Within the captivating world of power and allure, Cameron Miller and Anita Richards find themselves entangled in a magnetic dance of desire.
Drawn together by an irresistible connection that defies societal boundaries, the elusive CEO is consumed by...
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My mother, Diane, held a special place in my heart, one that no one else could fill.
After the whirlwind of the past week, returning to the home of my childhood brought a sense of comfort, a reminder of simpler times. If only Dad were still here to make this visit complete.
Observing her silhouette as she moved gracefully around the kitchen, I couldn't help but admire her presence. Slightly shorter than me, with warm cola-brown eyes, a Nubian nose, and rounded cheeks, she exuded a quiet strength and grace. In contrast, I took after my father, inheriting his love for cooking over time.
"I'm really glad you're here, I've missed spending time with you especially at home but seems like you've been avoiding coming here," she stated eyeing me carefully before returning her gaze to filling the mugs.
I kept my gaze fixed upon my hands that rested in my lap unsure of what to say, there was no point in lying, I had been avoiding coming home.
It just didn't feel the same without him.
Despite not being particularly close to her while growing up, my mother's call requesting to see me stirred a pang of guilt within me. I couldn't shake the feeling that I hadn't been spending enough time with her as I should have.
Hiding the massive secret of my profession made facing her all the more daunting. Avoiding her became a habit, a way to sidestep the uncomfortable conversations that would inevitably arise. However, when she mentioned having something important to tell me during our upcoming meeting, I knew I couldn't continue evading her. Summoning every ounce of courage, I resolved to push aside my anxiety and the shame of my profession, if only temporarily.
"I could try come up with excuses but there really is no reasonable explanation," I mumbled keeping my head bowed. Tensing at the feel of fingers under my chin, my mother's eyes and warm smile came into view making me relax a bit in my seat.
"You don't have to say anything, I understand every day I walk around this apartment, and I'm reminded of your father."
Grasping her hand; I gave it a gentle squeeze.
Losing someone you love is an indescribable pain, one that lingers long after they're gone. Even now, nearly five years after my father's tragic death in a car accident, the ache of his absence is still raw. Back then, I had just graduated high school, filled with anticipation for the future, only to have my world shattered in an instant.
The sound of sniffles jolted me back to the present, and I saw the tears glistening in my mother's eyes. Without hesitation, I rose from my seat and enveloped her in a tight embrace, seeking to offer whatever solace I could. As I gently rubbed circles on her back, I couldn't help but feel the weight of my own grief pressing against my chest, threatening to spill out in tears of my own.
"Sorry..." her voice came out wobbly, causing my heart to ache at the sound of her pain, "I wasn't planning on getting all emotional and all."
"It's okay, honestly it's fine."
Pulling away from me, she quickly wiped her nose and moved away from me to sit down. "Honestly I wasn't planning on talking about loss with what I have to tell you," she breathed, my brows rose at her statement and took in how rigid her posture was eliciting my stomach to flutter in anticipation.
The room fell into silence, and I watched the woman who helped mould me into who I am shift in her seat and play with the cutlery on the table. Seeing her fidget wasn't a good sign.
"I recently went to the doctor the other day," she began her eyes briefly flickered up at me before focusing on the mug that had steam coming out of it, "in one of my breasts they found a lump -"
"Wait, WHAT!?"
"Anita, calm down."
"What do you mean calm down, you can't tell me to calm down at such news, mom!" I yelled throwing my arms up hysterically. Turning away from her, I began pacing the space of the kitchen at the rush of panic I felt.
But I was stopped when she blocked my path wearing a hardened expression that had me placing my focus back on her, "I'm lucky they found it before anything bad happened, I have to undergo surgery to remove it soon."
Seconds passed of complete silence as I processed her words, there was so much I wanted to know amidst the fear I still felt. "When did you find out about this?"
"A few days ago."
Shifting forward to lean against the counter my mind couldn't focus on anything else other than one painfully obvious fact.
"You have cancer..."
She released a heavy sigh, and I watched her shoulders slump, suddenly she looked tired, she looked like she had aged within a few seconds.
Throughout my life, I prided myself on my ability to remain unruffled by life's challenges. Years of honing the skill of indifference seemed to crumble in an instant as tears welled up and silently cascaded down my cheeks. I made no effort to brush them away; I simply lacked the strength to lift a finger, feeling immobilized as I replayed in my mind all the missed opportunities I had to spend time with her.
Regret weighed heavily on my heart. I should have been there for her more.
"Oh sweetheart," she chuckled past the tears falling out of her own eyes, she closed the space between us and wiped my eyes, "I'll be fine I was lucky they got to it before it got worse. I'll be fine, the doctor assured me that -"
"But what if it something happens?" I breathed past my quivering lips.
She reached up and grabbed my chin firmly forcing me to focus on her orbs to see a fire burning behind them. "I wish I could promise or guarantee that it'll be okay but that's not in my hands. But the procedure involves me having to," she paused taking a shaky breath that resulted in her letting go of my chin to look away and focus on the floor, "remove one of my breasts," she whispered the last part. And upon instinct I lunged for her, wrapping my arms tightly around her to soothe the anxiety and sadness she must feel.
Having such a massive change take place to your body wasn't easy and I wished in that moment I could ask fate to put me in her place and spare her from everything that's already taken place.
"I'll do all I can to send money to help in paying for anything you need."
"Don't worry about the costs I'll do what I can, just you being around will be enough."
Narrowing my orbs on her, my lips pursed before I firmly shook my head in refusal, "No, I'll work extra shifts at my job, I don't need you overworking yourself."
I meant every word, because the determination that already existed within me to not only get a better life became more evident in ensuring my mother was comfortable and above all...
