The Life we never Planned

chapter 25

Chapter 25

HIS POV

I had spent most of the morning in meetings.

None of them were particularly interesting.

A supplier wanted better terms. A regional director wanted more funding. Two executives were arguing over a decision that should have taken five minutes.

I ended the meeting before they could turn it into an hour.

"Send me the revised figures by noon."

The executives nodded and left.

My assistant entered almost immediately.

"The investor list for Friday has been finalized."

"Good."

She placed the folder on my desk.

I opened it and scanned through the names.

Everything was in order.

Until I reached one particular name.

Angela Williams.

She was already included as a guest, but I had asked for her to be placed at a table where she would meet several people who could help with her expansion.

It was business.

That was what I told myself.

And technically, it was true.

Her company had potential. The expansion could become profitable for both of us. Introducing her to the right investors made sense.

Still, I found myself looking at her name longer than necessary.

I closed the folder.

"Anything else?"

"Yes. Your mother called."

I sighed.

"What does she want?"

"Dinner."

"Tonight?"

"Yes."

I checked my schedule.

I had another meeting at six.

"Cancel it."

My assistant hesitated.

"Your mother specifically said you are not allowed to cancel."

I looked at her.

She looked back at me.

For someone who worked for me, she had become surprisingly comfortable delivering my mother's threats.

"Fine."

She smiled slightly.

"I'll confirm."

When she left, I leaned back in my chair.

My phone buzzed.

A message from Angela.

Angela: I've reviewed the investor information. Everything looks useful. Thank you.

I stared at it for a moment before replying.

Me: You're welcome.

I almost put my phone down.

Then I typed again.

Me: Don't spend the entire week preparing for Friday.

Her response came quickly.

Angela: Why?

I smiled.

Me: Because I know you.

Three dots appeared.

Angela: You don't know me.

I looked at the message.

She was right.

I didn't.

Not really.

But I was beginning to want to.

Me: Fair point.

No response came after that.

I placed the phone down.

For some reason, that small conversation stayed in my head for the rest of the afternoon.

---

That evening, I arrived at my mother's house ten minutes late.

She was waiting at the dining table.

"You came."

"I said I would."

"You also said that last month."

I took my seat.

She looked at me carefully.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Mother."

She smiled.

"You seem distracted."

"I'm not."

"You are."

I reached for my glass.

"Work."

"Is it always work?"

"Most of the time."

She studied me for another moment.

Then she changed the subject.

"The expansion project."

I looked at her.

"What about it?"

"Your new partner."

"She's not my partner."

"Angela Williams."

I said nothing.

My mother smiled.

"I've heard of her."

"From where?"

"Business news."

She picked up her fork.

"Young. Independent. Built her company herself."

I watched her.

"Is there a point?"

"Not everything needs to have a point."

I almost laughed.

Almost.

She continued eating.

But I knew her well enough to know she wasn't finished.

"She's attending Friday's dinner, isn't she?"

"Yes."

"Good."

I frowned.

"Why is that good?"

"Because you should spend time around people who challenge you."

I looked at her.

"She challenges everyone."

"Exactly."

She smiled.

I didn't answer.

Because there was something about the way she said it that I didn't like.

My mother knew me better than most people.

And I had a feeling she was beginning to notice something I wasn't ready to name.

Something I wasn't even sure I wanted to name yet.

I looked down at my plate.

Friday suddenly felt much closer than it had that morning.