20

I stood to my feet with wide eyes. Was it possible that she had heard us?

A smile appeared on her blank face, "why do you appear so shocked to see me dear?" She chuckled, stepping forward with the tray in her hands and setting it on the table in front of us.

I sighed in relief and even without looking at Chad, I knew he was equally calmer about the situation and so there was no need to worry.

"No, it's nothing. I just got scared..." I felt a little pinch on my leg and winced in pain. Chad cleared his throat and looked at the seat. I got his silent message, understanding that he wanted me to have my seat.

"Well, as you two can see, I've served you my special cream pie, enjoy!" She beamed, turning at what she referred to as food. I had no appetite in all honesty but there was no way to relay the message to her than bear the cross.

I picked my phone out of my purse, knowing very well that I would be unable to stand this anymore and if I didn't leave now, there was no telling what could happen.

I set an alarm to ring in ten minutes and put my phone back in my purse.

"So Mandy, tell me, have you two ever discussed getting married and you know, having children?" She threw me off her feet with her sudden question.

I was unsure of what to say. For a second, I had forgotten who "Mandy" was. It was best to act as confident as I could and so wearing the new signature smile I had acquired since getting here was everything that made sense.

"We have, so many times. But right now, we're both really busy and want to have things settled before jumping into a decision as huge as marriage." I lied with so much confidence.

"Aww," she placed one hand on her chest in reaction, acting as though she were touched by my words. "That is so sweet but dear, don't you know it's a terrible idea to delay things? I trust that Chad will stand at nothing but to put a pause to the commencement and he is rubbing on you. Convince him..."

"No, no, he hasn't done anything, really, I promise." I shook my head negatively. "It is a mutual decision and we will get married in due time." I assured her.

She wore the same expression from when she was trying to convince me to kiss Chad and I knew where she was headed with this. Not this time. Her reverse psychology wasn't going to have an effect on me, not especially her son's reaction the first time.

"You see, I've always wanted grandchildren before I die. Look at me," she stretched her arms forward as if to show me how much she had to be into skincare. "I'm gradually becoming old and getting wrinkled. It's only a matter of time before I'm out of this world."

How could someone be such a drama queen? She looked nothing like she was dying soon. She could be mistaken for someone my age if we weren't careful.

"Mom this is nonsense," Chad stood to his feet, "Nik...Mandy and I have to go now." He said.

"No you don't. I'm sure she wants to spend time with me instead. Right?" She asked the latter part in a creaking voice. She sounded like she was going to cry if I dared said no to her and that was something I definitely didn't want.

"Of course not. Chad honey, we can stay a little longer and talk to your mom." I looked up at him with a mocking smile, ignoring the terrible glare he had fixed on his face just staring at me. He thought he was the only one with the power to control time and have us do the things he wanted.

"Sit down." I yanked his wrist and pulled him back to the couch.

"What are you doing?" He asked through gritted teeth.

"Mother, you were saying?" I ignored him, looking at his mom instead, a proud smile was there on her face. I was being dramatic going as far as using the mother title on her but I had no plans on taking it back anytime soon.

Chad was going to tear me apart but I had better plans that wouldn't hurt this mother's plans.

"Aww, this is simply amazing. I've never seen a woman possess the ability to control my son like this, I love you two together!" She beamed, reminding us of our togetherness.

It wasn't enough that she already mentioned it once. She kept up with talking about my 'control' for the next few minutes.

I had never any ten minutes to be so long in my entire life but my alarm from my phone went off. Chad glared at the screen when he saw that it was an alarm. I dismissed it but put the phone up to my ear.

"Hello sir..." I called into the phone. "Oh I'm sorry, I can't, I'm in the middle of something really important... what?!" I gasped, placing my hand on my chest and leaving my mouth open wide, expressing my 'shock'.

"But you can't cancel the contract over my absence, we've been on this for too long...you need me there right now?" I noticed Chad palm his face from the corner of my eyes but what was more important was the fact that his mother was buying it all.

"I can't leave now, sir please you have to understand that is just too important for me..." I said, "please sir..." I drew my eyebrows together and my lips into a sad frown.

His mom was about to make a comment about my phone call. She opened her mouth to speak but held her words back when my phone actually began to ring.

I widened my eyes. Of all times, somebody thought now was the right time to call?