R E D

The Accusation

"How did it go?" Kelsey questioned as I made myself a cup of hot chocolate. Having quit my job, I was now free on the weekends and I wasn't sure how to spend them as of yet.

"It was alright I guess, hot chocolate?" I offered and she shook her head no, moving over to the fridge to grab a bottle of water instead. I admired her healthy lifestyle, maybe now that I'm unemployed I could focus on becoming healthier.

"Just alright?" She raised her brow at me, leaning her back against the fridge whilst taking a swig of water.

"Nothing important happened, we discussed his career, my aspirations which I haven't yet decided on and his family's charity work."

"Is that all? You went on a date with your hot professor and nothing juicy happened?" Her brow rose again, sceptical.

"Honestly, nothing juicy happened! I mean I did show him a photograph of his fiancé with that man.."

"What did he say?"

"Nothing. Something about that being her business associate." I shrugged.

"So that gives her a pass? Men can be so obtuse!" Just as I was about to agree, my phone rang, buzzing against the kitchen counter.

"Hey mum!" I answered, holding a finger up at Kelsey to pause the conversation.

"Lina! How was the date?" Well hello to you too!

"It was fine."

"Just fine? What happened? Where did you go?" I rolled my eyes and saw Kelsey giggle.

"Yes just fine! We went to a lovely restaurant his father organised for us."

"I'm glad! Listen, I want you over for dinner this weekend."

"This weekend? Dinner for what?" I could sense my mother had something up her sleeve just by the tone of her voice.

"For dinner silly! It'll be held at Sean's home. Something intimate just for his family and ours. Martin will be doing a lot of business with him so they invited us to dine with them."

"Mum.. I don't think that's a good idea." The thought of being in Damien's family home made me uneasy. It was bad enough we kissed, now I'm coming into his home and dining with his family?!

"Why not? You've quit your job I know you're not busy!"

"I promised Kelsey I'd go with her somewhere." Kelsey shot me a confused look and I flashed her a smile.

"That's fine! Bring Kelsey! Get here for midday so we can have some lunch and do some shopping before the meal in the evening. I've got to go, love you!" Before I could even respond, my mother had hung up the phone.

"What was that about?"

"Well it looks like we're going for dinner at Damien's family home this weekend." I rolled my eyes frustrated at my mother. First she gives Sean my phone number, then she accepts an invitation on my behalf to his home? She has really been overstepping the boundaries lately.

"Will this be one of those formal functions? If so then I am so here for it!" Kelsey squealed in excitement as I groaned in frustration.

"That makes one of us!"

-

"How are your studies going Kelsey?" My mother smiled over at her before taking a sip of her mimosa. Kelsey and I had arrived in time for a late brunch.

"All good thank you. Stressful at times but that's university for you." She chuckled and my mother joined her.

"Aren't you hungry?" My mother directed the question at me this time, causing me to shrug.