Keys to Happiness

23. Aliah

           
It had been two days since the conversation KiBum had jokingly dubbed our "bonding time". Even though I felt KiBum that and I were stronger than ever now that our secrets were let loose, I was still feeling twitchy about the call from Marcus. I had no idea how he'd gotten in touch with me, and to add onto that, while KiBum and I had been talking, I had missed the call from my mom.

KiBum was going to be gone well into the night as he practiced for yet another upcoming concert, so I was at home by myself. I set up my laptop in the living room and thought it would be the perfect time to call my mom. It would be close to 11 o'clock at night in the US, but my mom was a night owl and I knew she'd be awake.

A woman who looked like exactly like me, from our faces to our glasses, came onscreen. My mom was almost fifty, but she didn't look a day over thirty. I was praying to God I would look half as good when I was her age.

"Hey mom, what's up? I asked with a bright smile to the woman who'd raised both me and my sister alone.

"Little 'Lia, it's been so long since you called me." And excited voice filtered through the computer screen, her face full of happiness.

I winced at the nickname that I hadn't heard since my dad had left us and decided it was best to ignore it.

"Mom, I called you just last week," I replied with a roll of my eyes.

"I know but this is a Skype call, it's so nice to see your face."

I smiled a little despite myself. No matter what I loved my mom, even if she leaned toward the dramatic.

"Listen mom, I've got something to tell you. Something crazy happened the other day and-."

"Really? Was it a certain call you received? Weren't you happy!" She bounced around in her seat and I narrowed my eyes at her delight. She couldn't have possibly...

"Wait mom, you knew about Marcus calling me?"

"Knew? I gave him your number!" She proudly declared. 

My breath left my chest in a rush, and anger followed quickly to take its place. I set my face carefully in blank expression and determined not to let her see me waver as I questioned her.

"Mom, why would you do that? You knew that I didn't want to talk to Marcus."

My mom waved her hands lightly in front of her face, dismissing my words.

"You're just being silly. Marcus told me what happened. He said that he had been nervous about your marriage, the girl he was with was just a mistake."

"A mistake?! Fucking another woman in our bed during a party for our wedding is just a mistake? Don't you realize how ridiculous that sounds?"

"Language, young lady! And Marcus was sincere Aliah; he told me that he still loves you. He wanted to talk to you about what happened and I think you should listen."

"I have nothing to say to him mom. I blocked his number," I said firmly, trying to make her hear me. This wasn't something to discuss, I had already made up my mind.

My mom's face changed then, becoming irritated at my dismissal of Marcus and his so-called feelings. 

"That's your problem you know, just like your father. You never forgive anyone for anything they do against you!" She yelled while pointing a finger at me.

"This wasn't a small mishap like forgetting my birthday or that I'm allergic to blueberries. He cheated on me, mom. And if a man cheats before we even get married, he'll damn sure cheat again if he thinks I'll just forgive him every time he gets caught!"

"You don't know that Aliah. He's changed from how he used to be. He wanted to start again. Giving people a second chance isn't wrong."

"Mom, you have no idea what you're doing. I don't want Marcus back and I have a boyfriend now. You can't just decide everything about my life on your own."

"A boyfriend? You've barely been living there four months and you're already dating someone else?"

I could hear the censure in her tone and it pissed me off even more, making my anger grow bigger. I could barely stop myself from mentioning her own track record with men and kept as much respect as I could in my voice.

"Mom, the main point is that you need to stay out of this ok?"

"I'll stay out of it when you can make good decisions again. Marcus is a doctor; what does this boy you have now do?"

"It doesn't matter what his job is mom, but he's a singer and he does very well." I winced a little at the lie, but I couldn't honestly tell her who KiBum was. We were in no way ready for the kind of exposure that was a guarantee should my mom find out just how big SHINee was overseas.

"Huh, just like I thought. One of those struggling artists that's just using you for the time being. You need to get your life in order Aliah; stop being childish and talk to Marcus."

I exploded then, not caring about the words that would come out of my mouth.

"Don't tell me how to live my life mom, you would have me live with a cheater and a liar just because he had a good job! I have higher standards for myself. And you don't know anything KiBum or about our relationship. Next time just mind your own business!"

I slammed the laptop closed, not even ending the call.  My mother pushed my buttons like no one else and she never listened. Shaking from the unfairness of it all and a rage that only expanded when I thought of my own mother giving Marcus permission to speak to me, I dialed the only person who I wanted to talk to. But when the call went immediately to voicemail for the second time, I dropped the phone and laid down on my couch for a good cry.

A/N: Whew what a blowout! But hey guys good news! I will be updating this story every week from now on until the end, two chapters per update, Yay! Happy reading and much love <3