Though coming clean to his mother was never his plan, he ends up doing it and Mason Kent feels helpless. Just like the way he always becomes a different person when Alycia Reese is concerned, he also has another weakness.
He can never lie to his mother and... he also always struggles to say 'no' to her. Since he was young, he always found himself giving in, no matter how hard it was.
"You are dating someone?" Jessica Rhodes finally breaks her long silence, giving her son a mixture of surprised and somewhat doubtful look.
"I never say that," Mason Kent replies and honestly explains, "It is one-sided."
If Jessica Rhodes did not know her son so well, she would have brushed him off, saying that a one-sided feeling has no base or assurance. However, she knows her son well enough. She knows that once Mason makes up his mind on something, he is always firm as a rock. She is often an exception but her son is never the type to change his mind that easily. Not to mention that it is her first time knowing that there is a woman in her only son's life!
"Who is she?" She ends up asking instead of discouraging her son. "Do I know her? Or... is she from the army?"
This is the reason why Mason Kent had never said anything to his mother about his feelings before. He is not convinced that he could answer the follow-up questions. As he always struggled to lie to his mother, he was afraid that things would go in the direction he did not wish for. And now, he finds himself in a dilemma.
He never wants to lie to his mother but... he always hesitates to tell her everything, perhaps because he also knows his mother too well.
"Can I not answer that?" Mason finally says in a low voice and adds, "But you don't have to worry about it, Mother. She is not a soldier like me."
As he says his last sentence, Mason Kent is reminded of the effort it took him to convince his mother so that he can join the army. As that was the first time he ever went against his mother's wishes, the first time he ever said 'no' to his mother, it took him so much courage to do it!
There is a reason why it is so hard for him to defy his mother and... he did not talk without experience when he explained to Alycia Reese how lethal a strong guilt can be.
Hearing the unexpected response, Jessica Rhodes purses her lips but says nothing for a moment. Then after enough consideration, she finally asks, "What would you do if it remained one-sided? Would you keep holding onto her?"
His mother's question is much harder to reply than all the previous questions and Mason Kent is struggling once again. As he said to Alycia earlier in the day, he is willing to try his utmost best not to have another regret but... he is never confident.
Would he be able to win over her? He is not positive at all, especially after witnessing how much Alycia Reese is still affected by her ex-boyfriend whom she had dated for a long time.
"Give me time, Mother," is what Mason Kent says to his mother after a long silence spent in consideration. "I cannot say anything right now."
It is her deep knowledge of her son's nature that makes Jessica Rhodes nod her head, regardless of whether she truly agrees or not. She then quietly continues eating and Mason does the same. Once they are done, it is the mother who speaks up first this time.
"By the way, have you heard about the proposal from CR Securities?" Jessica Rhodes asks her son as she rises from her seat. "Did General Patrick tell you about it?"
Though his mother mentioning CR Securities makes Mason a bit nervous, he does not show anything and responds by saying, "He mentioned it once."
"Then what do you think about it?" Jessica Rhodes promptly asks as she clears the table. "Would it be worth to give a try?"
"I don't know the details," Mason quickly clarifies. "Haven't you discussed with the General?"
"We will meet tomorrow but I already received the draft proposal," the mother replies and turns to look at her son. "Why don't you take a look at it for me? I trust General Patrick but I also believe your opinion would be useful."
One huge secret of Mason Kent which even his comrades have no idea of is the fact that his mother is a high-profile politician. Starting with the post of Minister for Women and Equalities many years ago, Jessica Rhodes is currently the country's Minister of Defence, the first woman to hold the post in the country's long history.
As such, it would be safe to say that Mason Kent's mother is among the top 5 most powerful persons in the country's political circle. Rumors also have it that she is the leading Presidential candidate of her party for the next general election to be held in two years.
The fact that Mason is the only son of the Minister of Defence is known in the army by a very few, mostly high-ranking officers including General Patrick Cortez who holds the top post. It is a secret that Mason hopes, would never be revealed to the world. He likes his quiet life as himself, as Colonel Mason Kent, and he does not wish for any unnecessary attention.
When he ran into Alycia Reese near the main administrative building, he said that his appointment was a rather personal one because he was there to meet his mother.
"I may be a soldier but I don't think that is my place, Mother," Mason Kent responds after a brief thought. He slightly smiles as he adds, "Besides, I have my own share of work."
Jessica Rhodes lets out a sigh and shakes her head in dissatisfaction. "That brain of yours is always so sly whenever I bring up these kinds of work-related matters. Having a soldier son is no help."
"I know my place," Mason Kent retorts, chuckling. "I am just a Colonel. I should not intervene in these kinds of work-related matters you talked about."
The mother clicks her tongue but still ends up smiling almost immediately. She then reaches for the apron but her son hurries to her and stops her.
"Let me do it," he says. "You already do the cooking. So, just have some rest for now." He jokingly adds, "I know you will be sticking to your work again instead of resting though."
Jessica Rhodes ends up laughing at her son's words but she still steps back, allowing her son to do the work this time. However, instead of going to her room, she takes a seat on one of the chairs, watching as her son puts on the apron and do the dishes.
"You said that you recently completed a mission. Does that mean you will soon be busy again?"
"Probably," Mason Kent responds. "But don't worry too much, Mother. The recent mission was an urgent and huge one; so I had to lead the combination of two teams." He spares his mother a glance and smiles softly as he adds, "I am the Deputy Commander now. I don't get involved physically all the time like before."
"If you were in my shoes, I don't think you would be able to think that way," Jessica Rhodes says to her son who has now gotten back to doing the dishes.
His mother's words remind Mason Kent of some traumatizing incidents from years ago which still haunt him even now though he never says it. He then briefly narrows his eyes but still forces a smile when he looks up again.
"That will not happen," he calmly reassures his mother and mutters, "No matter what, you will not be in danger because I will make sure to protect you with my life."