Chapter 58: Traps

Ricardo's POV

Startled by my presence, Adani faced me.

"How much of that you've heard?" she asked.

"I heard everything," I found myself answering rather sharply. My eyes narrowed in on her as I placed my hands into my front pants pocket, "I know my mother is an exigent woman but did you have to stoop to that level, Adani?" I asked.

The thing I wanted was letting my mother have a vivid clue on how I bang my fianceé.

"Yes," she simply answered.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me clearly enough, Ricardo. Perhaps I shouldn't have been so detailed about our activities to your mother but I don't regret having the last laugh today," she confidently answered before she drank the remaining content of water.

"You think this is funny? I'm not going to have a back and forth between you and my mom the moment you two are under the same roof or on the phone. The both of you need to stop," I advised.

It was exhausting at this point.

"Your mom picks the fights with me. You didn't hear her end of the conversation so don't paint me as the bad-guy."

"That's not what I'm doing."

"It sure sounds like it and I don't understand why we're having this conversation when you know how she treats me. She's never going to accept me, Ricardo!"

"Adani, calm down."

"I AM CALM!" she bellowed.
Then I wouldn't like to see her upset if this was her being calm.

I recoiled. I had no intentions of escalating the situation.

"I came by to take you to dinner. Rockett and her companion would be joining us at the restaurant," I shifted the topic.

"Okay," she answered without hesitation.

~

We headed homeward, took our showers, dressed then headed to an upscale Italian restaurant where Rockett and her friend were already seated.

"Adani," she greeted her with an embrace as Adani and I reached the table.

"It's so nice to see you again. How are you?" Adani asked as she returned the hug to my sister. I admired the bond they had. Rockett has seen everyone else as unlikable except Adani.

"I'm great," Rockett answered then came over and swatted me on the arm for a greeting.

"Hello big brother," she said. We hugged.

"Sis."

"This is Kaleb Monet. We met just a few days ago in Paris when he was visiting his parents. His family owns one of the largest winery in all of France," Rockett introduced her companion.

"It's nice to meet you, Kaleb," I said and extended his hand to him.

"It's nice to meet you too, Ricardo," Kaleb answered in a strong french accent. We shook hands then also took our seats, me sitting next to Adani and Kaleb next to Rockett.

"You don't reside in France?" I asked him.

"Oh no. I live here in California. Atherton to be exact," Kaleb answered.

I didn't like him. There was something about him that screamed 'slay fox and liar' but that was just the impression I created about him.

~
We chattered over our delicious meals and mouth-watering desserts until the evening came to an end.

Rockett and Kaleb bid us goodnight as they got into their vehicle and drove away. I took Adani's hand and together we went for a short late evening walk.

"You know, there are things you and I have to discuss and agree upon," I started.

"Like?" she asked.

"Like what's your dream wedding?" I asked her.

"My dream wedding is..please don't get upset.."

"Why would I get upset?"

"It's a beach wedding," she answered and we laughed together.

"A beach wedding, really?" I asked as images of Penelope's surprise beach wedding ceremony played in my mind.

"I know, I know but that's my dream wedding. A beautiful white, sandy beach. Bright and sunny sky. Rows of chairs, an arch, flowers, family and close friends. I don't need a big church wedding. The reception can take place right on the beach. Music, caterers, eats and drinks. People taking their shoes off and grinding in the sand," she explained.

"I can picture that too."

"You know, we haven't set a date for our big day."

"Let's."

"The year is coming to an end very soon."

"How about the last day of the year so we can start the new year as husband and wife?" I asked and anticipated.

"Are you sure that's not too soon?" she questioned.

"Nah. I can't wait to have you as my wife," I answered and took her into my arms. Without wasting another moment, I kissed her with eagerness.

"Ready to head home?" I asked.

"Yes please."

We linked hands again and walked back to our vehicle.

~

It was getting rather busier. Christmas was three weeks away and people were already out in numbers doing their early shopping and decoratings.

Parriston's Industries and Technology looked like Santa Claus decorated it himself. A huge Christmas tree stood in the middle of the lobby with fake snow falling from the ceilings.

I dusted myself and sped to the elevator. Falyn slipped in right before the door closes.

"Please tell me my office is the same as how I left it," I said to her. She laughed.

"You'll see."

"I'll remove every ornament."

"Oh no. You're the Grinch."

I eyed her and we laughed as the elevator came to a stop to the top floor. We stepped out and went our separate way. I made my way to my office but was stopped by my secretary.

"Sir. You have a meeting in the board-room."

"That's not on my schedule this morning. What meeting?"

"It was sudden."

"By who?"

"Your mother, sir."

"My moth.." I paused. This lady's main agenda has got to be making me insane. I exhaled sharply and headed to the board-room.

~

My mother was seated at the head of the table.

"You've finally arrived," she greeted, "Sit down, son. Right next to me."

I sat next to her.

"Mother, what's the meaning of this?" I questioned. Several others were present. Faces I didn't recognize but one employee I did.

"Ricardo, I'll cut right to it."

"Please do."

"I'm over-throwing you," she outed.

"You can't do that."

"Of course I can."

"No. You can't."

"As of presently, I own more than half this company. Your father's shares rolled over to me and I already had a stake, thus, making mine larger and more in control."

"You can't do that. You're no longer his widow. You've remarried, mother!"

"Have you ever asked yourself why I still kept 'Parriston'?" she asked.

"You said it sounded better."

"Yeah, that and my marriage to Tim was secretly annauled before the honeymoon was even over."

"What?"

"I don't have a husband."

"Does Tim know about this?"

"No."

"Regardless, Mother, it was father's dying wish to have the company handed over to me. His first son. You can't just take it away from me.. And on what grounds?"

"How about the grounds that PIT is yet to go international, how about the grounds that you as CEO the company has had a dropped in production and money. You're sinking your father's legacy and you can't even see that!"

"When I got here and I sat in dad's chair, I transformed the company. Parriston didn't even have a technology sector. I introduced that! It was so damn successful that it's still only family owned! Do you see any investors and other shareholders around here?"

"And you think that's success. We should have shareholders. Spending other people's money for development and betterment for this company," Mother responded.

"This is ridiculous. You wouldn't have the time or make any efforts to better the company. You think being CEO is an easy task?"

"Oh, I'm not going to be CEO but I already have your replacement."

"You can't vote me out as CEO. Rockett wouldn't agree to this. She's also a Parriston and I know I'll have her vote."

"Are you certain, my boy?"

"I'm certain. She's going to have my back."

"Send him in!" Mother commanded. The doors opened. He walked in. I gritted my teeth at his sight. "I believe you've already met my son."

"I have. Hello again, Ricardo."

"Kaleb."

My mother knew how to set up her traps.