Chapter 25

It must have been a month since I last visited my mother. I know I'm not a good daughter for leaving her there. After the last time I just didn't feel like going over to the hospital.
"Yes, come in."
The sound of her voice actually made me feel warm inside. I couldn't help to kind of be happy to see her again and unconsciously a smile appeared on my face as I stepped into the room.
"Hi, mom", I said hesitatingly. "Can I come in?"
She was dressed in her own clothes. Something I didn't expect to see. Last time I was here, she wore her hospital gown and layed in bed.
"Oh Mira!", she exclaimed. "I'm so happy to see you."
She walked towards me and gave me a hug. I had to swallow a few times to prevent myself from crying. I could already feel tears welling up.
"Please sit."
I placed myself in a chair as did my mom.
"How are you mom?"
"I'm doing good. But I wish you would have come and visit me sooner."
"I know mom, I know."
"What took you so long?"
For a moment I stayed silent and tried to gather the right words, to form a sentence that wouldn't upset her.
Fumbling my shirt I answered; "The way dad and Julian treated me made me sad. I needed some time for myself."
"I don't understand what that has to do with me?"
"Well, you never defend me mom. They always come for me and blame everything on me", I said trying my best to stay calm.
Inside I already felt my blood boiling and I imagined steam escaping from my ears, like a cartoon figure.
My mother heaved a big sigh before she said anything.
Gently she grabbed my wrist and pinched it softly.
"They mean well Mira. You might not see it now, but they care for you deeply, as do I. I know it has been hard for you over the years, but don't forget you might not even have had a life like this if we didn't move away from India."
She spoke with a soft voice, all while her shaking hands stroked my wrist and under arm.
Then a chuckle escaped from her mouth, something that rarely happens and it made me laugh.
"Mom, what was that?"
"If we were still living in India you might have never met a man like Mr. Woods", she winked.
"Mom!", I exclaimed. "Stop it!"
She  now started laughing and I laughed with her. It made me feel good to see her like this, making jokes and actually having a connection with her.
Then she got all serious in a heartbeat. She lowered her eyes and then looked at me.
"You know your father doesn't approve of you dating Mr. Woods. Give him some space and let him get used to the idea that his daughter might not marry a brown man."
I started laughing. Me and Max getting married? I'm not even sure where we stand in our relationship.
My mother looked at me quizzically.
"I'm so sorry mom, didn't mean to disrespect you. But to be clear, Max and I are only dating right now. Besides that, shouldn't the main reason for marrying anyone be that, that person makes me happy?"
"Mrs. Prashad, can I come in?"
The nurse interrupted our conversation, walking in with a cart. Leaving my question hanging in the air until it silently disappeared unanswered.
"Here are your medicines." She handed out a little see through cup, with a few pills in it.
My mother took them and a small glass of water from her and quickly swallowed the pills.
After the nurse witnessed my mother swallowing her pills she walked away.
"Did they say when you could leave yet?"
"If they are sure I will take all my medication at home too, I can probably leave tomorrow."
"Momma, please do so. I know you don't like it but it's better for you."
My mother didn't say anything, she only looked at the floor. Ashamed of her mental health.
Now it was my turn to comfort my mom. I grabbed her hands and softly pinched them, telling her; "It's okay mom. You got this and I know this will be better for you in the long run. You don't have to be ashamed to take medication. If it will make you feel better, why not?"
I kissed her forehead and whispered 'I love you'. Then I got up, ready to leave. I could see she wanted to cry, but her pride came in the way.
"I have to go now. You get some rest and I will call dad this evening okay?"
She nodded her head and I left her sitting in that chair, looking all sad and helpless.
It was hard for me to control my emotions and I had to fight back some tears. In the past I would have stayed with her, but it was time to let that guilt go. It was not my responsibility, it never was, but now that I am grown, I'm slowly realizing that.

I pulled my collar up and regretted I didn't put on a scarf. The wind was cutting in my face and as fast as I could I walked up to my car. Halfway home I decided I didn't want to go home, instead I decided to drive to Max's place.
The gates of his mansion were closed and I didn't see any lights on, except for some light outside his house.
I grabbed my purse and decided to call him, ask him where he was.
Voicemail.
Maybe he was at work, so I drove up to the building.
If even possible it seemed colder when I got out of my car this time. Just when I was about to walk up to the main entrance someone called me.
"Max!"
I sped up my pace, I guess I needed him more than I wanted to admit.
"Hey, you're not Max."
"No, I'm not." The man said with a smile.
Wow, how embarrassing!
"But we met before, remember? Maybe I should properly introduce myself", he said with a friendly smile on his face.
I frowned and looked at him wondering what this man was talking about.
He put out his hand, saying; "I'm Ray Woods, Max's brother."
My mouth opened slowly, no sound was coming from it, the only thing that showed was condensed air formed by my breath. My hand hesitatingly found his.
He smiled. "You lost your tongue?"
"I...I..You are Raymond?"
"Yes, you must be Mira right?"
I nodded.
This man was almost an exact copy of Max, only a bit older. Now I remember him and that's why he looked so familiar.
"How do you know who I am?", I asked.
"Max told me about you."
I didn't even want to know when he had spoken to his brother.
"Do you know where he is? I tried to call him but he didn't answer his phone."
"Maybe he has some business to handle, I don't know his agenda honey."
Honey, really? He doesn't even know me.
Although he clearly had the same face and body features, I could already sense that his personality was different.
I wasn't in the mood for any shenanigans right now, so I decided to let it go.
"Thanks, I'll be going now."
"I'm sure we'll see each other soon, Mira."
With those words echoing in the cold air I turned around and walked to my car. Before I touched my steering wheel I blew some air on my hands in an attempt to warm them up. Just when I wanted to start my car, my phone rang.
Max.
"Mira, as soon as I saw you called, I called you back."
I didn't even get a chance to say 'hello'.
"It's okay, but where are you? I went to your home but you weren't there."
"I am home now, if you like you can come over. Or do you want me to pick you up?"
"No I am already in my car, I'll drive to your place."
"Hurry up. I missed you."
The demanding way he spoke and the caring words he picked out, still stirred something inside of me.
I don't know if it were his words, the thought of seeing and feeling him, but I sped up just a little more than I usually do.
It was like he could feel I was coming up, because by the time I drove up to his driveway, the fences opened up and I could ride straight up to the front door.
Like a ghost he appeared next to my car and opened up my door. Is this man even real?
I got out and wrapped my arms around his waist, letting my head rest on his chest.
"He, what's wrong?", he whispered.
But I didn't want to talk, I just wanted to have his arms wrapped around me.
"Let's go inside, it's cold out here."
He closed the door of my car and we walked up to his front door.
"Do you want something to eat?"
"No not yet."
"You have to eat something. I bet you haven't eaten anything today."
"I'm fine, really."
His eyes pierced mine, his hands were on my shoulders, slightly putting pressure on them. He had this look like he didn't believe a single word I just said.
"Let's sit down."
We walked up to his living room. The fireplace was burning, the heat was very welcoming. I took a seat at his extra comfortable looking couch, while Max grabbed two glasses and poured us some red wine.
He sat down next to me, putting his arm around me and pulled me closer to him. His head bent down and his lips softly kissed my head.
"Baby girl, I know you're struggling", he whispered "Let me take care of you."
I buried my head deeper into his chest, although that seemed impossible. It made me feel safe, wanted and cared for. His fingers played with my hair, tenderly stroking them.
I heaved a deep sigh and then I started talking.
"I went to visit my mom at the hospital today."
"How was she?"
"I think she is okay and she was really happy to see me. She just has a hard time accepting her illness."
"Is this the first time she has been hospitalized?"
"No, it has happened before, when I was a kid."
"That must have been hard for you."
"It was."
Silence.
"It's very uncommon in our community to talk about things like that. Mostly when I was little and my mom had an episode or she was depressed my dad would leave her in their bedroom and Julian and I weren't allowed to see her or talk about it to others."
"I guess it must have been hard for your whole family."
"Of course. I would always feel sad for her and wanted to help her, make her better.
Even if it was just by giving her a hug or drawing her a picture."
"I think that's normal. Kids want their parents to be okay, especially their mom. You just wanted to take care of her."
"That hasn't changed. I feel pretty much the same, I want to help her. I want her to feel better and to assure her that it was okay to take her medicine."
"Sweetheart, I know and understand you do, but that is not your job. It wasn't even your job when you were little. Your mother is a grown woman, although she has mental health problems, you are not the one to make her better", he said. "Your father is the one who should care for her and help her."
"You don't understand how it works with us. My parents are very old fashioned. They still think that women should take care of their man and the sole purpose of women is cleaning and being a good homemaker.
My mom literally once said to me and I quote;

'Mira, I think you should be happy that we didn't raise you traditionally and let you have your freedom.The only thing women back home are raised for is to be a good wife and serve their men. You know we came here to provide for something more for our children. So, don't be ungrateful now my child. You know your father, he is very old fashioned.' "

As I told him that, I realized I never really shared this much about my family. I mean of course he knew I'm Indian, but I never knew if he knew about stuff like this.
"I wish you would have shared this sooner."
He then put our glasses down on the coffee table. He came closer and with one hand he caressed my cheek. His thumb rubbed my lower lip.
I lowered my eyes, but his thumb and index finger pushed my chin back up, forcing me to look at him.
His ocean blue eyes enchanted me yet again. The two day beard, the suit, his cologne and his tone of voice, even when he whispered, everything about this man drove me crazy. Even if I'd use all the willpower I have, I couldn't refuse him.
"Let me take care of you, baby girl", he whispered.
He then pressed his lips upon mine and started kissing me. He explored my mouth so tender, yet passionate and sexy.
We stopped for air while he held my face with his strong hands, breathing heavily, he whispered; "Let me in, let me love you," he almost growled a little after he said that. His eyes were closed and his head tilted down a bit.
Then he looked up at me again, repositioned and slowly pulled me under him.
"I need you.. I want you, Mira. I can't live without you. Don't you see?", he grunted a little when he whispered.
Butterflies gathered around in my lower belly, unconsciously I pressed him closer to me with my legs.
While kissing my neck he whispered all sorts of sweet, but edgy stuff. Could he drive me even more crazy?!
"..Oh.. Max.."
I couldn't help but let a few moans escape my mouth.
"..Mira.. I want you..", he moaned.
"..Max.. hmm.. yes.."
Our bodies twisted and turned and slowly a few clothing pieces were scattered on the floor.
His upper body was the most sexy thing I had seen. A little tanned, not too musculine, and a little bit of sweat dripping down to his belly button. His dark grey tailored pants were still on. I was so tempted to reach down and undo them, but I knew this wasn't the right moment.
Or did I thínk it wasn't the right moment?
Our growls, moans and sighs filled the room and our bodies clinging made it hotter than the burning fire place.
I buried my head into his neck, my nails pierced his back, while he explored my upper body. Our lower bodies pressed against each other, while I held on for dear life. We lost ourselves in each other.
As he came up for air he looked at me, little drops of sweat rolling down his face. His lips parted a bit, his eyes reflected the fire burning deep inside him.
"All I ask..", he whispered in my ear, "is for you to let me in."
"Max, I...", I whispered.
"You're all I need. And it's not just physical, baby."
He said while gently stroking back a few hairs from my face.
"I know."
Gently I pushed him back a little.
"I want you as bad as you want me, Max. Don't you see?"
He stood up, showing his broad shoulders and easy to look at stomach. He put on his shirt, leaving the buttons unbuttoned, not knowing that, that turned me on even more.
"Then why won't you let me in?", he said agitated while scragging the back of his head.
"I'm willing to do anything for you, anything."
As I had put my clothes back on too, I stood up and walked up to him.
"I'm trying, baby. I really am", I said caressing his chest.
"Shhh..I know. I know", he said pulling me closer and pressing a kiss on the top of my head.
"Let's eat?", I said looking up to him.
"Oh yeah, I could eat something", his voice spoke deeply as he winked.
I pushed against his chest softly, making him laugh. He then smoothly grabbed my arm, pulled me close to him and whispered in my ear;
"I could feel you were into it.." His last words came out with a very sexy growl.
Then he let my arm go and walked off to the kitchen.
I walked to the bathroom and splashed my face with some water. I needed to cool off a bit. This man did some things to me...

"If you want I could prepare us a simple meal? Rina hasn't been grocery shopping I guess."
I sat on one of the bar stools, that I also sat on the very first time I was in his house.
I frowned, "Who is Rina?"
He laughed, geez even his laugh is sexy. Or is that my lower belly talking?
"Rina is my assistant here. She does most of the housekeeping and makes sure I have enough food in my fridge."
With my hands folded supporting my head, I smiled at him. Even through his shirt, his back muscles were quite visible. With both hands he held the doors of the refrigerator open. His upper body was turned to me, with a cocky smile he looked at me. God, he looked good with his white shirt unbuttoned, his hair a bit messy.
"You like what you see huh?"
"Yes, Mr. Woods. I do", I whispered playfully.
Slowly, he closed the doors of the refrigerator, turned around and walked up to me, not once looking away from me. I did the same, kept my eyes locked with his, while I turned around on the bar stool.
With his hands he opened up my legs, stood in between them,pressed his lower body against me, pulled my hair down with one hand, while his other hand firmly held on to the bar.
Growling.
"Stop making me crazy, Mira. You only make me want you even more."
His tongue licked my neck, circling from left to right and back. Down to my collar bone, back up to my right ear, as I heard his breath increasing.
Then he kissed me.
All the while I let my hands roam freely over his body, pushing him closer to me with my legs, as I pressed my lower body against his excitement, panting and longing for more.
Without a warning he stopped, stepped back a bit saying; "Two can play that game, Miss Prasad."
He winked and walked back up to the fridge, leaving me hot and bothered on the bar stool. Just when I wanted to say something I could hear my phone ring.
"Where did I leave my purse?", I asked looking around.
"I think it's in the main hall, in the closet near the stairs", Max answered while he was chopping some vegetables.
I hopped off the stool and walked over to the main hall, my pass increasing as I got closer to my purse.
"Shoot!"
Too late, I looked at the screen to see it was my dad who tried to reach me. For a few seconds I hesitated to call him back. I wasn't in the mood for another 'getting yelled at' session.
Heaving a sigh, I did what I knew was right and called him back. I walked to one of the rooms near the main hall and sat down on a bench that was in front of a huge window.
"Yes?"
"Hi dad, I saw you called me."
"What were you doing that you didn't answer your phone?"
I didn't want to mention I was at Max's, he sounded nice right now and I wanted to make sure he had no reason to get cranky.
"I'm sorry dad, I didn't know where I had put it."
"I heard you visited your mother today. She sounded very happy when she told me that."
"We did have a nice time. She told me they are releasing her tomorrow, but only if she takes her medicines."
"Well, Mira, I really hope she does. I'm gonna pick her up, maybe you can visit her a little more once she's back home. I think it would really help for her."
Although I know he meant well, I found it hard to answer. I knew they would expect things from me, while still having a job.
"Sure dad, I will see what I can do. But I also have my job, but I will visit her this weekend for sure."
"You be a good daughter for her now, Mira. She needs that. She doesn't need a modern western daughter who only thinks about her job."
He didn't say it with a mad voice, but the tone was still wrong.
"Dad, as you know my apartment isn't cheap, I have bills to pay. I already said I will visit her this weekend and I promise I will call her more regularly.
"She needs you. I will see you this weekend."
"If you want I can come with you tomorrow", I offered.
"Thank you, that won't be necessary. Besides I think she will be tired so it's better for her to rest."
"Okay, no problem. I'll call tomorrow. I have to go now. Bye dad."

"It smells delicious in here!"
He turned around, in one hand a spoon which he was stirring into a pan, the other casually tugged away in the side pocket of his pants, his shirt half unbuttoned, on his left shoulder he had a dishcloth. His dark hair is still a bit messy from our passionate encounters that took place earlier.
A half smile was plastered on his face which looked sexy.
Sometimes I think he doesn't even know how hot he is.
"It's not ready yet. Do you want more wine?", he asked while wiping his hands to the dishcloth, which he then placed on the counter.
"I don't think I finished the glass I had earlier."
"Are you blushing now, Miss Prasad?", he smirked.
"I'm not!"
"Haahhah, you are! You weren't so shy before as I remember.."
He laughed and then walked to his living room to get our glasses.
I walked over to the stove to see what he was brewing over there.
"Here you go, Miss", he said, handing me my glass, while wrapping one hand around my waist.
"I was curious as to what you were making", I said.
"It's nothing special, I just put together something with the stuff I still had."
"My dad called me."
"What about, if I may ask."
"Just to tell me that my mother is coming home tomorrow and he asked if I could help out in the upcoming weeks."
"Do you want to help out?", he asked while stirring in a pan again.
I sat down on a stool and took a sip of my wine.
"Of course, but I have work. I can't be there all the time. I did promise to call her tomorrow and to visit her this weekend."
"That's more than most people sometimes would do. Just remember that you are not obligated to help them out."
"I know that, but it doesn't feel like that." I paused for a few moments.
"She was always hard on herself and she was told by her mother, my grandmother, that this happened because she stopped going to the temple. Later on, when my parents moved to Colorado, my grandmother would always blame her for leaving India."
I'm sure my mother has always thought that this was her punishment."
The sadness must have hinted in my tone of voice, cause he turned around while I told him this.
"Mira", he started as he hugged me from behind "I am very sorry that all of this happened to your mother. That she had to go through this. But again, this is not your responsibility. Your father really needs to respect that you have your own priorities and responsibilities. I mean, if they want to I can pay for someone to help around doing chores or maybe a nurse?"
As sweet as this all sounded, I knew they would be offended if me or him would even offer this to them.
"That's very nice of you, but they are too proud to accept that. Especially from you."
"And why is that?", he asked while turning around to check on our dinner.
I laughed. "My mom said that my dad had to get used to the idea of his daughter marrying a white man instead of a brown man."
He turned back to face me. His eyes twinkled and a big smile on his face.
"Why are you laughing, what's so funny about us getting married?", he said very seriously.
"Nothing, but you know, we're just dating now. Or were you going to propose anytime soon?", I chuckled.
He turned around again and got some plates.
"No. I just want you to know I am very serious about us, Mira."
He placed the plates on the bar and sat down.
"Let's eat."
"Max, I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that."
"What do you mean, then Mira? I'm going above and beyond for you."
"I know and I appreciate that."
"But...?"
"Nothing..I.."
I really didn't know what to say about it to him anymore.
"I feel like you keep so many secrets from me."
"What about you? You keep things from me too", I shot back at him.
"What? What could I possibly be hiding from you?"he asked, offended.
"Maybe that your brother is in town and has been stalking me?"
I know I kinda sounded like a little kid and I didn't mean to let it come out like this, but it did.
He stopped chewing and looked up from his plate.
"You saw Raymond?"
"I did."
"When? Why didn't you say anything before?"
"Because I was busy with dealing with my family and confiding in you."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to talk to you like that."
"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have dropped it on you like this."
"What did he say to you?"
"I was looking for you and when I didn't see you at your home I went to Woods inc. You weren't there either, but when I went back to my car a man came up to me. To be honest, at first I thought it was you. Then he came closer and I saw it was a man that I had seen before."
"You have seen him before? He never mentioned that", his voice faded away.
"What?", I asked as I didn't quite catch the last part of his sentence.
"When did you see him before? Can you remember where it was?"
"Uhh, I saw him maybe two or three times before in the last week or so. I didn't really think anything of it, except that he really looked like you."
He stood up and started pacing around.
"Why are you acting so nervous? Is there something I should know?", I asked worried.
He took out his phone and checked it, then put it back.
"Max, talk to me", I said as I got up and walked up to him.
"I need you to stay here. Don't leave the house. You can either stay in the guestroom where you slept before or my room."
He walked to the main hall and got his coat. I walked after him.
"Max, what are you going to do?"
"Don't worry, just stay here okay?", he said and kissed me.
He then left, leaving me wondering what on earth was going on.

A/N
Hey everyone!
First of all, thank you for getting this story to 130K reads!!!
It really means a lot to me, I never would have guessed this story, my writing, would be loved so much.
I meant to upload this chapter sooner, but the first draft wasn't what I wanted it to be, so it took me way longer.
I am always trying to give you my all and the best writing.
With that being said, I really hope you like Mira and Max's story and I would love to read your thoughts on how it will develop and of course what you think Raymond is doing in town!