Chapter 23: Matchmaking

Dorah walked down the stairs with her mum trailing behind her. The soft thud of her sandals echoed faintly as she texted on her phone. Agnes glanced at her daughter, hands folded under her chest. 'When will you be back?" Agnes asked, eyeing her suspiciously. 'I don't know, but I won't come home late," Dorah replied casually, her thumbs still tapping away at her screen texting Jace. Agnes rolled her eyes. 'I still don't get why your band chooses the weekend to hang out." Dorah glanced up, not surprised. 'Mum, we have school during the week. Weekends are the only free time we all have," she explained, picking her sling bag up from the chair and slinging it over her shoulder. 'Okay, whatever," Agnes said, walking toward the key holder and grabbing her car keys. 'Should I take you there?" 'No need," Dorah said quickly. 'You don't need to stress yourself. Jace will be here to pick me up." Just as the words left her mouth, the doorbell rang. 'Guess he's here already," Dorah said, moving toward the door, her voice light with excitement. Agnes watched her daughter with a small smile. 'Okay, baby. See you later. Take care of yourself. And no alcohol," she added sternly, pointing her index finger in mock warning. Dorah chuckled. 'Chill, Mum. We're just hanging out, not going to a club." 'Okay, just go," Agnes said, waving her hand. 'Don't keep the young guy waiting." 'Later, Mum. And don't forget to think about what we talked about yesterday," Dorah reminded her, giving her a knowing look. 'Okay, later." FLASHBACK 'Enough, okay? Sit down. We need to talk," Dorah said, her voice firm but gentle as she approached Agnes. 'You need to tell me why you're acting like this. You're not the same person I used to know." Reaching her, Dorah held her mother's hands and guided her down to sit on the couch. 'Mum," she called softly, trying to draw her in. 'Yes, baby?" Agnes responded, her voice distant, her eyes darting away like she was searching for a way to escape the conversation. 'Is it because of what happened between you and Jace's dad?" Dorah asked as she caressed Agnes' hands with care. 'Is that why you've been like this?" Agnes blinked rapidly, the tears forming quicker than she could stop them. 'I offended him… but it wasn't my fault," she murmured, her voice cracking. 'I just had no choice back then. I did what I thought was best… for everyone." 'It's fine, Mum. Stop crying," Dorah said, snuggling close to her and wrapping her arms around her shoulders in a warm hug. 'Just forget it for now and cheer up. Everything will work out. And please stop being like this. It doesn't suit you." Agnes gave a weak chuckle through her tears. 'Now I have to cook again, or better still, order takeout because someone burnt the food," Dorah teased, trying to lighten the mood. 'I'm sorry. I didn't even realize when it got burnt," Agnes said, attempting to stand. 'I can help you cook another meal." 'No thanks," Dorah said, pulling her back to sit down. 'Just relax. I've got this." 'Have you eaten?" she asked, looking her mother over. 'No. I'm not really hungry," Agnes replied softly. 'Just sit. I'll go cook for us," Dorah said, standing up. She paused at the doorway and looked back. 'Oh, come to think of it, how about we go on a vacation? We'll be going on break next Friday. It might help you relax and clear your head." Agnes looked up, surprised. 'Oh…" 'You should think about it. I'll be waiting for your reply," Dorah added and then disappeared into the kitchen. FLASHBACK ENDS 'Let's go," Dorah said to Jace as she opened the door with a smile. 'Okay, princess. For the record, you're looking beautiful," Jace said smoothly, winking at her. His compliment made her chuckle. 'Thanks. You're not looking bad either," Dorah replied playfully. 'Well, as always," Jace boasted with a grin, holding out his hand. Dorah took it, and they walked to the car hand in hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. Once they reached the car, Jace quickly opened the passenger door for her. 'Thank you," she said, settling in. Jace circled the car and got into the driver's seat. He ignited the engine and drove off smoothly. 'So, are the guys already there?" Dorah asked, adjusting the air conditioner vents. 'Nope," Jace replied, glancing at her. 'They're all at Max's house. I'll go pick them up now." He connected his phone to the car's Bluetooth and started playing music, bobbing his head along. 'Mum and I are going on a vacation after the term," Dorah said suddenly. 'Huh? You say what?" Jace asked loudly, straining over the music. He quickly reduced the volume. 'I said, Mum and I are going on a vacation," Dorah repeated, shifting in her seat so she could see his face better. 'When?" he asked as they stopped at a red traffic light. 'After we finish this term," she replied. 'Have you decided where to go?" Jace asked as the light turned green and he pressed on the accelerator. 'Not yet," she said with a sigh. 'I just told Mum about the idea yesterday. You know she's been acting strange since… the incident. She's not been herself. You won't believe she cooked burnt food yesterday! Like, what the heck! I almost cried," Dorah exclaimed, her eyes wide. Jace burst into laughter. 'Wait, seriously?" 'Yeah, it was really frustrating!" she whined, rolling her eyes. 'And it tasted awful." 'It must have tasted good," he teased, still laughing. 'Yuck!" Dorah gagged exaggeratedly. 'I had to cook something else so we wouldn't starve. That's when I thought… maybe a change of environment would help. She just needs to clear her head and be herself again." Jace nodded thoughtfully. 'How about St. Barts Resort? You can check it out online. Plus, maybe I can convince Dad to go too… That way, we could kind of set them up. Let them talk things out, settle the malice. What do you think?" Dorah smiled. 'I think that's a good idea. I'll let you know once she agrees." 'Okay, baby." 'Are we at Max's house already?" Dorah asked, peering out the window. 'Yeah. Wanna go inside?" Jace asked, watching her reaction. 'No," she said, shaking her head. 'I don't want to be the one to delay us." Her eyes lingered on the large, beautiful duplex. 'Wow… this house is huge," she muttered under her breath. 'If you say so," Jace said with a small chuckle. 'Let me call the others." He picked up his phone and dialed Ronald's number. 'Hey, what's up, buddy? We're at the gate already. Come meet us outside," he said, then hung up after getting a response. 'They're coming," he told Dorah, relaxing into his seat.