25.

                                    

                                          
"H-Hi ma'am, it's great to finally meet you!" I gripped onto her hand as tight as I could, but my grip was nothing against her iron one. This woman was nothing like I would have expected from someone who raised the human embodiment of the sun. Aether's mother did not look as much like Aether, unlike his dad, but I could see some resemblance in him, from his sharp, well defined jawline and his bright eyes. Her herself had long jet-black hair, reaching mid thigh, her eyes sharp and the perfect brown I had learned to love. Of course, she was decked out in the richest fabrics, but I had expected her to wear silky gowns and dresses, but she was wearing a suit, one that could pay off my medical bill, car insurance, school debt- basically everything I owe, could be paid with mere fabric she was wear. The suit itself was made of red velvet, the silk unmatched to any other feeling and looked incredibly comfortable to be in all day. A black dress shirt was under, tucked neatly and paired with a dark- almost black- tie. Her pants matched the velvet of the jacket, but bringing together the whole Mafia boss look, as the massive scar that ripped from just the top of her forehead, all the way down pass her eye and neck. The long trail still strung on, even under her shirt. Her cut lip pulled into a friendly smile as she turned and lead us down the corridors, past many rooms, into one massive dining area. My jaw could not contain itself as it hung low, in awe at the impressive new area. This was straight out of those cliché princess stories, the ones with the grea big celebration at the castle, and the long ass table with those golden plates and knifes and just everything made out for gold to show their wealth. Well, this was exactly that. Even the cups- that are more goblets then anything- where obviously gold, with a red jewel embedded in the middle with swoopy curls and pattern spiralling down and around.
"This is- incredible, holy sh-" a palm was pressed to my mouth lightly, 
"I advise you don't cuss around my mum, she'll hate you before she can even learn about how amazing you are." I blushed darkly under his palm, erupting a chuckle from Aether. He moved him palm form my mouth to my palm and he guided me to his already seated mother. I gingerly sat on the right with Aether in front of me, just in case I freaked out and needed to leave early. Aether's father had some important meeting and was mostly going to miss this god forsaken dinner, that didn't bother me other then the fact he was funny and light-hearted, his presence brought ease just like Aether does. I held back a scream as each server placed a plate or bowl of food before us, ranging from spicy curry, rice dishes and noodle soups. My eyes were close to rolling out of my sockets at how wide they had gotten at the mere shock at the amount of food there was, this was what I ate in a few months. I knew it was stupid, but I still whipped my head back and forth to see if anymore was as stunned as I was. The two started eating, so I took my chance too, taking small portions of everything. As I was about to inhale everything I had so carefully placed on my, a pressing question was asked,
"So, Alexander... When did you and Aether meet?" She held a slim glass of wine in her hand, piercing me with devilish eyes.
"Umm..." The question caught be off guard, I had to think about this myself. Time was irrelevant with Aether, so I couldn't be sure, 
"A couple of mouths? Although, He and I knew each other way back when I first joined the school."
All she did to respond was give a quiet hum and a smirk. This made me panic, I couldn't tell a thing she could have been thinking. 
"Do you have a girlfriend? You seem like such a charming boy, I must say." A cough burned the silence, heads turned to Aether who cleared his throat and let out a few more strained coughs, before replying to his mum before me,
"He doesn't have a girlfriend." She only chuckled and responded,
"Oh well, I see the awkwardness side him as well, that might be what's keeping the girls away." Her smile grew as she watched me look down at my plate in shame. Was this woman a sociopath or something? She seemed to love seen people in discomfort.
"Alright, I think we are done here. Me and Alex are leaving." My eyes widened in gratefully at Aether, but I keep the rest of my face stone hard, not to offend Aether's mum. 
"Why so soon? Dessert hasn't even been served yet." She feigned a glum expression which Aether ignored and led me to the front of the house, and out the doors. I was being practically dragged, that I couldn't say goodbye. When we go settled into the car, I started,
"We didn't need to leave so early." Aether only sighed and watched straight ahead when he responded,
"I know, i'm sorry if you wanted to stay longer, but her questions where getting weird, even if it was just one." His mouth formed a tight line before he spoke again,
"She and I don't have the best relationship, with her being homophobic and everything... She only wanted to meet you because my dad mentioned you a few times I guess?" I chuckled at the though of Antony's blabbing. I could tell they had a great, strong relationship, and it was so nice to see and hear about. The joy in Aether's voice when he mentions his dad is obvious, he's the only one oblivious to it. My thoughts where interrupted by a low grumble of my stomach. I clutched my body sheepishly and timidly said,
"Sorry, I didn't get to eat much, the food was kinda overwhelming." Aether looked at me briefly with concern before scooping my hands into his, intertwining them and placing a soft kiss on my fist, before whispering,
"I'll get you McDonalds on the way."
That we did. After a intimidating but short meeting of one scary lady, Aether and I sit in a deserted McDonalds while I fill my stomach with greasy fries and chicken nuggets instead of the 5 star food offered before my broke ass. Life was better this way, with the things and ones you love, it doesn't always have to be luxury to be good.