Love - As Seen on TV

♥ 8 ♥

Max stormed into his mother's opulent office, still seething from his latest encounter with Lucy. Regina, perched on her throne of leather and gold, looked up, her expression a mix of expectation and slight annoyance.

"Max, dear! Perfect timing. I've been thinking..."

"About what, Mother? How to make my life a living hell?" Max shot back, crossing his arms defiantly.

"Your father's passing has left a void, and I need you to step up. The corporate bakery is yours now, and I expect you to turn it into a culinary empire!"

Max snorted, incredulous. "I don't need the bakery, Mother. I have my own portfolio, my own success. But I know you won't let it go, will you? It's like trying to pry a bone from a bulldog."

Regina's eyes narrowed, her tone dripping with disdain. "And how is the acquisition of Sweet Delights going? I expect a full report, Max."

"It's going. But honestly, Mother, I'm not sure I want to pursue it anymore," he said, shrugging nonchalantly as if they were discussing the weather.

Regina's expression turned icy. "What do you mean? You know how crucial this is for our family's future! I thought we had an agreement."

Max raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on his lips. "I know, Mother. But here's a plot twist: I've been thinking... maybe it's time I forge my own path, not just follow in Father's giant footsteps."

Max and Regina's conversation is about to get heated! Buckle up, folks! We've got a 'rebellious child stands up to evil parent' cliché coming your way!

Regina's face turned a lovely shade of crimson. "You ungrateful child! I sent you away all those years ago to detach you from that Lucy, and now you're telling me you're going soft for her again. After everything I've done for you. I might as well have put a neon sign over your head that says 'Regret'!"

Max's eyes sparkled with mischief, but he kept his composure. "I'm not going soft, Mother. I'm just making my own choices. And speaking of choices... I have some news. I'm actually dating someone right now. And it's getting serious. Like, 'meet the parents' serious."

Regina's expression morphed into a sceptical eyebrow raise. "Oh? And who is this... someone?"

Max took a deep breath, his grin widening. "You actually know her, Mother. You spoke to her this morning."

Regina squinted, suspicion oozing from her every pore. "What are you talking about?"

Max leaned in, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "The 'silly little girl' you spoke to on the phone this morning? That was Lucy."

Regina's face fell, her mouth agape like a fish out of water. "You mean... that... that... girl is the one you're dating? Please tell me you're kidding."

Max nodded, his defiance shining through. "Yes, Mother. Lucy is the one. And I'm happy with her. You know, actual happiness."

Regina's expression turned icy, her voice sharp as a knife. "You can't be serious, Max. I told you years ago—she's... she's... beneath you. Like, floor-level beneath."

Max's eyes narrowed, fiery determination coursing through him. "Don't speak about her like that, Mother. Lucy is amazing, and I won't let you disrespect her. If you're looking for a villain, you'll have to find someone else."

Regina's face reddened with rage, her voice rising an octave. "How dare you! I'm your mother, and I won't be spoken to like that!"

Max stood his ground, arms crossed, voice steady. "I'm not a child anymore, Mother. I won't let you control my life. Lucy is the one I want to be with, and that's final."

And now he just has to convince Lucy to go along with this plan. Because, you know, what could possibly go wrong?