Chapter 26: Love is A Risk

The opening door abruptly cut the moment short, and both Joseph and Agnes turned quickly toward the entrance. "Joseph, I'm home," a familiar voice rang out, Mrs. Edmond. She stepped inside, changing out of her shoes with practiced ease. "Who do we have here?" she asked, placing a shopping bag down on the slab. "Welcome, ma'am," Agnes greeted politely, standing to her feet with a soft smile. "Hey, Mum," Joseph added, walking over to her and planting a peck on her cheek. Mrs. Edmond's gaze shifted back to Agnes with slight curiosity. "Who's she?" "Oh, well... Mum, meet my friend Agnes. Agnes, meet my mum," Joseph introduced, scratching his neck lightly. "It's nice meeting you, ma'am. I've heard a lot about you," Agnes said warmly, flashing a bright smile. "I hope they're good things," Mrs. Edmond replied, her tone neutral as she walked past them and headed to her bedroom without responding to Agnes' greeting directly. Agnes blinked and glanced at Joseph. 'I... I don't think your mum likes me," she said, watching the retreating figure. Joseph returned to cooking. 'What makes you say that?" 'The way she looked at me... and she didn't reply to my greeting. It's like she doesn't want to interact with me." Her tone dropped slightly. Joseph chuckled and gently flicked her forehead. 'You probably don't know what you're saying." 'But....." 'Shhh," he interrupted, 'She loves you. Trust me." He winked. Agnes smiled, shaking her head. 'Gosh." A few minutes later, Mrs. Edmond returned from her room holding a small container of ointment and a plaster. She set them on the slab. 'You should be more careful when using knives. If you're not confident, just leave it to the man, he handles them pretty well." 'Awww, thank you, ma," Agnes said, looking at the items. 'I just wanted to help. I didn't want to sit there and watch him cook all by himself." 'I told her to sit and relax, but she wouldn't listen," Joseph chimed in with a shrug. Mrs. Edmond picked up the ointment and plaster. 'Come on, let's treat your hand." Agnes hesitated but followed her to the sitting room. 'Sit," Mrs. Edmond said as she took a seat herself. 'Oh, okay," Agnes mouthed and sat down beside her. 'Your hand?" Mrs. Edmond asked, holding out her palm. Agnes gently placed her injured hand on it. 'It's not that serious," she muttered. Mrs. Edmond examined her fingers. 'This might sting a little, okay?" she warned, glancing at her face. 'Okay," Agnes responded, squinting her nose. Mrs. Edmond applied the ointment and softly blew over it. 'You good?" she asked, still blowing lightly. 'Ye… yeah," Agnes stuttered, her voice trembling slightly. 'Your voice and face say otherwise," Mrs. Edmond teased with a chuckle. 'All done now," she added, placing the plaster over the cut. 'Thanks… mu....um," Agnes replied, drawing out the word with a sheepish smile. 'You know he's my only son, right? And I love him dearly," Mrs. Edmond said, her eyes drifting toward Joseph in the kitchen. Agnes turned to look at him too, a small smile forming on her lips. 'He's cute, right?" Mrs. Edmond asked, now watching Agnes carefully. 'Yeah, so cute," Agnes admitted almost absentmindedly, her gaze still fixed on Joseph. Mrs. Edmond chuckled. 'Even as his mum, I still find him adorable. Who wouldn't? He's amazing, caring, loving... Honestly, I couldn't ask for more." 'Yeah... he's definitely the best," Agnes said softly. Mrs. Edmond's eyes returned to Agnes. 'You shouldn't hurt him. I don't know much about you, but I do know he's in love with you. The way he looks at you, the way the house feels more alive since you started coming around... I just don't want to see him broken. He's all I have left since his father died. Losing him... I don't even want to imagine it." Agnes straightened up and turned toward her, voice low. 'I… I just…" 'You don't have to say anything," Mrs. Edmond interrupted gently. 'I just want to make sure he's in safe hands." 'I won't hurt him," Agnes said, more firmly now. 'I promise. And yeah... I kind of fell for him too. Gosh, who wouldn't?" she added with a squeal, cheeks flushed. 'I'm glad," Mrs. Edmond replied with a satisfied smile. 'Well, how....." 'What are you two talking about?" Joseph called from the kitchen. 'Hard to hear anything from over here." 'Nothing! Just a little girly time," Mrs. Edmond responded quickly. 'I told you she'd love you," Joseph said, smiling at Agnes. 'I do love her. She's really good for you," Mrs. Edmond replied, standing up and walking off. Agnes blinked at Joseph. 'What the he..... what is she talking about?" Joseph shrugged. 'The food is ready. Want to help me set the table?" 'Yeah, sure," she said, standing. 'Mum, we're setting the table!" he called out. Later that night... Joseph was deep in sleep when the creaking door stirred him. A bright light filled the room, causing him to groan and shift on the bed. 'Baby?" a gentle voice called out. Recognizing his mother's voice, he slowly opened his eyes, squinting against the light. 'Mum? What are you doing here... at this hour?" he asked, sitting up, his voice laced with sleep. 'Sorry to wake you, darling. I just thought... maybe now's a good time to talk," Mrs. Edmond said, settling beside him on the bed. 'Talk? About what?" 'Your friend... Agnes," she said softly. He blinked, brushing his hair back. 'Oh... what about her?" 'I've seen the way you look at her. There's something in your eyes I haven't seen in a while. Joseph, do you love her?" 'Mum…" he hesitated. 'Just answer me honestly," she urged. 'I... I think I do," he muttered, looking away. 'You think you do?" she raised a brow. 'Okay, fine. I love her," he admitted. 'I think about her every second. I can't get her out of my head. She's got me completely hooked." She smiled faintly. 'But you're holding back. Why?" 'It's her family," he said, running a hand down his face. 'What if they don't like me? What if they think I'm not good enough for her? What if she doesn't love me back? I don't want to ruin what we have. Her friendship means everything to me. If that's all I get, I'll still want her around." Mrs. Edmond reached out and brushed her hand through his hair. 'Love is about risk, Joseph. You'll never know how they feel until you try. You might be surprised. And as for her... the way she looks at you? I think she's already fallen." 'You think?" 'I know," she said gently. 'Just be careful, alright? Don't get hurt. You're all I have." 'Okay, Mum." 'Now get some rest," she said, rising from the bed. 'But... I thought there was something else you wanted to say?" 'It's nothing," she replied. 'Forget it. Goodnight, baby. I love you." 'Love you more, Mum," he said, lying back down as the lights dimmed. FLASHBACK ENDS