Lunch

DAY 13 CONTINUES

Lifting her gaze from the biscuits she was cutting up, Phina noticed someone had entered the kitchen. She doesn't like who it was, either.

She was surprised to see him. She anticipated that he would be in his room or his living room, where he spent much of Saturday.

He moved quickly to stop her when she chose to walk by him.

"Phina, please listen to me," he said, sounding more composed than usual. I apologize for this morning's events. I am, truly. I ought not to have said those things. It denigrates you, and I apologize."

She gave him a look. She is at a loss for words with him. However, she understood she couldn't hold her anger toward him indefinitely. They shared a roof. Also, she is incapable of holding onto her rage for too long. The fact that she expressed her feelings and what she needed from him is what matters most. That was it at that point.

"I've heard you." She responded.

"Thank you." He said, averting his gaze from her face.

She doesn't care, though. She went through the kitchen and past him to her room, waiting for Sara to bring her dinner.

DAY 14

Phina had decided to move on from the events of the day before. She went to Mrs. Betty's for breakfast. Sara was invited to join them, and his mother did not object. The woman speaks with both of them equally.

During their brunch, she inquired about her and her son.

"How are you and Patrick?" She inquired.

We are doing well presently. He expressed regret." stated Phina.

She could tell he was compelled to apologize, so she refrained from telling her that it didn't matter what his apology was. He pretended to be remorseful by putting up a good show. She merely followed along. It also doesn't matter because she had ignored what had transpired.

"That's good to know." Mrs. Betty grinned as she spoke. While Sara was staring at her, Phina also feigned a grin before returning to her meal.

Later in the day, Phina helped Mrs. Betty prepare lunch for everyone by going into the kitchen with her. She made lunch for her son and herself. She decided to assist in the kitchen.

They hadn't seen Patrick since the morning, so she asked her to see how he was doing after dinner. It was time for him to have lunch because he had not yet descended.

"Phina, please help me in checking on Patrick. You could inform him that the meal is prepared. He ought to join us for lunch. She says.

Reluctantly, Phina said, "Okay, mom."

She couldn't tell his mother that she hadn't visited Patrick's room before. Whose girlfriend isn't able to enter her partner's room? She also said that things were improved between them. She decided to convey the woman's comments by going to his room.

She lingered at the door for some time. Refusing to return downstairs, she told Mrs. Betty her son would be downstairs shortly. What if she chose to ask him, and he didn't show up on time? She was sure Patrick would tell her without hesitation that she had never visited his room. Furthermore, she will appear dishonest to the woman.

When she knocked on the door, nobody answered. She pounded again, listening for any noise inviting her inside. But none appeared. She sighed and knocked three times, but nothing happened, and there was no response. She turned the knob since she was a little worried, and the door opened. Pushing it open, she went inside.

His room was enormous—nearly as big as his living room. The walls were the same, in black and white. It was stunning because the entire space was either black or white.

The entire space was immaculate. Marble as the whole floor was highly polished. The room's lighting could cause visual impairments. The room contained three medium-sized couches—two in opposition to one another. A center table with foam and polished wood construction was present; it was also painted white and black. It had a remote control and an empty flower vase on it. A massive plasma TV that seemed too big to be in a room was there. It was nearly the same size as the two downstairs living rooms. Additionally, it was placed precisely across from the bed but perpendicular to the couches so that someone could watch TV while sitting on the bed. The drawers beside the bed were white, and the wardrobe was glossy.

Nearly in the center of the room stood the king-sized bed. The comforter has a black-and-white design; however, the bedsheet is white. And there's a black rug underneath. She wondered why he needed four pillows, as there were four on the bed.

Her gaze shifted to the white drawer beside his bed, containing an opulent-looking light. Around the lamp were photos of his mother and an older, presumed-to-be-his-grandmother version of her. Everyone appeared stunning. He was only seen with his mother and grandmother in one of the pictures.

There was art painted on the walls. She read that wealthy individuals save money by purchasing and keeping paintings, which may explain why his room featured a variety of artworks. The image of an eagle most attracted her attention. She needs to be made aware of the purpose of the paintings. However, she prefers the one with the black-and-white painting of an eagle. She liked the way the bird fanned itself out. The artwork is situated above Patrick's bed.

There was a cough as she continued to appreciate the artwork's magnificence. She also observed Patrick standing close to the door leading to the private restroom.

And she straightened up in an instant. It was then that she saw he had no shirt on. He had a blue towel wrapped around his body, and water cascaded down his face and abs in an exquisite design. He wiped his face with the towel in his hand.

She was aware of his good looks but seemed only to confirm it. An attractive man with well-sculpted abs and powerful, well-defined arm muscles... And a fucking billionaire at that. How come he has everything? Life isn't always fair. While some people have both money and good looks, others lack both. And now, one of them was captured. But his demeanor destroys the pair.

And for once, it didn't matter how he felt. What counts is the attractive man in front of her. She smacked her head on such thoughts. She was glancing at the man, too.

"What are you doing in my room?" He inquired. It wasn't the angry look she was expecting. There was just no emotion in his voice.

"Uhm.." All of a sudden, she lost sight of her mission. Just by looking at a man who is partially nude, she has lost all sense of reason.

Something in her changed when he arched a brow at her. Her stomach lurched, forcing her to avert her gaze. Staring at the man, she embarrassed herself and lost her speaking ability.

There was a soft thud, and she looked up. He curled the towel into a ball and placed it in the empty laundry basket next to the bathroom door. It was then that she noticed he had a tattoo on his back.

She finds that surprising. She didn't think he was capable of inking a tattoo on himself. Nowhere else had it but his upper back. However, the tattoo was incredible. The artwork was rather good. It was a sketch of a soaring eagle similar to the one in the picture but with more color and detail on his body.

He pivoted and regarded her with a curious expression.

"Phina, you haven't responded to my query. What brings you here?" He inquired once more. He omitted to mention that she was not permitted in his room and that she was violating his privacy. His mother doesn't need to give him another lecture about being impolite.

However, the fact that he isn't upset that she is in his room astonished him. Instead, he experienced a slight sense of pride. He does, albeit he is still trying to figure out why.

"I apologize. It's time for lunch. Your mother invites you to join her for dinner." She spoke too soon. He stared at her, and she loathed the rising emotions within her.

With a start, she whirled and blinked out of the room as she saw him nod.

She put her hand to her chest and released the breath she had been holding all along. She wondered why her heart was thumping so quickly in her chest. Since the feeling was unfamiliar to her, she found it odd and detested being unable to control it.

She returned swiftly to Mrs. Betty's side. She wishes that she had not assumed that she was having an affair with her son.

*****

They sat down together to eat lunch. Patrick appeared to be entirely silent. He heard what the two women were saying to each other. Phina talked a lot, he noticed. She wasn't a quiet person. She spoke a lot. He reasoned that she was friends with Sara and Jack for that reason. They appeared to be her new talking buddies and friends.

She didn't even try to pretend to be silent. She speaks whenever she gets the chance. Nor was she intimidated by his presence.

Thus, he remained silent and continued to eat. He appeared disinterested in the dish, even if it was his mother's. However, he needed to eat so as not to worry his mother.

"Patrick. Phina. I'm returning first thing tomorrow morning." To them, she said.

Patrick exclaimed, "So fast, Mom."

"Yes, Rick. Tonight is the big grandma's return. I must be there for her since she doesn't seem to get along with the maids." She explained.

"I will have to go late to work tomorrow to see you off," Patrick said.

He and his creations? Of course! With a rolling of her eyes, Phina turned back to her meal.

"I'm grateful. However, exercise caution. Avoid over-stressing yourself. Mrs. Betty gave her son advice.

"Mom, I won't. I appreciate your concern. After saying so, he picked up his wine glasses.

"Ah! You will be sorely missed, mother." Phina was honest with her. It was accurate. The woman had been a delightful conversationalist. She never felt bored in her presence. They shared the same characteristic. She was conversing and watching films.

Unlike her son, she was a joy to be around. She also viewed and treated everyone equally. She was enjoyable to be around. She was the reason her weekend had been bearable. Her father even praised her.

"Phina, I shall also miss you. I like spending time with you. Although I would like to spend a bit longer with you, I must go assist my mother." She informed her.

"Don't worry, mom. I like spending time with you too, ma." Says she. She was on the verge of tears. She was there and hadn't had a mother to talk to in a long time. She feels like she has a mother even in the few times she spends with her.

Patrick gazed at the pair of ladies. They were theatrical and full of emotion. He rolled his eyes. He doesn't want his mother to become very close to Phina because, in seventeen days, she would no longer be in his life. However, they appeared to have known each other for a very long time and were bidding farewell. This may be the last farewell. His mother may see him when the agreement is fulfilled.

Gazing at Phina, he pondered what kind of charm she possessed to win his mother over.

Unlike his grandmother, who welcomed everyone, his mother was not the same. She kept to herself. She enjoyed being alone. Because of her attitude, some people assumed she was unpleasant. Even his grandma had fewer friends than she had. She also had trouble trusting others. In a matter of days, though, she will be here, loving and trusting Phina as though she were her daughter.

Was Phina why she liked him, or was it just that she never had a daughter? He pondered. It makes him ponder.