Chapter-3 Clubbing and fun

The next morning.

"Aaliyah Gold, I think I reminded you to pick up your aunt from the airport, right? You said Ashton would take you there. Ring any bells?" Aaliyah’s mom, Laura Gold, looked at her in disappointment while Aaliyah was scrolling through N*tflix to decide her next anime to binge-watch.

"I remember, mom. Why do you always think that I forget things?" Aaliyah didn't bother to look at her mom.

"First, look at me when you are talking to me. And second, maybe that's because the last time I asked you to pick Uncle James from there because I was out of town, you forgot about it, and the poor soul has to wait for you at the airport for three hours," her mom reasoned, and Aaliyah pouted in annoyance.

"Mom, that was a one-time thing -"

"Really? Then should we talk about the time when you forgot to close the -"

"Fine. I get it. Geez, woman. Why are you always nitpicking me about things? I am in my growing phase, and with such tough school work, I forget a few things here and there -"

"The tough school where you are busy enjoying matches with your friends? I understand how hard it must be to cooperate," Laura cut Aaliyah mid-sentence, and Aaliyah sighed, feeling attacked.

“Mom, have you forgotten that your daughter is the topper of her class?” Aaliyah tried to save the little dignity she had left.

“The same topper who would rather become a sports instructor and ruin her life rather than study a bit more and become a doctor like her mother? Yeah, I know that. Is that why you are having trouble studying in school? Has the curriculum to become an instructor turned hard?” Laura didn’t save Aaliyah any face, and she sighed dejectedly when her elder sister walked down the stairs with an amused expression.

“Don’t you dare!” Aaliyah mouthed to her sister, who flailed her tongue at Aaliyah, making her more annoyed.

“Why don’t you say anything to her? Is it because I am the youngest child that you don’t love me?” Aaliyah tried an emotional attack, and Laura sighed.

“I would’ve said the same thing to her if her grades were at least half as good as yours. What can I say to a daughter who barely managed to get a degree?” Laura asked, and Katherine looked at her mouth-agape.

“Excuse me, why are you bringing me into this? Not everyone can become a doctor, mother,”

“But I guess everyone with a good body can indeed become a model, no?” Laura commented, and Katherine gritted her teeth before leaving the house angrily, making Aaliyah feel a little guilty about it.

If she hadn’t mentioned her sister, maybe her mother wouldn’t have insulted Katherine like this even after knowing how much she dislikes it when people disregard her job just like that.

Aaliyah doesn't even know why she bothered to talk back to her mom. Her mom always has something to counterattack her with, and her attacks are always vicious. Not only her but now her sister was attacked like this too.

"Anyway, how are things with your part-time job?" Laura asked from the kitchen while doing dishes, and Aaliyah half-turned her body to look at her mom.

"It's going good," Aaliyah lied.

"Okay. I hope I won't have to hear about another fight in the cafe," Laura nodded.

It's all because of what that snitch Maria said to her mom that she has to hear this. She will never forgive her for this. Aaliyah huffed.

"Where are you? I'll be out of your house in 5 minutes." Aaliyah read the message on her phone and quickly took her jacket.

"Mom, I am going to pick up my aunt from the airport. Ashton is here. I am leaving," Aaliyah dashed out of the house even before he reached there to save herself from more humiliation because of her career choices and Maria.

"I told you I was coming after 5 minutes. Were you waiting for me outside? How many times do I have to tell you not to do that? Give me your hands," Ashton knitted his brows as he took Aaliyah's hands in his, and just like he had guessed, they had turned cold.

“Come on, it’s okay. You know they'll get warm in a minute. They are always hot. Let me enjoy this cold for a little while," Aaliyah snatched her hand from his grip before placing it on her cheeks, smiling with contentment, making Ashton roll his eyes.

"So, aunt Lily is back. Will she be staying this time? Have you heard anything about your dad?" Ashton looked at her from the corner of his eyes, and Aaliyah looked out before sighing.

"You know how it is, Ashton. Mom has forbidden us from talking or asking about dad's work. Last night Matthew came back to have dinner, and he accidentally mentioned going to meet dad, and my mom smacked him. Even Katherine has stopped mentioning him in front of me because of fear that mom will go all rampant on her. I guess mom is afraid that if I hear about dad's line of work, I might want to be a part of that," Aaliyah grinned sheepishly as she already knew what Ashton would speak now.

"Well, I pity her. Laura tried to stop her kids from getting in that line of business, and her son is already a part while her daughter is preparing herself," Ashton scoffed, and Aaliyah grinned, obviously understanding the joke.

"There she is. Look at that smile on her face," Ashton chuckled as they spotted Lily.

It wasn't hard to spot her. She was probably the only lady dressed so extravagantly. A cowboy hat, shades, boots, and ripped jeans paired with her biker jacket made her stand out in the airport.

"You know how to make yourself the center of attention, don't you?" Aaliyah beamed at her as Lily hugged her in a bone-crushing hug.

"Aha, my favorite niece in the world," Lily took a step back to admire Aaliyah.

“Yeah, I bet you will say the same thing to Katherine once you meet her. You have always been this cunning,” Aaliyah said, and Lily laughed.

"Come on. You know that’s not true. I just say that to not hurt her feelings. You know how she is, don’t you? My, my, don't you look like some meat ready to get spanked? You are growing so beautifully. I pity the man who will marry you. Most of his life will be spent keeping other boys away from you," Lily giggled at Aaliyah's shy face as she pulled her niece's cheeks.

Feeling people's gaze on her, Aaliyah turned away to distract herself, squinting her brows when she saw a silhouette like Mr. Volkov dressed in a black suit walking inside the airport with a few men following him.

Wait. That can't be Mr. Volkov, right?

It looks like, she was a bit too seduced by Mr. Volkov that she has started to see him everywhere.

"You are coming, right?" Aaliyah was brought out of her thoughts when Lily placed her hand on her shoulder.

"I am coming to where?" Aaliyah looked at her company, confused.

"Jesus, you still haven't gotten over your habit of zoning out, have you? We were asking if you would come to us at the pub tonight. I know Laura is going to work a night shift, and I think you guys need to live a little." Lily clapped her hands as they started moving toward their house, and Aaliyah raised her brows at her aunt.

"You are my aunt. Aren't you supposed to keep me away from the bad things? And what about Katherine? Will she come too?" Aaliyah asked, and Lily hummed thoughtfully.

"First, the pub's owner is my friend, so there will not be any problem. Second, I think Laura is already doing a good enough job of keeping you away from bad things. Isn't this why she has stopped you from meeting and contacting your dad when she is not present? It's not like she didn't know your father's line of work before marriage. He misses you guys a lot," Lily scoffed, and Aaliyah looked away.

Aunt Lily was right. Aaliyah's parents had a love marriage, and her mom knew what her father used to do. Despite that, she married him and never stopped them from meeting their father until two years ago when their home was under attack.

That was when Laura decided that her son and daughters would stop contacting him so much.

They had to move a lot because of the same reason, and it was also why Aaliyah's family moved to New York City three months ago.

"So? Are you coming?" Lily asked, not wanting to dampen the mood, and Aaliyah nodded.

"No alcohol," Aaliyah put forth her condition, and Lily smiled.

"Of course, baby. No alcohol. You are coming too, Ashton. Also, bring those two friends too. David and Momo, right?" Lily shook Ashton's seat excitedly, and Ashton looked at Aaliyah with wide eyes, as if asking if her aunt was 27 years old or not, making Aaliyah chuckle as she shook her head.