By the time I arrived home after my shift, I barely made it to the bed I was that exhausted. Working five days straight until past 11, whilst attending my internship during the day and maintaining some semblance of a social life, had absolutely killed me. I woke up the next day at 9am, immediately hopping in the shower afterwards. As I emerged, feeling like a brand new woman, I squealed as somebody stood in my bathroom, staring in the vanity.
Gathering my wits, I grabbed my towel, wrapping it around me firmly.
"Aunt Leila," I said, irritated. "This is my bathroom."
"And hello to you too," she said sarcastically. "What a lovely way to greet the aunt you haven't seen properly in years."
"Hi," I said quickly. "Why are you in here?"
She rolled her eyes, looking back to the mirror. She was wearing one of my old white robes with her long hair piled onto her head. The dark circles underneath her eyes were prominent and she looked older than when I had last seen her. The stress was taking a toll on her, evidently.
"Don't want to use your parent's bathroom," she said, making a face.
I laughed a little, reaching for my hairbrush.
"It's nice to have you home," I said, after a moment. "I've missed you."
She turned around then, eyes getting all watery. "I missed you too angel," she said, squeezing me tight and getting herself wet. "God it feels good to be home."
"Rather this than the glamour of New York?" I asked, putting on my own robe. Dark purple with fuzzy sleeves.
"Any day," she said with a sigh. She reached up to undo her hair, letting it fall.
"I saw your husband last night," I said idly.
She sighed again.
"He was rude," I continued.
"He's like that with everyone," she agreed. "Even me. Trust me honey, it's not personal."
After finishing up in the bathroom, we both headed downstairs where mom was making pancakes. This was a rare occurrence, and she was definitely only doing so because Aunt Leila was here.
"How did you both sleep?" She asked, placing mugs of coffee in front of us. Leila had hers black. Mine was iced, with milk.
"Better than I have in months," Leila said, lifting the coffee to her lips and closing her eyes as she sipped. Her massive diamond ring caught the sunlight and I stared at it, entranced.
"You're living the millionaire lifestyle," my mom tutted. "What's there to complain about?"
"A lot," my aunt stated, raising her brow. "Money isn't everything Carla. There's some things money can't buy."
Mom laughed. "Give me some and then we'll discuss it. I'll get back to you on the verdict."
I giggled and Leila rolled her eyes. "It's not like it's mine, is it?" She disagreed. "You know Chris signed the prenup. Carrick made him. Yeah, I've got a credit card, but it's not limitless. Legally, it's all his."
I sipped on my coffee, zoning out as they started to talk about Christian and finances. Today was Saturday which meant no work and no internship. I messaged Kate and Jose, asking if they wanted to hang out. They responded yes instantly.
After I'd finished breakfast, I headed upstairs to get ready, but Leila stopped me. "It's my first day home," she complained. "Do I not get to spend the day with my niece?"
"Later," I said apologetically. "I promise."
I ran up the stairs before she could reply, the last thing I heard being my mom whispering about young people.
Kate, Jose and I spent the day at the mall shopping. I bought new makeup and some books and Kate bought new Givenchy sunglasses to match her new Givenchy purse. Kate was rich and there was no denying it. Her parents were both lawyers and she lived in the uptown area of Seattle. My parents and I on the other hand, lived comfortably. We never suffered with finances, but we didn't have money to waste on designer items either. They paid for me through college, and I never wanted for anything due to their hard work. My dad owned his own hardware store whilst my mom was a letting agent. I was currently about to start my third year of college in a few months; majoring in English literature which I absolutely loved. Books had always meant everything to me and studying them in depth was fantastic. I had opted to stay at home whilst studying for my degree at the university of Washington. Shared dorms and endless drunken parties were not particularly my thing and I much preferred having the option to opt out instead of always in.
Right now though, was summer and I was ecstatic to be relaxing and prepping for my final year. We were currently lounging in the mall park, drinking slushies. Kate was laying on her belly in shades, her eyes on some boys playing basketball.
"What do you think Ana?" She said, eyes still on them. "Jose? What do you think about the summer of love?"
"Fuck that," Jose groaned. He was on his back, staring up at the clouds.
I was sitting up, legs crossed against the tree.
Kate tutted in disappointment.
"Ana?" She asked hopefully.
"No," I said firmly.
She sighed, turning around on her back.
"You two are so boring," she complained.
"My last relationship was an absolute fucking disaster," Jose said with disgust, and neither I or Kate could disagree there.
Tiffany had been a complete and utter bitch and their relationship was the most toxic thing I had ever seen outside TV. I could fully understand why Jose was not ready to dip his toes into the waters of romance again any time soon.
"Okay fine," Kate relented, "but what's your excuse Ana? You've never even had a boyfriend."
"So what?" I bristled, defensive. "I'll find somebody in my own time. Right now, I care about college and my career."
She rolled her eyes. "You're just waiting for one of the heroes in your books. Mr Darcy or Count Vronsky."
Jose and I both laughed at the accuracy. I shrugged. "Maybe I am," I agreed. "But what's so wrong with that?"
I got back at around eight in the evening and quickly went upstairs to freshen up and shower. As I went back down however and into the lounge, I realised I had made a major mistake and instantly regretted the decision. I should have stayed upstairs.
"Hi Ana," my mom said softly.
She got up off the couch.
"I'll get you a drink," she said. "Come stay with your Aunt for a moment. She's just explained everything to me."
My said aunt was on the other couch, wrapped in a fluffy blanket, clutching a mug close to her chest. Her eyes were bloodshot with tear tracks etched into her makeup. I had never seen her look so sad before.
"What's wrong?" I asked, sitting next to her and placing an arm around her.
She shook her head. "I shouldn't be bothering you with my problems. You're too young."
I frowned. "I'm almost 21," I informed her. "I can handle it Leila."
She sniffed in response and my mom came back, passing me a mug of hot chocolate. The first sip reminded me of childhood, when she'd give it to me as a special treat topped with whipped cream and marshmallows.
"Leila's been having some difficulties lately Ana," my mom said softly.
"With Christian?" I asked.
Leila sniffed again, nodding. "We can't get pregnant," she said, more tears leaving her eyes. "This is our second round of IVF and I've just found out today that it didn't work."
I took another long sip, trying to absorb the information. It was heavy, that was for sure. I knew they had been having difficulties, but I had no idea how serious.
"I should have frozen my eggs," she insisted, but my mom cut her off.
"Stop blaming yourself," she said firmly. "None of this is your fault."
"It is Carla," she cried. "Chris' sperm count is fine. It's me that's the problem."
She started crying again and I sat there, not quite knowing what to say.
"If it's meant to be it will be," my mom said. "There's always adoption."
Leila nodded, still crying.
"I'm sorry Leila," I finally said, squeezing her hand. "I'm really sorry you're going through this."
And I was. She didn't deserve this. She deserved to start a family and be happy, the dream I knew she had held for a long time.
She met my eyes, squeezing back with a small smile.
"Love you Ana banana," she said softly. "My number one girl always."
I nodded.
"Always."
