Observant

DAY 11

She told her son that Mrs. Betty arrived the following day. An hour after her son's departure, she came. And she couldn't wait to see Phina. Phina eagerly anticipated her arrival and looked forward to her visit. She needed someone besides Jack, Sara, and the security guards to keep her company in the house.

"I'm so happy to see you, my dear." When Phina went to greet her, she said.

Sara greeted her and assisted her in bringing her bags inside the house.

"Me too, mom. I'm happy you could attend. "Ma, how was the trip?" "Hope it wasn't stressful, mom?"

"It wasn't. And the trip went well, my love." With gratitude, she said.

 "Mom, let's head inside." After saying so, she ushered them inside the mansion.

Mrs. Betty gave off the impression of being a kind person and a motherly figure. All she can ponder is where Patrick got his haughty demeanor from.

She had treated herself and her two bodyguards to breakfast. The two men were pleasant and full of energy. Additionally, she saw that Mrs. Betty treated them like sons. They spent hours conversing about politics, the nation, and celebrities while seated in the living room. She was so relieved to have someone to chat with besides Sara.

Later in the evening, after Phina's homemade meal, the two bodyguards left. And until they go, they don't stop thanking her for it.

Phina sat down with Mrs. Betty to discuss her business. At some point, Phina had to tell the woman a lie.

"I'm simply a little curious, Phina. Patrick, as you know, enjoys keeping things to himself, particularly when they are private. How do you get to know my son, Rick?" She enquired.

The inquiries took aback Phina. She is at a loss for words. It's not as if Patrick hadn't advised her on what to answer if his mother inquired. However, she detests telling the woman further lies.

However, she was forced to. This girlfriend stuff is also a lie. Therefore, it will be okay to add one more lie. She detests it, though. The mom was naive and desired the best for herself and her son.

"I mean Patrick." She thought Phina didn't know who she was calling Rick.

"I know, mom." She then decided to share her thoughts with her. "My dad works for Patrick, Mama. We had just once met at his firm and exchanged no words. Only a few small talk. However, it all began when I met him again in the lobby, and he introduced himself." She told half-truths.

Her father serves as Patrick's driver but is not employed by the organization. Not that she can bring that up with his mother. However, they didn't meet in his company's lobby; instead, it was through her father. She hadn't even entered the structure previously. When she sat down to watch the news with her dad, she had only heard about it and seen it on TV a few times.

"It's not so Cliché." Grinning, she said. And Phina chuckles. Yes, it was. However, their actual meeting was less corny. "I'm pretty happy that you are his girlfriend. I've always believed my son to be gay. Please don't hold me responsible. He refused to discuss his relationship, and I didn't hear him on the phone with a woman. Usually, his best friend reassures me that my son is not gay. She laughed as she spoke.

"Mom, did he ever date anyone? Patrick, as you are aware, is not very forthcoming." Curious, Phina asked.

"I'm not sure. I've never seen him with a woman, and he never discusses girls. Other from a close childhood friend, of course. However, I'm not sure if he was involved with her. He never disclosed it to me. I haven't seen him with a woman since then. I am aware that he had to balance employment and school. He was so focused on being successful. Therefore, we left him alone." She gave a sincere response.

Phina paid attention to the lady. Her knowledge of Patrick could be improved. Who would have imagined he wasn't born into affluence? Both his demeanor and his speech exude affluence. But why, as though he had never been in such circumstance before, did he have to treat her like some dirt?

At least now she understands his intense desire for the agreement. He came up with the foolish idea because he wants his mother to quit bothering him about a lady, even if she has never seen him with one.

But what fears does he have? What keeps him from having a girlfriend? Is he, as his mother believed, really gay?

He doesn't appear to be gay, though. Why, then, does he need to keep his distance from women? What is he trying to hide? Phina pondered in her mind.

********

Phina reasoned that his mother must have caused Patrick's early arrival. He canceled his evening meetings to welcome his mother and left work early.

Sara greeted him and took his bag away when she answered the door for him. He went to welcome and give his mother an embrace. She returned his welcome with a smile.

She loves her child. Phina became aware.

Finally, he saw Phina in the room, and she stood up, muttering a welcoming hello.

"Goodnight, Mom." Says she.

"Are you going to bed already?" Surprised, the woman questioned. She then turned to face her son.

"Yes, mother. Even though I'm exhausted, I still want to call my dad. He asked me to call him this evening when I finished my work. Thus, I have no desire to keep him up. He retires early." Phina lied.

"All right. If you so desire, my love. Good night.

"Yes. Ma, good night. She repeated herself and left without giving Patrick another look.

They watched as Sara showed up and Phina left.

"Your dinner is ready. It is on the table, stated Sara.

"I'm coming," he said.

"Go eat, Patrick. I'll be here waiting for you.

"You need to go sleep, Mama. You are not required to wait for me. You must be exhausted."

It's alright. I'm not tired. Give up treating me like an old lady. And I still want to watch the news at nine o'clock in the evening before turning in." He nodded, reluctance evident in his voice. He then proceeded to shower and head back downstairs to the dining area to finish his meal.

After dinner, he returned to the living room, where his mother watched soap operas. He sat down next to her and placed his arm around her shoulder.

"You've finished eating?" He nodded when she asked. "How did your day go? I hope that was okay.

"I'm managing, but it isn't too stressful." He responded. "Why did Grandma travel again?"

"She went to assist a friend. On Saturday, her last daughter will celebrate her wedding."

"Are her bodyguards with her?" Patrick queried.

"Obviously. They accompany her at all times." His mom replied.

"More favorable. How are you, mom? How is business doing for you?

It's moving along nicely. Even on Saturday at 4 PM, I expect a cargo. But while I'm away, the ladies are running the store."

"All right," he replied.

For a while, the son and his mother enjoyed a lovely stillness that his mother broke.

"I talked with Phina today." He gives her a look. "She is a kind woman. She even treated Jason and Harris very well. She feeds them and engages in open conversation with them. I like this girl. She is forthright and easygoing. She doesn't think of herself as very important. She even told me about your meeting."

Patrick tenses up next to his mother. He is unaware of what Phina has shared with his mother. She disagreed with what they talked about the last time. He, therefore, doubts what she would do in this situation.

"She told me her dad works for your company, and that's where you met." She informed him.

When she said it, he exhaled with relief.

"Yes, we met at the company." In agreement, he lied.

Even if he knew it, he appreciated Phina's partial truth to his mother. She remained loyal to him. Nevertheless, she is unable to. What will she think of his mother? And will she admit that she only struck up a deal with an unknown man out of desperation for cash? There's no way she could say that.

He still owes her, though.

"But what happened between you and Phina?" She enquired.

"What do you mean, mom?" Pretending not to hear what his mother said, Patrick enquired.

"Don't be a moron around me, Patrick. How did you hurt Phina's feelings?"

"Mom. It would help if you inquired whether I had been wronged. How are you aware that I am the one who mistreated her? He enquired.

"I am aware. Since I saw her reaction when you entered, and she wouldn't do it if she were at fault."

"I spoke with her a couple of days ago. And ever since, she had been angry." He spoke candidly.

"Have you expressed regret for what you said? For her to act that way, I know she must have been hurt."

"Mom, you are siding with her." Patrick had an incredible voice. He has no idea why his mother is siding with the woman.

"I will, of course. If you are misbehaving, I will not support you. Therefore, you ought to go apologize to her." She spoke to him in a foreboding manner.

He gave a nod. "I will." He stated bluntly.

"Patrick, apologize to her. It would help if you swallowed your pride. It won't kill you."

"You've been heard, Mom. I'll apologize to her." He spoke with greater gravity.

"Better." With stiffness, she said. She then got to her feet. "I'm going to bed."

"So fast?" He was taken aback.

"Yes, my dear." Rubbing his cheek, she said. "Goodnight." She then turns to leave and heads for the guest room that she typically stays in when she visits.

She liked the room downstairs because she wouldn't have to go upstairs.

When she was out of sight, he let out a sigh. He will never be able to comprehend women. They were challenging to manage.

He got up, turned off the television, and walked upstairs to his room.