Chapter 2

He drove them to a fancy restaurant. They walked in and we’re greeted by a male receptionist who showed them to a table and told them that a waiter would come to get their orders in 5 minutes.

A waiter did show up exactly after 5 minutes and asked for their orders. Laura pondered on the menu for some time before deciding to have lamb salad and fregola, while Scott choose to have pappardelle with sea urchin and cauliflower with a bottle of red wine for the both of them.

After waiting for 10 minutes, their orders were brought. They dug into their meals because they were really hungry.

“Wow, I can’t believe we just hit another milestone” Laura began

“I was really shaky back there in the boardroom because that old man looked really intimidating… you know I never thought they’d eventually agree to invest”

“Yeah, I’m glad we were able to convince them in the end” Scott replied, smiling at the memory.

While they were still eating, Laura’s phone rang. She saw on the caller ID that it was her mom. She got really excited because it has been a while since they talked.

Laura’s mom wasn’t a fan of Scott, Laura’s fiancé. She had no specific reason for disliking him but had no option but to support her daughter’s choice.

“Excuse me love, let me take this call. It’s mom” she told Scott before picking the call. He nodded in approval.

“Hello mom”

“Hello honey, you totally forgot about me”

“Don’t say that mom, I’ve been really busy”

“Really?.. tell me, what have you been busy with… work or Scott?”

“Mom!”

“Yes honey, because I don’t understand what could be more important than your own mother and I know Scott is really selfish when it comes to you”

“Mom, please don’t start with that now… I’m being honest with you, I’ve been busy with work. Just today, we got another big contract and I’m really excited”

“Oh really, I’m so happy to hear that, at least you can now come and celebrate with your mother because I know you must be having fun with Scott right now”

Laura laughed at her mom’s comment

“Mom..”

“Yes baby, I’m being serious. You know it has been a long time since we saw each other and don’t forget your dad’s company isn’t mine honey, it’s yours”

“Okay mom, I’ll think about it”

“There isn’t anything to think about. Take the next flight to Los Angeles… I’m expecting you and I won’t take any excuses”

“But mo..”

Laura’s mom hung up before she could say anything more. Laura was speechless.

“Laura, is something wrong?” Scott asked looking concerned

“Um.. yeah, it’s just mom and her drama… she wants me to go spend some time with her”

Scott suddenly frowned. Laura was expecting that kind of reaction from him.

“Scott?”

Mmm?”

“You know I haven’t seen mom for over a year now and it’s not fair, she needs me.”

Scott kept stabbing his meal with his fork. He was barely paying attention to what Laura was saying. Laura became sad with Scott’s present mood. She didn’t want him to feel this way but at the same time she needed to see her mom.

“Scott?” she called him, hoping he would respond.

“How long are you going to be away?”

That wasn’t the response Laura was expecting from Scott. She needed them to talk like adults, but it seems things weren’t going to turn out that way.

“I’m not sure how long I’ll be away”

“Are you done with your meal?” he suddenly asked because he had already lost his appetite and wanted to go home.

Laura felt bad and regretted why she had immediately told him why her mom called.

“Yeah, I’m full” she lied

He called the waited and settled the bill, then they left.