"What the hell is going on here?".
Zadia turns her head to meet a confused looking Alana and just as she'd done before she offers her a broad smile. Which was totally creepy by the way.
Anyway, all my best friends have met Zadia before with the exception of Alana. So even though both women knew all about each other, this was their first time seeing each other in person.
"Oh hello there", Zadia says smugly, "you must be Alana, I've heard so much about you".
Alana now looks at me even more confused than before but all I can do is offer up a weak shrug. I had no idea what Zadia was up to and if I should learn from past experiences it is usually never anything good.
Alana looks back on the woman in her seat as if she'd just understood something that the rest of us at the table were yet to comprehend, "And who are you?".
Trust me, she knew who she was. Lana and I spent hours burning photos of Zadia and I back when we broke up and I was trying to get over her.
Zadia placed a reprimanding hand over her chest as if scolding herself for something. But her act was purely for our benefit.
"That was rude of me", her voice comes out polite but the undertones of disdain were still apparent even if it was only noticed by me, "I'm Zadia Winter, Blake's fiancée".
There couldn't have been a better time for me to rediscover my voice.
"Excuse me", I scoffed, "I believe you mean ex fiancée, what are you even doing here".
"Same as you, I'd presume", she presumed wrong, "but since I'm here would you consider joining me for a cup of coffee?"
What? No
I was so close to giving this two-faced scheming liar a piece of my mind when the blaring sound of 21 pilots filled my ears. Without a halt I immediately pulled out my phone excusing myself from the table to take the call in private.
I'd never been so happy for an interruption in my life and even though the caller ID said mom, I still jumped at the idea of getting out of that conversation.
"Mom".
She let out an amused sound from the other end of the line, "You answered on the first ring, impressive".
I rolled my eyes at her comment even though she couldn't see me, I was surprised she'd contact me after our run-in last night nevertheless I asked, "Did something happen?"
She sighed, "I've be doing some thinking Blake and it may have been a bit unfair of me to disregard your hobby even if it is something you're interested in".
A bit?
This time I was the one who sighed, "Art is not a hobby to me mom, it's a career path".
I could tell she was holding back a snort by now, "That's what I meant, and so I might've gotten the word around about your exhibition last night and a few of our board members and investors are interested in purchasing some of your art pieces".
I was shocked and excited all mixed together in one. Knowing Heather though, she never did anything without a reason.
Scowling at the phone I decided to present my question, "What's in this for you? A month ago you even refused to let the board catch wind that I was pursuing a career in art instead of taking over the business".
She scoffed dismissing my suspicion, "People change Blake".
Yeah, but not you.
I shook my head, "Like I said, what do you want?"
She laughed and I could tell she was nodding in approval wherever she was, "You know me too well ".
"I'm willing to propose a deal son. I will support you and you decisions. Hell, I'll even help promote your paintings myself... But, you have to come into the office at least twice a week. I'm not saying that you come back full time or anything but only that you give it a chance".
Silence extended on both sides of the line, I knew I couldn't just say no. This was the closest I was ever going to come to a truce with her. Then I finally spoke up.
"Can I think about it?"
"You can think about it today while you're showing the investors your paintings. They want to purchase some".
My eyes widened, "Are you kidding?".
She just said, "Meet us at the gallery in an hour they want to view your paintings". Then the line went dead.
*******
True to her words the investors were at the gallery when I arrived there but Heather seemed to have turned it better than I'd expected.
All my paintings and photographs were sold which meant I seriously owed Heather big time.
And that's why we were currently at dinner at seven o'clock at night in the best restaurant in town pretending to be the perfect mother and son pair.
Or so I thought...
Just spit it out", Heather dropped her fork against the plate of barely touched food, "you've been glaring at that glass of champagne since we got here".
"My eyes snapped up to her face immediately. I hadn't really realized I was doing that.
Curtly I cleared my throat, "I'm fine".
She looked at me deadpan.
Sighing I leaned my back into the plush chair with resignation, "Why is Zadia here again mom. I thought I was done. You said I never had to see her again and then you show up with her at my exhibition".
My mother's eyes lingered on me with a hint of amusement, "Do you really hate her this much?".
"Yes", I blurted out too quickly "no... I mean, I don't hate her per say but, I'm not exactly that excited about her existence either".
"I know you despise her Blake".
"Then why are you doing this to me... again?".
We were both silent for the next few moments.
"You remember the deal we made with Zadia's father's company a year ago?".
I couldn't help but to snort at that, "How could I forget? I'm the one that had to get engaged to her just so you could get your companies to merge".
Her eyes narrowed on me at my accusatory tone, "You know I didn't have a choice at the time", she whispered yelled, "our company was almost bankrupt after that fall in the stock market!".
The urge to slam my fists on the table was barely under control now, "And even though you had basically disowned me to the time I still came back and helped you when you needed it!".
She rolled her eyes as if my word were the most ridiculous thing I've ever said. "Yeah, you helped all right, only because the company is your inheritance".
What she said totally took me aback and for the next few moments all I could do was stare at her.
Until I asked, "Is that what you really think?".
She sat up straighter in her seat, a look if remorse evident in her features.
I folded my arms over my chest and diverted my eyes from her, "You clearly don't trust me. So why don't you just tell me what Zadia is doing back here?".
********
(1 year ago)
It's been 12 months since I've graduated high school and 13 months since I've told my mother that I don't want to pursue business or take over the family company. We haven't spoken since.
I was making my way home from the campus library when I met Conner outside of the dorms.
"Dude there's a crazy blonde chick in the dorms looking for you", he informed.
I rolled my eyes at him as he just got into his car and drove away.
I was curious about who this person Conner told me about was. As soon as I went up the stairs and entered the hallways I saw her standing outside my door.
Mom?
She was dressed in a navy pant suit and seemed to have come here straight from work. Our eyes met only seconds after and I knew right then something was wrong.
***************