Chapter Six

“When I think of my mother…I think of a siren constantly blaring after pulling the alarm”

                                                                                                                                --Acacia

                                                                                                                                Mommy

Ethan’s POV

I took my sweet time in driving back to my house as I mentally braced myself to meet the force was indeed my mother.

I wondered how Lindsey was doing at this moment. Had she eaten? Was she okay? Did she get home safely? These thoughts floated through my mind as I drove up the hills.  Pulling up the curve I could see an ostentatious little pink Ferrari parked in front of my mansion…great! She was here already.

“The one time that she’s actually early” I mutter under my breath. Rolling my eyes; I drive on and approach the gate.

The gates opened up automatically as I drew nearer. Driving in, I parked my car next to my mums and stepped out of the car. Whistling an old tune I had learnt when I was at school, I crouched down and gathered my things absentmindedly before heading towards the front door.

The smell of Lobster frittata as I stepped into the lobby, mmmh my favorite…guess Francine my housekeeper hasn’t clocked out yet. I walked through the double door that lead to the sitting area and sank down on the couch tired from the day’s events.

I run a finger through my hair and loosen my tie as I went through the messages from my company. Thankfully the company hasn’t burned down in my absence. A ding from my phone interrupts me from my thoughts; it was a message from my little sister Annalisa. Most heiresses would be more than happy to stay at home throwing outrageous parties and getting on with the latest gossip but not Annalisa…she would rather spend her free time studying or bugging me in her own little way.  So it didn’t come as surprise to anyone (excluding my mom who definitely wasn’t happy about it) when she was offered a job as a researcher a few years ago and took it. Now Annalisa and her husband Liam who was also a researcher for the government and travelled the world nonstop in search of the next scientific breakthrough.  It was rare to see her more than once a year and even rarer to have her contact anyone I wonder what was up. I opened it up and read it aloud

ANNELISA: Hi big brother. How are you doing? I just wanted to let you know that both Liam and I are doing just fine.  Antarctica although cold is really beautiful this time of the year and I really wish that you could see it with me. Maybe one day you’d actually use the money which you slave for night and day for something and come round to see me.  Anyway I did hear from mom that much to her dismay, you finally broke your engagement with that viper Nicole… took you long enough.  I'm curious to hear about what happened though. Did you see her for what she truly was or did something else happen? Be sure to tell me all about it when next you see me. I’ll be back sometime next month though I'm not exactly sure about the day. I’ll try to contact you as often as I can. Love you.

PS: you’re going to be an uncle soon

                                                                                                                                --Anne

I cracked a smile at her likening of Nicole to a snake because it was far too nice of term for Annalisa. Contrary to my family’s opinion, I have never cared much for Nicole. I just kept her around because my mother always managed to be in a good mood whenever she was around and it was far too troublesome to get rid of.

“So your back I see…” I hear a harsh shrill voice call out from above me.

I look up to see a dainty woman who looked like she couldn’t hurt so much as a fly stood perched on my stairwell banister.

“And hello to you mother” I say trying to keep the annoyance in my voice but eventually failing.

“Is that anyway to speak to your mother? Such insolence! I raised you better than that Ethan.” She said as she climbed down the stairs before coming to stand in front of me.

“Well how am I supposed to behave when you went to my place of work to throw a tantrum? Do you know how much you would have cost me? Would have cost the business which you pride yourself on as one of your achievements if an investor had come by?” I wasn’t even annoyed initially but the manner in which she greeted me had riled me up none end.

“Oh come of it! They were the ones who denied me access to my own son’s company, what nerve I should say. They were sure to get what was coming to them.” She said with self righteously.

“Are you even hearing yourself?” I said rubbing my face in exasperation. I can’t believe her at times. How can she even say this to me with a straight face?

“All that is now water under the bridge dear. Now tell me have you heard from your sister?” she said as she lowered herself onto the seat next to me.

“Annalisa? Yes I just got a text from her.”

“And how is she?” she asks uninterestedly.

“I believe that she and Liam are doing just fine.”  I replied her in the same bored manner not wanting to give any specifics.

“You know I never just quite understood why she settled for that lowlife Liam. I mean she could have had any man she ever wanted. She’s a carter for God’s sake! Do you think their marriage can be annulled?”

“I think it’s too late for that mother-“

“And why do you say so?” she says interrupting me.

“Because she’s pregnant mother! So the sooner you start accepting her marriage to that…er lowlife as you described him, the better it’ll be for you.” I say completely over the conversation.

“What?! Pregnant you say? Why do all my children disappoint me in terms of their decision towards their life partners? Where did I go wrong?” she said as she dramatically clutched her chest, wallowing in her supposed sorrow.

I rolled my eyes at her in annoyance. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what I said. The two of you have decided to repeatedly disappoint me with your choice of partners or in your case lack of respect to your current one.  Tell me why you disappeared for a week without telling Nicole your fiancé? The poor girl looked everywhere for you and you didn’t even bother to let her know about whereabouts. Not even a word.”

“So you were driving at Nicole all this time.” I said giving her a cool smile. “Might I remind you that Nicole and I have never been formally engaged? So I do not see the need to tell her about my whereabouts.”

“That changes noth-“

“Also please do well to tell her to please stay out of my business from now on! I don’t wish to have any contact with her whatsoever. No calls, no text messages or most especially her presence in my house. ” I said before pausing to continue. “As for my choice in life partners I don’t see how it’s any of your business as to who I choose mother but I’d like to let you know that I've found someone.”

“And what do you mean by that?” she asked me looking very confused.

Unable to control myself, I gave her small laugh.

“Very soon mother...very very soon…”