Who to trust

Chapter 16 After-party

Maven's party had just started. There were already a few of Maven's friends and some are still coming. There were also Maven's coach and trainer.

I was sitting at the kitchen table when Alessia appeared. For a second my heart stopped beating thinking that Alex might be here too. Fortunately, it was just Alessia.

"Hi!" She greeted me and gave a kiss on the cheek. "I haven't heard from you for weeks! How are you?"

"I'm fine, just busy," I reasoned out not really wanting to have this conversation. And as if on cue my dad called.

"Mia, come over here! Let's sing Maven a happy birthday." Dad called, smiling from ear to ear next to Maven who had his head down, looking embarrassed. Dad is so excited I wondered if he was the real celebrant.

Mom took out the cake and we all sang Maven a happy birthday. Dad had his arm around Maven's shoulder the entire song and gave him a pat on the shoulder after. Maven gave our dad a forced smile, "Thanks, guys. Can we eat now?" he said in a soft voice.

"Yup! Eat up, kids." Dad said, removing his arm on Maven.

The visitors lined up at the table while mom helped them in getting their food. They were all having fun chatting with each other, Alessia mingled with the others while I assisted mom. I kept myself busy to avoid being awkward.

***

It was passed 9 pm when Maven's visitors went home. Alessia stayed helping us clean. All three ladies plus Maven are in the kitchen, while Dad was outside, cleaning some utensils used for grilling, at the garage.

When we were basically done, we went to the living room to rest, but Mom went to their room.

"Ah right, I haven't given you my gift yet," I said.

"Oh yeah! Me too!" Alessia and I both stood up and went to grab our presents.

I gave mine first, "Oh wow! I've been wanting to buy this type of watch! Thanks, Mia!" Maven exclaimed trying on the watch I bought for him.

"My turn." Alessia handed him a paper bag, inside it was a shoe box. "New kicks." Maven said smiling so wide, his eyes were gone. "It's from me and uh... my brother," Alessia said, careful not to mention Alex's name

Maven took it out and tried it on. "This is great. Tell him thanks." He said, "It's too bad he couldn't come."

"He doesn't need to be here." It was Dad. "You already got your family."

"He is family." Maven replied.

"He's not a real family." Dad countered. They were clearly starting a fight. I looked at Maven and Alessia, but they both seemed riled up. Alessia was obviously offended.

"Guys, let's not start a fight," I stood up going closer to Alessia for comfort.

"Will you please stop acting like we're some happy family when we all know we're not?" I looked at Maven, surprised at his sudden outrage. Where did that anger come from?

"I'm trying to make it work!" 

Maven suddenly stood up, meeting our Dad's eye. "By brainwashing Mia? Wow, nice game plan dad! But I think you forgot we can remember." I looked back and forth at Maven and my Dad, I am clearly lost. "I kinda envy her, somehow she doesn't know anything about how wrecked this family is. She doesn't remember how painful life is with you."

"What's happening?!" Mom came to the scene. "Maven, why are you shouting at your father?"

"You know, you're very lucky to be with my mom. She puts up with every fucked up life decisions you've made. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't take in this bullshits."

"You should leave him. He's not worth all the sacrifices."

"Don't say that. I still believe in him, just... give him a chance."

"We already gave him a lot of chances. It's never going to work."

"It's getting late, you should head out already."

"Alright, but think about what I said."

I realize this memory had been a conversation with my mom trying to talk her out in leaving Dad.

I panicked when Maven looked straight at me, I feel like he's going to shoot me a bullet, "You wanna know why Mom's distant to you, Mia? Because Dad told her not to talk so much, she might spill the truth. Mom wouldn't keep anything from you that's why dad didn't want her close to you." I gasped.

All this time the right person to ask is Mom but it didn't even cross my mind, not even once.

"In fact, he told us all to shut up. He said he'd try to fix this family... by putting up a facade. If it weren't for Mom who begged to listen to Dad, I wouldn't have done it. That's why we kept things from you. He told Alex to back off too, he hated Alex because he was insecure of him. Alex is a reminder of what he's not. A good and caring husband."

"Maven, stop it." Mom tried to hold Maven, but he didn't budge.

"No, I'm not done yet. I'm sorry, Mia. But you have to hear this now. I can't wait for your memories to come back anymore." Maven was stressing me out. His every word was a knife sinking into my heart. I just realized I was crying.

I felt Alessia soothing me, patting my back. Now it's the other way around with her.

"Dad's one hell of a jerk spending all his money in gambles and girls." Maven spat with venom in his voice.

"I tried to change!" Dad shouted at Maven defending himself.

"No, you just got worse." Maven opposed, then he looked at me again, but I couldn't meet his eyes.

"After you graduated college, you met Alex, he took care of you and even us. Then you guys decided to get married.

"One day mom called you asking to help us with the bills. We couldn't pay for it because Dad would waste our money with his bad habits. You came and visited, but I was the only one here. When you were about to go home, you saw dad standing in the porch with some hooker he took home."

My head started to throb, and my heart was beating abnormally fast.

"Tell mom I already paid the bills for her when she comes back from the shop. I have to leave right away." I said, apologetic for having to leave early.

"Yeah, take care. Say hi to Alex for me."

"Will do." I opened the door, but stopped in my tracks, unable to process what I was seeing in front of me.

"Mia-" Dad stuttered.

"What's this?" I asked out of shock. Maven quickly ran to my side.

"Dad, what the hell?!" Maven shouted upon seeing the view. It was Dad with a woman whom I don't recognize. But she was surely young.

My hands flew to my head, trying to stop the throbbing pain. 

"You realize how big of a jerk you are?" Maven shouted at dad. "You had the guts to bring a fucking girl in this house. You have no respect for mom. You're the reason behind Mia's accident! She drove while crying her heart out that led to the accident. How can you wash hands as if nothing happened? One life was lost because of you! You're the reason for Mia's miscarriage."  

Shit.

I felt my whole world collapse.

Why? Why did my innocent baby have to be the payment?

I gathered the remaining strength I had. I stood up, face my Dad tear-streaked. Without a word, I slapped him across the face.

I wiped my tears and gathered my things. I took out the keys of our car, went to the garage and left the scene.