No additional word was heard in the car until he parked.
"I have to go to the 6th floor to see my Mom," Alec said as he turned off the engine.
He noticed a concealed concern on my face.
"She works here, she's the head doctor of pediatrics," he added.
My reaction told him he had answered my concern.
"The cafeteria here is on the 10th floor. They have a veranda that has a hidden spot." He assured me.
"I will meet you there then. I can time ordering something to drink if I know how long it'll take you." I asked.
He was tapping his index finger on the steering wheel as if he were deciding on something.
"I was hoping you'd come with me so you could meet my Mom." He spoke in a low voice without looking at me.
I chuckled. "You met my mom, so now I have to meet your Mom?"
Somehow he understood the humor of it and laughed softly.
"I won't force you if you'd rather not." He smiled at me as he asked.
I exhaled, "I don't mind. I will see if you got your looks from her." I teased.
"My looks are from my Dad. Jazi looks and acts more like my Mom." He explained.
That last bit of information gave me a heads-up as to what to expect. If Jazi acts like their Mom, then she probably has a bubbly personality.
As we waited for the elevator, he took his phone out of his pocket and sent a text to someone. We were already in the elevator when he received a response and read it.
"She'll wait for us in her office." That tells me he texted his Mom.
The elevator stopped, and the door opened to a group of people who seemed to know each other. I wasnt expecting the sudden rush that I staggered back a few steps before gaining my balance again. I felt Alec's hand on my waist, to keep me steady. I pretended that I didn't feel anything.
"This is our floor coming up," he said to give people in the elevator a heads up.
He kept his hand on my waist as we stepped out of the elevator. Instead of worrying what people might think, I actually didn't care and liked how he cared for me.
The office is not far from the elevator. The beige wall color gives the hallways a nice, bright feel.
He straight lightly and immediately opened the door. "Ma?" He softly called out.
I stood by the door to wait while Alec went inside a room. The office is decorated with plants, fairies and animals that match the fairyland painting on the wall. A secretary desk made of wood with mossy designs on it was positioned to greet guests as they came in. I was admiring thea fairyland wall painting behind me when Alec called me.
"G, this is my Mom."
A short and classy-looking lady in a white medical gown, flashing a sweet smile, was in front of me.
I extended my hand to shake hers, but she held out both arms and hugged me.
"I only shake hands with business people, I hug the rest. It's free and has tremendous effect." She said it with a beaming smile.
Her hug felt warm and sincere. I hugged her back and looked at Alec.
Alec shrugged at me while smiling.
She took my hand, led me to her office, and motioned for me to sit down on the small couch against the wall by her desk.
"It's nice to meet new friends of my kids. Since we moved here, you are the first one I have met."
I just smiled at her. I am happy to meet you, Mrs. Darwin, or would you prefer Dr. Darwin?" I asked politely.
"I prefer Mama. Patients and colleagues call me Dr. Darwin, business relations call me Mrs. Darwin."
I never expected to call anyone Mama aside from my Mom. This may take some getting used to.
"You are a nice-looking young man and healthy. That's good." She said this as she touched my face and then felt my arm muscles.
"You should come over one time for dinner." She said that, then turned to Alec.
"Find out when Lo-Ri is available. Let's set a date."
I remained silent but kept a soft smile on my face.
"Are you guys going anywhere after this?" She asked me.
"We....", I started to respond but stopped when Alec started talking.
"We have somewhere to be, Ma."
"Ah, alright. Is Lo-Ri joining you?" She switched her look between me and Alec to indicate she was asking both of us.
Alec looked at me, then at his Mom.
"Ma, Lo-Ri has a product advertising meeting today, and she's off to Japan for two weeks next week."
His Mom looked surprised by what Alec said.
"Two weeks? We should schedule dinner before she leaves then."
Alec sighed and kissed his Mom on the forehead.
"I'll take care of it. We have to go, Ma."
I got up and gave Alec's Mom a hug.
"I am happy to have met you."
Mrs. Darwin held my face after she hugged me back.
"I am so glad that you came with Alec. I will see you again soon."
I waved at her as we walked towards her office door.
Without looking back, Alex said, "I love you, Ma"
"Much more..." She responded.
"Your Mom is lovely, Jazi surely looks like her and resembles her personality." I told Alec as we were waiting for the elevator.
"Thanks," Alec muttered.
I sensed some seriousness in his tone.
We got off on the tenth floor and noticed a line of people in the cafeteria.
"Dinner," Alec said.
I noticed that there was a separate counter and cashier for coffee and tea in the corner of the cafeteria.
"I am actually not hungry yet, but I want a drink," I told Alec.
"What do you want?" Alec asked.
"Iced mocha," I told him as I pointed to the corner counter in front of him.
Alec suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me slowly away. "Let's grab a table first." He said.
He led me outside the cafeteria, and I was surprised by how nice it is. It looks like a makeshift forest with lots of small and big flowers around. A few arches covered with ivy plants twisting around them are firmly set in different arrays, serving as a shade. Tall ferns and monstera planted in huge pots are all over, some of them concealing patrons who are there. It is quite calming outside the cafeteria.
Alec was still holding my hand as we twisted and turned around until we ended up in a corner that I thought was a dead end. He then motioned for me to step forward in between the two huge pots.
There's a bistro table and two chairs in this very hidden spot.
"I will get our drinks, wait for me here."