This takes place in a western country.
Ashlyn sighed as her phone vibrated in her pocket. Grabbing the phone before the person got annoyed and called her instead, she stared at the text.
What are you bringing to Granny's for dinner? ~ Mama
Ashlyn frowned, she hated the holidays.
I don't know.
Is there anything you'd like to bring? Maybe make a dessert? ~ Mama
She paused a second, different side dishes and desserts quickly ran through her head.
I don't care. Just tell me what to make.
That's all you know how to say! I don't care. ~ Mama
Groaning she was tempted to toss her phone. Her mother gets angry at her for saying it so often, however, she truly doesn't care most of the time. Why is that a horrible answer, she's just leaving it up to her mother to decide certain things. If one person doesn't care what they want to eat for lunch or doesn't care about what they're assigned to do that's usually a good thing. It's less stress for the person trying to get everything organized. It wasn't like she was saying it in a bitchy way.
I don't mind. Whatever you think I should make.
Ashlyn Nicole ~ Mama
She could hear her mom's tone and see the angry expression across her face as she closed her eyes.
What about a mint chocolate cheesecake? I bought one at a shop a month ago, it was really good. I'll find a similar recipe online. Anything else I need to bring?
Oh that sounds good. Yes, your boyfriend. ~Mama
Ashlyn glanced towards her left, Takeyasu sat at his desk typing frantically. He returned home early in the morning and clung to her half the day. Finally his attention was elsewhere as he updated his blog.
Boyfriend?
The man that sometimes answers your phone. The man I hear in the background every time I call you. It's been six months now and you haven't mentioned him let alone introduced him to me. Bring him too. ~Mama
It had actually been over a year, he just moved in six months ago. Her mom didn't need to know that though.
That's not my boyfriend we're friends with benefits. You do always call at night after all.
Ashlyn grinned at the phone glancing at the clock wondering how long it'd take to get the phone call. The phone vibrated a few seconds later. She answered putting it on speaker.
"Hello?"
"Ashlyn Nicole! I raised you better than that, you better at least be using protection. How many of these friends with benefits do you have? You better get checked often, STDs aren't anything to play around with!" Her mother yelled through the phone. The typing she heard in the corner of the living room stopped, she watched as the man slowly turned around to face her with a raised brow. Ashlyn shrugged with a grin.
"Oh, how often am I suppose to get checked?"
"When was the last time?"
She paused and hummed to herself in a thoughtful way. "Uh, I'm suppose to get checked for STDs? I thought I only need to worry about it if I'm having symptoms of something."
Takeyasu snorted, while Ashlyn stared blankly at the phone.
"You need to get checked asap, Ashlyn I can't believe you-"
"I'm joking mom." She spoke with a dull tone.
"What?"
"You know I don't like people prying into my personal life." Her voice darkened slightly, a threat twisted within her words.
Takeyasu sat beside her now, holding her phone and scrolling through the messages. He grinned.
"I'd love to go to Christmas dinner." He spoke smoothly causing the woman to roll her eyes. He stood heading towards their bedroom and took the phone off speaker. Holding the phone to his ear he grinned over his shoulder at her. "My name is Takeyasu, though I'm not her boyfriend. We're actually engaged." Ashlyn's eyes widened and as she clumsily stood from the sofa he shut the door and locked it.
She glared at the door, knowing better than to bang on it while Takeyasu had her mother on the phone. After a few moments the door was thrown open and she glared at her boyfriend's smirk. "You know she's going to tell everyone, right?" She huffed raising her left hand and waving it in front of his face. "The first thing they're going to say is 'show me the ring!' There is no ring. We aren't engaged." Still smirking he grabbed her left hand waving in front of his face, after digging into his pocket for a moment he moved to hold her ring finger in place. His snake like gold eyes held a playful gleam as he slipped something on her finger.
Ashlyn's eyes traveled to the ring on her finger. A decent size diamond gleamed in the light. "What's this?" The glare melted into an expression of awe. "Your engagement ring." His arms wrapped around her waist as she spoke. "You didn't even ask if I would marry you, what makes you think I will?" He just laughed before placing his lips on her.
"You arrogant jerk." She rolled her eyes hitting his chest.
This is part one of two. This idea came from my mom being annoyed at me saying I don't care when she asked what I wanted or wanted to do. I'm making it western because I know these traditions best.