TWENTY FOUR

"sorry l am late, l was still wrapping up a few things. Are you ready to go?" she asked

"ready to go?" Mr Stone asked turning to face me

"we had agreed to meet for lunch" l explained to him

"well then why are you leaving, let's all eat together in the cafeteria. I promise you that they serve nice food" he joked

"Monroe told me that babies aren't allowed upstairs" l told them

"Not if it's my granddaughters" the way he spoke about Akai and the affection so clearly evident in his eyes warms my heart. I was happy that he had accepted us both

"Rules are rules and they apply to everyone, family or not" l said not wanting to be given special treatment because l was going to be married into their family

"Alright, you ladies decide where you would like to eat while l run up and grab my phone.... Unless there was no invitation given" l could see the hopeful look on his face and l didn't have the heart to turn him down

"you are more than welcome" with a huge smile, he took off in the direction of the elevators, disappearing not a second later with Akai in his arms. I was surprised at how willing she was to go with him without throwing a tantrum 

"l hope you don't mind" l asked Isabel

"Don't worry about it" l could tell that there was something she wasn't telling me but l chose to ignore it. I am not one to pry especially when the other party is unwilling to share.

"I really am sorry ma'am about what happened earlier. Please talk to the boss, l can't lose my job" Mrs Monroe came over to me begging like the final decision was in my hands

"I forgive you but your status of your employment has nothing to do with me. I don't even work here nor do l have any influence on matters involving the company" l told her as honestly as l could. It was all out of my hands. Hilden's father and l weren't even close to begin with

"what is she talking about?" Isabel asked.

"She just called security on me and Akai, it's no big deal" l said, trying to avoid another dramatic reaction

"She always does this, l am so glad she is finally put in her pace" Isabel said as she glared at the poor woman in front of us.

"what do you mean" l asked now fully interested in the conversation

"We have had a lot of reports from clients and prospective employees about her attitude. She even did the same to me claiming l wasn't smart enough and l didn't have the aesthetic to fit into the company" at this Mrs Monroe was looking down on shame. I wasn't sure if it was because her actions had finally caught with her or the shame of people knowing what she does 'behind closed doors'

"looks like she messed with the wrong one this time around" Isabel said laughing

Before anyone else could say anything, Mr Smith came down with Akai who was laughing at something he had done.

"what are you doing standing around. Work.... And before l forget, today is your last day as the receptionist. You are demoted to the mail room" he said walking over to the doors

"what are you two waiting for, let's go" he said gesturing for us to follow him when he realised we were still standing around

We ran after him and into his car that was pulled up to the front of the building by the driver 

"Have you two decided where you what to go for lunch" he asked looking at us through the review mirror seeing as he was seated on the passenger seat

"I was thinking of my parents restaurant" 

"perfect" the drive was silent as we all didn't know what to talk about, luckily Akai was keeping everyone entertained. 

"this looks so cute" Isabel said when we arrived to my parents restaurant 

"I was going for sophisticated but thanks, l will be sure to share the compliment" l said cheekily knowing she would retract her statement 

"you know what l mean" she said while blushing 

Since it was lunch time the restaurant was a bit packed but being the owners daughter meant always being catered to. 

When my mom saw me she was at the door of the kitchen with a tray of food on her arm before calling one of the waitresses to take over as she made her way to us 

"baby, it's so good to see you. I missed you" she said pulling me in for a hug 

"I missed you too" 

"who are these beautiful people" she said gesturing to Mr Smith and Isabel 

"Mom meet Hilden's father and my friend Isabel. Guys this is my mother" l said introducing them 

"I see where Aurora gets her beauty from, you can call me John" Mr Stone said while kissing the back of my mother's hand causing her to smile like a teenage girl being serenaded 

"Aren't you a charmer" my mother teased 

"It's nice to meet you Mrs Bellaire" Isabel said extending her hand for a handshake only for my mother to pull her in for a hug

"I am so glad that you have a friend my love, look how beautiful she is. I am glad to see you moving on" my mom said patting my cheek 

"We are hungry, can we get a table" l asked and she led us to the area behind the kitchens on the other side of the restaurant. There was little sitting area underneath trees that my mom liked to host her Saturday luncheons with her friends

As we sat a waitress came and handed us menus asking for our drink orders

"I will have a vanilla milkshake" l ordered. This may be completely biased but my mother made the best milkshakes. Classic milkshakes that didn't need to have complications to gain a lot of popularity amongst our regulars

"the same for me" Isabel said remembering the time l had told her about it

"Just water please, no ice or lemon" John said. The waitress nodded and left to get our drinks