The superstar

Chapter 10: Mother

The next morning 

A black SUV truck began to slow down as it pulled in front of an elderly home. Suddenly, the paparazzi rushed toward the car but were stopped quickly by George's humungous chest as he ran into him. "oof". He was startled by the size of George and took a few steps back. "Back up before I have to put your head inside this concrete". 

"Amaya, amaya, amaya"! More paparazzi shouted as they rushed over to the bodyguard trying to take pictures of the celebrity while she was still inside the vehicle. "Back it up"! The driver walked over to the passenger side and slowly opened the door as the flashing lights began to snap consistently from their cameras. Amaya quickly threw on her black shades to block the lights from blinding her sight and stepped onto the ground one leg at a time until she could stand on both feet. "Amaya, why are you here at an elderly home"? A paparazzi asked. She continued to fix her denim crop jacket while flipping her black hair that was 26 inches to the side and eventually grabbed her cherry see-through Louis Vuitton purse from her seat. "What happened on the show yesterday"? Another one asked. 

"George get me out of here". 

He grabbed her hand and began to shove the paparazzi out of the way to get inside the building. 

A young girl dropped an elderly woman's cane as she spotted Amaya coming inside the entrance door and shouted "Omg Amya I love you"!

Amaya released George's hand once she stood in front of the desk to check-in. The employee was shocked and speechless as well just when her eyes widened from realizing who was in front of her. "Hi, I'm here to see Shayla Sanders", Amaya smiled. "I am such a huge fan of yours Amaya". "Awe thank you honey but can I see Shayla Sanders-". Suddenly, the employee let out a scream; jumping up and down from out of her chair which startled the guest and the elders who were walking past. "I LOVE YOU SO MUCH"! In an instant, the employee fell to the ground, fainting in disbelief. "I am so sorry for that, I am the manager how may I help you"? The manager threw on a professional smile as she blocked the employee's body by standing in front of her. 

"Im here to see Shayla Sanders".

"Yes, follow me this way". As Amaya began to walk behind the manager, George continued to stay behind her to protect her from any crazy fans along the way. "How is she doing by the way"? she asked. "We were having a hard time, in the beginning, to stop her from leaving the building but she eventually calmed down after a while". "Was she trying to run away"? "She was trying to get to you. Every morning she would ask if you were here but her oldest daughter-". "Layla?" "Oh, yes she is a sweet girl; she always comes and visits her mother every Sunday plus she was the only one that could calm her down". Amaya took her eyes off the hallway to look down at her white and black dunks as emotions launched into regret and sadness for her mother. "We're here". The manager grabbed onto the doorknob and swung open the room door; showing an elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair in front of the window; allowing the sun to shine through brightening the room. Her caregiver carefully put a knitted white beanie onto the mother's hairless head to keep her warm. Amaya moved slowly into the room as she lifted her shades onto the top of her head. "Mom?" 

"Who is that?" The woman asked the caregiver. "It's me, Amaya". Her mother let out a deep sigh as she continued to stare out the window. "I'll leave you alone with your daughter Ms. Sanders". The caregiver patted her shoulder to inform her that she was leaving the room. After the door closed, George quickly blocked the entranceway with his body to secure their privacy as he crossed his arms and stood there patiently. 

Amaya swiftly walked closer to her mother and hugged her tightly from behind. Shayla patted her hand allowing a smirk to come across her face. "You'll have to let go now". She dropped her arms and wiped a tear from her cheek as she sat on the floor in front of her mother to get a closer look. She could tell that her mom didn't have long to live because of how small she became as her wrinkles covered up most of her body. "I missed you so much", Amaya cried. "For years I thought I'd never see my daughter again". Shayla took a breather and continued, "I started to think you forgot about me". "No Mom, I always thought about you". 

"You were busy I suppose". Amaya chuckled, "You don't know half of it ma". "Oh no, your sister has been keeping me updated on you". Her smile suddenly dropped as she was left speechless. "I don't have time to be upset with you about forgetting about me but I hate that you and Layla aren't talking to each other anymore". She rolled her eyes and responded, "She stopped talking to me". "You two are acting like children why I am almost on my deathbed-". "Ma she decided to stop talking to me first I can't control a grown woman".  "She was trying to help you, Amaya". "Oh my gosh", Amaya mumbled under her breath. "You have let money and fame get to your head to the point you've lost your mind like I have not raised you right". "Mom it was never about my fame nor my money". 

"So what was it then"? A familiar voice echoed in the room. Layla stood by the door as a huge mug on her face spoke for itself, seeming as if she was bothered and angry. "Layla, don't". Amaya stood up from the ground and stared at her in shock now knowing if she could hug her in excitement or be angry with her as well since she hadn't seen her or spoken to her in almost 2 years. "What are you doing here, I thought you only came to see Mom on Sundays". "You're all over ZMT about you being here so I came to see if they were lying or if you came to see mom 6 years later". Layla began to take off her crossbody purse and quickly threw it onto the bed. "Layla". "Don't start with me today Layla". She ignored her continuing to pull up her sleeves from both sides of her arms. "How did you even get in here?" Layla pulled her mom's wheelchair over to the side to make enough room between her and her sister. "Layla, not today". "No Mom, she needs a quick reminder". "Tuh, are you trying to beat my ass right here right now"? 

"Amaya don't entertain her".

Amaya ignored her mom's orders as she took off her shades.

"Remember what I said the last time we talked"? 

"Layla shut up".

"Oh yeah, I remember". Amya responded. "Do you want to get it over with or did your so-called husband already wear you out from beating your ass". 

Amaya's body started to get heated during the time an instant replay of her getting thrown around her own home by Austin:

The sound of slapping filled the home with echoes as it came from the kitchen. The maids stood in the dining room in fear not knowing what to do as Amaya's loud cries and the slapping continued. 

"I'm sorry, please". Austin stopped himself and realized he was causing bruises and nosebleeds on Amaya. He dropped his hand as he watched her position herself into a ball, crying in distress on the tile floor. Blood was smeared onto the walls in the corner of the kitchen and the pot on the stove was overflowing with water. "Get your workers to clean this shit up". He ordered. 

"Amaya".

"Amaya"! Layla shouted. Amaya snapped herself into reality from freezing up and noticed that her mom was staring at her with watery eyes and a frown in sadness realizing that her daughter was struggling. Shayla faced Layla, "Don't hurt your sister, do you not see what she is going through right now?" Layla looked over at her sister in disbelief not knowing how much pain she was causing. "Im fine". "No, you're not Amaya". 

Amaya took a glance at both her sister and mother. "I have to go". She grabbed her shades and tried to kiss her mom on the cheek until a hand suddenly grabbed her arm. "Let her help you, Amya". She continued going in for a peck on the cheek and walked around Layla to get to the door leaving them still in shock.