Promotion

5. Priorities

Ash was just done showering and walking to his bedroom with the tower over his shoulder when-

"Mom! What are you doing?" He shouted after he caught his mother looking in his closet. He rushed toward it and slammed it shut. "Are you crazy?"

"What?" Delia put her hands on her hips.

"You can't just look through my things like that!" Ash grabbed her by the hand. "Leave this room."

"No, wait!" Delia pulled her hand away. "You need to tell me and now!"

"Tell you what? I have nothing to tell you."

"No, mister! You owe me explanations!" Delia nodded. "Does that woman come here? Where are her things?"

"That wo-which woman?"

"Oh, so you have more than one!" Delia gasped.

"No, I don't!"

"So, just one?"

Ash sighed.

"It's the redhead girl that was with you in office, right?"

"What? Redhead-what?" Ash chuckled. "Are you talking about Misty?"

"Yes, that one, Misty."

"Misty is not my girlfriend! No!" He replied without thinking one second. Misty was out of question. He hated her. "She's horrible!"

"Isn't she your girlfriend? Then who is this woman you're dating?" Delia asked. "Call her and tell her to come now. I need to see her before I go back to Pallet town."

"Why do you care so much? It's my life!"

"You're my life, Ash." Delia put her hands on Ash's face. "I just don't want you to be lonely. I just worry about you."

"I'm fine."

"Does this mean you were only lying to me?"

"No! That's not it." He's had this conversation with his mom billion times before.

He lied. He didn't date.

But he didn't have any other way to skip the arranged marriage. If his mom learns he's single, she'll make him date and marry a girl from the village. He was thirty-five. According to the traditions, he should be married and a father by now. Ash hated that he was in Goldenrod city and he had to live by Pallet town rules. It sucked.

"Mom, I..." Ash sighed heavily. "I lied."

"It's not the woman from-"

"No, it's not." Misty was probably annoying, but he had to admit she was out of his league. His mom can't seriously believe he's together with a woman like Misty. "I'm sorry I lied."

Delia watched him for a moment. "I knew you did, but when I saw the redhead girl, I thought for a moment you dated her."

Ash chuckled. "I'd date anyone but her."

"She looks fake anyway. She isn't right for you."

"We hate each other... kind of."

"Are you sure, though?" Delia crossed her arms over her chest.

"I really hate Misty."

"But your eyes are telling me that you like her!"

"Then I must need eye surgery." Ash felt really uneasy. "Can we just drop this?"

Delia stared at him. She said, "Alright, then."

Ash sighed. He pulled his mother close and hugged her. "You should go home."

"I don't want you to be alone." She hugged him tight. "I know how it feels, so I really don't want you to be on your own anymore. I want you to be happy."

Ash pulled away. He held his mother's hand tight. "You should go home. I'm fine."

"And what about Serena? If you're not dating, then we can arrange the marriage with her!"

"Fine!" He sighed heavily. "Fine, I will do it!"

"She's beautiful and nice. I'm sure you'll like her." Delia looked very happy. "She'll be delighted!"

Ash hated upsetting his mother. She's done so much for him, fighting hard on her own and working day and night after his father passed away when he was only two years old. He hated to see her upset. Delia always put too much pressure on him but he can never say 'no' to her.

"Okay." Well, he had nothing to lose anyway. He didn't date and he isn't going to. He had no time to look for women and women didn't look for him. He didn't like the romance hassle. Working was a priority. If he gets married to Serena, nothing in his life will change. "Whatever you say, mom."

"Oh, this make me so happy!" She hugged him again. "I'll be seeing your children soon!"

Ash tried to smile.