Chapter 4 Homecoming

The Present day

Madam Veronica's POV

"Hello? I wish to speak to my son, Mitchell."

The voice of his personal assistant sounded quite uncertain like he was reading a speech he had prepared:

"I'm sorry, ma, but Mr Miller is very busy at the moment. He cannot come to the phone."

What in God's name?

"What is your name, young man?" I asked, feigning calmness.

"Ferdinand, ma'am."

"Ok, Ferdinand," I began, "It seems like you do not know whom you are speaking with. I am Madam Veronica, mother of your boss, Mitchell Miller. So you better tell him to bring his behind to that cell in your hand or else...."

"Or else what, Mother?" Mitchell enquired, his tone too nonchalant for my preference.

"Mitchell! What guts you have to keep me waiting! I, who have made men thrice your age trip over their antique furniture in haste to pick a call from me? You have some nerves, boy," I flaunted, disregarding modesty to prove my point. I could see Sophia from my peripheral vision bringing my herbal tea. I pointed to the center table where I wanted it to be. She laid it down gently and stood waiting for more orders.

"That would be all, Sophie," I assured her, a tone gentler. She nodded as usual and exited the room.

"Who is Sophie?" Mitchell asked.

"Come to dinner and find out," I slyly dropped.

He hummed into the phone. I knew he was intentionally keeping me waiting.

"Mitchell...."

"Mum.....I don't think I can make it home in time today. I have a lot of commitments to keep today."

"But you promised! And....and....and...the chef had already taken the trouble of preparing your favourite dish and Mabelle has arranged your room and done your laundry, just the way you like it," I rattled on, pretending to whine. Sometimes, making him feel guilty bent him to my will but unfortunately, today was not one of those days.

"Mum...Mum. You know you can always leave leftovers for me like back when I was in high school. Thank Mabelle on my behalf, okay? It's no reason to get all weepy, Mum. At least Skyla is coming home to you today, right?"

"Right," I grumbled, stirring my tea slowly before sipping a bit. Aaaah, just the way I like it: minty but not too hot, tasty but not too sugary.

"See you later then,", he paused for a beat,

"I love you, Mum. You know that, right?"

"Right," this time almost teary, "I love you too."

The phone went dead and I took it off my ear. In my over-dramatic manner, I sentimentally kissed the screen and pressed it to my heart. My Mitchell and Skyla were all I've got. All the wealth I have encompassed could never be compared to them.

"She's here!" Mabelle exclaimed as cheerful as a child on its first trip to Disneyland.

"Who's here?" Like I don't know.

"Hello, Mom," my daughter, Skyla greeted, grinning widely as she pulled on a lock of her hair. Her suitcase was quickly whisked away by one of the manservants.

"Skyla, my goodness! Look at you, all skinny and bony. Why do you refuse to take care of yourself?"

I was on my feet already, arms akimbo in full and overflowing mother mode. She was just grinning at me, her head cocked to a side.

"I eat, Mom, like every other person does," came her reply.

Indeed. My Skyla was tall, beautiful and athletic but she always seemed too slim for my preference. I am aware that her occupation required her to be fit at all times but wasn't starving yourself overdoing it?

"Mm-hmm? So what did you have for breakfast?"

She juggled her head from side to side, trying to recall.

" I think I had scrambled eggs.."

"You think? Jaysus!"

"Mom! It was like, over fourteen hours ago. I don't have to remember what I had for breakfast, Mom."

"Suit yourself," I conceded, "but for the while you are here, I want to see clean plates, alright? And I'm not kidding."

Skyla slumped into an armchair, coiling and thrashing in laughter. What was funny?

"Mom, ha, you are so hilarious. For Gosh's sake, I'm twenty-four, not two. I can eat what I like, when I like and how much I like." Saucy brat.

"Maybe you can in Queens but not in LA. This is my turf. Now get up; you need a shower. You obviously had a long flight."

"But, Mom...."

"My couch, my house, my rules. Now move it. Bathroom is upstairs, by the right, next to the....."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know where the bathroom is. Next time I decide to visit, I'm staying at a hotel. The services over there are less commanding," Skyla grumbled, dragging her clutch with her up the stairs. Mabelle was fighting with a smile and when our eyes met, she slapped her hands to her mouth quickly.

"I beg to take my leave, ma'am. I need to supervise...um.I mean..fold..yes..fold Master Mitchell's laundry."

"You may leave but just so you know, folding someone's laundry twice is rather looked on as redundant." I heard her sharp gasp before she scurried out of the room. Glad my message was received.

In Manhattan, New York

Mitchell's POV

"Mr Miller, the lady is waiting for you in the lobby. Are you ready to leave?"

I wish I could cease his chattering- I already had so much on my mind- but he was just doing the job he was paid to do, which included prodding the hell out of me. I was supposed to entertain the daughter of a business associate as a favour but personally, it was not an outing I was looking forward to. I would rather be on a plane, going home for Thanksgiving but business was founded on connections and this was one I wasn't ready to lose.

Charlotte Quinn was a beautiful, softspoken and cultural lady but that was the problem. She was very ignorant of some certain things because she had been protected from the world by her father. Once I had mentioned a case about a woman murdering her female lover and she just stared at me in shock. The next thing I heard was: "A woman can date a fellow woman?" I immediately changed the topic to avoid embarrassing her any further.

"Tell her to give me a few minutes. I will be with her shortly."

Ferdinand left to deliver my message. At least I have some time to myself. Ferdinand was alright but he was constantly suffocating me. I brought out a little picture frame from my desk and glanced at it closely.

"I'm doing all this for you. It will be all over soon."