"Omg Madame Maria, you should definitely go!"

"No no, that's a very bad idea"

"Of course, it isn't!"

Zoning out the heated debate between Maria and Liv, I scooped out some ice cream into a bowl and crushed some Oreos and poured a packet of m&m into it before stirring the heavenly mixture.

"Raven, I need you to back me up here"

I gave Liv a quick smile before shoving a spoonful into my mouth making her roll her eyes and place her arms akimbo with her head tilted sideways in an exemplary stance resembling a strict mum.

"I'm serious Raven! Her daughter flew all the way from Colombia to see her and the least you could do is help me convince her to go!"

Maria scoffed, momentarily turning to glare at us "oh please, after two years of avoiding contact with her mum, she suddenly wants to bond, really original!" She turned back to wiping the counters "ella puede volver a donde estuvo los últimos dos años, no me importa"

Liv and I rolled our eyes at how hard-headed she is.

"Sammy, could you tell your Granny to stop being stubborn?"

Sammy opened his mouth to do as Liv asked but shut it and visibly recoiled at the death glare Maria gave him. Not just any glare but one every Hispanic mum gives with a thousand promises of punishment hidden within.

I chuckled lightly and decided to step in. I walked over to where Maria stood, still wiping the counters and smiled innocently when I took the dust rag from her.

"Don't try and tell me anything, Raven. I ain't listening" she walked off and went over to wash some fruits in the sink.

I smiled but shook my head knowingly. Apart from the loving woman I got to know in Maria, it's hard to forget how obstinate she is. It would be easier to fly to the moon and back than make Maria agree to something she's set her mind against. It reminded me of little things she is so persistent on like the rule of no electric gadgets during any meals and the 9 pm curfew she placed on Liv. Those were the roles of a mum not a maid but Maria has worked her way into Liv's heart-our hearts-over the years. A mother figure indeed. She filled up the blank space of absentee parents created in Liv's life. I wasn't Liv but I'm grateful. Grateful for having her stubborn, caring, loving self in my life. Grateful for not having a gaping hole created by absentee parents made in my life. A day without my mum and I'd unashamedly blow up her phone with calls and texts.

Mother figure or not, thankful I am.

"But Maria you use to tell us something. . ." I pause, waiting for a response but she kept her head ahead, now chopping the fruits.

"You always tell us to remember the little things of life. To cherish and embrace them with all we've got because many don't get the opportunity we've got. You told us family is the most important thing; the happy moments and the sad moments all created by family are to be cherished because many don't get it. You also told us that we shouldn't be disconnected from family because of distance, measly understanding or whatever. No matter how pissed we may be at them, deep down, a part of us should still cherish them without bound."

Those were the words of a wise woman, words worth more than several carats of gold that no therapy session of several thousand dollars could successfully drill into your head but Maria did it without a dime. I remember those moments when we were smaller, she'd give us pep talks. Maria took family close to heart, always inspiring us to do the same. To see the better in family no matter what because that's where we're to find solace but here she is, refusing to meet her runaway daughter. How ironic.

Maria stood frozen and I took that as a sign to continue "I know deep down you want to see her. Don't let your petty anger rob you of such an opportunity. Just go and hear her out. All the questions as to why she ghosted everyone for two years just to send a text to meet you up will be answered"

My words were left hanging in the silence as I processed everything I just said. I shrugged lightly at Liv's upturned brow, also confused as to where that came from.

Maria turned to face us slowly, a tired sigh slipped past her lips as her eyes brushed everyone present, the corners of her lips slowly turning upwards. . .

"Okay, I'll go" she finally admitted with a full-blown smile.

And the ice finally cracked!

"Yay!" Sammy screamed from the high stool he was sat while Liv ran to crush Maria between her arms, chanting several thankful words and raining kisses on her face. The look on Liv's face, the one of pure bliss that made her blue eyes shine a thousand times brighter as she stared at Maria as one would a superhero or in this case heroine.

If only her parents made her feel this way.

Chuckling, I returned to my almost-melted ice cream.

"You have to wear that blue dress I got you for your birthday"

"Uh-uh" Maria shook her head in denial of Liv's request making Liv pout.

"But you have to look pretty!"

"So I don't look pretty?" Maria's slightly wrinkled face contorted to what was supposed to be a pout.

"Of course you do! I'm just saying it will make you look prettier"

"I'll look like a balloon!"

"You won't trust me" Liv left Maria to finish her work as she sat beside me and continued her proposal "I call dibs on doing your makeup!"

"No girl, I may agree to wear that dress but not the makeup, I'm fine without it. I don't need you making me look like Dracula again"

I stifled a laugh making Liv playfully glare at me.

"That was a long time ago, I'd give you a natural look this time, I promise"

"Keep your promises and go arrange your room or better still go look for another canvas you can paint on"

Liv pouted "you said you'd forgiven me"

"I have, doesn't mean I forgot how you made me look like a clown, calling it a trend" Her fingers air quoted the word 'trend'.

I couldn't hold it anymore and burst out laughing as I scrolled through my gallery and saw the picture we took of Maria that day. Liv gave me a weird look but when I showed her and Sammy, they both cracked up, filling the room with the sounds of laughter.

"What's so funny?"

Everyone stopped laughing and slowly turned to the doorway. More specifically at the tall, blonde woman smiling graciously. The once light atmosphere turned dense, everyone's smile long gone and replaced with a mixture of confusion and shock.

My eyes met Liv's, dread flashed through her eyes for a moment before she turned them, following the woman as she walked further to where we sat making everyone visibly tense up.

"I asked a question, what's so funny that I missed?" She flattened her long slender fingers on the counter, her shiny red nails stood out on the gray and white quartz kitchen top which suited the grey-themed kitchen design. She had her honey blonde curled, accentuating her button nose, sharp jawline and heart-shaped face, a face on the covers of several fashion magazines.

Mrs Ariadne Banks professionally and popularly known as Aria Banks, a mother, retired model, face of several fashion brands and oh-the wife of a multimillionaire.

"Ah, Mrs Banks welcome!" Madame Maria was the one to break the silence. "It's nothing, just the girls and their jokes"

Maria shot us all a warning glare inciting a greeting from each of us.

"Raven and Sammy, you both look great and my baby won't you give momma a hug?" Her perfectly carved brow raised as she stretched her arms wide expectantly.

Liv grumbled some inaudible words before making her way between her mum's arms.

"Aww I missed you so much baby" her mum cooed before they broke free. "look at you, hope you've started breaking some hearts?" She joked before turning to me, squinting her eyes playfully "has she?"

Before I could formulate nonsense, Liv interrupted "Why're you home?" She didn't bother masking her displeasure in her tone and the frown on her face.

"What do you mean? I missed my baby so much that's why" she poked Liv's nose playfully before continuing "besides since your dad and I are through with our business trips,  I thought some family time would be great!" She clapped her hands excitedly "speaking of, Maria would you assist me in preparing dinner? We're gonna have dinner together!" She winked and walked over to the cupboards while tying her hair in a bun.

"Of course, Mrs Banks!" Maria proclaimed, joining her in sorting the ingredients.

Liv's eyes met mine again as she literally had a 'save me' face. I shoved the last spoon of ice cream into my mouth to avoid a chuckle threatening to erupt at her antics. It wasn't supposed to be funny, that much I can tell.

I shook my head sympathetically instead and got off the stool to wash the now empty bowl.

"So Raven, how're you doing? I can't imagine how tough school must be" Mrs Banks chirped, trying to initiate small talk.

I raised my shoulders lazily, feeling slightly awkward. "Uh... Yeah. school is cool"

I wiped my wet hands on my dress before plucking out my vibrating phone from my pocket.

Need a ride?

An involuntary smile broke on my face when I opened the text message, I didn't realize someone was speaking until I felt Mrs Banks hand on my shoulder, shaking me lightly.

"You okay?" She inquired.

"Uh. . . Yeah. I just gotta leave real quick" Liv's face visibly fell. "And welcome back Mrs Banks" I returned a quick smile and said my goodbyes to everyone while grabbing my jacket and backpack before walking out.

I was barely a few steps away from the exit when a hand yanked my elbow, turning me around. My smile faltered when I met Liv's distressed expression.

"Please don't go!" She pleaded. "Just stay over for dinner, please"

I felt pity as she gave her charming doe eyes with her palms pressed together which would have probably worked if I wasn't already too excited to leave the premises.

To see a certain someone.

I shook my head at the internal chastise and tried reasoning with her instead.

"You know I can't, besides they're your family so stop acting like you're dining with a bunch of serial killers" I chuckled humorously. Liv's eyes drooped humorlessly. I blew out my cheeks, shifting my weight to my left legs impatiently.

"Even if I wanted to, you know how much your dad detests uninvited strangers at your meals-"

"He knows you're not a stranger" she interjected.

I have met her father a handful of times and I plan on keeping it that way as long as possible. That man always has a grave, unapproachable look which only softens when communicating with his family.

"Liv, I'm not gonna lie to you. I do not want to be in the same room as Oprah, you know how things go down with us both and I'm kinda in a hurry right now. I'll talk to you later okay? Just keep texting me whenever you're getting fed up" she finally nodded in understanding before walking into my open arms in an embrace.

"I love you" I whispered truthfully, my hands rubbing her back comfortingly.

Hearing a similar response, I pecked her cheek and walked away from their mansion to the destination I texted Alan to wait for me.

"Hey" he nodded his head in recognition before bringing his car to life when I settled in his car.

"Hey"

A genuine smile etched my face which he returned quickly before turning back to the road. His fingers kept drumming on the steering wheel as he bobbed his head per the music playing on the radio.

"Someone's in a good mood" I couldn't help but tease to which he shrugged in response.

"You brought those snacks right?" I nodded before turning my attention to my phone when it dinged indicating a notification and dinged again the next second.

I miss you already :-(

Can someone tell Oprah to stop ruffling my hair???!!!!

I rolled my eyes, chuckling nonetheless as I typed a reply.

Xoxo Ruth ❤️