AUTHOR'S P.O.V
In the living room of a vast mansion stood a beautiful middle-aged woman. She stood with perfectly manicured hands on her hips as she stared incredulously at the sinfully attractive man seated on the sofa. That said man was staring at her impassively.
Raquel sighed, exasperated. "Why her?" She asked. The man ignored her and turned his attention towards the documents he was reviewing earlier. Raquel frowned, displeased by his attitude. Resolved not to quit, she snatched away the documents. The man stared up at her for a moment, saw how determined she was and then shut his eyes as if resigned to his fate.
"Our reputation will be at stake because of your decision to wed her!" She snapped. The man showed no reaction to her little outburst and continued to sit with his eyes closed. She might as well not have spoken. Raquel took in a deep breath, trying to curb the anger seeping through her. She wouldn't get anywhere with him if she lost her temper.
She tried again. "I know that the two of you had been betrothed when you were kids. Just kids, Reed. We can't - "
"No." Came his reply in a tone that suggested the discussion was over. Raquel was having none of it though. She wasn't one of his employees he could just dismiss. She was his mother for God's sake.
"You don't know her. Neither are you in love with her so why are you so hellbent on marrying her? You've only seen a photo of her and yes, she is stunning but you're not the kind to go for a woman because of her looks. You don't even go for any woman! I bet you haven't even had a proper conversation with a woman outside your business circle. So why her?"
The man named Reed opened his eyes and stared at her. "I knew her. I'd seen her in person too."
Raquel sneered. "You knew her. That was years ago when you were a kid. How old were you? Eight. And she was just two! She wouldn't even remember you!"
Reed gave her a pointed look. "Raquel was Angélica really your friend?"
Raquel winced. "Yes, Angélica may her soul rest in peace, and I were best friends. I'm just worried about you. Every mother wants the best for her child. You do understand right?" She looked desperately at her son.
"Did it ever occur to you that Angélica would've wanted the best for her daughter too?"
Raquel froze, speechless. "Arrange a meeting with the Kingsley's. I am marrying Valerie Kingsley." He announced as he rose, snatched back his documents and walked away.
Raquel plopped down on the seat he had just vacated. She sighed. " I'm sorry Angélica but I know you would've understood."
She had no idea why her son was hellbent on marrying Valerie Kingsley. It was her fault. Reed had insisted on this marriage after she had accidentally blurted out their betrothal during a one-sided conversation with him about marriage.
She had left for Australia with Reed after her husband's painful exit from the world when five years later, the news of her best friend, Angélica de la Torre's demise reached her. It had been nineteen years since she left and a month later after they'd travelled back.
She had to admit when she had seen Valerie Kingsley's photos, she had been amazed. She was beyond beautiful and for a second she'd thought she'd been staring at her good friend's photo and not her daughter's."
Recalling Reed's pointed comment on Angélica also wanting the best for her child, she felt ashamed. How could she refuse to accept this betrothal when she had once been excited about it? But God knew she only wanted the best for her child. Every mother would.
Valerie Kingsley would've been perfect for her son had the circumstances been different she thought dejectedly. Her son was as stubborn as she and knew he would never change his mind as long as the decision has been made.
She sighed and tried to look at the bright side of the situation. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe Valerie Kingsley was perfect for her son. The only way to find out was to meet her. A visit to the Kingsley's was the only way.
