In These Streets

Chapter 17

Darius was willing to get out of the car and introduce himself but I could tell he was grateful when I told him it would be better if he just left after I got out.

He pulled away slowly and headed down the block as I made my way up to the door.

"Do you have any idea how worried sick I was! The shame of you! You should know better than to disappear and not tell me where you were," my mother ranted in Turkish.

I knew she was beyond rage when she did that.

I flinched at the anger in her voice.

"Mama, I'm sorry I didn't get a hold of you sooner last night. I saw your missed calls before I went to bed."

My mother's face was scrunched up in disgust as she slammed the door shut as I walked into the house. "You were with that thug again, weren't you? Dressed like that. Imagine."

I whirled around. "He's not a thug. He's a businessman. He owns a very successful company."

"You have no self-respect if you need to be in something that isn't even a dress to go out with him."

"We went to the beach yesterday, that's why I'm dressed like this."

"I hope you have been safe, Ambra, because a man like that would not stay with you if you had a baby."

Fury overtook me, and I didn't recognize the venom in my own voice.

"I am twenty years old. I can do what I want. This isn't the Middle East, Mama. I'm my own person and if you don't like it then I'll move out."

It was somewhat of a bluff, but I was prepared to ask Genesis for a place to stay until I could figure out my next move if I had to.

My mother stilled and her eyes widened, a mixture of rage and panic showing on her face. Her voice was strained.

"That man will not come into this house, ever."

"Good," I spat, heading to my room. I slammed the door shut, sighing deeply as I sank onto my bed.

My parents had always hated me dating anybody, even the high school boyfriend I'd had, but I also knew my parents had their own prejudices. It was disappointing and ridiculous. If my mother got to know Darius, I was sure she would like him. Both of my parents believed in courting, and thought it should only be done if they approved of the person I chose. They genuinely believed they were being democratic and lenient, considering the strict, high-handed morals and values both had grown up with in the Middle East.

I knew the way Darius looked didn't help matters with my mother. She was quite conservative, coming from a Muslim country, and judgmental, thinking tattoos and men having their ears pierced and wearing baggy clothes were signs of a bad character.

I pushed thoughts of the fight with my mother out of my mind, not wanting to dwell on the unfairness of it and ruin the whole memory of my date with Darius.

He was such a paradox, and it was intoxicating. Everything about him was unexpected, and for the first time, a lovesick ache went through my heart.

I replayed his kisses in my mind, the feel of his muscles rippling beneath his skin underneath my hands as he pressed me against him.

My skin tingled and I retrieved my phone to distract myself from the sensual memories.

I checked my online banking account on my phone, dismayed to see my savings were almost empty. I had saved up a good amount before we moved to California, and now it was almost gone. That meant I couldn't afford more belly dance classes at Shira's, since that's how I'd paid my fee.