Chapter 8 Mom

Ethan's POV

The moment I hung up the call with Maria, frustration welled up inside me. Who would dare to spread such a ludicrous rumor? I could already envision the inevitable moment when Ashley would catch wind of this scandal.

Frustration coursed through me as my fingers ran anxiously through my hair. With no time to spare, I grabbed the telephone and hastily dialed a number, my heart pounding as I waited for the voice on the other end to answer.

As soon as my secretary's voice came through, I didn't waste a single moment. Urgency dripped from my words as I issued my command, "Alert Ben and tell him to get to my office immediately." With that, I ended the call.

My impatience was palpable as I continued to tap my finger nervously on the table, my thoughts racing. The tension in the room seemed to thicken with every passing moment.

Then, as if on cue, a knock echoed from the door. I rose from my seat, anticipation building as I prepared to address the issue before it got out of hand. Ben entered the room, and I immediately fixed him with a sweeping gaze.

He must've sensed I wasn't in the best of mood so with a sense of urgency, Ben didn't waste a moment. He began, "I'm here. What's the situation sir?"

With a clenched jaw, I strode over to Ben, my fingers deftly straightening his slightly rumpled suit jacket at the edges. I maintained a measured, deliberate tone as I articulated my demand, my gaze locked with his. "Make sure the recent news about me and that girl is erased... completely."

I patted his shoulders in a gesture of finality and then turned my back to him, silently conveying that our conversation was at an end. The footsteps receding from my vicinity confirmed his departure. The door swung open, and without facing him, I issued my final order, my voice laced with determination. "Also, make sure to bring the person responsible for spreading such news... To me."

Two seconds later, the door swung shut, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I circled my desk, my fingers pulling open the drawer, and I fumbled around for a pack of cigarettes. With the cigarette between my lips, I inhaled deeply, attempting to find a moment of solace amid the chaos.

But that moment was short-lived. Someone abruptly barged into my office, catching me off guard. Before I could utter a word, a familiar scent wafted into the room, and my body went rigid. There was only one person I knew who wore that perfume.

My mom.

In a hurry, I removed the cigarette from my lips and stubbed it out in the ashtray on my table. I slowly turned to face my mother, silently waiting for her to address my actions, my heart heavy with the anticipation of reprimand.

Instead of the expected reprimand, I was met with a warm smile on her face. Her unexpected expression left me bewildered, but I chose not to press my luck any further. I maintained a respectful silence, awaiting her explanation for her presence in my office.

She began to speak slowly and deliberately, as if time was of no consequence. With each graceful step, she cat walked across the room, approaching my desk. "I do hope that becoming a father hasn't caused you to forget how to be a responsible son," she began, a chuckle escaping her lips as our eyes locked.

At that moment, I couldn't help but surrender to the warmth of her presence. My mother had been a model before her marriage to my father, who was just beginning to build his company at the time. I firmly believed that her union with him had brought the company numerous opportunities.

My mother exuded an eloquent and graceful charm that was nothing short of captivating. She was more than just stunningly beautiful; she was an enchantress. Her dark brown chocolate eyes held a depth that drew you in, and they sparkled with wisdom and kindness. Her small, pouty pink lips were framed by a smile that could brighten even the gloomiest of days.

Her face, petite and delicately proportioned, seemed almost like a work of art. Every feature was thoughtfully arranged, from her enchanting eyes to her elegantly sculpted cheekbones. Her skin had an ethereal porcelain quality that seemed to glow with an inner light, and her dark wavy hair cascaded like a waterfall of silk, framing her face in a way that accentuated her beauty.

All these qualities, combined with her innate grace and elegance, created an aura of enchantment that left a profound impact on anyone lucky enough to encounter her.

As I observed my mother, I couldn't help but appreciate her beauty, especially after not having seen her in a while. She was clad in an emerald green fitted gown that seemed to have been designed with exquisite attention to detail. Small pearls adorned the waist, glistening with every step she took. The gown itself was a masterpiece, hugging her petite frame perfectly.

A daring slit in the gown began at her thigh, running all the way down to her heels, revealing just enough to tease the imagination. Her grace and elegance were perfectly accentuated by this enchanting outfit, leaving no doubt that she was a woman of exquisite taste and beauty.

"Mom, you look absolutely gorgeous. Did Dad actually let you out of the house looking this hot?" I couldn't help but tease as I circled the desk to wrap her in a warm embrace. She chuckled and planted soft pecks on my cheeks in return.

Her laughter was melodic as she responded, "Well, he was probably too stunned to remember to get jealous." Her wit and humor brought a genuine smile to my face.

We continued our conversation, catching up on the latest news, family matters, and the events that had unfolded in her life while she'd been away. It felt good to be in her presence again, sharing laughter and stories like we used to. The tension that had gripped me before my mother's arrival seemed to dissipate as we chatted and laughed. However, that sense of ease was short-lived.

"So you finally broke up with Ashley for this new girl. I saw the photos; she looks innocent and pretty. Didn't think that was your fantasy," my mother began. She shot me a knowing look, making it clear that her next words might not be pleasant, but then she amended her statement, "You've always dated girls who were rather exposed and all. I didn't think I'd ever see you with someone as sweet as she is. What's her name?"

I tried to deflect, immediately responding, "Mom, I don't know her name." But my mother simply smiled and cast a knowing glance at my forehead, and I realized that she saw through my lie. Since the day I had been with her, her name had been etched into my memory.

My voice softened as I continued, "Emma, that's her name. But you are mistaken. There's nothing going on between Emma and me. I'm in love with Ashley." I tried to convince her, but I couldn't help the unease that crept into my words.

"Ethan, dear..." My mother began, her voice laced with concern and something I couldn't quite place. But I interrupted her. I knew my mother had a ruthless side to her personality, and the fact that Ashley was still part of my life was mostly because, according to my mother, she was the best choice among my previous girlfriends, though not the best choice for me.

"Mom, I know what you're going to say," I sighed before continuing, "I know you don't like Ashley, but won't you at least give her a chance to prove herself? I don't really understand why you don't like her. Can you at least tell me the reason?"

We engaged in a stare-down, but it was a battle I knew I couldn't win. My mother had a way of getting her point across. I exhaled sharply, feeling the weight of our conversation as I pressed my fingers to my nose bridge. Meanwhile, my mother relaxed into her chair.

"She's a model," she finally said, her voice soft and measured. My immediate response was to cut in, "But you were also a model before Dad married you. Mom, I don't get you at all..."

A finger suddenly appeared over my lips, silencing me. My mother leaned across the table, holding one of her fingers against my lips. I reached out to hold her hand against my lips and kissed it, then clasped it against my lips tightly. "Mom, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to raise my voice at you," I apologized earnestly.

My mother extended her other hand, patting my head gently. "Your biggest flaw has always been your lack of listening, my boy, but I still love you just the way you are. Your father and I." Her words were filled with warmth and understanding, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for her presence in my life.

"Your father wants to know how you met such a homely girl, and by that, I mean Emma," my mother remarked, settling back into her chair once more after I had released her hand.

I groaned and ruffled my hair in frustration. "Careful, son, you might go bald before thirty," she teased, her voice gentle.

I shot her a quizzical look. "How did Dad find out about Emma? Last I checked, you were the gossip enthusiast, and he was the businessman," I exclaimed, my frustration showing. My mother couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

"I told your father, you know, and he immediately took a keen interest in your choice," she explained with a grin, trying to stifle her laughter.

My mother's confession left me feeling a mix of annoyance and amusement. "Mom!" I exclaimed, shaking my head, realizing that I would never escape her watchful eye or her ability to share information with my father.

Suddenly, my mother's phone rang, and she glanced at the screen, a slow smile spreading across her face. She turned her attention back to me, her expression apologetic. "I'm sorry, Ethan, but I have something that just came up. I have to leave now. Come by the house later; your father misses you a lot."

She gracefully rose from her chair, her movements as regal as ever. She walked over to the door, her hand on the knob. Before stepping out, she turned her head slightly in my direction and added, "You should be a man and take responsibility for your child."

"Mom!" I protested, but she only nodded looking forward with a knowing smile and left, a departure that felt unusually abrupt as she didn't even shut the door behind her. I sighed and stood up, intent on closing the door, and that's when I received the shock of my life.

Standing right outside my door was none other than... Ashley!