Chapter 7: Family Ties

After the meeting with Adrian Langston, I needed to get out of the city. The pressure of Meridian City’s corporate world was stifling, and I was struggling to shake off Diana Kingsley's warning about Adrian's demanding nature. I needed a grounding presence, a reminder that life wasn't all business propositions and corporate schemes. My family in the suburbs was the perfect antidote.

The drive to my mom's house was therapeutic, the city’s skyscrapers gradually giving way to quieter streets lined with trees. The neighborhood was familiar, with its wide roads and well-kept lawns. The air smelled of freshly cut grass and distant wood smoke, a sharp contrast to the city’s exhaust fumes and crowded sidewalks.

When I pulled into my mom's driveway, I saw her tending to her garden, a trowel in one hand and a watering can in the other. She looked up and waved, her face lighting up with a smile. She was in her early fifties, her short brown hair flecked with gray. She had the same eyes as me, warm and inviting, with a hint of mischief.

"Bella! What a surprise!" she exclaimed, putting down her tools to greet me with a hug. "I didn't know you were coming today."

"I needed a break from the city," I said, hugging her tightly. "It's good to be back home."

She ushered me inside, where the familiar scent of cinnamon and vanilla filled the air. My mom had a knack for baking, and there were always cookies or cakes on the counter. The house was a cozy mix of family photos and mismatched furniture, a comforting embrace of nostalgia.

"Grace is upstairs," my mom said, nodding toward the staircase. "She's been talking about you all week. Something about a big tech conference?"

I rolled my eyes with a grin. "Yeah, it was quite an event. She should've seen the crowd—it was like a who's who of the tech world."

My mom chuckled. "Sounds like quite the experience. You know Grace wants to get into tech, right? She thinks you're some kind of celebrity now."

"Me? A celebrity?" I laughed, following my mom into the kitchen. "I'm just a freelance graphic designer. Hardly a celebrity."

"Well, you are to her," she said, handing me a plate of freshly baked cookies. "Go on, take some to Grace. She'll be thrilled to see you."

I took the plate and headed upstairs, finding Grace in her room. It was a typical college student's space, with posters on the walls and a cluttered desk covered in textbooks and gadgets. Grace was sitting on her bed, her laptop open in front of her. She looked up when I entered, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Bella! You made it!" she said, jumping off the bed to give me a hug. "I was just reading about the conference. Did you really meet Adrian Langston? He's, like, a tech god!"

"Yeah, I met him," I said, handing her the plate of cookies. "He's definitely got a presence. He has this way of walking into a room and making everyone take notice."

Grace plopped back down on her bed, munching on a cookie. "Did he offer you a job or something? Because that would be amazing! Imagine working for someone like him. The connections, the opportunities, the free swag!"

"Free swag?" I said, raising an eyebrow. "Grace, you know it's not all about the perks, right? Working with someone like Adrian Langston is intense. There's a lot of pressure, and you have to be on your game all the time."

"Yeah, but think of the experience," she said, her eyes sparkling. "You'd learn so much. And you could take me along to all the cool events!"

I laughed, shaking my head. "You'd be more interested in the parties than the tech," I teased. "But seriously, Grace, it's a big decision. I'm not sure if I want to get involved in that world."

Grace's expression softened. "I get it. You always do what's best for you. But if you do decide to take the job, I say go for it. You never know what might happen. Plus, you'd have me cheering you on!"

"I'll keep that in mind," I said, feeling grateful for her support. "But for now, let's just enjoy the cookies and not think about work."

We spent the next hour catching up, talking about everything from Grace's university courses to our favorite childhood memories. It was a welcome distraction from the complexities of the city. The laughter and warmth of my family's home reminded me that life was about more than business deals and corporate drama.

As I left the house later that day, my mom gave me a tight hug. "Take care of yourself, Bella," she said, her voice filled with concern. "Don't let those city people push you around, okay?"

"I won't," I assured her, hugging her back. "I'll always come back here when I need a reality check."

Grace waved from the doorway, her enthusiasm infectious. "Don't forget to text me if you meet any other tech gods!" she called out, grinning.

I laughed as I got into my car, feeling lighter than I had in days. The city could be overwhelming, but I knew I had a support system that would always be there for me. As I drove back to Meridian City, I felt a renewed sense of clarity. I needed to think carefully about the business proposition from Adrian Langston, but my family had reminded me of what truly mattered.