Margaret Meets Céline

Margaret is doing something on her laptop when a woman approached her.

“Excuse me.”

She looked up to the woman and was instantly amazed by her beauty! She gaped at the forty something lady with green eyes and brown hair. With the way she dressed and the way her hair is styled with that knot and her subtle no makeup look, it feels like Margaret is looking at a queen.

The woman smiled curtly. “Hi! Is this Fatima Malvarosa’s office?”

“Y-Yes... But, she’s in a meeting right now. She will be back after two hours more or less... Ma’am...” She suddenly felt intimidated, even though the woman’s face is not that intimidating. Maybe it’s because of the regal vibe that she has?

“I see... Are you her assistant?”

“Yes Ma’am... D-Do you want to set an appointment with her?” She scrambles to get her pen and a pad paper. “The meeting might end late, so I suggest you just get an appointment with her, Ma’am.”

“It’s okay. Actually, I came here for you.”

Margaret was shocked.

“Since your boss is in a meeting, and you said it won’t end anytime soon, can you come with me for a few minutes? There's just something I need to discuss with you.”

Margaret frowned. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I know you, Ma’am.”

“I am Auguste Ortega’s mother.”

Margaret felt like her whole body froze.

“Can you join me for an afternoon tea?” the woman asked.

Margaret just nodded as she felt she has no choice but to accept the invitation.

The woman took her to The Coffee Club inside the mall. A man on his thirties is with them, though he sat on a separate table.

“Order whatever you like,” the woman said to Margaret.

The latter just nodded and looked at the menu, although she can’t seem to comprehend whatever is written there. She seems a little bewildered, nervous as she suddenly realized what situation she’s at right now.

How can this woman be Auguste’s mother? She looks like his older sister. Margaret can even say that it will be believable if she told her she is younger than him. She even looks younger than her, and if her calculations were right, knowing that Auguste is the same age as her boss who is her classmate and friend, she is at least three years younger than him.

“What is your order?”

Margaret woke up from her thoughts as she looked back at the lady. “Uhm... I’ll just have green tea, Ma’am.”

“Okay.” The woman looked at the waitress. “I’ll have that as well.” Then she looked back at Margaret. “How about a pastry or sandwich?”

“I’m good, thank you.” She tried to smile.

“Okay.” The woman looked at the waitress. “Just that, and the order of the man on the next table.” He indicated the guy who came with her.

The waitress nodded before transferring to the other table. Margaret's heartbeat doubled as she was left with the woman again.

“I guess I need to introduce myself first,” the woman started. “I am Céline Brizuela-Ortega, mother of Auguste. And you are...?”

“Margaret.” She was aware her voice crackled a little, making her swallow.

“Margaret. What a nice name?” Céline smiled curtly. “I guess you have an idea why I came to meet you today.”

She has, indeed. Margaret is already visualizing what will happen on that meeting. She won’t be surprised if she ends up crying later.

“But I’ll say it anyway. I'm curious to meet Auguste’s Cinderella, as they call you.”

There was a certain vibe about Céline Brizuela-Ortega, like she’s imposing the difference of their social status as she looks at Margaret. Yet Margaet can’t completely feel daunted. That makes her feel confused, adding to the nervousness that the uncertainty of the situation is giving her.

“I’ve seen the post about you and my son. You seem to be having a good time.”

“Well, it was nice talking to your son, Ma’am. He was kind to me that night. He was very nice when he approached me and talked to me. And he even took me home after.”

“He took you home?”

Margaret felt more nervous as it seems the woman was so shocked about what she said.

“Well, I was too drunk that night, so he was kind enough to do that for me.”

“Do you always drink until you can’t go home on your own?”

“No, Ma’am!” Margaret suddenly felt embarrassed that her voice rose. She felt more embarrassed upon realizing what happened. “I mean... that was the first time I did that, so I got intoxicated easily with just two mugs of beer.”

“So it was your first time to drink. Why did you drink, then? What made you do that, since for so long you were not doing it?”

Margaret felt like she is being interrogated by a guidance counselor or something. She felt the need to respond immediately and honestly.

“It was my birthday that time, and my friends dared me to–” Well, maybe she should not tell her the real truth? “–to do it.” Maybe that will do.

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-nine, Ma’am.”

“And you haven’t tried any alcohol?”

Margaret shook her head. Is this a test or something? She feels like she’s in a graded recitation.

Their order came, and Céline waited for the waitress to leave before continuing asking.

“So what happened after? Auguste took you home, then...?”

“He left.” Was she insinuating that they slept together that night? “He left and I went inside our home, then that’s it.”

“And you saw him again yesterday?”

Margaret nodded. “I needed to do some errand for my boss, Ms. Fatima, and he happened to be there.”

“Yes, I was told that you are Timmy’s assistant. Her family is a friend of ours. She is very close with Auguste.”

Margaret just nodded. Now she really feels intimidated. It's like Céline indirectly told her that she is the employee of someone who has the same social status as the Ortegas, making her excluded from that circle that they, the affluent people, belong to.

“Are you now... friends... with Auguste?”

“I don’t think we are friends, Ma'am. We only saw each other on those two occasions, and we haven’t interacted after, or in between. I might even say that last night will be the last time I will be seeing him again.”

“But that would be a pity, right? My son is a good man. He is very kind, and smart and caring. Every woman would like to get close to him.”

“That is very true, Ma’am. That is why I think Mr. Ortega can easily get a woman whenever he likes. It's an easy task for someone like him.”

“Tout le monde ne peut pas le faire rire comme ça.”

Margaret was surprised. Did she just speak French right now? She had become more perfect in her eyes.

“You don’t want get close to my son?”

“I don’t think that’s necessary, Ma’am. As I've said, he can have anyone he likes. I’m not that special to be indispensable. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Tu es spécial.”

Margaret thinks she said something about special. If only she could understand what she said. But will it matter? This might be the last time she will meet her anyway.

“I think I have made myself clear already, Ma’am. You need not worry about me. I promise you I will not see your son again.”

“Is that so?”

Margaret nodded. “Can I go back to my post now?”

Céline looked at her cup. “You haven’t tried your tea yet.”

Margaret took her cup and finished the tea as fast as she can.

“You seem to be in a haste. You can go now.”

Margaet nodded. “Thank you, Ma’am.”

“Give my regards to Timmy.”

Margaret nodded again before standing up. She then went out of the restaurant and proceeded to her office as fast as she can.

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Tout le monde ne peut pas le faire rire comme ça. - Not everyone can make him laugh like that.

Tu es spécial. - You are special.