Nicholas Anderson, CEO of Anderson Enterprises, leaned back in his chair, his eyes focused on the stock reports sprawled across his mahogany desk. The familiar ping of his phone interrupted his concentration.
"Mr. Anderson, your mother is here to see you," a soft, professional voice spoke into the speaker. It was Ava, his assistant, always punctual and polite.
"Send her in," Nicholas muttered, knowing there was no point in delaying the inevitable.
Moments later, the door to his office swung open, and a woman in her late fifties swept into the room, radiating elegance and authority in equal measure. She was petite, but her presence commanded attention. Her perfectly coiffed blond hair framed a face that had been preserved by years of expensive skin treatments.
"Nicholas, darling," she purred, extending her gloved hand for him to kiss. "So good of you to see me."
Nicholas rose from his chair, bending to place a brief kiss on her hand.
"Mother," he said, a hint of irritation in his voice. "I'm a bit busy at the moment. Is there something I can help you with?"
His mother smiled, but the warmth didn't reach her eyes. "Why, Nicholas, must everything be transactional with you? I thought perhaps we could chat for a while."
Nicholas steeled himself, sensing this wasn't a social call. He motioned towards the sofa. "By all means, make yourself comfortable."
"Nicholas, darling, you really must make more of an effort to visit your dear old mother," she said, her tone dripping with feigned sweetness. "I hardly see you anymore."
Nicholas sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "I'm sorry, Mother. You know how busy I am. I just don't have time to drop by the estate for tea and gossip."
His mother's expression hardened. "I would hardly call it 'gossip' when it involves the future of our family, Nicholas"
"The future of our family..." Nicholas repeated, sensing where this was going. He braced himself, knowing what was about to come. "Let me guess. You want to talk about my love life, or rather, the lack thereof."
His mother's gaze was piercing. "As your mother, it's my responsibility to ensure that our family remains strong and prosperous. And that includes ensuring you have a suitable wife and heir."
Nicholas rolled his eyes. "Mother, please. It's not like I'm a bachelor living on the street."
"Oh, but you might as well be," his mother quipped, not missing a beat. "You're unmarried at twenty-nine, Nicholas. That's nearly ancient in our social circles. At this rate, you'll end up a sad, lonely old man with no one to pass your fortune to."
Nicholas couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. "Well, I'm glad you think so highly of me, Mother," he said wryly. "But believe it or not, I've been rather busy building my company into one of the most successful in the country."
His mother's expression turned patronizing. "Oh, don't be so dramatic, Nicholas. You can run a business and find a wife, too. After all, that's what your dear departed father did." She paused for a moment, the ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "Speaking of which, your father's business partner's daughter, Eleanor, is quite lovely. She would make a perfect match for you."
Nicholas's patience snapped, and he glared at his mother. "You've got to be kidding me. Eleanor?" he exclaimed, standing up. "I can't stand her! She's pretentious, self-absorbed, and boring as all hell. And you want me to marry her? No. Absolutely not."
His mother, unfazed by his outburst, merely raised an eyebrow. "Don't be so dramatic, Nicholas. I'm not suggesting you marry her tomorrow, merely that you give her a chance. Perhaps you'll find her more appealing in a more intimate setting."
Nicholas steeled himself and met his mother's gaze. "I do have a girlfriend, Mother. We've been dating for four months now, and I was waiting to tell you until I was sure this was serious."
His mother arched an eyebrow, intrigued. "A girlfriend? And you're seriously considering marriage, you say? I must meet this girl at once."
Nicholas shook his head. "Not so fast. I want to make sure she's the right one before I introduce her to the family."
"You have a girlfriend, and you kept this to yourself?" his mother said incredulously, smacking him on the hand. "What kind of son keeps such news from his mother?"
Nicholas winced, rubbing the spot where she'd struck him. "I'm sorry, Mother. But I've never been good at this sort of thing. And you always push me to find someone to marry, so I thought maybe I should take my time with this one."
His mother's expression softened somewhat. "I see," she said, her tone less accusatory.
"You know, Nicholas," his mother said, fixing him with a piercing gaze, "I can't help but wonder if you're making this up just to get me off your back. You've never been very forthcoming about your love life, so why should I believe you this time?"
Nicholas sighed, exasperated. "Believe me, Mother. I wouldn't joke about something like this. If I say I have a girlfriend, I have a girlfriend. Why can't you just be happy for me?"
His mother considered this for a moment, then gave a curt nod. "Fine."
At that moment, a knock sounded on the door, and Ava entered, her arms laden with files. "Mr. Anderson," she said, her voice brisk.Ah, the files," Nicholas said, nodding at Ava. "Thank you. You can put them on my desk."
Ava complied, carefully placing the stack of folders in front of him before making to leave the room. However, just as she reached the door, Nicholas's mother spoke up, her voice carrying a hint of disapproval.
"My goodness, isn't that outfit rather...tight for a place of business?" she asked, her gaze drifting over Ava's fitted pencil skirt and tailored blouse. "I mean, my word, your...bosom is practically about to burst free."
Ava's cheeks flushed pink at Nicholas's mother's comment, and she gave a nervous chuckle. "Oh, um, I assure you, Mrs. Anderson, everything is properly secured," she said, smoothing a hand over her blouse self-consciously.
Nicholas's mother gave a dubious sniff. "Well, it certainly doesn't leave much to the imagination, does it?" she said, arching an eyebrow. "I trust my son is behaving himself with such...distractions in the office."
Nicholas bristled slightly at his mother's insinuation, stepping in to defend Ava. "Now, Mother, that's not fair," he said, frowning. "Ava is a valued member of the team, and her appearance has nothing to do with her professionalism."
His mother gave a dismissive wave of her hand. "Oh, I'm sure she's very good at her job, dear. But let's not pretend that all this...cleavage isn't meant to turn a few heads." She smiled sweetly at Ava. "Isn't that right, dear?"
Ava swallowed nervously, not wanting to offend her boss's mother. "I, uh...I mean, I just dress the way I feel comfortable," she stammered, her cheeks still tinged pink. "It's not like I'm trying to...entice anyone."
Nicholas's mother merely smiled, as though she knew something the others didn't. "Oh, of course not, dear. But you must admit, that outfit is rather...sensual, shall we say? I bet all the young men in the office can't keep their eyes off you."