Chapter 13_ The invitation

"I'm sorry for troubling you," Mrs. Hughes said after dropping the glass of wine.

"No no it's fine ma'am," Laura said.

"I'm not going to lie to you. The reason why I came to you is because of my son " Mrs Hughes said looking at her.

"Why? Is there a problem?" Laura was confused.

"I want you to go out with him ".

"What?" Laura was surprised.

"Yes Laura, you see the moment I saw you I knew you were special. Jason has never let any woman close to him ever since what happened. I have tried so many times but he refused. But when I saw you at his house I knew you were different " Mrs Hughes explained.

"But that was.."

"I know Laura, he only brought you to his house that day because you were drunk " Mrs Hughes cut her off.

" The fact that you staying with him now means there is progress," Mrs Hughes said taking Laura's hand.

"How did you find out," Laura asked her.

"I was the one who told your brother's company to make him believe that you're under their care. Because I knew he was never going to let you stay here alone so, I pulled some strings" Mrs Hughes said.

"Is Mr. Hughes aware of it?" Laura asked.

"Not at first. But I'm sure he realized it was me when he saw you at his house. I thought he would get angry but, he didn't which means we are good " Mrs smiled at Laura.

"I don't think I can do what you're asking of me," Laura told her.

" You don't need to do anything just be yourself and everything else will fall into place " Mrs Hughes tried to convince her.

"I don't think I'm suitable for him," Laura said looking down.

"My dear you are perfect. Are you worried about your background? I already know everything and I still think you're the one for him.

"Can I think about it?" Laura asked her.

"Yes, you can. In the meantime I need you to take this " Mrs. Hughes said handing a card to her.

Laura looked at the card in her hand.

"It's an invitation card. My sister and her husband are hosting a party and I want you to be there. Please do this for me" Mrs Hughes pleaded with her.

****

Back at the office.

Jason just got back heading to his office when he saw Sarah.

"Sarah please tell Laura to meet me in my office," Jason said to her.

" sorry sir, but she's not around," Sarah said bowing her head slightly.

"What happened? Where is she?" Jason was surprised.

"She went out with Mrs Hughes," Sarah said.

"What is she up to now, " Jason thought to himself.

"When she's back tell her to see me," Jason said before entering his office.

After Jason entered his office, Sarah spotted Laura coming in.

"Thank God you're back," Sarah said to Laura when she got close to her.

" What is it?" Laura asked her.

"Mr. Hughes just asked of you he's in the office".

"Okay thank you," Laura said to her before she entered Jason's office.

" You asked of me, sir."

"Yes. I heard you went out with my mom" Jason said taking off his suit.

"Yes sir " Laura replied.

"I want you to forget about what she told you," Jason said to her.

"What?" Laura was surprised.

"How did he find out, " Laura thought.

"I know you heard me. Now get back to your work" Jason said going through his computer.

"Okay sir," Laura said before walking out.

*****

"How did it go ?" Kate asked Laura excitedly.

"I think I just got myself into trouble," Laura said while sitting down on her chair feeling exhausted.

" Wait. What happened?" Kate was confused.

Laura told her everything including what happened at the birthday party.

"Wow that's a lot," Kate said.

"I know right?" Laura replied.

"What are you going to do?" Kate asked her.

"I don't know " Laura replied.

"No need to stress yourself, you just have to call her and tell her that you've accepted her offer.

"Kate..." Laura cut her off.

"What? There's nothing to lose. He's handsome and rich what else do you need?" Kate asked her.

"I know. But what if he doesn't like me? It will look as if I'm throwing myself at him ".

"Relax your mother-in-law will take care of it, " Kate said smiling at Laura.

"What? Will you stop joking around? This is serious " Laura was angry.

"Okay, you can refuse her when you get to the party this weekend. And also enjoy yourself. This is a lifetime opportunity to attend high-class parties " Kate said excitedly.

"I know, I will enjoy myself," Laura said smiling back at her.

***

"What time are we meeting with the scarlet beauty tomorrow?" Jason asked Laura on their way back.

"By noon sir" Laura replied.

"Okay," Jason said looking outside the window.

When they got home, Jason prepared dinner and they both ate. After dinner, Laura insisted on doing the dishes feeling guilty about letting him do all the work the other night.

*****

Jason and Laura walked into the new life restaurant the next day for the meeting with scarlet beauty.

When they got into the private room they saw Mrs Forbes and Mrs Smith waiting for them.

"Good day Mr. Hughes," Mrs. Forbes said greeted.

"You too Mrs Forbes " Jason replied.

"Why did you call for this meeting, I thought everything was under control," Jason said to her.

"I'm sorry for troubling you. We are here to talk to Miss Jones" Mrs Forbes said.

Laura was surprised.

"Me?" Laura asked.

"Yes you, my dear" Mrs Forbes replied.

"You mean I came here, wasting my time for nothing? Why didn't you just call her" Jason got angry.

"Don't get me wrong. I have something to discuss with you but.. also wants to have a chat with Miss Jones here if that's okay with you " Mrs. Forbes tried not to get on his bad side.

After a few minutes, Jason spoke up.

"Okay, if that's what she wants," he said looking at Laura and she smiled awkwardly at him.

"Thank you very much," Mrs Forbes said while she signal Mrs Smith to take Laura outside.

Laura followed her to another room in the restaurant. After sitting down Mrs Smith spoke up.

"We need your help, Laura," Mrs Smith said to her.

"My help? With what?"Laura was confused.

"You know the fashion show is next week " Mrs. Smith took a break.

" Yes I know " Laura replied.

"We want you to model for us"

"What? Sorry, I can't. You know I'm not a model" Laura said.

"Don't worry you are going to model all our brands. We just want you to showcase our new masterpiece. Please Laura we need you. We are going to pay you " Mrs Smith pleaded with her.

"It's not about the money," Laura said to her.

"Then what? You've already done this before please..".

"That was different. I can't do it in front of so many people and cameras I will freak out " Laura tried to make her understand.

"It's not that hard. Just think of something you love and imagine yourself doing it and everything else will fade out" Mrs Smith said taking Laura's hands.

"Music. Singing calms me down when I'm nervous" Laura said looking at their hands.

"And that's what you will do," Mrs Smith said smiling at her.

"What?" Laura was surprised.

"What's taking them so long?" Jason asked. He was starting to get impatient.

"Relax they will soon be here" Mrs Forbes assure him.

After a few minutes, Mrs Smith walks in holding Laura's hand. Jason got concerned because Laura was not looking happy.

"I think we should head out now. See you at the event Mr Hughes" Mrs Forbes said while getting up from her seat.

"What happened?" Jason asked Laura after Mrs. Forbes left.

"I.." Laura wanted to tell him what they discuss but she remembered promising Mrs Smith not to tell anyone including Jason.

"Nothing happened we just talked," Laura said to him.

"About what?" He tried to prey for more information. But Laura refused to speak up.

They ran out so fast and it was already the weekend. Laura was getting ready for the party. She took extra time to get ready because she didn't want to disappoint Jason's mother. She wore the dress scarlet beauty gave to her. When she was done she rushed out to meet Jason who was waiting for her.

When she came out she saw him standing by the car looking dashing in his tuxedo.

Jason was going through his phone but when he heard her footsteps, he put the phone in his pocket and looked up at her and he was dumbstruck.