It Had To Be You

Chapter 3: You're My Mother Too

Noella's POV

We got home. The house was surrounded by a calm environment and it was even calmer at night. It was very unlikely to find a place like this in California. The reason why I have always loved it here. 

"Remember how you used to cry hysterically when Teresa used to come to take you back to Virginia?" she grinned. "Yeah and I used to throw a lot of tantrum. God, I was a problematic child!" I cringed my face by thinking back to those memories.

 "Yeah. You were." she said grinning. " God I miss Teresa. She was the best mother and great sister anyone could ever have." Suddenly her expression changed by the thought of her sister and she started crying. I teared up a little too, but I immediately hugged her. "Well now enough about all the memories. Tell me now Karla, any hot boys?" I changed the topic. It was more like I needed a change in the topic. 

"Well not yet, but you never know, you know? Anything could happen at any moment." She wiped her tears and chuckled. And she was back. "What about you?" she asked by going into the kitchen. "Nope. No one." I said by taking a seat at the dinner table. "Except I have an ex." I muttered.

 She came from the kitchen carrying dinner. I helped her set up the table. "Why ex? What happened between you two?" she asked as we sat down to have dinner. "Oh, well, he cheated on me." I said, playing with the food. 

I lost my appetite by thinking about Kevin. He was a real son of a bitch. "That jackass! Please say that you gave him a piece of his mind!" she hissed. I know how much my aunt hates cheating as her last boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend. 

"Yeah, I did. I slapped him in front of everyone in school." I grinned by thinking about that day. Oh, it felt so good I must say that. "Good he deserved that."She said, eating her lasagna. I smiled. 

But from that day I was scared to see myself in any relationship. All my trust of being in a relationship with any person flew out of the window, and I think I am better this way. I was scared of getting hurt again. Of course I wasn't going to say that to her. We finished our dinner. 

"Don't worry, N. Now that you are in college, there will be plenty of hot guys." She said by winking at me. I laughed. "Yeah right, 'aunt'!" I said in a teasing tone. She glared at me. It just made me laugh more. After helping her with the dishes, we just sat on the couch talking a little more. 

"Hey I wanted to ask you something..." I trailed off. "Yeah, what's up?" "Can you, um, help me find a job?" I asked hesitantly. Because I knew she wouldn't approve of it. She wouldn't want me to be working. But still, as I am going to be living here till my college gets over; I can't burden her with my expenses.

 "No Noella! You are not going to be working. I run a freaking bar you know that, right? I earn enough for both of us." She said angrily. See, I told you. "But I don't want to burden you with my expenses, Karla." I stated. 

"Listen now Noella. I want you to take care of you as a mother. I may not be a perfect one like Teresa, but you are my child too. I don't want you to be working your ass off at some part time job. You should focus on your college dear." She said cupping my cheeks. "Yes, of course you are my mother Karla, and I am grateful to have you. But I want to look after my own expenses and I want to contribute to the household expenses too, as I am going to be living here for a long time. It would only make me feel worse if I had to live here without doing anything." I explained.

 "You know, Noella, I have always found you amusing. Always working hard, just like your mother. Alright, I have a friend who runs a restaurant. I think she might be having some vacancy at her place. But no overtime and if you feel like quitting the job, you quit the job. Do we have a deal?" she replied in a demanding tone. "Yes, thank you so much Karla" I hugged her smiling.

 "Anytime, sweetheart. And never ever hesitate to ask me anything okay? I am always here for you." She said hugging me back. "Alright now, go get some rest. Tomorrow is your first day in college. You don't want to be late, do you?" she smiled. "Who are you and what have you done to Karla?" I asked, amused. 

"Oh you know, if it wasn't your first day tomorrow, I would have told you to stay up. But you need to get your beauty sleep for now. And I see you have made progress in calling me by my name. Well done, kiddo." She and I laughed on her remark. "Alright. Good night Karla." I said grinning. 

I went upstairs and entered the room I used to take as a child whenever I visited here in the past. It automatically brought a smile on my lips as soon as I entered the room. It brought back all the memories of the days I spent here as a child. I changed into my pajamas, brushed my teeth and hit the pillow. Let's just hope tomorrow goes well.