Chapter ninety six

Oliver

“What are you doing here?” a frown appeared on my forehead as I stared at my mother. I was aware of Dallas's presence behind me and I could feel the tension radiating from her.

She wasn't supposed to be here. I haven't heard from her since she basically ordered Jenna into my house few days ago. I have a feeling that her sudden appearance was related to Jenna's absence in my house.

Her lips were pressed into a thin line as she ran her eyes over my body. A look of surprise mixed with shock flashed through her eyes but she quickly masked it with indifference. I didn't blame her. It's not everyday a woman sees her successful business owner son tie an apron on and covered with flour.

She glanced at Dallas behind me and her face hardened as if connecting the dots.

“That's certainly not a way to greet your mother.” Her tone was clipped.

It is, if said mother showed up at my house unannounced and start demanding answers. But I held myself back from firing the retort at her.

“Hi, mother. What are you doing here?” I asked, my tone urgent and void of warmth.

I had planned to spend the whole day with Dallas and made sure nothing would disturb us. I switched my phone off. I gave all my employees warnings not to disturb me even if the company was on fire. It was an exaggeration, but a very necessary one.

I gave Ethan strict warnings not to wander anywhere near me house today. I took care of anything that could distract us.

After she agreed to be with me despite the situation, I decided to make the most of the opportunity and treat her the way she deserved. I woke up early and thought of various ways to make the day better before finally settling on making breakfast for her.

I wanted to make it memorable for her. Until she came in and ruined that. If she wasn't my mother, I would have had her thrown out the day she set her foot in my house.

“You weren't answering your phone and I needed to speak with you about something important.” She dusted off a lint from her blazer.

“I didn't want to be disturbed.” I said not bothering to hide the harshness in my tone.

“I can see that. Although I don't understand what you were so busy doing.” Her nose scrunched up in disgustas she threw a glance at Dallas again.

“I'm just gonna go.” Dallas muttered and turned to walk away.

“Stay.” I said firmly.

I knew she was going to talk about Jenna. There was no use asking Dallas to leave when I promised to give her full disclosure. I was going to tell her everything that happened here anyway.

Mum didn't seem to agree with me. Her eyes shot up in surprise before narrowing on me.

“What I want to discuss with you is important and private.” She bit out the last two words.
“Which is why she's staying.”

Dallas tugged my arm gently. I tore my gaze away from my mum and glanced at her.

“I'll be in the kitchen.” She offered me a small smile and squeezed my hand softly.

She retreated back into the kitchen, shutting the door behind her.

“What has gotten over you?” Mum snapped as soon as Dallas left. “Fooling around with the maid in the presence of your fiancee? Sending her out of your house in the middle of the night? What if something bad had happened to her?”

“Dallas is not my maid. She's my girlfriend. My fiancee doesn't have a problem with her, I don't understand why you do.” I shrugged.

“Don't call her that title ever again. I asked Jenna nicely to leave my house and made sure she got to her apartment safely. The security system in her house has been replaced. She's no longer in danger. Why should she continue to stay with me then? Was there an ulterior motive attached?” I arched an eyebrow and folded my arm.

She swallowed down, her face hardened.
“Ron wasn't happy when he heard about it. You should have thought about that before taking such drastic measures.”

“I will speak to Ron myself when I see him. If he doesn't want to help me, I'll find another way. It's not the first time I'm backed into a tight corner. I've always bounced back harder.”

“Good thinking. Maybe you can speak to him now. See if he'd be so accommodating after what you did to his daughter.” She snapped.

I simply stared at her, letting the word sink in. I needed Ron. But he wasn't my father's only friend. He was just the closest one to him that I know. My father doesn't keep many close friends so he must know something.

“I'm going over to Ron's to discuss the wedding plans with his wife in a few hours. Meet me there if you want a chance with Ron.” She turned on her heels and stalked off.

I drew a long sigh and walked back into the kitchen. Dallas was standing the counter, fidgeting with a small towel.

“Are you okay?” She asked, immediately our eyes met.

I nodded. I don't have the option of not being okay at this point.

“You heard?” I asked.

She gave me a nod.
“Your mother was pretty loud. I heard every word.” She paused. “You should go see Ron. At least listen to him. Don't jump into conclusions. You said Jenna agreed to keep the contract a secret, right?”

I nodded.

“Maybe she told him something else and not exactly what happened. You wouldn't know until you talk to him. That's why you need to see him.”

What she said made sense, but I was still mad at mum that I didn't give it much thoughts. I wanted one day, just one day away from all the drama, and she had to ruin that too.

“Alright. I'll go. But on one condition.”

She arched an eyebrow at me.

“You have to come with me.”

Her lips parted and she stared at me.

“I can't follow you to see your future father-in-law. How do you plan on explaining our relationship to him?” She queried.

“I'll tell him the truth. I don't want to do it without you. Full disclosure, remember?”

“You know that's not what I meant by that.” she furrowed her brows.

“That's how I interpreted it.” I strolled towards her. “We can have our free day in a different way.”

And maybe we'll be free if Ron calls off the engagement out of anger.

“Alright, fine.” She groaned.
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Two house later, I pulled up in front of Ron Jang’s penthouse in the streets of Manhattan. Dallas exhaled for the umpteenth times, obviously nervous about whatever would happen once we walked through that door.

I hated putting her through this, but I wanted to keep my promise to her. She would be updated about everything that has to do with Jenna. And I knew better than to leave her out. She might be nervous, but I knew she wanted to be here.

I leaned towards her and kissed her gently.
“I'm here with you.”

She nodded and smiled. We alighted from the car and walked towards the house. There weren't a lot of servants as I expected in the house of a world known business man.

I held Dallas's hands throughout the elevator ride to the top floor. I didn't get a chance to whisper words of comfort to her when the elevator doors flung open and my eyes immediately collided with a pair of green.

Ron Jang stood in front of the elevator doors, a wide grin on his face.

“We've been awaiting your presence, Oliver. Good to see you.”

I gave him a curt nod, not bothering myself with a response when he'd most likely be done with me today.

His eyes traveled to Dallas and they widened. Dallas's face held the same shocked expression, her face drained of all colours.

“Ms Valencia?” Ron called, surprise evident in his tone.