The Selection - Aarmau

Chapter Fifteen

"Lady Aphmau, your esteemed guests are here." Cassandra said, speaking from the ajar bathroom door.

"In my room?"

"No, darling, they're being taken to their rooms. Just letting you know so that you are aware when you're ready."

A few girls were gone for Christmas, but the ones who were really in it to win it, well they stayed, some of the most ruthless ones didn't even invite family. Most notably Michi Santos, who could not care any less.

After her bath and her hair was dried, Aphmau dressed in one of her day dresses, and headed off to find her mother.

And honestly, she had never seen her at such peace as she did when she saw her.

The palace gave her clothing complimentary, same with Travis and Terrence, and she was in a dress similar to Aphmau's, her hair was still pulled up and away from her face. Though, a couple strands of silver did make their way out.

She was in the Women's Room, as was instructed by the palace staff, sitting by the window, basking in the Angeles sunlight, breathing in the Angeles air.

She was so peaceful.

In fact, she looked like royalty herself, with what she was wearing.

Her dress was a simple creme colour, and they got lucky that she was about the same size as Aphmau, anything in her wardrobe would work for her mom.

Aphmau didn't say a word, her mother wasn't sleeping, but she had her eyes closed softly, and a small smile on her lips.

So, she crept in, shutting the door as quietly as she could behind her, before sitting on the sofa beside her.

"Hello, honey."

"Hi Mom. How was your flight?"

Sylvannah's eyes fluttered open, and she looked more well rested than she ever had. "Lovely, actually. I was a bit anxious at first, by all of it, but it was great. They had some spectacular food."

Aphmau chuckled, "just wait until dinner."

"Oh I am more than excited for dinner, though you will have to teach us the etiquette."

"I would love to. I'm glad you had a good flight."

"This place is incredible."

Sylvannah still hadn't looked at her, she was looking up at the high ceiling and the photos that hung in gilded frames on the walls.

Finally, when she did, her face melted into the softest smile. "You look radiant."

"Mom." she said, crossing her arms.

"No, you really do. This suits you, not the messy uniform and greasy hair. This." she grinned.

She got up and walked over to the sofa where Aphmau was sat, and sat down beside her. Sylvannah pulled some of Aphmau's long, dark hair away, feeling the silkyness of it. "This is what you deserve."

"I'm happy with my life at home."

"Your letter says you're happy with your life here, too." she says, recounting the letter in her mind.

"Honestly, though, Aphmau, whatever you do with your life, whether it's stay here or come home, I am proud of you."

"It's not up to me if I stay, Mom. It's Aaron's."

"I know, I know. But still."

Aphmau nodded.

...

Aaron had hoped that his mother would bounce back. He really did. But she didn't, not really.

She slept more than anything.

Days were spent asleep, and nights, too. On occasion she would ask Aaron to take walks around the palace with her, but even those were too much. It was a task just for her to get out of bed.

It was unbelievably depressing how sick she got and how fast she got that sick. Like a butterfly effect, or dominoes. One falls, the rest come crashing down.

She always ushered him out of the room. He wasn't allowed to feel sorry and stay there with her, and neither was Melissa. He was supposed to be falling in love, and Melissa was just supposed to be a guest.

And well, Aaron's job was done. He had done what he was supposed to do, so he thought it valid that he would want to stay with her.

But he also thought that perhaps he had done the job wrong. Having fallen in love with the 'wrong girl'.

"Aaron, please, go do something. You don't need to spend your days here with me all the time." she said, her voice low and wheezy.

"Mom, please. I can't leave you here by yourself. It's Christmas."

"It isn't Christmas yet, not for a few more days. So for the time being, go spend time with that special girl of yours."

"What?" he asks suddenly.

"Oh do not play dumb with me, Aaron Lycan." she says, with a dry chuckle. "There's clearly someone special in your life, one of the Selected I would assume. Go spend time with her. Or your sister. I beg of you. It's not healthy for you to spend all your time with your mother."

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes at how his mother was being. "I'm spending Christmas day with you here, though. And Melissa said she will, too. We'll have a feast."

"I would love that, my boy." she grinned. "Now, please, go." she urged, lifting her arm shakily to push him towards the door.

Aaron nodded solemnly, and stood up, walking out the door. He met Melissa as he was walking down the stairs.

"How is she? Is she alright?"

"She's the same as she's been for a month, albeit a little weaker."

"God, of all the people in the world to make sick, why'd it have to be her?" she asks, frustrated and sad. Aaron places a hand on her shoulder.

"I know. I ask the same question everyday. I try telling myself she'll be alright, but it's no use."

"I'm surprised all the time that I haven't been here didn't turn you into a pessimist."

"You'd be surprised." he says, sort of sad. "You weren't here before the Selected came. I have to be optimistic. A pessimist won't land a wife."

Melissa stifled her laughter. "I suppose so. Any plans for the rest of your day?"

"Mm. Not sure, I don't think I have anything. I might practice guitar. From what I know, Father is busy doing his own thing, he hasn't called on me for help at all, and always just dismisses me."

"Probably just wants you to do your own thing, live the bachelor life, y'know?"

"I appreciate your look on the brightside," he says, sighing. "But I don't trust him. He's up to something."