SOUL TIES (The Sánchez Brothers Series, Book 1)

CHAPTER 24 : ANDRE

"I really don't have the time for this right now. For real."

The moment my mom walked into my office that morning, I knew I was in for a hell of a ride. It was clear that she didn't want to let my escape during the weekend to slide past her and the best place to hold me captive was my office. I couldn't give any excuses and she was aware of that, hence her arrival. She sat across me in a pretty dress with a flask of bribe before her. She tagged it a "motherly gift" but I knew better, mom didn't make Croquetas de jamón Serrano without an ulterior motive.

"But I haven't said anything."

I wagged my index finger as I corrected her. "Yet. You haven't said anything yet."

Her lips twitched in amusement before she pushed the flask across the table. "Won't you eat it?" I eyed her warily and she pushed it further towards me. "I made it the exact way you like it, with whole milk."

"Later." She opened the flask and the sweet aroma of ham and bechamel sauce wafted into my nose, making me groan internally. Damn, Rosa Sánchez was an evil mastermind. "Mom, close it up. I've got work to do."

She sat quietly while I worked and that made me ponder on the plans she had. When I made a particular mistake three times successively in the spreadsheet I was working on, I knew I wouldn't be able to accomplish anything if she didn't fess up as to why she was there. 

Huffing in frustration, I slammed my laptop shut. "Why are you here, mom? Cos I can't possibly concentrate when you're breathing down my neck."

Her face scrunched in confusion. "Breathing down your neck? I'm actually a foot away from you."

"Still. I can't get any work done when I can literally hear your mind ticking."

She narrowed her eyes at me. "I don't like when you talk to me this way."

"And I don't like when you disrupt my work this way."

Her lips formed an unimpressed frown. "Vidal."

"Mama." Our staring match lasted a few seconds before I slouched in defeat. "Mom, what do you want? I really need to concentrate and do this thing. It's very crucial to me. You know, to prove my worth." My mother nodded slowly and I knew she understood my unsaid message. I've gotta impress Dad. 

"You know, there's a sure way to make your father happy."  I cocked my head in interest and she gave me a pointed look. That made my brows scrunched in confusion and when I finally understood, I shook my head vigorously. "What? You know your father would be extremely happy if you married Amber."

Why wouldn't the woman drop it? "Mum, you already know my answer to this."

My mother threw her arms in exasperation. "Why are you so hellbent against wedding Amber? You've known her pretty much your whole life, our families are very close, she's a very hardworking and dedicated person to the company. Look at how she refused the opportunity to take over her father's company just so she can work with our family. Doesn't that show how much she loves you, Vidal?" She took a very short break from her outburst. "You told me once that you also love her."

"As a friend, mom." Rosa Sánchez frowned at my deliberate stress on the friend. "Or even a sister. But definitely not as a lover or a wife."