Page 36 of Empowered

“Hey, Mom. How’s it going?”

“I should be asking you the same. No call for weeks? I was so worried about you.”

“I’m so sorry, Mom. I’m a horrible person.” At least that part was the truth.

“I called your friend Natalie and she said that you were on a work trip. Is that true?”

When I was kidnapped, Jai called Natalie to explain that I had been called away on an impromptu work trip for the company. Shyam knew that my mom and friends would start to worry and try to get the police involved. He hadn’t been sure he wanted to tell my mother anything until he knew for certain I wouldn’t be coming back.

I had texted Nat earlier and she was pissed at me for not personally telling her about the “work trip,” too. I got her to forgive me by promising to hook her up with any eligible bachelors I found here.

“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but it was very—uh—sudden.”I’m so going to hell.

“Amelia. That’s unacceptable.”Here it comes. “You should have called me as soon as you reached there.”

“I know. There just wasn’t much time after I arrived, and work has been chaotic ever since.”Definitely going to hell. Like a ninth-circle-of-hell deal.

“I understand that you have your own life and career now and you’re not a child, but you’re stillmychild and I deserve a heads-up. Maybe even a text until you get the chance to call.”

“Mommy, I’m a crappy person.” There was no point denying it. “I really feel terrible about waiting so long to call you.”

She sighed on the other end. “Are you safe in India?”

“Yes. I’m living in—corporate housing right now.”Please don’t ask for my address.

“What kind of project are you working on? Nat said it was something confidential and that she didn’t know details.” Jeeze, those Sethi brothers were good liars. They had set this whole thing up to avoid as many potential questions as possible from people who knew me.

“Yeah, it involves really sensitive data that can’t be shared,” I lied.

“Hmm. That sounds exciting, dear. When do you return to New York?”

Shyam and I really needed to have a talk about where our relationship was going and what we were planning to do next. He had to return to New York eventually, since his headquarters was there, and I never imagined living in India for the rest of my life. “I’m not sure yet.”

“Well, are you able to have visitors?” she asked.

Oh shit.“You want to visit—here?”Noooooo.

“I have some vacation days available and I’ve never been to India. I’d love to spend some time with my daughter in a new country!” Her excitement was killing me.

Thinking fast, I responded, “I need to ask my boss first and then I can let you know.”

“Speaking of, how’s the boss-boyfriend? I assume he’s there too?” I could hear the smirk in her voice.

“Uh—yeah.”

“Are you living together?” I had known that was coming.

“Nope. I’m alone at my company apartment. He has some big mansion of his own.” It was better if she didn’t know I was shacking up with him. She’d jump to marriage and baby talk if I confirmed it.

“Mmmmmhmmm.”Shit.She wasn’t buying it. “Honey, I just want you to be responsible. You’re a grown woman, but just be smart and safe.”

I appreciated that she was just looking out for me. “I know, Mom.”

“How are things with him?” she asked.

I kicked off my shoes and lay back onto the seat of the bench, bending my knees so my feet could rest flat. Things had never been better between us. We said “I love you” and he treated me with a tenderness that I hadn’t felt before. It was like I was walking on air. “Amazing.”

“That’s so great to hear. I want to meet him, maybe when I visit you?”God, she was persistent.

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