The mother and son duo stared at each other without moving an inch from where they stood. None of them was ready to break the eye contact, they stared stubbornly at themselves.
"Mother. Why are you here?" Eris asked. He knew that it was not a necessary question but he still asked nonetheless.
Although Taylor had mentioned to him about all that transpired between his mother and the shareholders, he still did not expect to see her at his home at that hour looking so furious.
"How welcoming" His mother responded coldly. She glared at him.
"You never said you will be coming here" Eris retorted. He ignored his mother's cold and direct reactions even though it was the first time she had ever behaved to him in that manner.
He knew that it was partly his fault that she was worried, but he still did not expect her to show up so soon.
"I did not know I have to be permitted to walk into my son's home" She said in a voice evident of her anger.
"Mother..." Eris said and went silent. With his mother behaving so cold to him, he did not know how to have a civil discussion with her. He ran his hands through his hair and heaved a sigh.
Dione noticed his reaction and her mood changed immediately. Had she gone overboard? she asked herself. She came over as soon as she received the message that he was finally home. She was so mad at him that she forgot her composture easily. 'He must not get frustrated else...' she thought.
"Son, forgive me. I did not mean to be mad at you" She said in a very soft voice different from the harsh one she used on him earlier. She softened her gaze as she looked at him.
"I was just unhappy that you did not even let me, your mother know what you were up to, I guess I was just a bit tensed from having attended to those shareholders alone. I..."
"Mother, that is enough. I know you mean well for me. Say no more" Eris interrupted her. He knew how much his cared about his growth in the company after all. This woman had always stood by his side all the time. She was an epitome of a good mother so how could he ever get angry at her.
'Great..' She thought and a sweet smile broke on her face.
"Thank you so much son. I just want you to know that I've got your back. I will not allow any of those greedy men take away your position from you. I will do anything to make it yours" She assured.
"You do not have to worry, trust me, I know what to do" Eris said.
"That is good. I will just leave now, it is okay since I found you already" She said and gave him the best motherly smile her face could ever make.
She turned around and when she was out of his sight, the big smile vanished from her face. She really wished she was able to find out about her son's whereabouts but since she could not, she was deeply irritated.
She walked outside to her car. The driver saw her approaching and hurriedly opened the for her. She got inside and leaned into the chair.
"I failed. Again..." She mumbled to herself. Not a single soul could understand what she meant. Was this about her discussion with her son? Could it be something from the past?.
She pulled her phone out of her bag and dialled a number.
"I don't know how you will do it, leave all other plans for now. I want you to give me every details about all that concerns Eris. Make sure you find out where he was last night" She said and ended the call immediately.
It looks like things are not going as planned anymore, it was time for a change in the course of action.
"Take me to the dungeon" She muttered.
"Yes ma'am" The driver answered. Being an man in his late fifties, it was natural for him to wonder why his madam wanted to go to that sort of place but he did not dare question her authority.
The car ventured into a lone corner, dimly lit and dirty was the description of the road leading to the dungeon. Skinny men in oversized shirt and ripped baggy Jean leaned on the wall on different sized. If one does not look carefully most of these people would pass off as dead.
The car came to halt in front of a shabby building at the end of the street. Dione stepped out of the car and looked around discreetly.
"Wait here for me" she instructed.
"Yes ma'am" He responded.
She walked closer to the building. Digging her hand into her bag, she pulled out a simple nose mask and put it on. She opened the gate and walked inside.
Her movement was subtle and very careful. She was clearly disgusted by the foul smell the building emitted. She turned into a dark corner and used the flashlight from her phone to see through the corridor. It looks like she was a usual visitor of the place. But why would the madam of the big Rockefeller's household visit such shabby place.
She got to the front of a slightly opened door and pushed it open. She walked in. The room had only a small light coming from a cobweb covered bulb. The little lights reflected to show that the room was a once laboratory.
"Who is visiting me at this ungodly hour?" A deep voice called.
A man in his mid thirties walked out of a door into the room. He was dressed in a white overall and wore surgical gloves. He had a cigar in between his lips. His nose was crooked and he had a scar running down his left cheek. He clearly looked older than his age.
"It's another new year and you are still this way" Dione voiced. She curved her lips down in obvious disappointed. She gave him a look over and shook her head in disapproval.
"It's new year already? Oh... how slow these years run. How old am I already, maybe fifty or sixty.." He rubbed his chin in thought.
"Andrew!" Dione snapped.
"You of all people should know I have dropped that horrible name a long time ago. Why do I still have to even live for so long. Anyways, what have you come for this time... it's been a while. Have you finally decided to give yourself to me?" He said and sat on a tattered couch.
"What are you saying. I have come for business" Dione said eyeing the seat irritably.
"I am not interested" He responded in a breath and puffed out smoke from his mouth.
"You don't even know..."
"It is still based on the old job. I know that already. You can sort yourself out on that" He interrupted. He raised his head and looked at her.
"Tell me, what exactly are you after..."
"That is none of your business!" She snapped at him.
"Suit yourself then. You should know I only agree to the first job because I was in a big mess and needed the money. Look at me now, I still can't come out of my shit. I don't want to be involved with whatever your plan is anymore. Let me stay here and die in peace". He voiced, puffed more smoke and leaned into his couch to relax. He obviously done with the topic.
"Whatever!" Dione said and turned around. It was not like there are no other people to work with her.
As she was about to take a step out of the door, she turned to face him again as if she had a second thought. She pulled out a bundle of money out of her bag and threw it on the table. It fell with a thud. Andrew heard the sound and opened his eyes. He frowned seeing what it was.
"I don't need your money" He said to her.
"If are still interested in the business, you know how to reach me. Trust me I can bring you out of this stinky place. So stop being adamant. You need my help after all" Dione responded.
"I see you have not changed a bit all these years. Still the rude Dione. I do not need a dime from you. I will rather die this way" Andrew said seriously and closed his eyes.
Dione seeing the would not change his mind, she left the room angrily and closed the door with a thud. She walked out of the building and entered her car. The driver drove off immediately.
The car came to halt in front of a beautiful mansion which clearly showcased the wealth of the dwellers. Dione came out of the car before anyone could even help her with the door and walked into the house.
She ignored all the workers who welcomed her wishing her a happy new year and walked to her room.
"Happy New year darling" Was the first thing she heard as she stepped into the room. Surprise flashed through her ey s but it disappeared as quickly as it came.
"You returned early" She said without caring about returning his greetings.
"Yeah. Just to spend the new year with my love" He answered.
"Oh". Was all she uttered before stepping out of the room again leaving her husband dumfounded.