Chapter 20
Chapter
Twenty
A mina couldn’t stop fidgeting and her nerves were getting the better of her. Ethan reached across the armrest and captured her hand. He brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “Relax, everything is going to be fine. My mother will love you.”
That’s exactly what Mark had said, when he’d introduced her to his parents. And that’s what scared her. She knew that Ethan adored his mom and they were close. What if Ms. Han didn’t like her? What is she didn’t think Amina was good enough for her handsome, well-off, neurosurgeon son?
“You say that now, Ethan but I know how moms can be with their sons.”
“My mom would like nothing more than for me to settle down. She keeps asking when I’m going to find a nice girl. And the fact that I’m bringing you to meet her will let her know I’m very serious about you.”
“Have you brought any women home to meet her before?”
“You’d be the first and I intend for you to be the only. Relax.”
Amina still couldn’t shake her nerves. He gave her hand a squeeze. “I promise, if you get uncomfortable we can leave.”
She sighed, and looked at the scenery of the countryside.
The past three months had been like a fairy tale for Amina. She and Ethan were officially a couple and everyone at the office was aware of it. Paisley was supportive and happy about the relationship. Even Dr. Carter made a congratulatory remark about it.
A couple of the nurses in the office however who had once been friendly had grown cold toward her, especially Carole who never missed an opportunity to make a snide remark.
It was no big secret that a few of the nurses had a crush on Ethan so learning Amina had taken him off the market had made her some enemies. Amina didn’t mind as long as they did the job they were paid for.
Her relationship with Ethan was a dream come true. Amina’s only comparison was Mark and it was like night and day. Ethan’s love language was acts of service. If he got to the office before Amina, her favorite mocha latte would be on her desk waiting.
On the days he was not in the office, he would have lunch delivered to her. When they weren’t working, he’d take Amina on unique dates like to the botanical gardens. They’d gone to an escape room once, and axe throwing. He even cooked for her.
Each day, Amina fell more in love with him. She couldn’t believe this beautiful man belonged to her and he treated her like a queen. But a dark cloud still hovered over them that still gave her nightmares.
Mark unfortunately did not gracefully bow out of her life. But then again she didn't expect him to. She thought he would try to confront her a couple of times and finally move on. But for the past months, she’d dealt with nonstop harassment.
Shortly after the engagement party fiasco, she found all four tires of her car slashed and the word, WHORE , spray painted on the driver’s side door. She’d discovered it when Ethan had dropped her home to get a change of clothes.
The cameras that she’d had installed had caught a figure in a black hoodie but she couldn’t make out the face. She was certain Mark was the culprit but without concrete proof there wasn’t much she could do. Amina had planned to make an insurance claim but Ethan insisted he take care of everything. He ended up buying her four new tires and a new paint job.
He allowed her to use the extra parking space that came with his condo so Mark would no longer have access.
Mark left harassing text messages and voicemails to the point where she had to change her phone number. Despite going to the police with the messages, they told her there was nothing they could do because he didn’t make any actual threats.
The judicial system was equally disappointing because the judge denied her request for an order of protection, citing insufficient evidence. The judge had the nerve to tell her that if he hadn’t caused her physical harm then she should just ignore him. In Amina’s opinion, they weren’t going to do anything until he killed her.
As scary as that situation was, Amina felt good having Ethan in her corner.
“We’re here.” Ethan pulled into the driveway of a white cottage rancher with maroon shutters. The front yard was meticulously landscaped with multi-colored flowers and a cherub bird fountain. The cobblestone walkway was lined with manicured bushes.
Amina gasped. “Oh, this is so pretty. It looks like it’s straight out of a picture book.
Ethan smiled. “My mother takes pride in her yard. Gardening is one of her hobbies.”
He slid out of the car and Amina waited for him to come to the passenger side. They’d been dating long enough for Amina to get used to having her door opened by him.
When she stepped out of the car with Ethan’s assistance, she froze.
“What’s the matter babe?”
“Uh, does she know that I’m black?”
He chuckled. “Of course she does. I showed her your picture and she said you’re very pretty.”
“Did she really?”
“I wouldn’t lie about that.”
“And she doesn’t mind?”
“Do I think she would prefer if I brought home a nice Korean girl? I don’t know. She’s expressed what’s most important to her is that I’m happy and you make me very happy.” He too her hand and led her to the door.
Amina trembled at Ethan’s side when he rung the door bed.
Seconds later, a slender woman with short black hair liberally streaked with gray, wearing gold framed wired glasses, answered. She was dressed casually in a green, short sleeve button up top and a pair of white capri pants. She had such a youthful appearance that if it weren’t for the grays in her hair, Amina would never guess this woman was old enough to have a son Ethan’s age.
Ethan stepped forward and pulled his mother into his embrace. “Hello, Eomma. How have you been?”
“Just fine.” She pulled away and looked in Amina’s direction.
“Eomma, this is my girlfriend, Amina.” He introduced.
“Hello. Welcome to my home,” she greeted Amina with a warm smile.
Amina smiled and offered her hand. “It’s nice to meet you Ms. Han.”
The older woman swatted her hand away and gave Amina a hug. “There’s no need to be so formal. You may call me Mary.”
“Okay, Mary.”
“Come on in. I’ve made lunch. It’s such a nice day, I thought we can eat out on the patio.” She led them inside the house.
The house was just as charming on the inside as it was outside. Tastefully decorated with cream furniture and mahogany wood tables. The walls were adorned with Asian inspired artwork. There was a warmth that radiated from every corner of the house. It was a huge difference from the Caldwell house where everything had been ostentatious and borderline tacky.
“You have a lovely home,” Amina said politely.
“Thank you, Amina. You’re even prettier in person than in the picture Ethan showed me.”
Ethan wrapped his arm around her waist. “I agree. What did you make for lunch? Something smells delicious.”
“I made some of your favorites, Ethan.”
Mary led them through the house and outside to a picturesque backyard filled with roses and a variety of colorful flowers Amina couldn’t identify. There were so many, the fragrance was very prominent but it wasn’t unpleasant.
In the center of the patio was a glass table with a brown wicker base, surrounded by six matching chairs. On the table was an array of dishes Amina was unfamiliar with, but they looked colorful and delicious.
“Eomma, you didn’t have to make all this. It’s so much food for three people.”
“I wanted to go all out for Amina. Besides, whatever we don’t eat, I’ll pack up for the two of you to take home.”
“We’ll be eating this for days,” Ethan groaned, but there was a huge smile on his face as he eyed the cuisine laid out for them.
Ethan pulled out the chair for Amina, and then for his mom before taking his seat next to Amina.
“May I offer you something to drink? I have some hibiscus tea, or fresh squeezed lemonade, Amina,” Mary offered.
Amina eyed the pitcher of an interesting looking beverage with fresh fruit floating at the bottom. “Hibiscus tea sounds amazing.”
Mary, poured Amina and a glass and handed it to her.
Amina took a sip. “Hmm, this is good.”
“Glad you like it. Now, please help yourself to the food.”
Amina didn’t know where to start with all the dishes, but Ethan was kind enough to explain what each of them was, and how they were pronounced. There were a variety of meat dishes, and what he called banchan which was basically side dishes. Amina fell in love with the yacheajeon, a savory pancake filled with vegetables and the pork belly that practically melted in her mouth.
Ethan ate his topped with kimchi and wrapped in lettuce.
Everything she tried from the japchae, a sweet potato noodle dish, to the pickled radish, and short ribs sent her taste buds into orbit. The conversation was light and they mostly talked about general topics like current events.
Mary really put her at ease and encouraged her to eat more.
Amina slumped in her chair once she reached her fill. “I don’t think I can eat another bite.”
“Oh, I hope you still have enough room for desert. I made a strawberry cake.”
Ethan rubbed his belly. “Eomma, every time I come over here I gain at least five pounds.”
Mary smiled proudly. “You could stand to gain a couple pounds. You’re getting thin. Amina, you’re going to need to learn how to cook some of these dishes for Ethan.”
A statement like this would have normally triggered Amina in the past because Mrs. Caldwell, always criticized her homemaking skills. Nothing was ever good enough, from the way she cooked, and cleaned and took care of Mark, even when Amina was working full time while he sat on his lazy ass.
“I wish I could cook like this. It seems so complicated.”
Mary smiled. “I’d be very happy to show you how. Once you get the hang of it, I’m sure you’ll become a pro.”
Ethan placed his hand on Amina’s thigh. “Eomma, Amina doesn’t have to cook for me if she doesn’t want to. If she wants to order take out for the rest of our lives, I’ll be fine with that.”
Mary raised her brow but didn’t make a verbal response.
Worried that she’d upset Mary, Amina rushed to say, “Oh, but I wouldn’t mind cooking for Ethan. I would in fact, love to. And if you really want to teach me how to cook these dishes, I’d love to learn. Everything tasted amazing.”
“Only if you want to babe.” Ethan replied.
She loved how Ethan was so protective of her, but she didn’t want his mother to dislike her.
“Ethan, relax. I know it’s her choice. I’m only offering because I know how much you enjoy these dishes.”
Ethan offered a sheepish grin. “I’m sorry Eomma. When it comes to Amina, I can be a little overzealous.”
Mary laughed. “It’s totally fine.”
“And you’re right. I’d love it if Amina cooked some of my favorite dishes but only if she wants to. You know what’s funny, is when I was kid and you’d pack my lunch, I wanted a ham or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich like the other kids. I was so ashamed of my lunches because my classmates would make fun of my food. And now those same kids are paying top dollar in high end restaurants to eat food like this.”
“I’d definitely pay top dollar to eat like this all the time.” Amina rubbed her belly in appreciation.
“Well, I’m glad you liked it.” Mary turned her focus on Amina. “Would you mind coming to the kitchen with me to get the cake, Amina?”
She looked over at Ethan. “Ugh, sure.”
“I can get it, Eomma.”
“No, you stay put. Besides, I’d like to get a chance to know Amina a little better.”