You're flabbergasted.

After some silence, he sighs. "Your mom and I are...dating now."

Your mind spins into a million different directions, trying to process this new information. This can't be real, right? For the moment, you laugh it off as if your friend playing a bad joke.

"Come on, man, don't fuck with me. No seriously, you're messing with me," you say, forcing a chuckle.

Patrick remains mum before he sees Alisa walking to the front. His eyes widen at how gorgeous your mother looks as she walks up behind you. First, she gives a quick peck on your cheek, then stands outside next to your friend, locking her arm through his.

"You look so nice, Patrick!" your mother compliments with sweetness in her voice.

"You as well, Alisa," he smiles back, then clears his throat and stares back at your now stunned face. He clenches his teeth a little, feeling quite awkward now. Then, he closes in on your mother's ear and whispers.

"You didn't tell your son?"

Your mother looks at you but doesn't feel ashamed at all. She does apologize though. "Ah...I'm sorry, John! To be honest, I wasn't sure how to tell you, but as you can see now, your friend and I have just started to date."

"What? Just started? When did...why my mother?!" you ask in disbelief.

Patrick bites his lips before glancing at Alisa, then takes a deep breath. "Listen John, I've...been in love with your mother since we were in high school. Despite her age, she looks like she's in her twenties still! That's how beautiful she is and not to mention, I've seen how kind she is whenever I come over. It was only last month when I got the courage to confess to her and told her about my feelings for her."

Alisa nods, blushing a little. She's delighted to hear that from Patrick but calms down so she can explain her side to you as well.

"Listen sweetie," Alisa speaks softly, smiling warmly, "I know this is a shock...and it's my fault for not being forthcoming. To be honest, when he confessed, I was hesitant. It's not just about dating my son's friend but also about our age gap. I'm thirty-seven, after all! Still, your friend eventually convinced me to try opening up and so, I'm going to do exactly that with Patrick. It may not work out, but I still want to give us a shot. So, please give us your understanding."

You can't believe this is actually happening. Indeed, your mother doesn't look her age and much of that is thanks to her natural high cheekbones and slim build. She's also quite large in the chest department, and while you've never looked at her perversely, you are smitten seeing her dressed up with her best features showing off.

To be honest, you might be looking at your mother in a new light from now on. However, she's dressed not for you but for your best friend. Since you're only her son, this shouldn't matter to you, but you can't shake off a feeling of jealousy in your heart.

Yet ignoring your own feelings, Alisa looks excited while also a little nervous, but in a good way. When was the last time you saw her like this? She's been working so hard, trying to raise you as a single mother.

You know it's been difficult on her. That's why you've never told her about the bullying you experienced in high school. The most you can do is try to appreciate her effort and hope to become successful and pay all that back.

Now though, it feels like your friend has gotten the better of you as he could care for your mother in ways you can't.