MAVERICK
“He’s going to be okay.” My words didn’t uplift Lake. His father just got into the operating room twenty minutes ago.
There could be a possible complication during surgery, and that worried him. Considering this was just the beginning of Wallace’s treatment, I understood his concern, and then another crucial long-term treatment was chemotherapy with a lot of possible side effects.
“Babe?” I gripped his shoulders, and he placed his hand on mine, nodding slightly. “Are you okay with being here by yourself? I have to go back to the office.”
I glanced at a few people present. Wallace’s assistant and bodyguard were among them. Beatreigh was here, and so was Aurelia, who did not hide her worry.
“Yeah.” He lifted his gaze at me. “Don’t work hard, okay? That’s an order.”
My brow arched. “Is that my boss talking or my husband?”
He managed to put a slight smile on his lips as he rose to his feet. “Both.”
“Fine, but because you asked me nicely.” I hugged him tight. “Don’t worry, dada. Your father will make it through. He’s a tough guy.”
“I hope so, baby.”
I went to Aurelia and Beatreigh. “Guys, I have to go back to work. I don’t think I can offer help, but if you need me, just call me.”
They looked at me. Aurelia smiled tightly, taking my hand and squeezing it.
“Does hospital make you squirmy, darling?” Beatreigh asked.
“No. I’m fine.”
“You are the only pregnant woman who never has to go through morning sickness, and it looks good on you. You’re lucky,” Aurelia said.
“Maybe too early to say, but I’m glad.”
“Don’t jinx it,” Lake said from the corner, making me chuckle.
“You guys take care.”
“You, too, sexy preggy,” Aurelia said, waving at me.
Homer took me back to the office. On our way, he asked, “Is he going to be okay?”
“Are you concerned with Lake or Wallace?”
“I don’t hate the old man, but he’s kind of jerk to your husband. If something happens to Wallace, I’m concerned it will affect my boss, who will handle tons of work.”
“Yeah. You’re right. He’s already affected right now, but I’m sure Wallace will make it through. I’m also happy they’re working on their differences.”
“Which should have been a long time ago, but you made it happen,” he said with a smile.
“I don’t think I did it. I’m merely pushing Lake to do what’s right. I mean, I don’t like the feeling of someone hating me for something I did nothing wrong, and it’s hard to sleep at night considering someone’s out there always having a dubious plan against me.”
“I told you, you fixed their relationship. If Lake married another woman, this would not happen. Lake will always be caged and tied in that company and will never be free even if he marries a rich man’s daughter.”
“Well, I did what I could, but thanks.”
He helped out of the car. “If you need something to munch on, just text me.”
I smiled at him. “Really?”
“Of course.”
“Well, I’m craving for Macaron. I want purple.”
“Why purple?” His dark eyes flashed with humor.
“I don’t know. The color is cute.”
“Okay then. Purple it is.” He pushed the door open, allowing me to enter. “I’ll go find you a purple Macaron. I’ll be right back.”
“Thanks, Homer.”
“No problem.”
I just started to work when Cooper came. “How’s your father-in-law?”
“He’s still in surgery,” I replied as I turned on the desktop.
“He’s going to be okay. You’re lucky he’s not a monster-in-law.”
I chuckled. “You think so? You have no idea, Coop.”
“What do you mean?” He took a chair, seemingly interested to know as he waited for my answer.
“Don’t you have work to do?”
“I do, but I’m curious.”
I looked at him. “He was a devil in disguise until recently. I shouldn’t tell you this, but you’re my best friend.”
“What did he do?”
I told him everything, including my long vacation in Marettimo, minus the mafia and the killing. He stared at me for long seconds to let it all sink in.
“Yeah. I told you, but we’re good. He and Lake have a better relationship now.”
“Did he apologize?”
“Yes. He did.”
“You should not have forgiven him that easily.”
“He has cancer, Coop. I think he has suffered enough, and I understand his concern. He’s worth twenty billion dollars, and if he died, Lake would have it all unless he did not include Lake in his last will.”
“Rich people’s problem.”
“Exactly.” My desk phone rang. “Hello?”
“Mrs. Winston, you have a visitor,” said from the other line.
“Who?”
“She said her name is Florence Bates. She has no appointment but insists and says she’s your mother. She’s at the lobby.”
My mouth hung open as I dropped the call. My chest squeezed hard. My stomach dropped. I didn’t know how to react. I was overwhelmed with many emotions and didn’t know how to hold them all together.
“Hey. What’s wrong?”
I stared at Cooper. “My mother is in the lobby?”
His eyes went wide. “Your estranged mother? How?”
“I don’t know.” I got up and slipped my phone into my pocket. “Estranged is a better term. More like a ghost mother, a non-existent mother.”
“You don’t have to see her.” I knew he would say it, but she would keep coming back until I faced her.
“I’m sure I know why she’s here, and she will keep coming back if I won’t put an end to this.” I took a deep breath before I walked out of the office premises.
I went downstairs to the lobby. I couldn’t even remember how she looked. She abandoned me while she was supposed to bathe me, put me to bed, and read me bedtime stories. Instead, she chose a man, a dick, over me. So, I guess I knew what I felt right now. Anger.
I stopped as soon as I recognized her, not because she was familiar but because I somehow shared her genes and blood.
My mother was in her forties, and she had curly brown hair. She was even wearing a nice blouse, pants, and an oversized blazer.
“What are you doing here?”
“Hi, Ricky.” She smiled- the kind of smile that had no hint of guilt of her abandonment, and it made me angry, as if it was okay, as if she just went to buy me candy for a while and left me on my play mat with some toys.
“You don’t get to call me Ricky.”
“I know I’ve done-”
“I don’t care. I don’t want to hear it. And don’t call me Ricky. Only Nana has the right to call me that and don’t ever come back. We have nothing to talk about. I’m fine by the way.” I was about to turn around when she said something that made me furious.
“I’m still your mother.”
I glared at her. “Since when? When did you choose a man over me? You stopped being my mother the moment you abandoned me. Nana is more mom to me than you.” I turned around. Fury made my chest heave.
“Hey. You can’t just turn your back on me.” Her voice raised. The entire lobby went silent.
“And why is that?” I faced her again. My heartbeat started racing, and my face began to burn in rage.
“You managed to snatch a billionaire, and it wouldn’t happen if I’m not your mother.”
“Oh, my God. Is that what you think it is? That I owe you somehow? Is that why you’re here? Because you want money. Jesus Christ. Get a job.”
“You shouldn’t be working. You should be staying at home and have all the luxury-”
“Well, get this, Florence. He’s a billionaire, and I’m not. You better get out of here before I call the security.” I walked away.
She grabbed me by my wrist hard enough that I lost my balance in the end. It happened so fast that my high heels were tripping.
I yelped in shock. With my breathing held in my lungs, my hands reaching out as I tried to get hold of something in the air.
Before I fell on my ass, someone already caught me. My arms came to the man’s neck, and a loud smack echoed in the lobby, making me gasp. I lifted my gaze at the man in a suit. A familiar cologne hit my nostrils instantly, and I met the stone blue eyes that flashed with pain and worry, looking down at me.
“Lake?”
“Baby.” He slowly put me back on my feet but kept his arms wrapped around me.
“Were you just about to hurt a pregnant woman?” Terzo was pointing a finger at my mother, who had her hand on her left cheek. “I never raise a hand on women, but you’re an exception. You deserved it, bitch.”
“Terzo? How is he here?” I asked breathlessly. I was still in shock, and my heart was still pounding so hard.
“Get the fuck out of here, or I will issue a restraining order against you,” Terzo told my mother. “I’m sure you know me to mess up with me, woman.”
My mother grabbed her bag and ran away.
“How are you here, babe?”
“Terzo called me to say that your mother is in town.”
“What’s going on?” Homer came to me. “Is everything okay?”
“Where the fuck are you?” Terzo asked Homer.
“Leave him alone. I asked him to find me purple Macarons.”
“Purple?” Terzo asked incredulously. “So, no, thank you for saving your ass?”
I glared at him. “I thought being your sister didn’t need my thank yous.”
“Right.” He squeezed me into a hug. “Glad you’re okay.”