Who to trust

Chapter 18 Return

She didn't know how she got here. Or how she knew she has a spare key of this house inside her wallet. Her body just moved in its own accord. Maybe it knows better of what she really needs than what her mind convinces her to believe.

She turned the doorknob, silently entering the dark and quiet house. Locking the door behind her, she climbed the stairs, leading herself to their room.

Opening it a little, peeked inside. The moon emitted light into the room. Mia walked closer to the bed, silently yearning for Alex who was sleeping soundly. He slept on one side of the bed, always keeping her side empty.

Mia sat on the floor, resting her hands and chin on the bed, watching Alex. He still looked restless even in his sleep. Mia raised her hands to run her hand on his hair lightly, afraid to wake him up.

"I'm home," Mia whispered.

Her hand went to his hand, pulling it closer to her lips and placing a feather light kiss.

She carefully let go of his hand and stood up, walking outside the room. On the other end of the corridor, there was another door. She opened it but remained standing outside.

A tear escaped her eye as she saw the baby decorated room. It wasn't completely finished, but they've already put in some work. There were already toys, a crib, a small cabinet of the baby's things.

Mia couldn't help but feel weak, she dropped on the floor. She put her hand on top of her lips to prevent any noise from coming out.

***

It took her time to calm down. She rested her back on the wall and thought about Alex.

If it hurt her this bad losing their baby, how much more painful was it for him adding up the fact that Mia lost all her memories of him?

Alex had his own shares of anguish, but he never gave up on Mia. When he had told Mia that it would be better not to get her memories back, it was sincerely because he doesn't want her to feel the pain he had to go through, not for other selfish reasons.

Mia walked back to their room. She smiled, seeing Alex still sleeping. She slightly lifted up the blanket and laid down next to Alex, placing his hand on top of her waist.

"I'm not going anywhere anymore." She promised as she closed her eyes to sleep.

She's going to be better for both of them. She'll take care of him and shower him with love until she convinces herself that she's worthy of Alex.

***

Alex woke up from the sunlight hitting his face. Without opening his eyes, he took a pillow to block it.

Mia sighed at his action. She walked and sat on the bed, "It's past noon. Get up!" 

Hearing her voice, Alex immediately sat up. He thought he was hallucinating, he was too stunned to see Mia in front of him he couldn't move.

Mia laughed softly at his shocked morning face, "Hey, good morning." But he still didn't move.

She laughed again. She placed her hand on his cheek lightly tapping it, "Are you still sleeping? Come on, let's eat lunch."

Alex took her hand in his, pressing it to his cheeks to make sure she was real. The smile on Mia's lips dropped. He looked too vulnerable in front of her. Is this what he'd become because of her?

Mia leaned in closer, giving him a peck on the lips before hugging him. "I'm sorry you had to wait long."

She felt his arms wrap her waist and his face buried in the crook of her neck.

***

"I got better, didn't I?" Mia asked referring to her cooking. They were almost finished eating their lunch.

"Yeah, but I'm still better than you." He answered, taking the last bite of his food.

Mia rolled her eyes, "You cook dinner later then." She said with a soft laugh, gathering their plates and going to the sink to wash them. Alex cleaned the table, placing the remaining food in the microwave or the fridge.

After he was done, he stood behind Mia, hugging her from behind and resting his chin on her shoulder. "When did you came?" He asked.

"Last night. I slept beside you but you're such a heavy sleeper!" He chuckled at her comment but didn't say more.

He remained like that until Mia finished washing the plates. Drying her hands, Mia turned to face Alex, "We need to go to the grocery. You hardly have food stacked in here."

He nodded, smiling to himself, "Okay," answered, placing a kiss on her forehead.

Mia started walking to their room as Alex followed, "I'm gonna have to return the car. I've been borrowing for too long," She bitterly laughed at the choice of her word. She took it, she didn't borrow it. "Let's just go to the grocery near the house." She continued, not looking back at Alex.

When she got to their room, she walked to their huge closet to get some clothes.

"Have you talked to them?" Alex asked carefully knowing that her family was a sensitive topic.

Mia stopped, "No," she curtly answered, obviously not wanting to talk about it. Before Alex could say something, she quickly went inside the bathroom and shut the door.

***

Mia drove her family's car while Alex drove his. When Mia told Alex about this set up though, he didn't want to agree, he doesn't want to let her drive, but she has a point. If Mia was going to leave the car in their house they need a ride to the grocery and back home, it was only practical to bring his car.

But Alex made sure her car would be behind his. He would lead and she would follow.

"Alright," Mia agreed. "You don't have to get out of the car when we get there. I'm just going to give the keys then leave." He remembers her words. He wanted to say something about talking to her family, but he was afraid to get on her bad side so he remained quiet. She just came back, he didn't want to start an argument.

They arrived at the house. Mia parked their car in the garage while Alex put his on hazard at the side. He watched as Mia went out, and walked to the door.

Mia hesitated to ring the doorbell, she didn't know if she would be able to control herself if any of her parents were the ones to open the door. Luckily, when she finally pressed the doorbell, Maven was the one who opened the door.

"Mia," Maven muttered her name with wide eyes.

"I brought back the car." She said, handing back the keys. She slightly peeked inside to see if anyone else is home.

Maven noticed it so he told her, "It's just me here. They're at the store."

Mia exhaled. She looked at Maven with a soft expression, "Listen, Maven. I know how you feel about everything that's happened. It's been chaotic and depressing. So I just want to let you know that you can come with me if you want to. You can stay at my apartment. You don't have to stay here."

Maven's eyes shake as he heard his sister's offer, he almost agreed to it. Almost.

"But I'd have to leave mom." He stated, not happy about the consequence if ever he would agree.

"Come on, Maven. She chose to be with him." Mia said with disdain. "That's her choice, so what's yours going to be?"