A Dark Love |Under Construction|

Chapter 16

My mother arrived home and began to tell us about her day while she prepped dinner. She asked about my hair, and I explained that I liked it the way it was, trying to brush off her concern.

She continued to talk, and I nodded in response, but it was mostly Deus conversing with her. I started to feel left out of the conversation, but once dinner was ready, the talking stopped for a brief moment.

We both stared at Deus as he devoured his rare steak, eating with a ferocity that was almost wolf-like. My mother tried to be polite, eyeing me and motioning to Deus, but I just shrugged, unsure of what to do.

Deus, oblivious to the awkwardness, asked for seconds, and my mother happily agreed.

Deus got up and headed for the food, and my mother took a bite of her own dinner, looking excited about something. She finished swallowing and started digging through her purse.

"Honey, I almost forgot to give these to you," she said, her voice filled with anticipation.

I wiped my mouth with a napkin and asked, "Yeah, what is it, Mom?"

She walked back to the table, just as Deus sat down with three more steaks, and I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the sight.

My mother placed a box of condoms in the middle of the table, and I felt my face turn a deep shade of red. I was mortified.

Mom... I'm dead...

The silence that followed was awkwardly long until my mother finally spoke up. "I stopped by to get my prescriptions and decided to get these for you guys. Safe sex is great sex."

I kept my eyes locked onto the condom box, feeling my face grow hotter by the second. I couldn't believe my mother was doing this.

Mom... I wish you knew... how cringy this is...

But Deus, seemingly oblivious to my embarrassment, chimed in with an enthusiastic tone. "Why, you are absolutely right, Ms. Marxx. Thank you so much for caring about us."

I looked at him, confused, wondering how he could be so nonchalant about this. My mother, however, seemed pleased with his response.

"Honey, there is nothing to be ashamed of," she said, noticing my flushed face. "I just want to make sure that both of you are safe."

I tried to end the subject bluntly, almost choking on my words. "Okay, Mom."

I was no longer hungry, my appetite ruined by the awkwardness of the situation. My mother, however, continued to eat, seemingly unaware of my discomfort.

"Deus, will you be spending the night?" she asked, her voice cheerful. "Should I get extra pillows and blankets?"

Deus swallowed a huge bite before answering. "Ms. Marxx, I'd feel like I've overstayed my welcome if I were to spend the night."

I rolled my eyes, hoping no one noticed. But my mother was quick to reassure him. "Nonsense! You absolutely have not overstayed your welcome. Kota and I would love for you to spend the night."

I crossed my arms, looking at Deus with a raised brow. My mother didn't seem to notice my skepticism.

"Thank you very much, Ms. Marxx," Deus said, his voice sincere. "I appreciate everything you've done for me while I'm a guest in your home. I would love to repay the gesture and invite you all to mine."

I raised both eyebrows, trying to picture the house Deus lived in and wondering if he could actually cook. The thought was almost laughable.

As I lay in bed, my mother's voice still lingered in my mind, her words a gentle hum in the background. Deus's response, however, had struck a chord. His parents lived abroad, and he rarely saw them. My mother's offer to be a motherly figure to him had been a touching gesture.