The weekend had finally arrived, bringing with it the anticipated days of rest. She woke up later than usual, glanced at the clock—it was 10:30 am. After slipping into shorts and a T-shirt, she ties up her hair and goes downstairs, the house still quiet as the kids were sleeping in, having stayed up watching movies with her the night before. She prepares breakfast, setting the table with a chocolate cake her mother had baked. A few minutes later, she hears the familiar noise from the children's room. They come downstairs in their cute matching pajamas, sit at the table, and have breakfast with their older sibling.
She helps them get dressed and instructs them to tidy their room and toys. They grumble but comply with their mother's directive. After spending the rest of the morning cleaning the house, they have lunch and then go out to enjoy the sunny afternoon. Arya's mother arrives around two in the afternoon, having arranged to take care of the children so she could go out with Tyler.
"I'm glad you're giving this young man a chance," her mother says with a smile.
"I am too, Mom. He's a nice guy," she replies but without much enthusiasm.
"You don't seem very excited about him," her mother observes, laughing.
"It's not that. I'm just thinking about the kids, wondering if they'd be okay with me having a boyfriend," she responds, sipping her juice.
"My dear, they will grow up and have their own families, and you'll be left alone," her mother says while settling into a lounge chair facing her daughter lying in another.
"That's rich coming from someone who remarried," she retorts, laughing.
"For your information, you're not the reason I'm alone. I've had several relationships, but haven't found the love of my life," her mother replies somberly.
"Just because it happened to me doesn't mean it will happen to you. You should give yourself a chance to be happy," she adds.
"You're absolutely right. I'm going to this date with an open mind," she says, now determined.
"An open mind won't be enough. Your heart must be open too, otherwise you'll be frustrated," her mother advises.
"Okay, an open mind and heart," she laughs in agreement.
"Changing the subject, how's work, and your handsome boss?" her mother inquires, followed by a chuckle.
"Mom, what are you talking about?" Arya chides her.
"What? He's handsome. If it were me, I wouldn't let him slip away."
"Oh my god, you really have lost your shame in old age," she says, laughing.
"He continues to annoy me incessantly, driving me mad with his arrogant and domineering ways. I hate him, I've even thought about quitting, but the salary's too good to give up," she says, her voice tinged with frustration.
"I think you like him," her mother suggests.
"You're crazy. He's an ogre; it's impossible to like someone like him," she rebukes.
"I assure you, this Tyler will be a waste of time if you're already taken with another."
"Mother, please. He’s my boss, engaged to a woman of his own class and has been for a long time."
"Fine, I didn't say anything."
After the afternoon spent with her mother and children, Arya gets ready for her date. She chooses a dark green jumpsuit, a black clutch, and matching heels. After a shower and dressing up, she leaves her hair down, adorns it with a pair of strass hoops, and heads down to wait for Tyler in the living room.
"How beautiful my girl looks," her mother praises her.
"I know, you and Dad were inspired," she says, laughing.
The doorbell rings, and as she opens it, there stands Tyler with a bouquet of red roses in his hands, momentarily stunned by her appearance. She smiles at his reaction.
"Tyler, are you okay?" she asks, snapping him out of his daze.
"Sorry, you just look so beautiful I was spellbound. These are for you," he says, handing over the flowers.
"They’re gorgeous, thank you. Come in, I'll put them in a vase," she says with an even bigger smile.
"Let me handle that. You two go enjoy your evening," her mother says, taking the flowers, pushing her daughter out the door, and closing it behind her.
"Don't worry about the time, have lots of fun," her mother calls from inside.
Arriving at an upscale restaurant, they're shown to their table by the maître d'. Tyler orders a bottle of the finest wine, and they place their orders. As they wait, the conversation flows easily.
"Actually, I was going to confess my feelings for you after that game, but then I learned in the locker room that you were Noam's girlfriend," he says with a laugh.
"Emily, from our class, had a huge crush on you," she reveals, chuckling.
"I know – she kept filling my locker with love letters."
"I used to help her, sorry about that."
"I haven't seen your kids, which is a shame; I really wanted to meet them."
"They were already asleep. They spent the whole day in the pool. But they wanted to meet you as well."
"I hope they like me because I'm not giving up on you this time, Arya."
"That's good to hear. I hope you all get along."
"I don't want to compete with their father; I’d never do that, but I'd like to get close to them."
"Well, about their father, it's a bit of a complicated story," she admits, looking down, slightly embarrassed.
He asks if he can know the story, and she opens up about what happened, with him listening silently, offering no judgment. Their dinner arrives, and they enjoy their meal while she finishes recounting the events after that night.
"I don't know how I would have reacted in his place, so I won't judge him. But I find myself falling even more for you, seeing the strong and courageous woman you are. I’d like to be by your side if you let me."
"Thank you, Tyler. I’m willing to give us a chance to grow closer."
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