Angel

Chapter 4

My mum was a busy person, to begin with, but when she got the news of my accident, I couldn't believe just how many calls I got from her which was quite impossible considering she only ever called if she needed money or any invitation to the parties.

"Your phone is blowing up, man, you ever gonna answer?" Nathan pointed at my phone which was once again ringing with mum's name on it. 

"I don't want to." I spat, totally forgetting that Nathan knew nothing of my mum or her past. 

"It could be important." He insisted with a frown. "No matter how busy I am, I never miss a call from my mother."

"You don't know her." Miracle of miracles that no resentment dripped through my voice. It's just another fact that mum couldn't care less about any of us. 

"Actually..." I flinched when his gaze met mine. "Your Grandpa told me everything. I am your family lawyer, Keith. I may not be there when the divorce was handled but I know everything that led to it. Still, I think you should give her a chance. At least, talk."

Shit.

Snatching the phone from his sight, I finally answered it. "What is it?"

"I've been calling you non-stop. Where were you? Your Grandfather called me earlier." The fact that he called mum rather than dad wasn't much of a surprise. "Why did you went back to Cali? And even if you did, you should have told me before going there, I would've canceled my holiday to Rome."

Of course. 

"Did I ruin your holiday, mum?" Hearing a door close, I looked around to see Nathan's gone. Before I could think of ending the call to follow him out, I heard dread filled her voice.

"What? No! Of course not! What do you think I felt when I heard my only son has been in an accident? Your Grandfather wouldn't tell me clearly what happened and if you are even alright. Keith, please, I just want to know."

"You just want to know?" I threw myself on Angel's empty bed, thankful for the fact that she wasn't here to listen to the family drama. "Fine. I have chest pain and just a broken arm, nothing else." 

"What! Your arm is broken and you are telling me you're fine? Where the hell is your father?'' She demanded in a voice that reminded me why they were divorced again.

"I came here alone. He's back in Landon, enjoying his life with his buddies." Dad didn't know I took a vacation in the first place, on top of that what news like this could do, I could only imagine.

"Thomas is ridiculous. Did he even go to see you? How could he take no responsibility for anything? Granted, you are old enough to marry but still...'' 

"Still I'm not like either of you." 

A good person would appreciate her, after all, not everyone was cut out to be a mother. But at that moment, I couldn't deny that for the first time, I was happy even with the broken pieces.

***

"Come in." 

A small voice spoke from the other side of the door. Rubbing my fingers in anxiety, I opened the door, the sight of her giving me a pause.

Angel stood by the window, her red hair shining in the morning light. Even when her face was downcast, focused on the woods surrounding the area, I hated the fact that I couldn't tell what she was thinking.

I cleared my throat, "Angel?''

She stopped humming and flicked her green eyes to mine. "What are you standing there for? Come inside." 

Moving across the room quickly, I joined her near the window

"Something's wrong?'' She folded her hands on her lap and kept looking at Keith with somewhat wonder.

He shook his head, "Um...I needed to talk with you. Something important."

"Ok." A flush crept into her cheeks. He did notice how beautiful it looked on her but it wasn't the right time to say something like this.

Blowing out a sigh, he took her hands in his. "I know you'll not want to do this but I've to ask you anyway. We're going to a funeral, my uncle, and aunts and you're going to be needed there."

Her hands tightened in his hands, fear responsible for the suddenly pale face. Green eyes took in the sight of Keith as if looking deep into his words, waiting for a laugh with the words of kidding! But he had stared only.

"Why?'' She asked, her throat tight with emotions she didn't understand but Keith did.

"It's needed. Think of it as a request from me? I want you there...I don't want you to regret later." The words might've been a jumble to her but Keith wanted her there.

After all...it was her parent's funeral. And if one day her memory came back, he wouldn't want her to regret not joining.

A little lie didn't hurt.

Or that's what he thought.

***

Later that day Angel and Keith joined the funeral. It wasn't that big considering they weren't recognizable in any way. Angel was confused but hot tears pricked behind her eyes when the coffins were lowered to the ground. Keith gently wiped them away.

At least she was hurt. She didn't know yet she was sad. When the ceremony was finished they both left for the hospital.

Keith was discharged with a warning of two weeks but Angel still had to stay for her head trauma.

"Thanks." Keith was heading out when Angel said behind him. It was the first words he heard after the funeral. Whirling around he walked till she was near him and crashed her body to him for a hug.

"What for?"' He murmured sighing.

"Is there needed a reason?''

No...There truly wasn't.

So he didn't ask and she didn't answer.

They only hugged in silence as they both realized they never needed a reason.

And they never will be.