His Queen

Chapter Twenty

"Arielle!" A cheerful voice called out.

Arielle smiled as she saw a her best friend and an unfamiliar face next to her.

Jasmine was an old college friend of Arielle, her first and last roommate to be exact. Her skin was a beautiful dark chocolate color and her body was as shaped and toned as ever.

"Jasmine! You look great!" Arielle called back.

The two had agreed to meet up at a local sushi place with Jasmine bringing a guest that Arielle was already aware about.

"Who's this? You're stunning by the way!" Arielle questioned, careful to not leave out the third party.

"Oh! I told you about her on the phone! This is Kamryn!" Jasmine responded, "I met her at one of the conventions I spoke at! She was another guest speaker."

"Hi, I'm Kamryn but you can call me Kam for short." The girl introduced herself, smiling as Arielle shook her hand, "Thank you for inviting me."

Kamryn was an East Asian girl with strong features with a short bob cut that complimented the way she carried herself.

"Of course, I'm glad you could make some time to come today." Arielle smiled, "Should we go get a table?"

With the drive from their remote house and getting ready, it had already been around lunch time when Arielle had arrived.

"Yea, I'm starving." Jasmine answered, "I already booked a table, so we can head in."

Kamryn and Arielle nodded, following Arielle and making their way into the restaurant.

•••

"So Kamryn, what do you do if you don't mind me asking?" Arielle asked, "Jasmine mentioned earlier that she met you at a convention, I would love to come see you speak."

Kamryn covered her mouth to finish eating and shook her head, "Oh no, I would hate to take up your time. Jasmine tells me you're a busy person."

Her kindness took Kamryn back, it was rare that someone she would meet would offer to listen to her speak without asking for something instead.

"Oh that isn't a problem!" Arielle insisted, "You don't have to have time lying around, some things are worth making time for. If anything it would be a pleasure to see it in person."

"Well, these days, I'm rarely out and about guest speaking but there is an event I'm speaking at next month." Kamryn offered, "I can message you the details."

Arielle nodded as she handed her phone over for Kamryn's number.

"It won't disappoint Ari, she's an amazing speaker." Jasmine replied as she took a sip of her water, "How is the little one?"

"Little one?" Arielle asked as she picked up a piece of sushi.

"Yes, I have two kids believe it or not." Kamryn answered, "They're such a handful, so these days I can't go out speaking as much."

"That's adorable!" Arielle grinned, "I love kids."

"They're a blessing in disguise. Two boys, Michael and Mason." Kamryn explained, "Michael is 4 and Mason is 2, both running around and driving their dad and I crazy."

The three continued their lively conversation, sharing laughs and smiles all around as they ate through their orders.

•••

Sebastian couldn't help but look at the clock.

12:34 P.M.

Despite enjoying their morning together after a long time, reality snapped back as he looked at the work that piled from the extended time at morning that he spent at home.

He groaned as he worked through the papers all morning at the news that there was yet another attempt at breaching the security at his house.

It was unsuccessful but he needed to remind himself to strengthen down on the security. He couldn't risk another chance of what it would be like if the men had been able to get through the lock on the bedroom door.

He wouldn't compromise anything for Arielle's safety.

"Mr. Cattaneo? You have guest." A voice spoke through the intercom, "It's your mother."

"Let her in." Sebastian replied as he quickly tidied his desk and before making his way to his mother.

"Mom, why are you here without a notice?" Sebastian asked, signaling for two hot teas.

"Sebastian, show your mother some love." His mother smiled after rolling her eyes, "I'm your mother, there doesn't need to be a notice for me to pay a visit to my dear son."

Sebastian grunted before showing her to a seat, "But of course, there is definitely a reason why you're here."

He watched as her smile dropped, "Very well then, have you talked to your older brother recently?"

Sebastian nodded at his secretary who brought in the tea before he waved her off.

"I think you know the answer to that." Sebastian replied bluntly, "He doesn't need my greetings mother, he's busy running that oil company in Saudi Arabia."

His mother shook her head, "Not only that, Jeremiah and his wife are expecting their second child."

He couldn't help but shrug, "That's great for him, it doesn't concern me much though. Jeremiah and I don't talk much unless it's business. His personal life doesn't concern me much when I already have so much on my plate."

"When are you and Arielle going to give me grandchildren." His mother pestered, "I don't want to only be able to see my grandchildren once or twice a year."

"Mother, you have plenty of money to visit them more than that." Sebastian rationed, taking another look at his watch, "You should get—"

"The flights are long Sebastian, Arielle loves children as well!" His mother sighed, "For god sakes Sebastian, give the girl up already."

"Mother..."

"All you do is dote over her but do you really think she's happy?" His mother asked, "She wants a family and she wants to be able to spend her days like a normal person, what woman wouldn't be hurt when she sees their man plastered on newspaper after newspaper with woman after woman?"

"Mother..." Sebastian repeated sternly, "I think you should leave."

"Arielle is just another normal girl Sebastian." His mother reminded, "You're a business man, well-known at that. You're busy and you can't settle down. Don't give the girl hope. You're giving her too much of your time and will only end up leading her on. Stop honey, before it's too late and you hurt her."

"Mother leave." Sebastian raised his voice, "Arielle and I will keep our issues to ourselves, it is none of your business."

"Sebastian, I'm your mother!" She exclaimed, "Think about it, what have you done for her?"

"Leave!" Sebastian yelled before turning his back and making his way to his desk to page his secretary, "Please escort my mother out."

•••

Done with another chapter!

I wrote this one while I was sitting outside with fresh air and my dogs! It was so refreshing :)

I hope everyone is having a good quarantine!

Did you guys enjoy this chapter as well?

Remember to drop a vote, comment, follow, and share!

I'll be updating tomorrow!

-Anne

•••
Updated: 6•9•20