23.

Hades

We have three days until the wedding, my father has gone AWOL, and my mother isn't answering any of my calls.

Korey has been spending time setting things up for the wedding with Gertie and Fifi, so I'm left alone to deal with my business and tend to my kingly duties of putting souls where they belong.

Today, I'm at work and the day has been slow, went to all my meetings signed all the paperwork and now I'm just answering emails.

"Mr Wilson, you have a visitor", my assistant, Brenda says through the intercom.

"Send them in," I reply.

I hear the door slide open.

"Just hold on, I'll be with you in a minute," I say, typing the rest of my email.

"That's no way to treat your mother, Hades."

Oh crap.

I look up and find my mother smiling at me fondly.

"Mom, you're here," I say shocked, I get up and walk to her, she hugs me and I kiss her cheek. I usher to the couch on the other side of my office.

"I heard about Persephone," she says, "Your father tried keeping it from me, but she forgot that Poseidon can't keep anything from me."

I'm still amazed at how young she looks, her shoulder-length white hair and electric blue eyes, her sweet smile.

"I've been trying to get a hold of you for weeks now mom and you haven't been answering my calls."

"I know dear, you know how I am with these things, technology isn't my best friend," she chuckles.

"Would you like anything to drink mom?"

"Water will do honey."

I get up and walk to the fridge, taking out a bottle of water and pouring myself some whiskey before sitting back down beside her.

"Your father isn't happy about you keeping Korey away from her mother."

I sigh, "They met, mom and she hasn't changed, still that bitter old hag, she's always been."

"Hades!" My mother has never approved of me or anyone calling people names, not even when they deserve it.

"Sorry, mom."

"You need to do the right thing son, let her be with her mother per the agreement okay, it's to protect the natural order."

She was right, I didn't have a choice, but I don't trust that woman.

"Fine, I'll speak to Korey, but I don't think she'll take it well."

"I know, you'll get through to her," she reassures.

I look at my mother and smile, "Thank you, mom."

She kissed the side of my head, "You know that I love you baby and everything I do is to protect you."

"I know."

She grins, "Now when am I going to see the dashing bride? Has she picked out the dress?"

I laugh, "Everything is going well mom, don't worry, Gertie has it all under control."

"Excellent, I know Gertie will do an excellent job. She planned my wedding."

What?

"What? Mom, you're telling me that Gertie, the Gertie planned your wedding?"

She laughs, "Yes why do you look so shocked?"

"I always that her "I'm as old as time" Joke was a joke."

"It's no joke, honey, maybe one day she'll tell you the story."

I give her a pout, "Can't you tell me?"

She pinches my cheeks, "Nice try devil boy, I can't."

I frown, "You can come over for dinner tonight if you want to meet Korey and bring dad along too if he's keen."

"That would be lovely baby, thank you," she smiles, "I need to get going, I've got a business and a kingdom to run."

"Of course, I'll call you and please pick up this time."

She walks towards the door, "I'll try."

I chuckle as she leaves my office, I quickly text Gertie about the next arrangements for the evening telling her to pick a dress and outfit for Korey and me.

The day goes by smoothly and as the day comes to a close, I'm nervous, having my mother and father in one place didn't normally end well and with the current situation, it most likely wasn't going to end well.

I leave my office and head home for the night, I gave my driver some time off, so my black phantom is parked in the basement. As I approach my car, I find someone leaning against it.

Chase.

"What do you want?"

Chase smiles at me, "Well hello old friend."

"We are not friends Chase, not anymore."

Chase sighs, "Still can't get over it huh?"

"What you did was sick Chase, you know that?"

"Oh, come on, we both know that it was your fault Hades, I was trying to protect you and your interests, but you were too stupid to see that"

I glared at him, "What do you want?"

"We need to talk about Korey."

I sigh, "Look I know that I have to keep my end of the bargain, I'll talk to her."

Chase looks at me, "You're actually going to give Demeter what she wants."

"I don't have a choice, it's part of the deal."

"Did you read the agreement properly?" Chase asks.

"What do you mean? Of course, I did Chase. Man looks, if you're not here to say something valuable, you can go, I have a dinner to get to," I say unlocking my car.

"Hear me out."

I opened the car door and put my briefcase on the passenger side.

"I'm listening."

Chase looks around and steps closer to me.

"I've found a loophole."

I sigh, "Chase I've read that thing a billion times, there is no loophole."

"You, my friend, are sorely mistaken, Korey doesn't have to go live with her mother, Demeter is already in breach of contract."

"Breach of contract, how?"

"Well, let's just say, bad habits are hard to break, and she's been having a hard time"

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