Money Trees

22 ✮ futile hope

Mai told herself she wouldn't cry. And she almost made it to her to her apartment without shedding a tear. But as soon as the cab rolled up to the front of her building, her lower lip began to quiver and she felt like a little girl again.

  Tears blinded her vision as she struggled to get past the golden door hung open by the overly enthusiastic doorman. She impatiently pressed the elevator button multiple times, clenching her eyes shut.

  A hand gently landed on her shoulder. "Mai?"

  Mai turned around to find Apollo standing beside her, concern plastered on his face.

  "What happened? Are you okay?"

  She shook her head and fell into his arms, weeping softly in his tight embrace.

✮✮✮

Mai woke up to the sound of Apollo coming into her room, in his boxers and socks, holding a mug.

  "Shoot, sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up."

  She smiled and put her hand out. "Gimme."

  He chuckled and took a quick sip before handing her over his coffee.

  He returned to lie down beside her, his arm wrapping around her.

  "How are you feeling?"

  Mai shrugged, leaning closer to him. "I'm okay. Thank you for last night."

  He shook his head. "Don't thank me. I just happened to be here."

  "Still. I feel like a child. I didn't realise my mother still had that effect on me."

  "It's not childish to cry. You've been through a lot."

  "I think... they were tears I have been fighting off for years. I'm relieved more than anything. I used to feel guilt for ignoring her existence but I have no reason to be now. She made it clear she never wanted me. And, I know that sounds messed up, but I'm actually glad she was honest because at least now I can just move on."

Apollo nodded slowly, taking in her words. "I get where you're coming from. But moving on isn't easy. I think it's okay to be sad about losing her. She is family after all."

  Mai pulled away slightly, glancing up at him "She's only family from a biological point of view... but I guess you're right in a way. It's strange because I have no reason to be upset. She didn't love me. I certainly didn't love her. But... I just always assumed that she would make a reappearance later in my life and apologise for everything. I know that's not realistic but I would have expected at least some sort of guilt. Instead, there was nothing there."

"All those experiences you had with her- they
shaped you into the spectacular person you are today." Apollo reached out to cup her face in his hands, his gaze locking with hers. "You are spectacular."

  Mai closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. She felt a surge of gratitude for him. And at the L-word tickled the tip of her tongue but she had only known him for three weeks and that would be borderline insane to say so soon so she swallowed it down very quickly.

  Apollo planted a kiss on her forehead before nodding his head towards her phone.

  "Your brother called you last night while you were sleeping," He said, taking back his coffee mug.

  Mai took her phone from the bedside table and found Oliver's missed call. She curiously called him back, well aware that he was probably at work. However, he answered almost immediately.

  "Hey!"

  "Hey! I thought you'd be at work."

  Mai yanked the mug back from Apollo and took a sip from the dwindling coffee. He threw her a playful glare.