The unC.R.I.M.E

Chapter 9

"Are you sure you'll be alright with staying home alone?" Leonardo asked me as I attached his bow tie to his shirt, and fixed him up, so that he looked handsome and perfect.

I smiled at him, looking up at him through my eyelashes as I dusted off the invisible lint from his perfect Armani black and white suit,  "you look very handsome," I complimented him with a wide smile, unable to stop admiring how handsome my brother looked, "Ivy will be speechless when she sees you."

Leonardo was getting ready to attend the Hutcherson's pre-Christmas party, and if things weren't the way they are with Czar complicating matters, then I would've probably attended with my brother as his date. But Czar exists and I don't want to cross paths with him, not after yesterday. I knew things would get messy and awkward if I did, so I suggested Leonardo take Ivy instead and he was more than happy to pick up the phone and invite her.

I was excited for him because I could see how much he liked this lady and I've seen her pictures and she's so beautiful, everything from her slightly chubby cheeks to her short bob was perfect. Perfect just for Leonardo.

"You really think so?" Leonardo asked me as I stepped away from him and he turned, looking at himself from all angles and I nodded.

"Yes," I told him as I walked to the other side of his massive closet and brought him his cologne and practically bathed him in it, "so that you're the best smelling gentleman in that room," I told him and he blushed.

"Are you sure you're ok with staying home?"

I sighed, narrowing my eyes at my brother in irritation, "Leonardo, shut the hell up," I whispered the cuss word, disappointed in myself for swearing but irritated with my brother, "I'm 33 years old, Leonardo. I can stay home alone for a few hours. I do after all live alone. Gosh," I rolled my eyes as I handed him the bouquet of flowers I'd went out and bought so that he could impress Ivy.

"Ok, ok, sorry," he apologized half-heartedly and he looked down at his Rolex watch before he exclaimed in surprise, "oh s**t! I had to pick her up like ten minutes ago. Ok, stay safe, keep the doors locked and I love you," he rushed out as he leaned down and kissed me on my cheek and before I could respond he had already ran out of the room.

I sighed and shook my head, a small smile on my face, following behind him so that I could lock the door behind him and carry on with my night. I was going to video call my mum and talk to her for a little while and ask her how things have been going for the past couple of months.

I've been so busy with work and everything going on in my life, which really isn't a lot. But work is the one thing taking up all of my free time. I wanted to talk to her about everything going on in my life and going on in hers. I know she and dad adopted two more children from Syria in the past couple of months, and I'd like to know more about that.

After I'd made sure all doors and windows were locked, I sat in my brother's sitting room, lounging casually on the couch as I set up the laptop and waited for my mother's face to appear on the screen.

I watched the screen go black before my mother's image appeared on the screen and I smiled widely, "Hey mama," I said wholeheartedly, my heart exploding with joy in my chest as I waved at her energetically and she smiled at me.

"Hello, sweetheart," she said sweetly as she blew me a kiss and moved her hair from her face, "how are you, my angel? You look so beautiful, baby girl," my mother is very affectionate. She uses all of these terms of endearment and is the kind of mother who wanted to be hugged every single day before you left for school, and before you fell asleep at night.

I love my mother with everything in me. The love I have for this woman can never be challenged. I remember the days when I would break down and she'd be there for me. I remember every single small thing she's ever done for me. I remember the very first hug I got from her, when she first met me at my refugee camp and she just held me like I was the piece of the puzzle she had been looking for her entire life.

I remember the first kiss she ever gave me, was before we boarded her private plane to return to the states which would be my new home. I remember the first time I made her cry; it was when I was on stage, acting as a tree during my first grade play. She'd beamed at me and I couldn't help but beam back at her.

"I miss you so much, mama," I admitted sadly, "I haven't seen you in so long," she nodded.

"I know, my little munchkin," she coughed into her hand and cleared her throat, "we know that work's been keeping you busy," she said in understanding, "I'm sorry your father and I haven't been making more of an effort to come see you, but please understand we're taking care of your two younger siblings."

I smiled at her.

 I wish I was like them, and I couldn't wait to tell my mother the good news but I'd save them for a bit later, maybe when I go down there for Christmas.

"Oh, my God," I smiled, "I can't wait to meet them."

"Oh, they're absolutely wonderful, baby. There's Shaista who is fifteen years old and then there's Isa who is 6 years old. They're both suffering from PTSD and a lot of depression, so your father and I have been preoccupied trying to help them through every day, step by step."

"God bless you, mama," I said with conviction, "you and dad have hearts made of gold."

I prayed every day for my mum and dad. I prayed that they went to heaven, I prayed that God forgive their sins, I prayed that God continue blessing them and I prayed that God keep them alive long enough so I can follow in their footsteps.

My mother and father were the best of human beings to ever walk this earth and no one can fight me on that.

"Oh, thank you, baby," my mother beamed at me, "so we can't wait for you to meet Shaista, she's Muslim also. We told her you're Muslim and that you two could sit down and bond when you come down for Christmas and New Year's."

"I'd love that, mama."

"You are coming, right?" 

"Absolutely, mummy, I'd never miss it for the world. I have to see everyone. I miss you all so much and I haven't spoken to my brothers and sisters in months. I need to see them and touch them. I can feel that this Christmas and New Year's is about to be one of the best we've ever had."

I thought about the amount of fun we always have whenever we have these parties, and a smile comes onto my face.

My mother laughed, "your nieces and nephews are all coming and we've cleared out half of the house to accommodate everyone for these days. Ok baby, let me go, I love you more than life itself and I want you to stay strong with your hijab ok? Pray five times a day and don't forget us in your prayers. I love you, mwah!"

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