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Chapter 120: Evangeline's Parents

"Have you met her parents yet, Yan?"

Ambryan considered the question. He gathered that it was another test. Once he revealed that it hadn't happened yet, his father would have another thing to ask. "No, I haven't. Not every parent asks to meet who their children are dating right away."

"But you're a well-known figure. Aren't they curious about you based on what they have seen on the news?" Jackson defended. He shifted his gaze towards Eve. "Haven't they asked about him?"

"No, they haven't." Eve mumbled, becoming tight-lipped. Just when she thought they had everything figured out, scenarios like this would pop up. Her chest squeezed at the thought of her parents. Her hands began to shake. 

"No comments about him at all? Do they know you're dating?"

Avery cut him off. "Why are you asking so much when you just met her?"

Her husband turned to face her. "How else am I supposed to get to know her?"

"Can't you see that she's uncomfortable? She'll tell you about it at her own time."

"Um" Eve gulped. Sweat trickled down the back of her head. Her eyes couldn't meet anyone's. It was bound to happen sooner or later, she guessed. She held onto her knees and looked up.

Her gaze found Avery's first. She cracked a small smile. "It's okay, Aunt Avery. I don't mind."

"Are you sure?" The madam asked. 

Then, it clicked.

Eve realized that Avery already knew about it. It really was inevitable. She shifted her attention towards Jackson. Her head nodded at him, apologizing for her behavior. "I'm sorry for the delay, Mr. Hathaway, but I can't give you a straight answer. My mother left the world of the living 6 years ago and I haven't seen my father for that long either. I can't vouch if he knows or not."

Eerie silence fell on the table.

"I'm so sorry, dear," Avery breathed out. Her eyes drooped at the corners. The young woman would have been 19 when it happened. As a mother, she couldn't imagine how difficult that must have beenthe idea of leaving their child because of something they couldn't control. 

As a daughter, her heart burned when her own mother died but she already had Jackson and Ambryan at the time. Had she been any younger, the pain would have been unbearable.

"It's alright," Eve assured her. It was all in the past. Truthfully, there wasn't a day that passed by when she didn't miss her mother. She could see her in almost anything if she looked hard enough. 

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The pain would always be there.

But, she had two bundles of joy to live for. 

"My condolences," Ambryan whispered.

Eve patted his hand near her shoulder. "Thank you."

"Your father" Jackson intervened, bothered by something else. His gaze hardened as his grip on his drink tightened. "He's not dead, is he?"

"Last time I checked, yes, he is alive," Eve replied. It was the best answer that she could give. She hadn't received any notice about him.

"And you don't know where he is?"

She shook her head. "No. He left home."

Something changed inside of Eve. 

Her hollow shell crackled with fire, burning her on the inside. The heat spread rapidly in her veins. She held her breath and dug her fingers on her knees. She remembered the last time that she saw him. 

The mere thought of it left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Why did he leave?" Jackson continued, still feeling tense. His lips stretched into a grim line. 

How could a man abandon his family? 

Eve shrugged. "I actually don't know."

"You're what? 25? 26? And he left when you were in college?"

"Yes, I was. I got a part-time job in order to sustain expenses."

"Okay, that's enough." Ambryan spoke. The conversation ceased immediately. Everyone glanced at him and he gestured towards a waiter headed their way. "I think dinner is about to start."

Four plates of salads were served. The leafy vegetables had a mix of green and deep plum colors. Other vegetables included cherry tomatoes, onion, bell pepper and more. The chicken had been sliced thinly. They lined up on one side, following a curve. 

White-colored dressing drizzled across the plate. 

Eve took the first bite, more than happy to move on from the topic.

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.

.

.

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Dinner went by smoothly. Avery took over the conversations once again. Now that her husband had his moment, there was no need for her to hold back. She shared various stories about her social circles and about Ambryan's childhood. 

The atmosphere instantly became light.

On the way to the apartment complex, city traffic was moderate. Bright lights littered the streets. Establishments showcased their neon signs, hoping to attract customers. No corner was left in the dark.

"All this time, I thought you were the quiet kid," Eve began to say, breaking the silence. Her reflection on the window showed her smile. "Who knew that you'd be such a troublemaker? I can't believe that you almost set an entire garden on fire."

"It was accidental."

"But why were you carrying around a torch?"

"It was a dare."

Ambryan's frown deepened. No matter how many times he asked, his mother continued to talk about his youth. Even his father joined in whenever he could remember something. Avery defended that it was important for his girlfriend to know about those things.

Why Evangeline needed to know how he cut tomato vines with a toy sword was beyond his comprehension.

Eve laughed and shook her head. Hearing those stories reminded her of her own. Nostalgia hit her hard. A sigh flowed out of her lips. "I remember being in a video store once. I was looking through CDs on a table. One caught my eye because it looked like a movie I saw on TV."

The car stopped at a red light. Ambryan sneaked a peek. Eve gazed out the windshield, her mind transporting to another world. He didn't dare to interrupt her.

It was far better than talking about his childhood.

"I immediately grabbed my mom's arm, asking her to buy it. My eyes stayed on the CD. I was so happy and ecstatic. I never knew the name of the movie so I felt like I found buried treasure. I kept tugging my mom and begging for her to get it," Eve narrated. She closed her eyes and shielded them under her hand.

"But then, I turn around and see that it was a random lady all this time." She buried herself lower on her seat, her knees hanging over the edge. "I could almost see her face. She didn't even react while I paled on the spot. Her expression also showed nothing!"

Ambryan changed gears and turned to the left. He sped up once the car was straight again. "Did your mother end up buying the CD?"

"She did." Eve chuckled. She pushed herself up and played with her hair. "I still have it back home. I placed my most precious memories with her in a box. I think it helped me cope."

Her body felt lighter. It really was a good memoryalmost as good as them singing karaoke in the living room. Or when they played on the seesaw together. Or maybe how they always ate at WcDonald's during her mother's payday.

"By the way," Eve suddenly said. "Thank you for what you did back there."

"What I did?"

"Yeah, changing the subject though it led to your embarrassing childhood stories." She giggled. "I'm sorry if I didn't tell you sooner. At least, that's one problem that we don't need to put an act on."

Ambryan squeezed the steering wheel. The leather covering squeaked under his grip. His jaw locked, gnashing his teeth together. Something about her statement irked him. It was confusing because what she said was true.

Why would it bother him then? 

The rest of the ride continued in silence.

Eve unbuckled her seatbelt as the car rolled up to the entrance of her apartment building. 

"Oh, man. I can't wait for a hot bath." She stretched her arms up and arched her back. A loud yawn flowed out of her mouth. She couldn't wait to get some proper rest. 

"Just don't fall asleep in the bathtub."

"Why would I even choose to sleep there?" She retorted, giving him a weird look. in "I'm sorry but it's nothing compared to a bed."

Ambryan pulled on the brake and chuckled. "You sound really tired. You might just collapse on the bed."

"Actually, that could happen," Eve admitted but quickly took it back. She needed to go to the bathroom and change, at least. Her contact lenses were asking to be removed too. 

Both parties became quiet. Clouds floated away, revealing the moon behind them. Its gentle light shined down the surroundings.

Eve had one hand on the door handle. Since when was it hard to say goodbye? Like how did people word it again?

Then, she felt fingertips brush her ear, tucking away a loose strand of hair.

She froze.

"Gee, look at the time. You still have work to do tomorrow. Haha. Send my regards to your parents. I had a lovely time despite the small things." Eve checked if she had all her belongings with her. Then, she pointed to the blue gift box. "Don't forget to open it and Happy Monthsary!"

"Hey"

She was out the door before Ambryan could say anything else. She ran up the stairs and entered the lobby, giving him no time to catch up.