Chapter-4. (Taste of Life).

"Morning, Rose. How was your night?" 

Lyla, who was helping Estella put breakfast on the table greeted me. Instead of greeting back which I usually would do, I asked, "May I talk to you for a moment?" I was watching Lyla when her hand stopped in the middle when she heard my question but her expression did not change. She passed a small smile, "Of course, what is it, Rose?" 

"I want to speak to you..alone," I repeated fisting my hands trying to lessen my anxiety. "If you insist." Even Estella was watching us carefully, maybe figuring out why in the hell I would ask such a thing. "This way, we can talk in my office." I nodded in response and followed her. I did not care much until there were no people around us. "Did something happen?" Lyla gazed at me, questions evident in her eyes. "Nothing special. Just wanted to confess something." I tried to be normal but fuck if I was not awkward and scared at the same time. "Parker spoke to me. He informed me that you both met last night."

F.U.C.K!

My eyes darted at her, her expression still normal. How in the world can someone be so normal? Or am I only the overreacting one? I did not comment on her statement maintaining my silence. "He was not so pleased with you staying with us." If mother heard about it, she almost would have a heart attack. I should try to convince her to let me stay at least two weeks. I was about to open my mouth when she interrupted, "You don't have to worry about him. I asked him to stay with his friend if he had any problem with you staying here." Words stuck in my throat. I stared at the woman who walking in front of me. She asked her son to live in his friend's house for me to stay here. What kind of person is she? Do people like her exist? I got another strong ass reason to confess my mistake and this time I might not be as awkward as I was before. "Here, we are." She opened the door and signaled me to enter. I entered the room finding it to be filled with various canvases and a canvas stand on which an incomplete canvas was placed. A small table beside it filled with various types of colors and a color palette. 

Oh, I forgot she was a painter. Well, fuck me if these don't deserve to be hanged in some museum or art gallery. "These all are fucking great." I complimented her when she passed a sharp look. "Language, Rose. I do not like to repeat myself."

I bit my tongue in response and apologized, "Sorry but old habits are difficult to let go of." It was a fact for every other person in my hometown. "Learn to control your words else they will control you and your life." Damn, what a deep ass line but it is almost impossible for me. "Fine, I will try." Opposites of my thoughts, I replied.

"So, what is it that you wanted to confess?" She crossed her hands staring at me continuously. "Well, for starters...I wanted to express my gratitude that you let me live here with you and your family."

"You are family too, Rose. Greta was my dearest friend. I owed her a big time and I cannot pay her anyhow. This is just a small token of gratitude from my side to her from my side."

What in the hell did Mother help Lyla with? Now, I really need to know. No, Rose. Focus, you are here to confess for your mistake. "Well, I would want to hear your stories but for now, I want to...apologize to you." This was going to be hard as fu..hell to speak it out aloud.

"I might feel thirsty at night and may go to the kitchen to get some..water."

"Oh..." Yeah, oh..Here goes nothing. "I swear I didn't want to see you but it was my first time. You might think I might be doing adult things till now but trust me. I did not even have a boyfriend till this date and I have only watched some videos with Betty. It was my first time hearing those things, so I could not keep it and saw a little bit but I swear, I wanted to watch intentionally. It was the heat of the moment...No, no, I mean to say...Fuck it...I am sorry I did not intend to say that but please..."

I kept blabbering shit without noticing Lyla's expression. At last, when I ran out of breath I looked at her. She was staring at me like I was some child who just confessed about eating a cookie that I was not supposed to eat. "Are you done?" She finally spoke making me look down with embarrassment. Can this ground be part into two, so I can hide in it? 

"I accept your apology, Rose. I understand that you might not be exposed to such things so curiosity got the best of you. I once was also a girl with no experience, so, I can understand your situation."

Thank God, she did not kick me out. 

"Also, its was my and Maximus's fault that we did not think about you. So, it was our mistake too."

How in the world this is happening? Is she saying it's her fault? Either she is more mature than half of this country or she is an alien who did not know a thing about Earth. Ally my life, I saw people blaming others trying to be guilt-free for even a small mistake and here she was saying it was her mistake. She was something and I could feel that I could learn many things from this woman standing in front of me. "So, if your confession is done, shall we go to the dining area? It's almost breakfast time." 

"Thank you for not kicking me out." I may or may not have voiced my real thoughts. She chuckled, listening to me. Well, what can I say now? I am way more mature than half of the people in this country." I gawked at her with astonishment. Are you a mind reader or something?" 

"No, Rose. I am an experienced woman with a fair share of experiences and taste of life."

"May I also have a taste of it?" The corner of her lips lifted in a smile. "I can, but before, have a taste of the breakfast that I prepared with Estella."

"With pleasure," I replied in the same tone making us both laugh. Well, it went good. And that pain in the ass Parker is also not here. So, I might enjoy my stay which I planned to do.