Stefanie stared widely at him as tears rolled down her cheeks. “How could you cut ties with your mom for an easy woman like her? Have you forgotten how much I struggled to bring you up? Do you have any conscience at all, Alex Road?”
Indeed, Alex felt bad for going against his mother. However, he had lost eight years with Jean, and the last thing he wanted was for them to be separated again due to some misunderstanding. He refused to go through another eight years of missing her.
“Mom! If we’re gonna be frank here, Dad is the cause of all your sufferings today, not me! I know how difficult it was for you to raise me. That’s why I’ve always cared for your feelings. I worked hard and poured in all my efforts to expand the company, just so that others will not talk about us behind our backs.
If you don’t like me doing something, I won’t do it even if I want to. Mom, I am sacrificing for you too! We share the same miserable fate, and we have to rely on each other. Why do you have to give me trouble? Eight years ago, I gave in to your wish.. This time, I will not do that anymore.” With that, he proceeded to leave.
“Alex! Alex Road! You can’t be with her!” She reached out to grab him, but her fingertips brushed against his shirt. He left without looking back, leaving her mumbling to herself, “No, you can’t do this! I won’t allow you to be with her!”
The next day, Jewel was about to take out the trash when she was shaken to see a man tumble in after she opened the door. When she recognized the uninvited visitor, she gasped in astonishment. “Why are you here?”
The crash immediately woke Alex up greatly.. He had left home last night and traveled to her place. Since it was way past midnight, he decided to wait at her door for fear of waking her up. “Jewel!” He clambered up with joy. “Why are you awake so early?”
He was met with silence. She did not sleep well last night. It was partly because of her sore throat as well as the anger when she recalled the incident from the morning where she was yelled at for no reason.
It had been years since the last time she was bullied in that way. If Stefanie were not Alex’s mom, she would have kicked that haughty old lady.
Alex walked in and helped her to take out the trash. He returned and closed the door behind him. Next, he gave her an apologetic look. “Jewel, I’m sorry. I heard about the incident yesterday. I apologize to you on behalf of my mom. Just think of her outburst as a symptom of menopause given her age. Please don’t take it to heart.”
She signed at him without any expression on her face, It’s okay. I was brash yesterday too. Since you heard about it, I request you to stay away from me if your mom mistakenly believes I am seducing you.
He closed his eyes in shock after learning that his mom had crossed a line. “You did not seduce me. It was the other way around. Jewel, I have so much to talk to you about-”
She cut him off. That’s enough. I do not want to be accused and scolded anymore. I only have one thing to ask you: stay away from me. Alex rebutted, “That’s impossible!”
Reaching out to grab her, he explained, ‘Listen. I know you’re angry and offended, but ask yourself-do you wish that I stay away from you? Don’t you have any feelings for me over the years? Nothing at all?”
Jewel met his eyes, which were brimming with anticipation, and paused. In the end, she nodded and signed, Nothing at all.
