Chapter 5: The Truth About Aaron
1138 Words
❤ Liv's POV ❤
MY birthday lunch was a success. My mom and Aaron got along really well. They were both amazing people, and I had no doubt.
Aaron brought a cake, and they sang me happy birthday before I made a wish and blew the candles. There were 18 candles, and I teared up a bit after I blew all the candles.
We enjoyed the food and each other's company until my mom excused herself to have a nap. I know she just wanted to give me and Aaron some privacy. Aaron helped me when I started cleaning up and putting away the leftovers. I refused his help, but he was stubborn.
We were done cleaning up not long after, and Aaron and I sat on the couch next to each other. He then pulled a small box from his pocket. He handed it to me and said "Happy birthday!"
I looked at the small box and asked "What is that?"
Aaron: "It's my birthday present for you."
Liv: "But you already brought me flowers, cake, and pastries. You didn't have to give me anything else."
Aaron: "Those are not presents. This is. Go ahead and open it."
I took the box and smiled and said "Thank you," before opening it. I gasped when I saw what it was. It's a gold necklace with a nice purple stone as a pendant. It looks expensive, but not too flashy. I don't think I'll be wearing this daily though, as I would be afraid I'd lose it.
Liv: "This is beautiful. This must be expensive."
Aaron: "Don't worry about it."
Aaron took the necklace out of the box and put it on me. It's so beautiful.
Liv: "You really shouldn't have."
Aaron: "I wanted to. It's a special gift for a special lady."
Liv: "Thank you."
I saw Aaron glancing behind me before he moved closer and kissed me on the lips. This kiss was more passionate and sensual than the first kiss. The kiss lasted longer too. We were catching our breaths when we were done.
I looked at Aaron and asked, "Uhm, what are we?"
Aaron: "What do you mean?"
Liv: "Uhm, I mean, we kiss, we always see each other, what are we? Are we friends?"
Aaron: "No, we're more than friends. We're boyfriend and girlfriend. I mean, if you want us to be."
I smiled at Aaron and said, "Uhm, okay."
We kissed once more, and when we heard some noise from behind, Aaron moved away from me as fast as he could. I turned around and saw my mom making her way to the kitchen to get some water. I couldn't help but chuckle, especially at how his face looked. He looked so scared.
Liv: "Are you okay?"
Aaron nodded and kept looking straight ahead.
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Aaron invited me and my mom to dinner that night. My mom refused the invitation and said that she just wanted to rest. We didn't insist anymore.
Aaron took me to a fancy restaurant that serves Italian food. I glanced at the menu and saw how expensive each dish was. I looked at Aaron and said "Are you sure you want to eat here? We can just go to McDonald's and eat some burgers."
Aaron chuckled and said, "Don't worry about it. My girl deserves the best, especially on her birthday." I smiled and bit my lip when Aaron referred to me as his girl.
We had a great dinner, and when we were done, we headed to a seaside park where we walked hand in hand. After a few minutes, we sat on a bench overlooking the ocean. We were quiet for a while until Aaron asked "How many jobs do you have?"
Liv: "Uhm, I have three. I was a minor, so I couldn't work full-time anywhere. My mom couldn't work anymore, so I do."
Aaron: "If you don't mind me asking, where's your father?"
I bowed my head as I thought about my dad. I looked at Aaron before saying "H-he died a few years before my mom was diagnosed."
Aaron: "I'm sorry."
I smiled and took Aaron's hand. I used to cry whenever I thought of my father, but at some point, I figured I had to be brave, so I stopped crying. I still feel sad whenever I think about him.
Aaron drove me home not long after, and we shared another kiss before we got out of his car. He walked me to our house against my protestations, but he insisted, so I yielded.
I slept with a smile on my face that night. It was the best birthday ever.
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When we arrived at the hospital for my mother's dialysis the next day, she had to be rescheduled to a later time because, apparently, they messed up the scheduling and they gave my mother's slot to somebody else. It was a huge inconvenience because it meant that I couldn't go to work, and we had to wait for another machine to become available, which could take anywhere from 2-4 hours. In the meantime, my mother is getting anxious and her blood pressure is rising.
I don't usually make a fuss, but when it comes to my mother's well-being, I refuse to compromise. I decided to talk to the doctor who's in charge of the treatment facility to check on why my mother's slot was given to someone else.
The doctor said that it was an emergency and that the person who took over my mother's slot had not had his dialysis for a week now and that fluid was starting to build up in his lungs. The doctor assured me that my mom would be fine missing dialysis for a few hours and that she'd make sure that she gets on the next available machine.
I couldn't really argue further with the doctor since the person who took over my mother's slot seemed like he really needed the dialysis. I calmed myself down and texted my boss letting him know about the unfortunate emergency and that I couldn't come in to work.
Before leaving the treatment area, I decided to find out to whom they gave my mother's slot to. I'm not looking to make trouble, I just wanted to confirm that he really needed the dialysis and that the hospital did not give my mother's slot away because of monetary consideration.
I was nervous as I walked slowly toward the machine, and when I got there, I gasped.
Sitting on the machine getting dialysis was none other than Aaron. I was stunned as I stared at him. He had his eyes closed and was probably napping.
I gaped once more as Aaron opened his eyes and said "L-Liv?"
I walked out of the treatment room as fast as I could.
- Writer
