Page 36 of Surprise! I'm Engaged To My Boss
“I know. The old cliché of the prince and the commoner...”
“Actually, it's more like another cliché...” I took a deep breath, I already knew my mother wouldn't take that part well. “The boss and employee.”
She sighed deeply and closed her eyes. She was probably replaying a movie in her head.
My father had never been faithful. He had, practically since their marriage, had the habit of cheating on her with employees of the company. As expected, this obviously caused her some trauma.
“Is the woman blackmailing you, son? Is that it?” That's what some of my late old man's many lovers had done.
“No, mom... there was no threat. I just like her, she likes me, and we're going to get married.”
“Out of nowhere, my son? You've always been a guy who got involved with a lot of women, but you've never made any serious commitments.”
“Iwasthat guy, Mom. Now I'm willing to change, to be more responsible, you know.”
“Yes, I know. To get custody of Alice. Anyway, son, don't get me wrong. I just find it a bit unusual, this idea of you being in love.”
The impact of the last word made me put more force into the hand that was adjusting my tie, making me feel suddenly suffocated. I had to cough a few times to recover.
In love...did I really have to use that damn, fanciful term?
Deciding to end the matter, I accompanied my mother downstairs, and Apollo accompanied us to the living room. There was no time for much conversation, as the doorbell soon rang. One of my housekeepers went to answer it.
Sebastian arrived, accompanied by Bonnie, his wife.
Anyone who looked at my sister-in-law would never have guessed that she was going through a difficult phase with her health. She had undergone heart surgery and was expected to need another one in afew months, but she had a lot of vitality. This made the whole family optimistic about the whole situation.
My brother held her hand with an affection that was visible to anyone. Sebastian was completely in love with that woman, and I couldn't even imagine how he would be without her.
After exchanging greetings, Bonnie sat on the couch next to my mother and the two began to talk, while my brother pulled me to a corner of the room.
“So, Mike, are you going to tell me what'sreallygoing on?” he asked quickly.
“You know what's going on, Sebastian. I'm going to introduce my fiancée to you.”
“Are you in trouble... again? Did you get another woman pregnant?”
Had he and our mother agreed on those questions?
“No. She's not pregnant. We just... want to get married. Like all the other people who... want to get married. Like you and Bonnie when you... you know... wanted to get married.”
“Your voice cracks when you talk aboutwanting to get married.”
“I’ve always thought that, out of the three of us, you were the brother who believed in... you know... this whole marriage thing.”
“And you're the one who believes it the least. You've always hated relationships. Let's face it, Mike, you're a player.”
“I hope you don't say such things in front of mylovelyfiancée.”
I tried to sound convincing in my praise for my fiancée, but my brother was visibly unconvinced.
“You told me in a message that she is an office employee. You didn't try to follow in our father’s footsteps, sleep with her and now you're being threatened, right?”
I hated being compared to my father. But I tried not to focus on it and just replied. “No, Sebastian. No one is being threatened. And she doesn't even need it. She's one of the best architects there. She was responsible for a project for a condominium, which turned out incredible.”
“Sure. She may not be pregnant, nor may she be threatening you, but I still think there is something suspicious behind this sudden engagement.”
“There's nothing suspicious. But tell me, how is Bonnie?”
