Pulling him by the arm she dragged him to his office and pushed him on a chair.
"OK it's time for us to have a chat"
"You still mad?" he questioned, waiting for the screaming and the beating".
"No'
"No?" surprised by this
"No I am not mad. Mom let me see that you were only doing this for my benefit"
"I have to buy this woman a gift. Do you think a private plane will do?"
"Don't try and change the subject. I said I understand why you did that, not how you could do that?"
I don't quite get you?" confused once again.
"I mean. How could you do this to me you idiot!" she yelled at him and standing up to smack his arms.
"Ow ow" trying to shield himself from her attacks. "Hey is that anyway to treat your fiance" rubbing his arm.
"Don't try it" warning him
"Okay, I figured that if I said that we were engaged people will back off. They do fear me after all" he said smugly.
"Humble much" she muttered under her breath.
"Come on. I know that this was not what you wanted but this was the best I could think of on such short notice. And if we did get married the boys become mine and there is no possible way that the Dwights and Timmons could even come anywhere near them"
"How?"
"If we get married, the boys take my name and they are mine and I could file a claim keeping them away from my children.
So it just wouldn't be your claim against them it would also be mine"
"You came up on this on vour own?"
"No. I have a retired judge friend and I asked him about what to do in these kind of situations and he gave me some advice.
If we get married, I could file a C-22. So basically, Dwight just becomes a surrogate father and nothing more" he explained even more.
"You would do this?" she asked him shock and out of words for what she just heard.
"Yup"
"Do you even want to get married?" She asked him
"Not right now. But for those kids I would do anything for them. I love them Diane. I really, really do" looking her straight in the eyes and she could see sincerity in them.
"I know" she smiled.
"So it is up to you. Anything you want I'll do it"
"I honestly do not know what I am going to do. But one thing I do know is that I can always count on you. Thank you George. For everything" reaching for his hands.
"Now don't get all sappy on me" rolling his eyes.
"Come on just admit it. Under all that you are a big old softie" she teased
"Ahh shut-up. Anyways if you ever want to call this off I can just make a statement that you and I have called our engagement off. Or if you want to go through with it we'll get married and after a couple of years we get a divorce. But we will always be friends"
"A real Hollywood romance" she sighed.
"That's the game. Now, come on it has been half an hour and I have been dreaming of mama's cooking" standing up.
"You and your stomach. I guess I have to start learning if I am to become your wife, eh?"
"Yup or I will call off the wedding because of your terrible cooking" he said with a straight face.
"How rude"
Laughing she shoved him all the way to the dining table. Her mother was just setting some drinks on the table. The boys were already digging in.
"Sorry, their tummy were grumbling" she explained.
"It is alright mom" taking a seat.
"Everything alright?" Esther asked looking at the two adults warily
"Yeah mom. Everything is fine" she smiled dishing a slice of lasagna and some corn and her mother's famous bread. Then placing it in front of to George.
Esther smiled. And then the room was filled with teasing and talking. Halfway through Esther suddenly remembered something and quickly turned to her daughter.
"Dia (Die-ah) Remember the party you promised to go to?"
Her daughter nodded slowly.
"Well it's today and you have to come with me" she pleaded.
"Mom it's today? I don't think I can make it"
"You promised honey" she reminded
"That was before my life went all crazy" she tried to argue.
"Well maybe this party will calm you down"
"And I can look after the boys if you want to go" George volunteered.
"There see everything is solved. Now you can come" her mother added.
"I really don't feel like being around people right now, ma.
They're just going to be swarming around me and asking me questions about my life. Sorry I can't. I just can't deal with all the questionings and prying into my love life and trying to dispel all the rumors. I have enough drama on my plate. Sorry mama, I just cannot go, it is just not my cup of tea" shuddering at the thought of being around chickens clucking around her.
"You mean juice" George smirked.
"Speaking of annoying people" pointing at George.
"It is okay sweetie. I understand."Esther said in understanding.
"You know what, since I can't go I can at least help you get ready. The boys can take care of the dishes" standing up and placing the napkin on the table and walking over to her mor and pulling her up.
"Come on ma" and together they headed upstairs to get
Esther even more dazzling.
...........................................
At seven-thirty Esther was pulling up into the house. She looked beautiful in a green one shoulder gown. There were many cars in the driveway and checking her makeup once more she stepped out the car and rang the doorbell. It was soon thrown open and there stood her co-host Yandi. Esther was here at one of her co-hosts house-warming party.
"Hello Esther, my my you look beautiful" giving her a kiss on the cheek and graciously accepting the bottle of wine and ushering her inside her gorgeous house. She also introduced her to her husband a middle aged man who was giving her the once over.
Looping her arms in hers she led her across the room introducing her to different people. By 8 Esther was ready to throw in the towel. She hated to admit it but Diane was spot on and ever-so wise to refrain from coming here.
She was right, all the questions and conversations was centered on Diane Reyes. Young and old were demanding
"when her daughter was getting married" or "when she started dating George"or "What she personally thought of the upcoming nuptials between the two adults" It was all too much.
Some people were kind enough to give compliments on her show. She was just about ready to drown herself in the strongest thing here just to escape all the problems. Dinner had not even started and it was not starting till 10. Until then they were just nibbling on snacks. Things couldn't get much worse.
But as she was getting another glass of punch she saw her nightmare Eric and Ashley Timmons and Collins Dwight.
Thankfully, they didn't see her and she quickly maneuvered her way far away from them till she was at the end of the room. Taking a deep breath she checked her watch and she had only been here 45 minutes. She couldn't leave right now, that would be impolite. She just had to stay clear away from the Timmons and Dwight. She could stay for just a little while longer then she would be out of here.
Needing some air, she opened the patio door and stepped into the night cool air. Her skin was flushed and she was cooling down properly.
"Hello Esther" a deep voice that sent chills up her spine said from behind her.
"Esther" he called again.