Tangled Hearts

Chapter 7: A Chaotic Afternoon

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow through the apartment windows as Sophia and Asher sat across from each other, eating lunch. For once, the air was calm-no mysterious phone calls, no strangers at the door, no cryptic photos. Just a rare moment of peace.

Then, the door burst open, shattering the calm.

"Who's ready for some real food?"

Sophia froze mid-bite, her fork clattering onto the plate. "Mom?"

In walked Olivia Anderson, a whirlwind of energy in a lemon-yellow sundress, holding a picnic basket as if she were hosting a garden party. Her bright smile was so opposite Sophia's perpetually serious demeanor that it was almost comedic.

"Oh my goodness!" Olivia's voice rose as her eyes landed on Asher. "Sophia, darling, you didn't tell me you had company. Wait..." She gasped dramatically. "Is this... a boyfriend?"

Sophia immediately choked on her water, coughing violently. "What? No! He's just-" She waved her hands frantically at Asher, who sat wide-eyed and awkward. "He's just a patient!"

Olivia's eyebrows shot up as she glanced between them. "A patient? At your apartment? During lunch?" She leaned in closer, mock whispering, "Is that code for something else?"

"Mom!" Sophia groaned, her face turning beet red.

"Well, excuse me for jumping to conclusions!" Olivia said, throwing her hands up. "But look at him! Tall, handsome, brooding-if I were twenty years younger, I'd-"

"Stop!" Sophia interrupted, mortified.

Asher, meanwhile, was doing his best to stifle a laugh. "It's okay, ma'am. I'm just... recovering from some injuries."

Olivia waved him off. "Oh, call me Olivia. None of this 'ma'am' nonsense. I'm not old, just seasoned." She winked at him. "So, Asher, what's your story? What does my daughter see in you-besides the obvious?"

Sophia buried her face in her hands. "Mom, I swear-"

Asher smiled politely. "There's not much to tell. I don't have any memory of who I am."

"Oh, honey," Olivia said, her tone softening. "That's awful! No wonder Soph brought you home." Then her eyes lit up mischievously. "Fresh start, though! You can be anyone you want. A spy, a rock star, an international jewel thief-"

"Mom, stop." Sophia cut her off, glaring at her mother.

"What? I'm just giving him ideas!" Olivia said defensively before turning back to Asher. "Okay, serious question: If you don't remember your past, do you plan on getting married in the future?"

Asher blinked, caught completely off guard. "Uh... I haven't really thought about it?"

Sophia groaned louder this time. "Mom, seriously? What kind of question is that?"

"It's a valid one!" Olivia protested. "I need to know if there's hope for grandkids. You're not getting any younger, Soph."

"I'm twenty-seven!" Sophia snapped.

"And single," Olivia added with a smirk. "Meanwhile, this guy here is sitting in your apartment, sharing lunch. Seems like fate to me!"

Sophia stood abruptly. "That's it. You're leaving."

Olivia dodged her with practiced ease, turning her attention back to Asher. "You like her, don't you? I mean, she's a little rough around the edges, but she's got a good heart. And great cheekbones."

"Mom, out!"

Asher chuckled, clearly enjoying the chaos. "She's been very kind to me. And yes, great cheekbones."