Chapter Six

“Mother.” Lauren said, announcing her presence at the ranch. It was unusually cold and quiet that morning, the cattles were all out and about on the greenlands.

“Come my dearest, sit.” Lady Stella, who had given her a short glance, ushered her forward to take a seat beside her.

She dismissed the maids around with a wave, telling them to keep their distance at the other end of the ranch.

This was a family matter.

Lauren sighed, settling down beside her mother, already eyeing the exit.

“I see you've already visited your brother at his quarters.” she smiled watching her daughter’s face lit up.

Lauren nodded. She has always been fond of Arrow, since she was a little girl.

Even when his brothers had kept their distance during the commotion about their father cheating on their mother, Arrow still took Lauren as his responsibility.

“He bought a lot of things for me during his travels. He's really considerate.” Lauren replied, mentally applauding Arrow.

“Your brother knows you better than anyone else, and he spoils you.” Lady Stella said making a mental note to appreciate Arrow later, for the gifts he had given her also.

It was a flower vase imported from Japan. A rare one at that. she had been planning to get it but unknowingly to her, her stepson had other plans and she was included in it.

“The reason I asked for you, was to inform you that I'll be inviting Summer over for the holidays, what'd you think?” she asked her daughter, who stared at her, bewildered.

“Summer? Arrow's ex girlfriend? That Summer?” Lauren wondered if she had heard her mother correctly.

Lady Stella nodded, “Yes, that summer.”

“Why?”

“What'd you mean? She's Arrow's wife–to–be, She's supposed to be here with him.” Lady Stella stated.

Lauren giggled, looking at her mother as if she had grown two horns on her head. Wife to be?

“Does Arrow know that he's getting married soon? Or is the groom not invited to the wedding.” she cackled, amused by her mother's seriousness.

“His mother complained about him not getting any younger, and as the heir to–”

“His mother, not Arrow. Arrow did not complain, did he?” Lauren interrupted, pointing out some facts.

Lady Stella rolled her eyes while sipping from her tea.

“Let me finish, Lauren. As the heir to the family's business, he needs to settle down and have his own family.”

“Then what does all these have to do with Summer? That bitch is like on another continent.” Lauren mumbled, wondering why parents have to meddle in their children's love life.

The same way her mother and father had meddled in hers.

“She has been showing interest in him again, and since Arrow’s yet to introduce another woman to us, we thought maybe we should get them back together.” Lady Stella elaborated.

With whose permission?

“Without Arrow's consent, I see.” Lauren shook her head.

They do not want to get on Arrow's bad side, he does not like people making decisions for him behind his back.

“Well, it's going to be a surprise reunion.”

“Arrow doesn't like surprises, mom. Just cancel the whole plan and give it a rest, if you're interested in his love life, you should go ask him. He might as well include the details of his sex life.” Lauren scoffed. Lady Stella choked on her tea upon hearing that.

“Lauren!.” Such vulgar words coming out from her mouth.

“ I'm just saying, since you all are so invested in his privacy.” she shrugged. Lady Stella sighed, putting the ceramic tea cup down.

“We just want what's best for him, sweetheart.”

“And what's best for him is Summer?! They literally both ended things, four years ago, if I'm not mistaken. And Arrow was not in a good shape for a year because of that breakup and that's what's best for him?” Lauren snickered.

They should at least take his feelings into consideration before making such decisions.

Nobody even knows what happened between the both of them, the breakup was just announced and they both went their separate ways.

Lauren knew it was probably Summer's fault because she didn't fail to notice the few times Summer had pleaded with Arrow to take her back.

“Arrow must've gotten over whatever had happened between them, couples fight and argue all the time. It's not a big deal.” Lady Stella who had been quiet, listening to Lauren rant the whole time, voiced out.

Lauren groaned, raking her fingers through her hair as she groaned.

She just doesn't get it, does she?

“You know what? Cancel whatever plans you have concerning my brother because it's not going to work out, not in the way you think it will.” Lauren muttered, tiredly.

She had other important things to attend to, not this. Lady Stella smiled to herself, wondering whether to break the news to her.

“Are you even listening to me, mom?”

“About?” Lady Stella asked, pretending to be clueless. Lauren sighed, hating to repeat herself once again.

She stood up from the chair, preparing to leave her mother at the ranch. It smelled of cows and milk.

“I said, cancel whatever plans you have concerning Arrow, it's not going to–”

“It is going to work out, it will.” Lady Stella blurted out, staring at her daughter. Lauren snickered, checking if she had her cell phone with her. She did.

“Whatever.” She murmured, walking away.

“It will work out because I had already invited Summer over and she'll be arriving in a few months time.” Lady Stella retorted out loud, making sure she heard her clearly.

Lauren froze on the spot. She glanced back, surprise written all over her face.

“What?!”