Chapter 3: Mother Knows Best

Eve cheered internally once she cleaned out her inbox.

Despite the disturbance, she had it done in record time. Pride surged in her chest. The vague memory of her first week replayed in her head. She chuckled. She created several mistakes back then and acted more clumsy. She sent emails to the wrong people. She forgot to attach the reports. She missed out on deadlines…

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Dread washed over her spine.

How did she keep this job again?

Eve checked her watch.

Her boss still had a few more minutes before break time ended. She contemplated if she should have one of her own. Taking out her personal phone, she scrolled through her ebooks. 'Maybe I could read a chapter or two…,' she thought.

She opened at the top of the list. All of a sudden, she was immersed in a world full of battle. The main character's side was on the brink. They needed to revise their strategy. The enemy seemed to know all of their moves. They had been caught off guard way too many times.

It could not go on any longer.

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After some time, the elevator dinged.

Eve knitted her eyebrows, her muscles tensing. She snapped her head to the intercom. She hadn't misheard anything. There was no call from Darryl. All of her boss' visitors came through him. After him, he'd ask her for permission.

If the person bypassed that security… then, who was in the lift?

The elevator doors opened. They revealed a middle-aged woman with violet eyes. Her straight black hair had blue undertones. It complimented her tan skin well. Her diamond face had minimal wrinkles.

Most people presume that she was in her mid-20s.

She walked out and entered their floor.

Upon sight, Eve stood up. She bumped into her chair and her table. The former almost fell to the floor. The latter quivered from the sudden force. The keyboard clattered. Her pen holder toppled over.

She ignored them all and bowed to the waist.

The woman passed by Eve. She kept her focus on the door. Her gaze could cut through it like a knife. Smoke floated out of her ears. She spoke three words, using a mellow tone.

"Good afternoon, Eve."

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Hathaway," the secretary replied, straightening her posture. Her eyes widened when Avery Hathaway gripped the door knob. She lifted a hand towards the door. "Oh, please. Chief Executive is—"

Her warning reached deaf ears. Avery marched inside and left the door slightly open. Eve froze in place. Visits from the madame wasn't a new occurrence. Yet, each one seemed unique. If she was in a good mood, she'd share a box of cream puffs.

If she was in a bad mood, usually Darryl would give a heads up.

Eve shivered while she wondered what happened to him.

Rule #4 echoed in her head.

'Never interfere with his personal matters.'

She sank in her chair. Her eyes remained on the door. She could tell it was open because the sun peeked through it. She bit her thumb, debating if she should close it.

'It wouldn't draw much attention, right?' Eve reasoned. 'I could explain that the door shut by itself. It was heavy enough to do so.'

She rose to her feet and used light footsteps. If possible, she placed her weight on her toes. The carpet muffled any sound. She reached the door. She slowly touched the knob and attempted to pull it.

Her insides trembled when she heard the conversation.

She gulped.

"What is this I heard about you being involved with an actress?!" Avery asked, her voice raised. She paced back and forth. The red pencil skirt she wore limited her strides. Thus, her footsteps doubled than normal.

Her son kept his eyes closed. Half of the teapot had been emptied. "Is that why you're here, mother?"

"Charlee Edwards! I can't believe it! Isn't there a rumor going around that she slept with directors?"

"Mother, I never knew you believed the surface of rumors immediately."

Avery stomped her foot. She talked towards his desk, slamming her hands on it. "This is serious, Yan. When I told you that you should date, I didn't mean for the image only."

"Aren't you glad to see me date?"

"Wha—" she choked. Sometimes Avery wanted to stapler her son's lips. Other times she felt proud that he inherited her wits. This moment didn't belong to either category. "Seeing you date and seeing you in love are two different things. I highly doubt you considered any of those flings as a potential marriage partner."

"You're right. I didn't."

"Ha!"

"But that is because marriage is not in my priorities." Ambryan finally opened his eyes. A scowl surfaced on his face.

He exhaled sharply through his nose.

Avery sat down on a chair. She folded her arms on top of the desk, dropping her voice to a softer tone. "Son, you're almost 30. If you don't think about marriage now, I don't think you ever will."

Her son smiled in return. "Oh, mother. You know me so well."

She clenched her hands into fists. The corners of her lips turned down. What would it take for Ambryan to consider marriage? He had played the dating game by his own rules up to now. None of them touched deeper than his skin.

There must be a way to break open his walls.

"How about this?" Avery began to say, "You seriously date one girl and I'll let you off the hook."

One woman would be enough. One woman had the power to change everything. They didn't need to marry. She only needed that person to show her son the good things only love could bring. The butterflies in the stomach, the flickering of the heart, the constant desire to make each other happy… someone who could show him what unconditional love was…

… and that it existed.

Ambryan raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Wouldn't that mean you'd lose reason to visit me?"

"I visit you!" His mother defended, her nostrils flaring.

"That's strange. I distinctly remember having this conversation during each one." He rubbed his chin and pretended to think about it. "So if it's not that, what else would you be visiting me for?"

Avery's will dwindled. The surge of adrenaline slowly faded. Her son was hopeless. Hopeless! Her shoulders sagged. "I'm serious, Yan. Your father and I won't always be here. So, please… the next time that you date, actually be considerate of the person and her presence in your life."

Ambryan pressed his lips together. A hard expression painted on his face. He reached for her hand and squeezed it. "I'm sorry, mother, but I really can't bring myself to be close with anyone."

Avery shut her eyes. She placed her hand over his, holding it with a tight grip. She would not go home defeated. She merely had to create a plan—a solid proposal! Just like his son's business partners. He would listen if she treated it like a pitch for a movie deal.

The more details, the more likely Ambryan would be convinced.

It would be like following a script.

"How about this?" She asked, looking up at once. There was a new light in her eyes. They crinkled with inspiration. "I will set a website with a few girls. You would only need to date one for 9 months. One, the others would instantly be eliminated. You don't have to fall for her. You just need to spend quality time with her, undistracted by your job. Can you do that?"

"Why 9 months?" Ambryan frowned.

"Because 6 seems too short and 12 seems a little too cliche." His mother shrugged. She yanked his hand until it reached the end of the desk. It forced him to stand from his seat. She hissed, "Do this and I'll give you what you've always asked."

"Which is?"

"You know which is it," she whispered, not breaking eye contact. She projected conviction in her stare. They crystallized like gemstones. It resembled her resolve—solid and unwavering. "The one thing we refused to give despite how much we spoiled you."

The silence lasted over a minute. Avery watched her son as he locked his jaw. She could almost see the internal conflict in his gaze. She knew how much he desired that request. The only reason he never asked again was because of her. She had put a stop to it.

This time around, it was her who initiated it. She was willing to make that the price. One way or another, Avery knew this was worth it. This would determine her son's future. It was in his best interest even if he couldn't see it yet.

She could only hope that he realized how serious she was.

"Is it a deal, Ambryan Hathaway?" Avery persisted.

Ambryan huffed. He pulled back his hand and leaned on his chair. He had his eyes on the floor when he gave his answer. He heard his mother's breath hitched as she waited.

"I'll have a lawyer draft the contract."