Forbidden

Chapter 14

Amanda and her mom finished eating and paid the bill. As soon as they walked out, they were surprised by a man who was walking towards them: Amanda's dad.

He seemed distracted, but that didn't last long. Everyone stopped in their tracks, staring at each other.

"Hi, dad," Amanda said awkwardly.

"What is she doing here?"

"You see-"

"'She?!'," her mother scoffed. "I have a name."

"One that doesn't deserve to be spoken."

Amanda attempted to calm them down. "Why don't we just leave this here and talk about something else?"

"Let's. Let's talk about how we deal with cheating wives."

"How about abusive husbands? Should they be punished also?"

"I think its going a bit far," Amanda said, stepping in the middle.

"'Abusive?!' Is that what you told her? You lied to my daughter?!"

"I would never lie to her. She is MY daughter too!"

"Can you two shut up?!" Amanda's parents looked at her, shocked she yelled at them.

"Dad, I asked mom to be here. She's helping me with something."

"Something so bad I couldn't help you?!"

"Don't worry about it," her mother said. "I was just leaving. You know where to find me, Amanda."

She kissed Amanda's cheek as she slipped a piece of paper into her pocket. She turned a heel, her wits about her. Her mother side eyed her ex husband as she walked past him. Her regal prowess was all around her, but it didn't cover the hurt in her eyes.

"I'm sorry," Amanda started to apologize.

"It's not you. I just...need some air." Her dad walked into the cafe, the same hurt in his eyes.

Amanda let out a sigh, the tension finally releasing her lungs. The only thing on her mind right now was taking the biggest nap she could.

She called Harper, telling her to cover for her. Harper replied, sending her best wishes.

Basil returned the next day, giving Amanda all the relief she needed. She didn't know if she could go another day doing both duties.

"I owe you one," he smiled.

"Big time," she grinned back.

Basil opened up an email from Francine to all the supervisors. Soon, he started bouncing im his seat.

"What's up?"

"The annual Warner and Kim Gala is tonight."

"So?"

"'So?' This gala is for all the greatest minds in science and tech. All the biggest names in history will be there. Richard Pence, Gloria Trenton, Chris Warner himself."

"You're really excited about this aren't you," Amanda asked, amused by Basil's excitement.

"It's been my ultimate dream to go to this event. I get to be in the same room with the world's richest men! We have to go."

"Well, even if I wanted to go, I have nothing to wear."

Basil's face grew into a contorted grin. Something similar to the Grinch's smile.

"What's on your mind?"

He closed his laptop, shrugging his shoulders.

"Basil, you only make that face when you have a crazy idea. What is it?"