Forbidden Love

Chapter 13: Surprise

I walked inside the house to be greeted by Keaun. We both stood there, shocked.

“Aisha?”

“Keaun?” Eli looked over at us.

“Yeah, he lives in my apartment complex. He had dinner over at my house.”

“Shit, Aisha, I didn’t know you knew my idiot brother. Just know my offer is still up.” He said winking as

he walked away. I chuckled. Too bad I already found the guy I want to be with.

“So you are inviting guys over to your house now? Not just any guy, but my brother...are you serious?

What offer is he talking about?”

I wanted to laugh at how serious he was. “He wanted some essential oils so I gave him some. I am not

just inviting any guy over so don’t start assuming anything. Don’t worry about his offer, all I said was

that I’m talking to someone.”

“I’m just someone you are talking to now?”

...Is he serious? Did he not hear anything I said?

“In case you forgot, we never made it official. Look, can we talk about this later? I’m trying to make a

good impression on your family and enjoy my time with you.”

He nodded and kissed my forehead. “Sorry. Now let me introduce you to my parents in the kitchen.”

We walked into the kitchen, instead of finding his parents we found a woman who seemed too young to

be anyone’s mom. She locked eyes with me. She stood tall and confident, not a hint of nervousness.

She had short curly hair. She was wearing a dress similar to mine, but shorter.

“You must be Aisha. I’m Natalie, Elijah's sister.” She said, holding out her hand.

I shook it, she had a very hard grip. I like it. “Hi. It’s nice meeting you.”

She crossed her arms. “From the way you’re looking at me it seems Elijah doesn't talk much about

us...” Elijah scratches his head awkwardly.

“I don’t, but where is mom and dad?” Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“They’re still upstairs. They will be down in a minute. The table is already set.” I nodded. I can tell by

the look in her eyes she wanted to say something more, but she chose not to.

“Elijah, can you help me out? I need to put a few things on the table.”

“Sure, Aisha you cool by yourself?”

“Yeah,” I said, nodding, “Go help your sister.” As soon as he left, Keaun came in.

I glared at him. “You never told your brother was Elijah.”

He smirked. “You never told me you were seeing my brother.”

“Shut up.” I said laughing.

“I’ve been thinking... If you have all this money from your parents and your own, why do you still

choose to live in that apartment complex?”

“You sure do ask a lot of questions.” He sounded conflicted about whether he should tell me or not.

“Um, I pretty much had everything handed to me. It felt good, but I got tired of it. I started working hard

for things I could get easily. I live in that apartment because for once I worked hard for it. Yes, I can still

get a house bigger and everything much better, but I choose not to. I’m happy.”

I smiled. “Okay, yeah, I get it.” I said, patting him on the shoulder.

Natalie and Elijah walk in the room. I see Elijah frown, but he quickly replaces it with a smile as he

walks towards me. He puts his hand around my waist.

“Sorry sweetie. My parents are still upstairs. They will be down in a few, but-” He got cut off when I

softly spoke to her kids. I turn around to see a little petite, but tall woman standing next to her husband,

holding hands. They look strong and powerful. She was wearing a beautiful dark green dress, while her

husband was wearing a black suit.

“My beautiful children, you all look so beautiful.” I stood there awkwardly as she hugged her children.

“Mom, dad...I want to introduce you to Aisha. The special girl.” I smiled a little. When she locked eyes

with me, I saw a hint of disgust. Her husband looked disappointed. I still held my posture.

“She is the girl you've been speaking of? I thought she would be more, you know.” I felt my heart drop.

What does she mean by that?

“I’m right here you know.”

“She brought an attitude with her too.” I felt all eyes on me in the room. I didn’t like being the center of

attention. Maybe this is just an act. Is Eli not going to stick up for me?

“Mom, stop.” Natalie said.

“Let’s have dinner. Everything is already set on the table,” said Keaun. I smile at Natalie and Keaun,

thanking them for the save. We all started walking toward the kitchen when Natalie wished in my ear.

“Don’t pay any mind to them. Just relax.”

I smiled, “Thanks.”

We all sat at the kitchen table. Elijah sat right next to me, while Keanun sat across and Natile on the

other side of me.

“Mrs and Mr. Rivera, thank you for inviting me.”

“It was my son who did.” Mr. Rivera said. My smile faluted.

“This is a dinner introducing you to Aisha. Can we all be polite here?” Elijah said.

They ignored him as we continued eating.

“What is your full name Aisha?” Mrs. Rivera said

“Um, my full name is Josephina Aisha Collision.”

“Why don’t you like using your first name?” Mr. Rivera asked. I felt uncomfortable. I never liked using

my first name because it brought memories.

“I was adopted.. My adopted parents liked it and didn’t feel the need to change it, just the last name

and the middle. That’s why I prefer to be called by my middle name.”

Elijah squeezed my hand, but I pulled away. I look over at him and he looks sad.

“What do you do for a living?”

“I’m a teacher.”

“You are the one who teaches Jasmine. She talks highly about you.” I nodded. The conversation

shifted to another subject. I felt upset that his parents don't like me. I should’ve known.

“Elijah, what about Lisa? Are you going to forget about her? All the things she did for you... She's the

one who you had a child with. She is more capable than Josephina.” I see Elijah was going to say

something, but that was the last straw before I got up and left. I couldn’t take it anymore.

I was not going to sit there and let them bash me like I wasn’t right in front of them.I felt disrespected. I

saw the faces of Natilie and Keaun as I got up. I quickly made it outside and pulled out my phone to call

one of my siblings to come pick me up.

“Aisha, wait up.” I turn around.

“I have to go Elijah. I am not going to sit there any more.”

“I’m sorry.” He sounded genuinely sad.

“Sorry for what? The way you just let them say whatever they want? Your siblings are the ones who

stood up for me.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Yes, it is. I am going home.”

“I’ll drop you off.”

“No, Elijah. I’ll call someone.” Keaun walked out of the house and towards us.

“I can hear you guys arguing. Aisha I will take you home since we live in the same place.”

“She’s fine-”

“I will like that. Thank you Keaun.”

“You can’t go with him.”

“You are not my parents. I have to go.”

I walk away as Elijah calls out to me. I opened the car door and tears started streaming down my face.

I can’t believe I thought his parents were going to like me. I should’ve known.

“You okay?”

“I’m great. I just want to go home.”

“I understand.” Those words echoed. I wish he did understand, but he won’t. And he never will.