Maybe

Chapter 58 Bite it

The morning was peaceful until Mom decided to bring up the topic I had been avoiding, like the plague. 

"Why do you keep ignoring these dates, hmm?" she asked, her voice sharp but layered with concern. "You're not getting any younger, and these aren't just random people."

"I'm just not feeling it," I replied casually, shrugging as if it wasn't a big deal.

Mom raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Not feeling it? You're not even giving them a chance! You can't just avoid relationships forever."

I took a sip of my coffee, letting the warmth calm my nerves. "I'm not avoiding relationships forever, Mom. I just haven't met the right person yet."

"And you think the right person is going to magically fall into your lap while you're busy avoiding perfectly decent people?" she countered, crossing her arms.

I bit back a smirk, trying to maintain my composure. "Maybe. You never know." I glance at Ethan, who was leaning on the kitchen counter, perhaps looking for something to eat. then I hear mom laghing. It was almost theatrical, and I could tell she was reaching the end of her patience. "This isn't a joke. These are serious, good matches. People with stable jobs, good families, and actual goals in life."

"Sounds like you're ready to marry them yourself," I quipped, unable to resist poking at her intensity.

"Don't be ridiculous," she snapped, narrowing her eyes at me. "I'm just trying to help you avoid another disaster like Daniel. You deserve better."

"I know I do," I said firmly, setting my mug down. "And I'll know it when I see it. Until then, I'm fine. Trust me, I'm not rushing into anything."

Mom's face softened slightly, though her frustration still lingered. "You're so stubborn," she muttered under her breath. "Fine. But don't come crying to me when you realize you've missed your chance."

I smiled faintly, knowing that was her way of relenting for now. As she walked away, I couldn't help but think about Ethan and the chaos he brought into my life. He wasn't anything like the "stable matches" Mom had in mind, but he was real in a way that none of those dates had ever been.

Maybe that was why I kept ignoring them. Or maybe, deep down, I knew my heart was already preoccupied.

In the midst of Mom's endless fussing, Ethan was leaning casually against the kitchen counter, munching on an apple like he didn't have a care in the world. His relaxed demeanor stood in stark contrast to the tension in the air, but I wasn't fooled. I could see the faint twitch of his lips and the barely concealed amusement in his eyes. He was biting down a smile, clearly enjoying the show.

"Why don't you say something, Ethan?" Mom finally turned her attention to him, throwing her hands up. "She never listens to me. Maybe she'll listen to you!"

He paused mid-bite, glancing at me with a raised eyebrow, as if silently asking for permission to meddle. I shot him a glare that screamed, don't you dare.

Ethan smirked, his tone nonchalant. "Ms. Nina doesn't listen to anyone, I've tried."

I rolled my eyes, but Mom was having none of his laid-back attitude. "That's not helpful!" she snapped, throwing him an irritated look. "You two are so alike it's infuriating!"

Ethan shrugged, unbothered, and took another bite of his apple. "Maybe that's why we get along so well," he said, his voice light but teasing.

Mom's face was a mix of frustration and disbelief as she turned back to me. "Leave me alone, Mom," I said, my tone sharper than I intended. "I'll handle my own life, okay?"