later, two plates of food in hand. She set it down in front of them and took a sit.
"The big news Kathy's refused to tell you is that we're moving into a new house next house. It's in a better environment and bigger and better than here. Isn't that exciting?"
"No"
"No?"
"But I don't want to move. I like it here"
Why did they have to? He liked it here. He really liked it.
His mother turned to face him grabbing his hands in hers
"I know how sudden this is but it'll be good for you, for us all. It's also closer to my workplace so I'll be able to work extra hours and we could get a better hospital for you. You could be better"
"That's a lie. It's too late for me to get better. I don't want to leave here. We don't have to', he was starting to raise his voice.
Why was she doing this to him?
"Chris"
"Not everything is about you, Chris", Kathy rolled her eyes at him.
"The surgery has made you mean. I don't like it", he blurted out but immediately covered his mouth. Why did he say that?
Kathy widened her eyes so much but her expression muffled to one of amusement. Why was she amused? He had just insulted her.
"This is probably the first time you've insulted me to my face", then her expression turned to one of sadness. What was happening? "They grow up so fast", she seemed to wipe her eyes but Chris didn't see a single tear.
"Sometimes change is good, Chris. I know it's scary but it'll be alright. You'll like it, just like you like your school"
"But I don't want to go", he insisted. He really didn't.
"I know, I know. How about this? If we move, I'll answer all your questions about your father"
Kathy coughed. It didn't sound real, just like what his mother said. It sounded wrong.
"No"
Kathy groaned.
"God, why are you so rigid? Do you really enjoy sharing relief facilities with the other tenants? We're moving mom, I don't care"
"Chris, you have to understand. I-"
The loud knock on the door interrupted his mother's speech.
"This conversation is not over. Change is a good thing"
She stood up and walked towards the door.
"I'll never understand you. It's like you do it on purpose sometimes. What goes on in that head of yours?"
He ignored her. He really didn't want to speak again.
        Lia walked towards the door surprised but also not surprised about Chris' reaction. She could never understand how he would react to new situations. She could tell him about being switched at birth and he wouldn't bat an eyelash but she wasn't about to risk it.
One step at a time.
She opened the door almost irritated that someone had interrupted her family time, ablest tense family time. She thought it was one of her neighbours but the prim and proper women who looked to be in her late 50s or early 60s was no neighbour.  Everything about the woman standing in her presence screamed wealth and sophistication. She fought the urge to slam the door in her face.
The woman looked distinctly familiar and that was not a good thing.
"Can I help you?" She asked when it seemed the woman wouldn't speak first.
"Are you Lia Cameron?"
The woman knew her name. Was she the land lord? This woman looked far too wealthy to own a building like the one she lived in.
"Who's asking?"
Another thought came to her mind. What if she was from Jessica Borghese?
The realization hit her like a train wreck.
"Is he here?"
The strange woman was entering her house before Lia could get her thoughts together.
"Excuse me? I didn't invite you in"
       Chris turned to look at the commotion. There was a strange woman in his house who had her attention on him as she walked further into the house. He fought the urge to bolt.
"Is this him? Is this my grandson?"
"Woman, who the hell do you think you are?"
Kathy stood and Chris followed, moving to stand beside her.
"Mom, what's going on?" Kathy asked her.
What was going on and who was this strange woman?
"Are you Chris?" The strange woman asked again closer now.
"Excuse me? You're not welcomed here. I ask that you leave"
"Why is he looking at me strangely? Haven't you told him the truth?"
"Who the hell are you?" Lia was fuming now. She only repeatedly cursed when she was annoyed.
"I'm Lisa Borghese, mother in law to Jessica Borghese. Wait , don't tell me you haven't told him the truth"
"I'm asking nicely now. Leave before I call the police"
"You haven't told him. What kind of woman are you?"
"Excuse me?"
The strange woman ignored his mother again and looked in his direction.
"You're a spitting image of your father. Come, let's go home"
What was she saying?
"Mom, who's this woman and what is she saying?" Kathy spoke up again.
The strange woman faced her now.
"Since your irresponsible mother hasn't told you the truth, I will. My grandson here was switched at birth and I'm here to put a stop to all this madness and take him home where he belongs"
"My goodness, you are mad!" Lia shouted from behind.
"Please, shut it, I'll come back to you", Lisa's dismissal stunned her into silence.
"Mom? What is she saying?"
"Come Chris, let's go home", she moved closer and that brought Lia back to her dream like reality.
"Leave, Mrs Borghese before I throw you out"
Chris was having an headache. He didn't want this. It was too much. He was running through the front door before anyone could stop him. He heard his mother and the strange woman's voice calling for him but he didn't stop. Suddenly, he hit a wall, or rather a rather hard body that had him stumbling to the floor.
Groaning in discomfort, he looked up to see the last person he would expect.
Oliver.
They didn't speak a word for a few more seconds and continued to stare at each other.
"Want to elope?"
Chris frowned. The question didn't seem real.
"You don't want to be here. I most definitely don't want to be here", he added.
"You're not real", Chris said to him.
A small smile appeared on his lips.
"In a few seconds, your mother and my grandmother are going to come busting through that door and it's going to get uglier. So what do you say? Let's run or you can stay here"
Chris immediately stood up.
"Chris!" He heard his mother's voice calling.
"Come on",
He looked at Oliver one more time and together, they ran.

(A/N: the ship is sailing but not really. On that note, I want to point out that Oliver has been nothing but mean to Chris, a behavior that is not condoned and they're not suddenly going to jump and start making  out and discussing how many babies they want. That being said, enjoy this chapter and thank you for reading this book. I appreciate it)