Chapter 33| Consent

Clark's POV

"Thanks for dinner. The food is great."

Angela and I were walking outside their house. When we got closer to my car, we both stopped walking and faced each other.

"Don't thank me. You don't have to be. The food I cooked came from you," Angela said shyly and bowed her head. I had no choice but to approach her and give her a tight hug. I hope through this I could comfort her.

"It's okay, Angela. I'm happy to do this," I said before letting go of the hug.

She lifted her gaze and looked at me. I just smiled at her. I took her right hand and kissed it.

"I gotta go," I bid goodbye. She nodded softly and smiled.

I finally got inside the car and drove it away.

* * * *

"Where have you been?!"

I walked straight and didn't even hesitate to stop. I ignored the person who spoke from behind me.

"Clark, I'm asking you! Where have you been?!" she screamed at the top of her lungs which made me stop. With a sigh, I turned to face her direction. And there, I saw my mom's wrinkled face and it looked like bad things happened to her today.

"I'm with Angela. We ate dinner together with her siblings," I replied.

I could see the gradual criticism on her face with extreme anger. I couldn't help but secretly swallow hard and get nervous. I tried to act cool and pretended not to be affected by what I saw.

"What?! You had dinner with that woman?! You had dinner with that woman then our dinner with the family Sy, you didn't come?!" she blurted out of anger. She combed her hair using her fingers in disbelief. It looked like for her, I did a big joke to ditch our family dinner and chose to be with Angela.

"Do you know how embarrassed I was at that time?!" she shouted angrily and pointed to the door.

"Then you didn’t answer my calls? Is that really how stubborn you are, huh? Clark?! Or maybe you're learning that attitude from your woman—"

"Mom, stop! Angela has nothing to do with this!" I cut her off and frustratedly held my nape. I looked up at the ceiling and tiredly looked back at her again.

"Then why are you acting like that if she has nothing to do with your stubbornness?! Maybe that woman is already controlling you and telling you to go against me!" she accused.

I looked fantastically in mom's direction. I sarcastically puffed an air due to disbelief.

"You are overreacting, mom. Angela isn't that kind of person. And you knew the answer to why I am acting like this. You know I don't want that wedding! And one more thing, Angela and I are in love with each other," I confessed as I stared straight at her eyes.

I saw her eyes widen in horror and stepped backward once while her head was shaking.

"No, it can't be... It can't be..." she whispered, making me sigh frustratedly.

"Mom, she's the only one I love. She's the only one I want to marry and be with for the rest of my life," I said softly and looked at the floor.

"No way. You have to marry Natasha—"

"Mom, please—huh! This is hopeless!" I exclaimed in frustration and went up the stairs.

"Clark!"

"I'm not done talking to you!" mom shouted behind my back. She was following me up the stairs. When I was in front of my bedroom door, she grabbed my right arm and turned me to face her.

"Clark! Don't disrespect me! Don't turn your back when I'm talking to you! I'm your mother!" mom said sharply while staring intently into my eyes.

I heaved a sigh and bowed my head when the realization hit me.

"I'm sorry," I apologized. I didn't look at her face. I was just looking in the other direction.

I felt mom caressing my right cheek which made me look at her.

"Do you love Angela? Do you really love that woman?" she asked while looking straight into my eyes. My expression softened when I heard it. I nodded slowly at her.

"Yes, mom. I love her. I love her so much," I answered wholeheartedly. I could see a hint of disgust drawn on her face from what she heard. She sighed and let go of my cheek. She moved slightly away from me and massaged her temple.

Then, she looked in my direction again.

"Maybe that woman is just chasing you for money, Clark," she accused Angela. I shook my head in disagreement.

"No, mom! That's impossible! She's not like everyone else," I defended Angela. I thought of the days when I was with her and her siblings, no doubt, she was a kind sister, responsible, and above all a wonderful person.

"Maybe she's just like the other women out there who sell anything just to make money. What's that woman's job, huh?"

I sighed for the nth time at mom's question and cupped my face in frustration.

"Mom, if there are no good words that will come out in your mouth about her, let's not talk. I'm going to sleep now," I bid goodbye to her. I was about to open the door of my room when she suddenly spoke.

"Bring that woman here in my house."

I stopped to open the door and looked in mom's direction.

Do I hear it right?

"Bring her here. I want to meet her."

There was a smile curving on my lips after hearing it. I quickly approached her and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you, mom! Thank you for giving her a chance to let you know her," I thanked her. My mom hugged me back. A few seconds later, I let go of our hug.

"All right. Get some rest. Goodnight, my son."

Mom turned her back on me and walked down the stairs. I entered my room with a smile on my face.

This is good news. I'll let Angela know about this tomorrow.