26 Awfully quiet

*Flashback continues*

''Our results are coming out in two days. You both will get to spend some quality time together so it's good that Daisy is coming,'' Maxim removed his black cardigan from his body before he draped it over her shoulders, ''Main mansion. Not home?" he asked after a beat.

Diana shrugged, ''It's the same,'' she glanced at the faded black color of the cardigan. It was large but warm. Large. Funny thing that this guy had a sudden growth spurt. She remembered that he used to be shorter than her, ''Aren't you cold?'' she started removing his Cardigan from her body.

''My body falls on the warmer side. It's annoying to put layers,'' Maxim glanced at the girl who was all fluffed up like a teddy bear in all layers, the bright red scarf wrapped around her neck highlighted her pale cheeks and blonde hair.

''Weirdo,'' Diana stood on her tiptoes to fluff his hair, ''Who feels warm in 21℃?''

He frowned, ''I do.''

''Fine fine.''

…

'Sneeze'

''You just went to have some Chinese food with little Diana. How did you end up leaving your sweater there in the restaurant?" Maxim's mother, Hazel reprimanded the boy as she draped another blanket over him, ''The weather is already so cold. Our shabby apartment isn't helping that much either. Didn't your body ring warning bells when you left the restaurant in this condition?"

''I'm fine, Mom,'' Maxim turned his face towards the wall.

Hazel removed her shawl, draping it over his head, ''Don't even try to hold back on your sneeze,'' she frowned, ''Don't you know that you are sensitive to cold ever since you are born? How many times did I tell you that when I gave birth to you, it was this damn chilly winter, and you were exposed to cold till your grandfather made the fireplace in the house—''

''I'm really fine,'' Maxim said, ''My sophomore year is over. The result will be out in 2 days. You have yet to ask me how my exams went,'' he turned to look at her, peeking at her from the layers she had put on him.

''If you do good, I will be happy. If it's bad…'' Hazel squinted.

''If it's bad?"

''Then I will be happy as well.''

Maxim blinked.

''I raised a good son. I am already proud of it,'' Hazel placed her chin on her palm, ''You can grow into a decent human. That will be enough for me. My part-time jobs are going well so I can definitely manage your tuitions in the future.''

''I don't like tuitions. Self-studying suits me,'' Maxim said, ''You really have no expectations from me?"

Hazel frowned, ''Sometimes, I feel like I gave birth to a genius but sometimes, you sound so silly and dumb,'' her nose scrunched, ''Didn't I tell you just now that I want you to be a nice human being?"

Maxim's lips twitched, ''Other than that?"

''Hmm, other than being a nice human, it would be good if you become rich somehow,'' Hazel shrugged, ''I love money.''

''You want me to be rich?"

''I don't want you to be. I said it would be good.''

''What's the difference, Mom… cough…cough?"

''Gosh,'' Hazel pressed the blanket onto him as she stood up from the chair to sit on the bed. She massaged Maxim's head, ''The difference is that I will be happy if you are rich but it's no big deal if you aren't.''

Maxim paused as he looked at her face quietly for a second before he opened his mouth, ''I will earn a lot.''

Hazel smiled, ''I can't wait to manage your finances and spend all those dollar bills. I have always been good at Maths anyway,'' she winked.

''How are you going to spend it?" Maxim closed his eyes.

Hazel stroked his forehead, ''I will shop a lot for a long time. Lots of clothes and shoes for me. Then, I will shop a lot once again.''

''Twice?" Maxim asked with his eyes closed.

''Hmm, first, I will shop by myself. Then, eventually, when I feel bored, shopping all by myself, I will take my daughter-in-law with me. I will then shop for my grandkids and then—''

''I'm 16,'' Maxim turned around as he faced the wall again.

''You…'' Hazel poked his back, ''You floated in my tummy for full 10 months. I never ignored you. What are you ignoring me for? Hmph!"

…

''…And the one with the highest scores this semester is Diana Chen….''

Diana blinked as she heard the sound of claps reverberating in the classroom.

Was it her name the teacher said?

She glanced at Maxim who was sitting beside her.

She blinked.

He blinked back, 'Go' he mouthed.

She quickly got up to receive her report card.

''You did well,'' Their class teacher smiled at her.

Diana held the report card tightly as she smiled softly, her eyes prickling a bit.

She returned to her seat and placed the report card in her bag.

As the teacher left the class, Maxim glanced at her, ''You are awfully quiet.''

''I need to go to the washroom,'' Diana did not meet his gaze as she rushed out of the class.