Played By Riggs

20

My coffee was late. In Tina walked with the mug in her hand, her keys in one and a smug smirk on her face. I frowned at the absent of the apologetic expression, wondering why on earth she thought it was acceptable to look so upbeat about being late.

"What's your excuse this time?" I asked, watching her place my coffee down on my desk. "Let me guess. Traffic? Alarm didn't go off? Maybe you met a new guy and you are confident that he's the one?"

"No. Haven't used this one." Still her smirk remained as she made her way back towards the door.

"Well, let's hear it."

"I can show you, instead."

Still frowning, the sound of heels made its way into my office and then, slowly, the smell of lavender joined it. I froze in my chair, and the act must have been extremely obvious because the smirk on Tina's face increased so arrogantly.

"Tina," I warned. I feared.

I could smell her.

"Riggs," she retorted, all too chirpy.

"KelseyKins!"

And in walked the lavender scented Mother. She all but skipped towards my desk and engulfed me in a hug, squeezing me tight. Too tight.

"Mother," I smiled slightly. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, Tina, didn't we say that she would be so happy to me?" she sighed, shaking her head. "Can't a Mother visit her daughter without a motive?"

"Mothers can," I nodded. "You, however, absolutely can't."

"That is so not true!" she gasped. "Tina, are you hearing this?"

"I am indeed," Tina snorted. "I wonder why she's in a foul mood."

"I wonder too. KelseyKins, did you not make things up with your boyfriend?"

I glanced at Tina who quickly tried to cover her amused smile with an innocent one. Of course she had informed my Mother of what had happened, because of course she would steal at the chance to team up with her. I would so have fired her by now if she wasn't such a good assistant. And I hated admitting that.

"Why are you here?" I asked, trying to gulf down my coffee. It was too early to deal with any digs and teasing, so at least some caffeine might help ease the knife.

"And didn't we say that she would try and change the subject?" My Mother laughed that infamous wicked laugh of hers and took a seat on my desk. "I'll let it slide, for now. Only because I'm just so happy to see you. I was going to wait for you to visit me, like you promised you would, but I figured if I did that I'd be a skeleton in my rocking chair and the plants would turn brown."

I glanced down at my mug. Gone. Huh, great. "I've been busy. You know I try my best to visit you when I find time, but lately there hasn't been any."

"Time to see your dear business boyfriend, and not your dear loving, Mother?"

"He's my business partner," I replied bluntly.

"Ah, that's right. The photographs of you outside his apartment and he outside yours really looks like you're discussing business matters."

Tina snorted and tried to shuffle some paper to cover it up. "Sorry. Just... she's right."

My Mother smiled. "I'm glad you agree with me, Tina. There's nothing wrong with it, of course. It's about time she got serious with a boyfriend."

"Oh, bloody hell," I groaned. "Will you give it a rest? He's not my boyfriend. It's not serious. Now, please tell me why you're here so I can get back to work."