As expected, my mom started hinting around. I decided to pretend I didn't understand.
After work, Josh came to pick me up.
We walked hand in hand down the street. When I got tired, he would carry me and buy me hot roasted sweet potatoes and candied chestnuts.
He cupped my face in his hands, looking at me tenderly:
"Eleanor, next month I'm buying a car, that way you won't have to freeze with me anymore."
I immediately shook my head, "No, I don't want that. How would you warm my hands in a nice warm car? I don't need it! Besides, the company is close to home. Walking back is good exercise and helps me lose weight!"
Josh looked at me, his dark eyes filled with affection:
"Alright."
When we neared the neighborhood, I spotted a familiar luxury car from far away. The car plate number 888 stood out among the regular cars.
Why was my mom here?
Taking advantage of Josh not paying attention, I quickly pulled out my phone.
I found that my mom had sent me a message: [Sweetie, I'm here to see you!]
This was all because I had been too talkative earlier.
[Thanks, Mom! I might be working overtime today, so I might not come home.]
[Stop lying, I can already see you standing at the alley entrance.]
My mom sent another mischievous emoji.
[Is that the boy next to you your boyfriend? Move a little closer, I can't see his face clearly!]
What a typical mom, leaving no room for me to deny.
I quickly grabbed Josh's arm, "Darling, how about you drop me off here? I..."
Josh raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I just feel bad for you. You worked all day, and then walked so far with me. I want you to get home and rest early!"
Josh pinched my nose playfully, smiling, "I'm happy just being with you. How could I be tired?"
When I saw my mom getting out of the car, I immediately pulled Josh to turn around:
"Since you're so happy, let's walk a little more!"
I quickly pulled him away.
I sent him off to grab some coffee and quickly called my mom.
"Mom, stop it! My boyfriend has no idea who I really am. He thinks I'm just an ordinary worker."
My mom paused for a few seconds, then replied, "Oh... I see. Well, that's fine. I can play along with you!"
I felt like kneeling in front of her.
"No, your performance is too obvious!"
My mom still wasn't giving up, "Well, can I just keep quiet? I'm here to bring you some food. Are you really going to let your mom leave?"
I looked around, then quickly came up with an excuse, "Mom, this place is full of people with poor living conditions. If you drive your luxury car here, people will think you're showing off. And if they know you're my mom, thieves might target me..."
As soon as I said that, my mom hesitated:
"Alright, sweetie, you need to protect yourself! By the way, will your boyfriend be staying over tonight?"
I: "…"
"Mom, what are you talking about? We're just dating, nothing else."
Seeing Josh coming back with two cups of milk tea, I quickly ended the call.
"Your favorite caramel macchiato."
I stood at the alley for a while with Josh, waiting for my mom to leave, finally feeling relieved when I saw her driving away.
Josh's nose and ears were frozen red, and it broke my heart:
"How about you come over to my place and rest for a bit?"
This was the first time I invited him over after we'd been dating for a month.
