Behind The Mask

Chapter 46

Anouk's POV

"Mom...wow...for real? Wow! Congratulations!"

I sound like a retard, but I'm really happy for her. I hug her tight and I wish that everything works out for her and Wayne.

Michael was patting Wayne on the back and being his usual sweet, generous self. Michael is an amazing person in the fact that he finds his own happiness in seeing other people happy.

"So, apparently we will be one big happy family!" he beams, while we toast with champagne.

"Well, dear, before we order dinner, shall we powder our noses?"

Mom wants to pump confidential stuff out of me, that's clear. We go to the restroom together and make some honest attempts at freshening our makeup.

"You look good, Nooki. For the first time in a long time you look actually...at peace with yourself and happy."

I nod.

"I am happy. You were right, mom. Michael is a good man."

"And he looks completely smitten with you. But I do wonder why you never told him about your diabetes."

"Mom, I didn't want him to become like you, fussy and over-protective. I started really living since I met him. We did things which you'd never let me do for fear of getting hurt. We did jet skiing, and we went in the rollercoaster and...I didn't want him to stop having fun with me because of my diabetes."

"But that's irresponsible! What if you got sick once and he had no idea what to do? Nooki, you cannot do this to people who love you! When you were little and you had your first serious crisis, it felt like the end of the world, even though I knew what I had to do."

"Mom, that's over and done with. Michael knows what he has to do, he insists to give me the insulin shot every other day. Now, let's focus on the event tonight. When do we hear wedding bells?"

"Oh, we were thinking, in the summer. It's strange because things are absolutely the opposite as back home. Over here, June thru August is the summertime, back home it's winter."

"Yeah. There are many new things. But, mom, I think I'm ready to call California home."

"I know, Nooki. You can't expect Michael to give up his beautiful ranch and all his friends, connection, business and come to live in South Africa."

"No, I really don't. We're gonna visit, of course. I can't leave the Veldt behind forever."

"Follow your heart, Anouk. Listen to your inner voice and trust your instincts."

"I will. Right now, our boys must be wondering what we're doing here for such a long time. Let's go back."

Dinner was wonderful and we all cleaned our plates. Michael put down Le Big Mamou on the list of his favorite restaurants and that's saying a lot for him. He is a fussy eater. But when he finds something he really likes, he digs in like there's no tomorrow.

I felt like having a cigarette so I stepped out on the balcony of the restaurant. I lit up and dragged the smoke to the depths of my lungs.

Soon enough, Michael followed me and wrapped his arms around me from behind.

"You look so beautiful tonight. Have I told you so?"

"A few times", I smile, snuggling closer into him.

"Can't you live without that poison?" he asks pointing at my cigarette.

"I have no idea why I still smoke. The reasons for which I started the habit are long gone, that's for sure. I guess, it' something I do to keep in touch with the old me."