Page 71 of Zero
I sighed, set some towels, extra toilet paper and a few other amenities she’d need for a shower. Since she hadn’t come with a bag, I assumed she would need all those things. After finding a new toothbrush and toothpaste, I sprayed some air freshener into the air and walked out.
Dinner wasn’t as tensed as I thought. Haha asked me to call her Aiyia Hakama. She’d raised Rei on her own after the father decided he didn’t want to be a dad anymore. She’d still given Rei his father’s last name.
At eighteen, Rei had it changed to his mother’s.
“Why?” I asked him.
“That man doesn’t deserve to have his name live on.” Rei replied. “I can’t respect a man who would walk away from his child the way mine had.”
I understood.
Having Rei carry his last name was a privilege not a right.
Unable to stop myself, I reached over and caress Rei’s cheek—I guess it was my way of easing his mind that I held no feelings about the way he thought of his father.
He turned his face and kissed my hand and I dropped it.
Aiyia-San told me stories about Rei—some had me giggling, others had me laughing out loud. It seemed Rei Hakama had been a very naughty child.
Rei groaned. “Haha.”
But she merely laughed and continued.
By the time we looked up it was very late. While Rei cleared the table, I escorted Aiyia-San up the stairs to show her where she’d be sleeping.
“I’m sorry to have just barged in the way I did.” She told me while sitting on the chaise at the foot of the bed to remove her belt. “I had spent the evening with a friend of mine. On the way home, I guess I wasn’t paying attention and—”
“You don’t have to explain.” I told her. “This is your son’s home. You’re welcome here anytime.”
“But he’s building a relationship with you. I don’t think he needs his mother cramping his style.”
I chuckled. “I’m sure Rei would be the first person to tell you that will never happen. And no matter how hold Rei gets, no matter if he’s with me or not—he’ll always need his mother.”
“You’re too sweet.” She smiled at me. “Dinner was delicious.”
“Thank you.” I turned to fix the curtains.
“Are you really staying here?” She asked. “You would sacrifice all you’ve accomplished in Jamaica to move here for my son?”
I stopped fidgeting with the curtain to face her. She seemed genuinely worried, so I walked over to sit on the floor in front of her. “Aiyia-San, I love Rei. Moving here for Rei isn’t a sacrifice. And it’s not like I can’t afford to fly back if anything. You’ve raised an amazing son, one who deserves this happiness.”
She framed a side of my face and smiled. “Thank you.” Her voice cracked. “And he’s happier, you know?”
I bowed my head, and she pulled her hand away.
“His ex—she was a piece of work.” Aiyia confided. “She hurt him like I knew she would. She just had this feel about her, you know? After Rei finished university, he came into his inheritance from my mother and father. His ex wanted that money and when she couldn’t get her hands on it, she walked away.”
“I’m sorry.” I met her eyes. “But I have my own money. I don’t need a man to take care of me—you don’t have to worry.”
Aiyia smiled. “I have a good feeling about you, Bailey-Chan.”
I giggled and stood. “They might be a little big on you, but I placed two nightgowns in the bathroom beside the towels. Make yourself at home.”
“Thank you.” Aiyia nodded.
Satisfied she had all she would need, I turned for the door.
“He calls you Hoshi.” Aiyia’s voice stopped me.
