Part 8

Luc’s POV

A tap on my shoulder made me look at the source. James nod that we have reached the destination.

"I will wait for you here." James made a move to settle in an upholstery near the window comfortably.

"Oh no, buddy. The invite is for both of us." I smirked back at him, and I let out a chuckle when James suddenly looked as if he had swallowed a lemon.

"But why should I be invited for tea with your Mom?"

"Since when they have treated you an outsider?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

James smiled softly, expressing his love towards my family. But now, my mom had not invited me to a lovely family union. So the invite for today's morning tea was mainly due to today's news on me.

I got a big round of advice from Hal. He stated that the damage control would be challenging and how he was disappointed blah blah blah. I thought this should give some publicity for the film and was surprised by his reaction.

Now my mom had invited me for the morning tea with Dad. And everyone in my family knew that if my mom asks me for tea, then we were in big trouble, and definitely, I was not going to face it alone.

Maria told me that my Mom and Dad are waiting for me in the garden. I smiled back with thanks and moved towards the lawn with James. My mom loved Gardening. She would always say that flowers are the best companion in life. They would bring liveliness and joy. If she was mad ever, better give her flowers. How much ever she was angry, she would forgive you immediately. That the reason for a bunch of white Orchid Lilies. Had I told that this was her favorite?

I stopped in my tracks when I saw that my mom and Dad were not alone. What was she doing here? Why was everyone from my past suddenly haunting me at the same time? I saw James, too, trying to control his anger. Then, with a grim expression, I moved towards my parents.

"Hi Mom" "Hi Dad" I kissed my mom on her temple and gave her the flowers. I could see my mom's eyes softened seeing the flowers.

"Are you trying to use my weakness to pacify me, Lucian Grey Alastair?"

Crap, my mom was calling my full name.

"Do I need a reason to give my mom her favorite flowers?" I questioned back while sitting next to my Dad. Dad clapped on my back, and it was his usual greeting.

My mom could not hold her anger and smile at me.

"How are you, Luc? It's been a long time." I cringed at the voice and knew I could not avoid her for long.

"Diaz," I nod at her.

"It's getting late for me, Kate. I will take leave. See you, James" Diaz left with a goodbye to me, and her eyes were lingering on me the whole time, and I never saw my mom and Dad. She left the place as if James was never there. I smiled when James tried to control rolling his eyes.

"How are you, Son? Hope things are good." I turned to my Dad, happy that he started the conversation.

"I am fine, Dad. Our company growth is also satisfying. You should have already got the reports." I avoided talking about my movie as my Dad was still not OK with my option on that.

"I also heard that negotiations with the Japan team are almost complete."

"Yes, Dad. David is there in Japan now for further proceedings." I settled in the chair comfortably.

"James, No business talks here. I am seeing my son after three months, and I don't want it to be a board of meetings."

Oh No! Mom was getting pissed off.

"Of course, dear" I saw my Dad smiling lovingly at her, and mom visibly relaxed.

"Have you realized it been over three months since you visited us? Do my son need a formal invitation to come over?"

"Sorry, mom. I will try to come here more often. How are you guys doing? Where is Thea?"

"We are fine. Thea had gone to visit Belle." Ah, Aunt Belle.

"How is Aunt Belle? Is she coming for ThanksGiving this time?"

"Yes, she will be coming over. Talking about Thanksgiving, I want to announce your marriage on Thanksgiving to our family."

I sputtered coffee and gaped at my mom.

"Mom, I think I did not hear you correctly. Are you saying my marriage?"

"Yes, your marriage. Your Dad and I are not getting younger every day, and it's high time for us to have grandkids. And don't dare talk about Thea's marriage. She just graduated and very young." My mother's expression challenged me to dare contradict her.

I just looked back. Can't my mom see that I am not into marriage? I don't want to marry any girl and not any guy. And she dropped the next ticking time bomb before me, getting out of the shock.

"I was thinking of Diaz. She is a sweet, good, and beautiful girl."

I urged to throw up all the coffee I had. "Mom, are you kidding? You know the relationship between Diaz and me. Also between Diaz and..."

"There is nothing wrong for anyone to move on to life. Diaz is young, and she had mourned enough for Jake." She stopped me, and her voice wavered when she mentioned Jake.

"But why now suddenly?"

"Because I am seeing my son in headlines more and more often and on controversial topics. And as a mother, it worries me."

"Mom, if you are talking about yesterday's events.."

"Yes, I am very well talking about yesterday. What are you thinking? My heart is not very strong to hear such news." She interrupted again.

Think Luc. Just come up with something. You could not make your mom play cupid, especially with that Gold Digger.

"Mom, she is my girlfriend." I kicked James to keep quiet so that I did not get caught.

My mom narrowed her eyes, clearly stating that she did not believe the story.

"She is Girlfriend Number? Who introduced her to you? Hal?"

"Mom, it's not like that. Those people are just blind dates. She is not." Please believe it; please believe it.

"What's her name? How did you meet her?"

"Her name is Adelia Wentworth. Her Dad supplies gearboxes to our corporation. I have met her at business talks. We felt a spark within each other and get to know each other." James's eyes widened a fraction.

"She is Daniel's daughter? I thought she was studying business administration." My Dad asked in a surprised tone.

"Yes, Dad, but she had finished now and is working with her Dad and brother. You know them?" My dad nod with a smile. Thank God I did some study on her before coming here.

"Not personally. I have met Daniel at business meetings." Phew, I was not in danger immediately. My mother's face became happy on our exchange. But I can see that I did not entirely convince her of my story.

"Why were you two meeting in hotel-like strangers then?"

"Mom, it was not intentional. We met together for lunch. And things err... got a little hot." James is now literally failing to control and started laughing. I kicked on his leg hard this time.

My mom also laughed, and my Dad chuckled.

"James, why did I not heard anything from you either? Were you with them on Thursday?" my mom turned towards James for the next set of interrogation. Jeez, she was worse than the CIA.

"I was not Mrs. Alastair. I was busy on Japan negotiations."

"How many times should I tell you to call me Kate." She told in a playfully stern voice.

"Yes, Kate." James smile back.

"So when are you going to introduce my future daughter? Even if I want my grandkids soon, don't be so fast before your marriage."

"Mom, please. We haven't decided about marriage yet."

"Then I should say, it's time. Bring her next Saturday. I want to invite her personally for Thanks Giving. We can introduce her to our family and friends that time." I could see my mom started planning for my wedding already. But I would deal with that later. I need to deal with Ms. Adelia Wentworth first to avoid getting caught with Diaz.

"I will, mom. But let's take things slow. "

"Yeah, whatever." I sighed when my Dad chuckled. His eyes twinkled, saying that I cannot win this argument.

"I am a serious mom; please don't slip this news. I don't want her to become the center of attraction in the news."

"OK. But only if you bring her on Saturday."

I kissed my mom again and bade farewell to my Dad, and left with James.

Thank God. Adelia Wentworth had not called so far. My plans had changed, and I need a new plan of action when I get a call.