the mechanic book 3 the trial arc

chapter 38

On Monday

Japan

Setsuna was sipping her coffee, typing away on her keyboard, waiting for Momo to get to work to start the day. Setsuna looked at the clock and frowned.

Setsuna: She's late; Magneto, let her not be drunk again. I do not need a crying, drunk baby momo right now.

*Setsuna said In a whining tone as she grabbed her phone and called her boss,

Momo:hello?

Setsuna: You don't sound drunk, so that's a good sign. Where are you? You're an hour late, and you have so much paperwork to do.

Momo: Uh, yeah, about that

*A tick mark appeared on Setsuna's face as she knew her excuse was going to piss her off.*

Setsuna:I don't care what excuse you have; get your ass over here now.

Momo:I uh. Sort of can't; it's kind of impossible to make it to work for...the next couple of days.

Setsuna:Oh, I'm sure I'm going to love this. Alright, I'll bite. Why not?

Momo: Well, you know how my daughter spent a couple of semesters in Paris, France? Well, I kind of decided to stay an extra day, so... I'm still in Paris. Can you do my work for me? Really? Thanks for the best!!

Momo hung up, leaving Setsuna there alone with a mountain of paperwork. Setsuna took a deep breath; after that didn't work, she took another one, and then a few big ragged breaths as a worker came to her.

Emma: Setsu, where's Yaoyorozu? The investor meeting is about to start.

Emma flinched when Setsuna broke her phone with the chips falling on the floor. Setsuna's hand started to bleed, but she didn't react as she slowly moved her head and looked at a terrified Emma.

Setsuna:I see.... Tell them I'll be there in a minute. I need to... fix my hand.

Setsuna forced a smile that terrified Emma to her very core as she ran away crying.

Emma:r...right away!!

Back in France

Momo was whisling happily as she drove Eri to her therapy session.

Eri:mommy...

Eri said a misty eye that made Momo's heart drop to her stomach.

Momo: Yes, honey, what's wrong?!

Eri:oh um...never....nevermind...

Momo: No, no, please tell me what's wrong, honey.

Momo parked the car and looked at Eri, who was looking down at her feet; she even sniffled a little.

Eri: It's just... well, you're leaving soon. Can't we spend time together instead of going to therapy? I really want to spend the day with my mom.

Momo saw a tear fall from Eri's face, and she was hooked. Momo hugged her daughter tightly.

Momo: Of course, honey, whatever you want!

*Momo couldn't see, but Eri was grinning ear to ear. When she let go of the hug, Eri went back with a sad, almost crying face as she gave Momo a bright smile.

Eri: Thanks, mom...

Momo: Of course, we're in Paris; let's do some shopping!!

Scene change

Isabela:Mirabel is in the bathroom; she'll see you in a minute.

Chloe:thank you

*Chloe turned around, seeing a pissed-off moody teenager in Eri with her arms crossed and an ashamed, embarrassed-looking momo yaoyorozu. Since the very first shop they went to, Chloe was there buying clothes, and she scolded momo for half an hour straight in public. Chloe huffed and sat down.