A Talk with Mother

"Oh…Oh?" Alexei was taken aback after hearing the name. he turned to Michael for confirmation, to which Michael nodded in affirmation.

"Are you sure it's her?" Alexei asked with doubt.

"Sadly. According to your criteria, she's the only one I know of that matches your description." Michael shrugs while taking his phone, and ordering takeout. "Pasta again?"

"Hm," Alexei replied absentmindedly.

Michael shakes his head after seeing Alexei. He just proceeded to order the food and cleaned up the table. "You should stop thinking about it. It's not like you'll end up together. Unless…" 

"You don't have feelings for her right?"

"Of course, I don't have. She is just a business rival. That's all." Alexei said in a not-so-reassuring manner. As if he too was convincing himself with the notion.

'She's just a business rival.'

"Since you have so much time for gossip, why don't you just arrange our itinerary for France? Go and book the plane tickets." Alexei changed the topic immediately.

"I already did that earlier. I also asked your butler to pack your luggage. Everything is in order. Master." Michael smiled wryly.

"Oh. Okay." Alexei was speechless. But a knock gave Alexei an excuse to change the topic. "You should tend to whoever that is." Alexei pointed at the door looking at his secretary. 

Michael smiled and shrugged. He went back to his secretary mode and attended to the person outside. 

Meanwhile… in Regent Complex, after arriving, the mother and daughter pair went straight to the clothes sections. Choosing one luxury store to another. Trying and buying outfits, and pairs of shoes. All the latest collections of the seasons were bought. And by the time they were done. It was already nighttime. Seeing that her mother is a bit worn out from the shopping spree, Dana guides her mother to one of the private lounges that are exclusive to VIP customers around the complex.

"Mom, you must be tired. Shout we eat out? I know of a few good restaurants here." Dana asked after she opened a bottle of water handed by the guard and passed it to her mother.

"Yeah. You choose. I'm okay with anything." Margaret agreed to Dana's suggestion.

"Then I'll make reservations. Excuse me for a while." Dana politely excused herself and went to a less crowded area in the lounge. She then dialled her secretary to make reservations immediately. After making sure that all details were taken care of, she ended the call and went back to her mother's side.

"Mom, let's go." Dana gave a smile to her mother while helping her with the bag. She then instructed a guard to take all of their shopping bags to the penthouse first, since they would be having dinner in the complex. As it was inconvenient to bring all of it to the restaurant.

"Make sure all of Dana's things are delivered properly to the penthouse, as for my things, just put them in the trunk. I will take it back on my ride home." Margaret gave instructions to the guard in a resolute manner.

"Yes, madame." The guard then nodded and left. 

The mother and daughter duo then went to the restaurant in a blissful atmosphere. Arriving in a European-styled resto, Dana went ahead and stated her reservations. The waiter then guided them to a private room with a full view of the complex. After settling in their respective seats, Dana went ahead and ordered the food while taking up suggestions from Margaret.

"Mom, I heard their Truffle risotto is a must-try. Should we have that as our first course?" Dana enthusiastically asked her mother.

"That does sound great. We will have that for Primo. As for the soup, let's go with Minestrone. Why don't you choose the main course, my dear?" Margaret gave her daughter a lovely smile while urging her to take the rest of the orders.

"Okay, Mom." Dana nodded to Margaret before turning to the waiter to choose. "As for the antipasto, we will have Scallop Carpaccio, primo would be the Truffle risotto, then our secondo will be Beef Tagliata." 

"Mom, do you care for wine?" Dana asked her mother as she browsed through the menu, looking for a good drink.

"Sure." Margaret smiled as she wiped her hand with the wet cloth that the sommelier handed her.

"Then we will have the 1945 Romanée-Conti. And for the dessert, we will have Sfogliatella. Thanks." Dana then handed the menu to the waiter. The sommelier then gave her a wet cloth. 

"Did you already pack your luggage? Do you need any help?" Margaret asks her daughter worriedly. Seeing that her youngest and only daughter getting thin and having dark circles under her eyes, her heart ached for her. 

"Didn't I give you some tea and tonics a while back? Do you still have them? If so, bring some to France. It's okay if you've already used them, I'll send someone to bring them to you later." 

"Okay, mom. Take your time. My flight will be at 10 pm. It is still 5 pm." Dana nodded. After that, their food was served. They both eat to their heart's content. They kept on talking about many things throughout the course of their dinner. The mother and daughter are in pure bliss as they finish their desserts. 

After paying for the dinner, they both went to the central exit and waited for the chauffeur. Just after they both got seated in the car, Margaret asked her daughter in an earnest manner. 

"Dana, my dear…" Margaret looked at Dana while taking hold of her hands.

"Mom, what is it?" Dana smiled.

"As you know, your father is enthusiastic about Dimitri as your future partner. He finds him suitable for you. Although I have known that you won't have any freedom regarding your marriage. I at least hope that you will end up with someone you love. Or perhaps someone who would treasure you and give you warmth. Just as your father and I. It was only fortunate of me that the person, I fell in love with was someone your grandfather approves." Margaret caressed her daughter's face and looked at her with a loving look. 

"Dana, I hope you are happy and okay with what is going on. There is no need for you to keep your feelings to yourself. You can always tell me everything. I am your mother after all."

Dana felt warm and a surge of emotions comprising of gratefulness, bliss and joy were overriding her senses. She smiled at her mother. "Mom, thank you. I know you are worried, but there is no need to be. Yes, I may not have much freedom in choosing my partner. But I will make sure that I won't be making the wrong choice either. I have always been ready to accept the notion that I might marry someone I do not love, but I am not pessimistic about the possibility that I may fall in love with my fiancé." 

"Then I would be at ease knowing that you are thinking things ahead. It's good to have plans for your future. Just remember, I am always here for you." Margaret hugged Dana for a long time. They hugged in silence for the whole ride and only when they reached the penthouse did, they release from each other's embrace. 

"Go ahead and take a nap. Rest well. Have a safe trip." Margaret helped Dana with her things and reminded her once more. Dana just nodded at her and bid goodbye. Not until the car was out of sight did Dana go up to the penthouse. 

After arriving. She then went to the bathroom to take a quick bath. Only then when she laid in the bed did the exhaustion catch up to her. Dana absentmindedly looked up at her bedroom ceiling while recalling the words of her mother earlier. 

She wondered if her fate with Dimitri, her future partner would be the same as her parents. After contemplating for a while, she decided to leave this to fate. She set an alarm and went to take a quick nap.

It was 8 the evening when Dana woke up from her nap. She stretched her shoulders feeling energized. She then washed up and wore a simple white top paired with brown casual pants and a nude-coloured cardigan. After applying light makeup, she then took her bag and suitcase, including her laptop and some documents and went downstairs.

Secretary Martin was already in the lobby waiting for Dana when she emerged from the elevator. He then hurriedly approached her and helped her with the luggage. "Let me, young miss. Your father instructed me to send you off."

Dana looked around while asking. "Is Father with you?"

"No, Young Miss. He couldn't see you off personally because he has some matters to take care of. Assistant Miller is with him." The secretary replied as he guided Dana to the car and placed her suitcase in the trunk.

"Young miss, your mother wanted me to give you this. These are fresh Gyokuro Hisui tea leaves flown from Japan. She said that these are good for your nourishment and can help you sleep." Secretary Martin handed Dana a Black Paper bag with a box wrapped in cloth inside.

"When you go back, please tell my mother, thank you for this." Dana put the bag on the side. The secretary just nodded in return, started the car, and drove towards the airport. It only takes 20 minutes from the penthouse to the airport. During the ride, Dana was busy checking the papers while looking at the tablet. Seeing this, the secretary lowered the volume of the music in the car to let the young miss focus.