_' Mom?? what is mom doing here??'_
Mother Paulson who was now standing before Jade failed to notice the lady inside the car.
" Are you here for dinner? How about you join us, I came with your brother."
" Yeah, join us and we will all leave together later." Troy voiced out, draping his arm over Jade's shoulder.
" I already made plans. Just enjoy without me." Jade walked to the other side of the car. Pulling the passenger's doors open, he waited for the lady sitting inside to hop off.
Seeing this the mother- son duo glanced at each other in confusion before eyeing the other side intently.
From the car, a small head popped out shocking the pair.
" A woman's head??" Troy yelled in astonishment.
Phoenix who had just placed her foot on the ground, stiffened hearing that. Jade noticed her nervousness.
" what do you mean a woman's head? Don't tell me you don't see a woman's body or were you expecting something else?"
" Nah bro. I didn't mean it that way. it's just that it's a shock for me and obviously mom, right mom? We never thought you were out with a woman. No offense." scratching his forehead, Troy hooked his arm around his mother's arm.
" Are you nervous?" Ignoring his younger brother, Jade asked Phoenix who still had her back to the other two individuals.
" Am fine." she said in a whisper clutching her bag tightly.
" Don't worry, they don't bite and even if they do, they won't as am here. Shall we go now?" Placing his head on her waist, Jade moved backwards to create enough space for her.
" It's my first time meeting them as your girlfriend so I don't know what to expect." Phoenix spoke in a low voice still giving them her back.
" Come on. You don't have to be nervous. Am here."
Being led towards his mother and brother, Phoenix held her breath.
A loud gasp escaped from Troy's lips after seeing who the woman who alighted from the car was.
" Butterfly's hands?? Bro.."
Not knowing how to explain how he was feeling, Troy starred wide eyed at the people before him. His mother next to him was no better.
_ ' What are they doing together this time, don't tell me..'_ she trailed off as she gawked at her son quizzically.
Jade who saw the enquiring look on his mother's face smiled at her reaction. He wondered how they will react hearing his new relationship status.
Clearing his throat, Jade spoke leaving his mother and brother frozen.
" This is Phoenix, am sure you have met before. Ex friend and current girlfriend."
The last sentence sent the duo into a rollercoaster ride as they couldn't believe what they just heard.
" Brother, you and Butterfly's hands?? How and why.... sorry sorry, I mean since when??"
" Have you been dating all along?" Mother Paulson asked.
Seeing the reactions on his brother and mothers faces, Jade knew that he was going to be drowned into never ending questions.
" This is not the place to talk mom. Lets go in first."
Taking Phoenix by the hand, he made a beeline for the restaurant's entrance.
" Mom has a reservation, let's eat together." Troy suggested as he followed behind the couple with his mother.