A Visit From Mother

The second month is coming to a close, and a familiar woman in a formal suit in high-end clothing, has apparently finished some serious business with an associate after a meeting in a skyscraper’s office.

Walking out of the office, handing out some files under her arm to one of her secretaries that was standing next to her, the company’s Executive Manager Miana, the CEO’s wife. She relaxes her attitude as she unbuttons her tightly dressed shirt, sliding off her blazer and letting down her long ponytail with a satisfied sigh of relief as the three of them make their way down the corridor to the lift.

“Right, here’s the schedule for next week, and make sure to look over these documents for next week, but for now, I have some other business to attend to,” Miana says smiling with excitement, flopping her blazer over her left arm as she indicates her desire to separate herself from the secretaries to walk alone.

“Ah, I see. But what other business do you have, seeing as there is nothing on your timetable?” The colleague asks, handing off the folders to the secretary behind her on top of the few folders she was already holding as Miana stops a few steps away to turn around to answer.

“Well, a business that is dear to me is one that I will prepare immediately,” Miana answers, before resuming to walk away to the lift alone. The secretaries slightly bow to insinuate respect to their boss before returning themselves to their designated offices, as Miana finally stands alone by the lifts, whipping out her phone after pressing the button for the ground floor, dialling a contact that responds within seconds, “Hello sweetie, can I come over today?”

Miana looks across the city with a smile of genuine happiness from the floor’s window, as the lift then opens for Miana to walk into it, whilst she continues to converse with her current contact as the lift descends.

After the end of the phone call, she makes her way to her personal car park, joy radiantly brimming in her expression, as she touches the button on her car keys to unlock the door of her expensive car, a white Hentley. She pulls out of the car park, driving off into the traffic, sticking on some music as she heads off to her chosen destination with eagerness to arrive as soon as possible.

Back at the shared apartment, Renalia is sipping her cup of tea after having a cooked breakfast, peacefully enjoying the morning sunshine, when Vivia walks into the kitchen seemingly urgent.

“Um, Ren,” Vivia urgently converses, looking around the room before locking eyes back to Ren.

“Hmm-hmm… What’s up?” Ren replies, looking taken aback as the anxious tone indicates that something may be wrong.

Continuously pressing, Vivia asks “Can you hang out with Estie for the day?”

Ren thinks for a moment, raising an eyebrow, ‘She sounds a lot more urgent than normal,’ before responding in a curious tone, “Is something wrong?”

Vivia reacts with a denying attitude, “No, no-no-no… nothing’s wrong. Just, uh,” as she tries to find an excuse, “need the house vacant for the afternoon for a bit. Don’t worry, will only be for the afternoon…”

After Vivia finishes, Ren looks bemused before replying in an accepting tone to hide her sneaking suspicions, “Uhuh…,” though thinking conversely, ‘something is definitely off…’

Cleaning the kitchen tops of the loosely placed cups and dishes into the dishwasher, Vivia continues, “It’s alright, Estie knows you’ll be free to hang out, so she’ll meet you at 12.45pm at the bus stop.”

Ren sighs reluctantly, “Okay, fine,” as Vivia finishes some clearing away before saying gratifyingly, “Thanks, that means a lot.”

Ren watches Vivia disappears into the bedroom to the sound of clothing being moved about, as she decides to clear her dishes and have a rest afterwards to the continuing clutter of tidying up.

As time progresses, Ren begins to question herself about what Vivia could be so urgent about. The attitude, the desperation. Nothing seems to be ordinary, especially to someone who seems so laid back and free-spirited. ‘Something feels off’, Ren concludes, before drinking the last of her tea as the clock ticks to 12.29pm.

She sits up, slipping on her shoes, before sorting out her outdoor essentials calmly yet still lost in thought regarding Vivia.

The time tells 12.38pm, as Vivia pressures Ren to leave to meet Estie, stating, “Okay, you got everything? Good. Now, enjoy yourself and take your time,” pushing Ren’s back as she is forced out the door.

Ren watches Vivia closing the door, with an expression of anxiousness, before making her way to the bus stop. However, Ren couldn’t help but think, from her perspective, that something has got Vivia worked up to the point of desperation and urgency. To her, this was totally not normal in the slightest.

Back at the apartment, Vivia monologues in total guilt, ‘I bet I looked so suspicious. Nnng! I couldn’t help it. She’s coming round any minute, and it’s been such a while which is getting me worked up. Dammit!’

Vivia paces up and down, time ticking on, as the clock ticks. 12.45pm.

Knock. Knock.

On the dot, a knock interrupts Vivia’s emotional preparations as she feels the presence overwhelm her, forcing her to go and meet the guest at the door.

Unlocking the hatch, she opens the door. It’s an older woman, standing with long flowing, reddish brunette hair, a pristine fancy but informal dress and well-matching heels. She holds a high-end luxurious bag over her left shoulder, brushing her hair to one side and smiling as the door opens.

“Mother!” Greeted Vivia, trying to hold back her anxious emotions and thoughts. The woman, Miana, responds with such delight, “Hm, how have you been, my dear?”

“Um, been fine,” Vivia replies, before her mother interrupts with a big hug, snuggling affectionately as a big blush sweeps across Vivia’s face.

“Missed you, you know. You do know how much I love your company,” Miana states lovingly, hugging Vivia tight as she replies, “Hmm-hmm…”

After the embrace, Miana slightly prods in a teasing manner, “Anyways, are you going to show your number one mum into the house?”

Sighing whilst trying to calm her blushing, Vivia says, “Mother really?” Fine, come in…”

“Thank you, my dear,” Miana smiles.

Making their way into the kitchen, Miana takes note without uttering a word to how tidy and clean everything is, as important questions primarily focus her attention.

Filling the kettle with a fresh refill, Vivia gets down to business, “So, what’s the reason for the visit?”

Unexpectedly, Miana responds with an uncaring attitude of seriousness, cheekily poking, “Do I need a reason to visit my beautiful daughter?”

Vivia blushes again to the playful mood of her mother, “Mum… I’m being serious…”

Miana relaxes herself, speaking bluntly, “Well, one reason is hearing your opinion of your new roommate.”

Vivia finally lets her guard down as her mother gets straight to the point, or so it seems to her. She responds, “Oh, Renalia,” sitting the kettle down for boiling.

“Yes, so. How are you finding her? Any issues at all?”

“Um, not really,” Vivia says casually, stopping with the kettle business to focus her attention on her mother, “She’s quite the stoic but adorable one, to be honest…”

In the meantime, Ren and Estie had met up at the bus stop, hugging as they found each other, before chatting about where to head for the day.

“So,” Estie questions, “where would you like to chill out for the day? You’re the boss,” winking to say that anywhere is fine.

“Hmm, I don’t mind looking at some new outfits at the mall with you,” Ren responds casually.

“You got it,” Estie concludes, thumbs upping her decision.

The two girls walk into the mall, Estie following Ren’s open destination as the two chat casually onwards. “So, I saw this new fashion shop called ‘Waist-a-Line’ and thought we could try out some of their new items, since you want to check out some new outfits.”

Blankly staring, Ren says, “Eh… sure, I mean, why not?” as a disappointed expression sweeps her face. ‘Um…Waist-a-Line… really?’ Ren thought. However, that early afternoon situation comes clawing back as she thinks about that instead, ‘But, what’s more on my mind is Vivia though… Earlier today, why did she behave like that?’

Interrupting her inner-monologue, Estie states, “Here it is. It’s close by ‘Top-Heavy’, y’know, the store we went together for the first time.”

Ren replies reminiscently, “Oh, I remember,” as memories start popping up of that time.

“Hmm-hmm… it seems to be a rival shop though. Got similar style brands but with more of a focus on,” Estie says, before pointing at Ren’s behind, “bottoms.”

Blushing disappointingly, Ren responds, “Uhuh…”

‘I don’t really have any interest in this, but,’ Ren thinks selflessly, ‘I’ll respect Estie’s interest in this store, since it’s better than walking around doing nothing, I guess.’

With both in agreement, the two nonchalantly make their way into the new store, browsing the wares for a little while. Ren finds a few stylish skirts, but thinks ‘not really’ as she thinks about if she does want something to buy, as Estie tries a few outfits on with Ren’s opinions entertaining themselves.

After a little while, Renalia finds a good skirt that she really wants, looking herself in the mirror with a smile, thinking ‘This skirt looks great, the design really fits my top at home, and the colour scheme and fabric works well together. Oh yeah, I wonder what Vivia is up to, since she would have teased me about this skirt I’m buying…’

However, the smile turns to a distracting thoughtful expression as Vivia’s suspicious behaviour regains a hold of her as she blanks off into space. ‘I’m curious, did Vivia act so anxiously… because she has a boyfriend or something like that? Maybe she wanted to spend some adult time together…’ Images of Vivia being romantically lewd with an unknown boyfriend floods her mind.

“Ren… Ren!” Shouted Estie, snapping her out of her daydreaming.

“Oh!?” Ren reacts, refocusing her attention to what she was doing, Estie teasing her about what she was maybe thinking about.

“Oi! Stop thinking about Vivia’s big bouncing boobies and tell me,” Estie proclaims, “would this dress suit me for an evening party?”

Shaking her head in denial, Ren blushingly denies “I wasn’t thinking that!”

“Oh, come now. Bet you were. Anyways, whatcha think?”

Ren takes a moment to sober her mind, clearing any distractions away, before focusing back to reality and calming down. She looks at Estie’s dress for a good minute before she unleashes her true opinion, “Oh, erm. I think that would look great on you, since it would definitely balance out your hair colour with the dress.”

Estie pauses and thinks over the dress again, realising, “Oh… never thought about that. Amazing points there, Ren. I totally know now; I’m going to buy this.”

Smiling, Ren replies, “You’re welcome.”

“Hehe, thankies,” gratefully responds Estie.

The two take their chosen clothes to the till, smiling at each other’s choices, before leaving the store with full bags in hand.

They check the time, realising that it would best for some food as it reads 1.35pm, the duo then takes a rest at McFondald’s after purchasing their chosen wears, enjoying the new menu that peaked their interest when entering the restaurant. It looked too appetising to miss, both agreeing to try both options available.

After their food stop, they then make their way back towards the mall for something else to do.

Ren and Estie casually chat, walking past several shops of no interest to them, until the arcade store ‘The V-Box Center’ appears into their view, nostalgia flowing over Estie as it distracts her attention.

“Ooo, this place looks fun for a bit,” Estie remarks, peeking through the windows at the machines as she nonchalantly walks to the front of the store. “I used to play a lot with Ammie back in the secondary school days,” she continues, reminiscing over several gaming moments in her childhood of her and Ammie playing a few gaming machines, “Ren, wanna…”

Estie pauses, watching Ren lock eyes onto a shooting arcade machine in the center of the store, directly heading straight for the machine with little care for conversation.

Smiling with recollection, Estie feels flashbacks of fun before proudly commenting, “Oh, Brothel of the dead! A real classic game,” clicking her fingers in a gun shape, pointing at the wonders of fun she had in the past. Explaining the game, Estie says, “Oh, erm. The way to play is to pick up the gun like this, the trigger is here, and just aim with the sight on screen at the zombies as they pop up wherever.”

Apparently, as if she had tunnel-visioned, Ren ignored Estie’s explanation as all sound seemingly vanished into quietness, posing into a veteran soldier stance, facially expressing a killer-intent mode of bloodlust, as the coin for starting the game drops.

Game start!

The zombies start popping up, within seconds, are popped back down as Ren shoots mercilessly without missing a single shot, reloading each time so quickly that Estie watches in awe at the insanity unfolding in front of her.

The seconds tick by, as a few male teenagers, a group of students, notices the commotion of a young woman shamelessly over-exaggerating her gaming demonstration of destroying waves of pixilated monsters. They stop with amazement at her razor-sharp reflexes as she progresses level by level.

“Oh my. Go for it, girl!” One boy shouts aloud, as the other supports by cheering, “Yes! Destroy them all!”

Estie joins in on the supporting chants, as a mini boss appears for the first time on the screen, “Ren! Watch out!”

Ren replies in a brunt tone without looking away, “Bitch, please!”

In the meantime, back at the apartment, Vivia realises she wanted a cup of tea yet forgot, so she sticks on the kettle for boiling as Miana, in amongst the conversation, has an idea pop into her head about something interesting.

“Anyways sweetheart,” Miana asks in a teasingly pressuring tone, “Have you…”

“Hmm?” Vivia responded briefly, turning on the kettle, Miana finishes her question, “got yourself a boyfriend yet?”

Blushing heavily, Vivia reacts embarrassingly, “EH?!?!?!” She thinks to herself about what could her mum be getting at before replying emotionally replying, “Wh-where did that come from?”, having been completely put off-guard.

Bubbling noises start to add undertones to the moment as the kettle begins to boil, Miana posing herself with an adult-sense of authority, states in a curious yet warm-embracing, teasing tone, “Well, I thought with how beautiful you’ve become, just like myself, I thought that maybe you have attracted one or two handsome gentlemen by now.”

‘Critical Hit!’

Ren critically snipes an enemy, annihilating the last few normal enemies as they come onto screen, as the crowd grows watching Renalia obliterate the game with little effort. Some of the kids shout “Yes, you can do it!” and “Wow! What a shot!” The ‘Wow’ expressions continue to spread across the crowd as Ren enters the next phase.

“Mother!” Exclaims Vivia, the kettle boiling furiously as the whistling begins to screech across the room, “I-uh, I haven’t met… someone at the moment. Uh, I don’t-”

‘Boss incoming!’

The boss zombie gets ready to appear, Ren not hesitating in the slightest as she reloads her gun, positions herself for the final showdown.

“Oh, come on dear,” Miana refutes, “with a figure like that, it’s impossible that no man hasn’t,” putting her left hand on her cheek, her right-hand finger gunning at her, “confessed to you at some point.”

‘Deadly blow!’

Ren fights the boss with absolute fearlessness, finally dealing the last blow to the boss monster as Estie and the crowd cheer in awe as the final score tallies the game on screen, stating ‘A new first place high score!’

The kettle reaches boiling point, as Vivia now blushing with emotional un-comfortability and complete embarrassment, “Mmm… MOTHER!!!!!!!”

After the game ends, Ren returns back to normal to notice an unexpected crowd had gathered, embarrassed at the sudden situation, she walks away blushing after putting the game gun down, with Estie tailing after her to catch up.

The two leave the arcade, Estie still overwhelmed with awe, stops Ren after asking for her to explain herself at the insane showcase of gamer potential.

“Ren… HOLY SHIT! That was fucking awesome! You were like Dr. Bin the Wam-Dam with those aiming skills!” Estie passionately praises.

Ren looks on dumbfounded, replying, “Eh? I thought that was rather normal-”

“That was not normal,” interrupts Estie, “in the slightest! It was craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy! Especially the fact that you didn’t lose one life. Not one!”

Ren happily blushes, “oh erm… thanks.”

“Right,” Estie continues, as cheerfulness and gratitude fill her heart, “for that awesome display that made my day, you deserve a treat.”

“You… don’t need to,” Ren refuses guiltily, however, Estie asserts, “Nope, you do. And you’ll accept it. That’s that.”

Giving in, Ren responds, “Okay, sure.”

“Great!” Estie says, grabbing her hand as they make their way to enjoy her favourite prize before they both agree to end the day.

Ren says her goodbye to Estie at the bus stop, smiling at the craziness that transpired that day, before heading home with a little skip in her step. She really enjoyed the day with Estie.

Although, contradictory to her expectations, Ren opens the door to finally relax for the day, to see Vivia sitting on the sofa beat-red.

Her happiness subsides as Renalia tries to converse, “Huh? Vivia…”

“Ren, don’t ask,” Vivia states antisocially, expressing that she wants to be left alone to calm down.

Ren pauses, thinking with deep curiosity, ‘Why is Vivia blushing? Don’t tell me. Did she… do it?’ She shakes her head at the illogical line of thought, rethinking again, ‘No, something is off; this isn’t the Vivia I know. I must ask.’

Ren breathes in and out. Then, asking, “Vivia what the hell happened?”

Vivia stands up, still emotionally affected from before, walks up to Renalia to eventually disappear into her gaming room, rejecting to answer by declaring, “I won’t tell!”

Ren turns around to face Vivia walking away, her expression filled with curiosity, shouts aloud annoyingly, “What… the FUCK IS GOING ON!?!?!?!?!”

A new day begins, as the third month comes to an end. Several days after Vivia’s unexpected behaviour, a Monday breeze sweeps softly across the room as Renalia relaxes with a cooked breakfast at the dinner table, a tea by her left side, enjoying the morning essence.

Sipping her tea, she messes around on her phone with her music player, sorting out the playlist for the workout session slightly after she finishes her breakfast.

‘Mmm, I’ll put this song here, then this one…’ Ren thinks, fumbling about the song order, until sudden thoughts of Vivia acting out of character distracts her thought process. ‘Ah, why am I thinking about Vivia for? Still, nothing seems to add up about that evening…,’ Ren monologues, finally finishing the playlist order, ‘Anyways, that’s done,’ she thinks conclusively as, however, more visuals of Vivia’s embarrassment flash in her mind. She shakes her head asking ‘why’ to herself, before she puts her phone down to finish her tea and breakfast annoyingly at the distracted thoughts that ruined her relaxing morning.

After tidying away her dishes, she brushed her teeth and gets dressed for the workout to try and forget about Vivia those days before. Doing some warmups before beginning the workout, she realises that she had run out of her water before doing the exercise so she went to buy some since she didn’t drink tap water. Renalia returns home after a little trip to the shops, taking off her shoes and returning back into her workout wear, then noticing it’s almost lunchtime and decides to relax a little before having a solo lunch.

A lonesome lunch passes by, with Renalia eating again at the dinner table and Vivia, without really paying much attention, makes her own and eats at her computer. The girls clean their dishes by themselves, going back to their own activities after finishing up, Renalia starting her workout session and Vivia playing a game causally deciding to not stream.

A few hours pass by, and Ren is resting on the sofa after completing her exercise whilst Vivia remerges from her gaming room to arrive in the kitchen. Pouring a glass of Rapsi Max, Ren decides to confront her about last Saturday since the timing is perfect.

Thinking strategically, Ren monologues, ‘Oh, now’s the chance to ask her properly about last weekend. Been getting annoyed at those thoughts,’ as a few more distinct images of Vivia’s face pops into her mind, prompting her to shake her head and stand up. ‘Right! Let’s do this,’ Ren concludes to herself, gathering self-encouragement to answer some needed questions.

Ren drifts over to Vivia’s side calmly, Vivia noticing her presence as she finishes the glass of Rapsi.

“Oh, ya right Ren? Want some Rapsi?”

Ren replies, “uh, sure but I prefer G.P Graper myself.”

“Oh,” Vivia says, putting the bottle away, “we could get some at the shops later, if ya want.”

Looking around the room, Ren builds up her confidence before speaking, “Um, Vivia,” waiting for Vivia to initiate the real conversation she was preparing for by replying.

“Hm?” Vivia responds, to which Ren directly looks at Vivia, initiating the conversation she has been desperate to put to rest. “So, about last Saturday when I returned home from hanging out with Estie… did something happen?”

Stunned. Vivia looks back at Renalia, shocked at the unexpected attitude, not knowing what else to say other than, “Mmm…”

“You seemed rather different that day,” Ren continuously asserts, though Vivia tries her best to redirect the topic of conversation, saying, “Oh, what ya talking about…? Ooo, I can order some late-night snacks if you’re feeling hung-”

“I’m asking why you were behaving differently when I came home last week,” interrupts Ren, posing sternly as she leans in, “because it’s been bothering me for a while.”

Vivia answers incoherently after Ren asks, due to Ren’s assertiveness catching her off guard, “Um… uh…”

Ren continues, as worry flavours her tone, “I’m asking, like, did someone come round and hurt you, like an ex-boyfriend or…,” expressing sympathetic curiosity across her face.

As blushing begins to form on Vivia’s face, she defectively replies as she stutters due to the embarrassment, “Uh, no, no. No-nothing like that, definitely no ex-boyfriend or whatever.”

Standing undeterred, Ren holds her ground and asks straight-forwardly, “So, what happened?”

Vivia waves her hands in embarrassment, “Just, hold on…,” she says as she looks away from Ren, blushing all across her cheeks. She pauses for a brief minute; thoughts of surprise fill her mind. ‘I, I have never seen Renalia act like this…, I can’t believe that she could be so aggressive, assertive… whatever,’ closing her eyes to reformulate her thought process.

Ren realises that Vivia has began to think seriously about her curious questions, deciding quietly to let Vivia answer in earnest.

Monologuing in thought, Vivia continues as she opens her eyes again, ‘Let me get my bearings. This is not me. I hate this deflection shit. Not me at all,’ sighing to herself before crossing her arms across her chest.

‘Man, this is the first time I will ever open up to someone but, I can trust her. Right? Take a deep breath, then. Let’s be honest. Without revealing too much.’

Vivia looks directly at Ren, “Okay,” she says as a deep breathe in and out follows, “I’ll… I’ll tell you, but first,” pointing at the sofa, “I’d be more comfortable if we sit down.”

Relaxing to Vivia’s cooperation, Ren agrees, “Okay, sure.”

The two make their way over to the sofa, placing their drinks on the living room center table, sitting down into a relaxing posture before Vivia begins to break the silence.

“So, to start off,” Vivia says, Ren nodding as a ‘Hmm-Hmm’ soothes her down to open up more consentingly.

She blushes lightly, knowing what she will reveal, but decides not to go back now. She confesses, “The one who made me feel embarrassed that day was… actually my mum.”

Oh……huh?” Ren replies, completely confused at the information given, but determines that everything should be explained first before asking more, so she ignores her own impatience by saying, “Oh, erm. Do go on.”

Looking down at the floor before locking eyes with Ren again, Vivia begins, “Well, she came round to check up on me because it’s part of her job routine for one,” Ren listening actively, but the lack of information clouds her understanding of the context. Continuing on, “but it’s also because she’s so busy that she doesn’t get to see me as much, so she decided to visit me as any loving, doting mum would, hehe…,” Vivia says, smiling lovingly, prompting Ren to feel a little jealous, though insignificant to the conversation, as her curiosity to why Vivia behaved that way before took precedence over any other emotion.

“Ah, I see,” Ren responds thoughtfully, “Erm, what is your mum’s name, if you don’t mind?”

“Oh, she’s called Miana. Miana Titina,” Vivia states.

“Um… wait a minute. Miana,” Ren replies reminiscently, as flashbacks to the interviewer jogs her memory, the realisation hitting conclusively. “HUH!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!” Ren shockingly shouts, “The one that interviewed me for this place?!”

Laughing to the overblown yet hilarious reaction to that truth, Vivia chuckles, “ahaha, yep. That’s her.”

Ren looks on with absolute shock, “So, let me guess this straight. Your mum… owns this building?!?!”

Trying to order her words, Vivia explains, “Um, well. Technically, she does, but it’s actually my Dad is the owner of the company that owns this property, which means that my Mum has equal control over this apartment but manages the funds that keeps our lights on etcetera.”

“So,” Ren interjects, “are you from a wealthy family?!?!?!” Her eyes amazed that she is living with someone of such a class, the respect that she was wishing from the very beginning.

Giggling to the ignorance, Vivia restates, “Haha, not really. Apparently, before I was born, mum and dad were actually of the working class before eventually building the business we all know today. It took a lot of work and grinding day by day to make it out of their situation to here. Where we are now.”

The afternoon sun shines through the windows as the conversation continues.

Ren gently smiles, “Oh…,” before regaining her serious attitude, “so moving past that, now that I understand your past, can you explain to me; how did your mother embarrass you last Saturday to such an extent?”

Blushes slightly grows on Vivia’s face, responding in a humorous yet avoiding attitude, “Um, y’know mum stuff. Haha, poking and prodding her daughter with teasing remarks like, by rounding off her visit about my chest being too boobaliscious,” she grins, bouncing her chest.

Ren blankly stares, not buying the reason, replying assertively, “C’mon, no stupid jokes right now. Please, tell me the real reason.”

Vivia’s blush fills her cheeks, as shyness overtakes her joking attitude. She decides that avoiding the real reason for before was not going to get past Renalia, so Vivia opens up reluctantly slowly explaining, “Hmm… the real reason,” sighing deeply, then confessing, “it’s because… Mmm!!! Mum, basically confronted me about being single… um…”

Ren’s eyes widen, responding in disbelief, “Huh… you’re single!?!?!?!?!”

Stuttering uncontrollably as Ren leans in, Vivia says, “I’m uh… sing-m-I-uh-boy! Fuck!”

“You what?” Ren reacts, confused at Vivia’s unintelligible response.

“Listen!” Vivia exclaims frantically, blushing heavily after sighing, “My mum confronted me about why I didn’t have a boyfriend, teasing me about how my looks didn’t land me someone and I couldn’t retaliate at all. She shot through me completely with a mum’s intuition about my relationship status and I couldn’t say anything back…,” deeply breathing in and out before she concluded, “So, it caught me off guard, and I was still calming down as you came home.”

Ren relaxes, realising now what the truth is, apologises, “Ah, I understand now. In that case, I’m sorry for being inappropriately forward with my questioning.”

Vivia says, as her blushes fade away slowly, “It’s okay. It’s fine, just a mum and daughter thing y’know. Teasing and whatnot. Mum, seriously, has the body like me and the teasing as well. Can really get me vulnerable at times. Anyways,” she states, drinking her Rapsi before smiling in relief after such an embarrassing conversation has now closed.

Clink.

Vivia places her emptied drink on the living room table, as Ren ‘Mmm’s’ aloud since she is feeling somewhat guilty, but Vivia gratefully compliments her, “Thank you, Ren. For letting me get this off my chest.”

Ren flusters, hearing this out-of-the-blue compliment, “Oh, uh ayaya… it’s fine. Just, I was concerned about you…”

“Well,” Vivia smiles in a smug grin, “especially getting this embarrassing stuff of these and all,” accentuating her chest with a teasing expression.

Ren blushingly replies, annoyed at the non-serious attitude, “Really?! I was concerned that something bad had happened, and you had to make it about your tits! For fuck’s sake, Vivia!!!!!”

Bursting out in hilarity, Vivia slaps her knee as she laughs passionately, Renalia smiling that Vivia has returned back to normal, humorously shouting, “Vivia!”

The duo has an open, friendly chat, enjoying some television and a few drinks of fizzy drinks before taking a chill break doing their own thing alone until the early evening arrived.

Dinner time comes. Renalia begins cooking with Vivia joining in with the preparations, before laying the table and bantering away the night a little more openly about themselves, eating the delicious food with a hot cup of tea as an accompaniment.

They both casually joke and chat as they get ready for bed, sharing a platonic but affectionate smile to each other as they lay down and sleep. The day has come to an end.

End of Chapter