The Dinner Table Twist

Elena’s POV

“Elena?”

My mother’s soft voice broke through my thoughts. She touched my arm in concern. “Is something wrong, honey?”

“Not at all.”

The smile I gave felt contrived. Adrian seemed completely unaffected, as though we were strangers.

He gave me a small smile. “Finally, nice to meet you, Elena. Your mother told me a lot about you.”

I smiled sheepishly , feeling awkward. “Nice to meet you, too,” as I shook his hand. I only hoped it didn’t feel as clammy as it did.

Victoria smiled, unaware of the chaos in my head. “Good. Now that we all have proper introductions, before the food gets cold, let’s head for dinner.”

She took Adrian by the arm and led him into the dining room, like a girl presenting her first date. I followed her, my brain trying to unravel the crazy coincidences.

The dinner was perfect. My mom had worked hard , too bad it was for a man who bent her daughter over and fucked her.

He pulled a chair for my mother, then for me.

My mother started talking after I blessed me meal. "So, Elena, I met Adrian at that charity thing a few months ago. He was bidding for an old vase,the same one I hold dearest to my heart?"

I grinned through clenched teeth, pushing the food on my plate. "Sure. The vase no one is allowed to touch."

Adrian chuckled in that deep, familiar way. "To be fair, your mother was bidding too. I never stood a chance but I did win."

Victoria laughed as she fed him some beef from her plate. "Oh, stop. You only won because I let you."

"And that's how you remember it?" he asked, smiling at her in a way I hadn't seen.

In the morning , he was so cold and distant and here he was, chatting away with my mother in an engaging and charming manner, all teasy and lovey dovey.

The long dinner felt endless. I hardly tasted any food at all. They looked good together, and it twisted my insides.

I wanted to scream, to tell my mother he was a cheater , to walk away, to take it all back.

But instead I took a deep breath and maintained my composure.

After dinner, my mother was all smiles. "Dinner was excellent, Victoria. You did a splendid job. You outdid yourself, again.”

My mother beamed with a smile. "I’m cooking for my man, of course I had to bring out my A-game.”

He turned to me, and my heart skipped a beat. "And thank you for being here, Elena. It means a lot."

I nodded in reply. "Of course."

"Perhaps sometime you and your mother could come for dinner at my house. I would like that."

Victoria was ecstatic. "That sounds great!"

I nearly choked on the wine glass. "Yup," I managed to squeeze out – "Wonderful."

Adrian placed a gentle kiss on my mother’s forehead. He looked perfectly composed, and I was unable to read anything on his face. "It was really nice meeting you, Elena."

"You too," I said, hoping he wouldn't take my remark as sarcasm.

Once he left, my mother practically bounced back into the dining room humming. With her hands clasped, she looked up dreamily. “Isn’t he wonderful? Tell me, what do you think?”

I stopped putting dishes in order. “Excuse me?”

“Adrian,” she said, smiling. “He’s caring, respectful, sweet. And good looking! I can’t believe how lucky I am. It’s like now, for the first time in a long while, I’m actually happy. I am actually happily in love with a man who also loves me and treats me like a goddess.”

Ugh! Those were her words that truly vexed me. “Right. Lucky.”

“You’re right.” She giggled and went on rambling about how much she loves him.

Her voice faded away as I thought of the chaos that would take place if our secrets get out. Irritated by my own stupidity, I slammed the plate back down onto the table, breaking it in half . “For the love of God, just stop!”

She blinked, as if truly confused. “What?”

“Just STOP!” I shouted, my hurt bringing forth uncontrolled rage. “What do you even hear yourself saying? You just got divorced and now you’re loving him and daydreaming like a bloody teenager! Have you even thought about how this is going to affect me?”

Victoria looked at me sadly. “Honey, I didn’t mean…”

“No, you don’t mean to, but you do! You hurt Dad, you embarrass me, and now you want me to be happy for you.”

Her voice trembled and tears quickly gathered in her eyes. “I’m sorry if I did something wrong.”

I just raked my fingers through my hair. “You did everything wrong.”

I left before she could say anything.

I got into the car, upset I yelled at my mother and accused her all because I needed to vent my frustration out on someone.

I was mad at her for my own actions!

By the time I got home, I was a bit calm but very exhausted. I tossed my bag and dropped into a chair, staring into space.

"What's happening to me?" I whispered.

In under 24 hours, I had single handedly ruined my life all because of a mistake made in a drunken state.

A buzz from the phone distanced me.

New mail. From, Vaughn Corporation.

I blinked and blinked again.

They had given me the job.

My stomach was in knots.

He gave me the job!

Adrian gave me the job?

Why?

Was he going to blackmail me with our secrets now that he knows who I am?

Staring blankly at the screen, I sighed, picked up the phone, and dialed my mother’s number.

Time to tell the truth.

The longer I waited, the worse it would become.

And only Heaven knows why Adrian gave me the job.

Five rings before she answered. "Elena? Dear I am so sor-“

I gulped, cutting her mid-apology. "Sorry, Mom, for my yelling. It’s just-“

"It's okay, honey. I know you feel bad." She calmly cut me off. “I’m sorry you have to deal with so many things all because of me.”

I stopped for a moment, took a deep breath, and my hands began trembling. "Mom, I need to say something."

There was a pause. "What is it?"

I let out a shaky breath and said in a low voice, "It's about me and your husband...Adrian."