Blood Bandits

16.

During dinner, mother had a very fruitful conversation with August. If I didn't know any better, I would say he genuinely liked her. But I hated him. So I was confused as to how this was going to go. My mind wandered back to the conversation that we'd shared in the drive way.

I owed him. Owed him what? He hadn't kept his word. Just because he answered a few measly questions doesn't mean that he can just get what he wants. He still owed me and I was going to get what I needed. My job was in the line and so was my relationship with my boss. He was losing patience with me and I was starting to lose it with myself. August was playing games that I didn't have time for.

"August, dinner was amazing. I think you out cooked me." My mother smiled as she placed her silverware against the now empty plate.

She lifted the remaining water in her glass to her lips, washing down the rat food August prepared. It was great but I'd never admit it to him. I had more important things to worry about.

"Thank you, I'm glad that you liked it. And thank you for inviting me into your lovely home. It was a pleasure." August spoke.

My head snapped up at his words, looking from him to my mother. He was ignoring me completely as of he just didn't take a small jab at me.

"You're very welcome and you are more than welcome to back anytime." She smiled at him.

This was enough, I was tired of it. I was close to gagging that I reached over to grab my glass. Lifting the glass, I seen August smirking at me from over the rim of my glass.

"Amina, didn't you enjoy dinner?" My mother asked me oblivious to anything that was going on.

I placed my glass back down on the table, sliding my eyes back over to hers. The smile that sat in her face was gentle. She was a sweet lady and believed that August and I were good friends.

Remembering that, I plastered a fake smile on to my face and faced August. His face held an expression of expectancy. With his brows raised and his hands under his chin, he smiled at me. Waiting.

Clearing my throat, I nodded as if I was just to full to speak. "Whew. What a dinner. The rat food was very good." I say smiling towards August who narrows his eyes at me, clenching his jaw.

My mother pays my hand in a playful manner. Gaining my attention.

"Oh Mina, leave him alone. You keep picking at him and he may not come back over here again." She says in a sweet tone. Clearly thinking I was joking.

I mean was a little bit. The food was delicious. Probably spiked with poison. But it was a little late to think about that. I would just hope that he didn't. That's all I could do at the moment. Hearing my mother and him carry on a conversation just annoyed me more. I twisted the rings on my fingers and probably looked like a brat right now.

"Well you guys I'm going to get these dishes. Amina are you staying the night?" My mother asked interrupting my sulk.

I looked up at her blinking a a few times bringing myself back to now. Clearing my throat, I straightened my posture and frowned.

"Huh?" I asked.

She placed her hands in her hips and cocked her brow at me. "You. Here. Tonight. Are you staying?"

"Oh. Yea I was planning on it why?" I asked, looking at the dishes that my mom was now gathering.

She rolled her eyes in a playful manner and I saw August shaking his head laughing. Was I missing a joke? What the hell was going on?

"Well I wasn't sure if you were going to come back this way after you two got done." She mentioned as if I were supposed to know what she was talking about.