Chapter 3
1093 Words
Their shift for the day had just finished and Tabitha just told Amy what happened earlier.
"That's it?" Amy said, giving her a disappointed gaze.
"Uh, yeah. That's it."
"He just introduced himself. Wait...What were you expecting something else to happen?"
"Hm, a bit." Then Amy blabs about how it should've gone.
A text that her battery is [0%] and shuts off.
"Hey, Tab?"
"Huh?"
"Are you listening?"
She looked at Amy oblivious to what she said.
"Yeah! Yeah! I'm listening,"
"Fine. What did I say?"
"You said that he should've asked me, If I was single."
Tabitha's frank response surprised Amy.
"Woah! you remembered."
"Anyway, me and my boyfriend will have a date."
"Oh, that's nice."
"How about you, Tab?"
"I'm going to my mother's house for dinner,"
Amy nodded her head and the elevator lift opened to the ground floor.
As they walk to the exit, Amy saw her boyfriend's ride.
"See you tomorrow, Tab." Amy waved her goodbye as her boyfriend came to fetch her in his car. She waved back and walk her way to her car that was parked nearby. She pressed the keys, and it automatically unlocked itself.
She entered and drove to her parent's mansion cause her mom was expecting her.
The guard that was at the gate of the villa greeted her and let her in. It was a private residence. Her family was of royalty bloodline.
She fixed her appearance in her compact mirror and went by the door. She had a pampered childhood, but she is eager enough to not let herself be a burden to her parents by relying on them. She knocked.
The door opened, and an aged woman wearing a formal dress and heels appeared.
"Mom." She answered in delight.
"Tabitha, Dear."
"Welcome home," she embraced her daughter with both arms.
"Come inside. I have just arrived from a family reunion,"
"Have you eaten?"
She shook her head.
"Join me for dinner. I'm having lobster."
She and her mom sat at the long dining table as they ate and chatted.
Her mother cleared her throat with red wine.
"So, Tabitha, have you fancy anyone yet?" She asked Tabitha while swirling the goblet in her opened palm.
"No, Mom. I have not taken an interest in anyone yet." Tabitha answered as she sliced the tough meat with a knife and fork.
"Why not?" She asked with curiosity.
"I have been busy with work."
"Money? We have plenty of that, dear. Plus, I won't be here forever."
A pause as her mother exhaled a breath. She snaps her fingers as a butler came close to her command.
"Damon, fetch me my briefcase."
A butler bowed and unlatched the briefcase.
Her mother pullout a file with documents attached to it.
"Here." She handed out the file to her.
Tabitha received and opened it. It was a long list of suitors were of royal blood or famously clipped with their picture.
"Mom! you can't be serious." Tabitha wined expressing her embarrassment at her mother's attempt of finding her a match.
"Time is of the essence, Tabitha."
"But this is…an exaggeration." She said as she holds the file in her hand.
"I don't want any man woo your heart and then break it afterwards. I want you to have a man that will take care of you when I'm gone."
Tabitha felt like smiling at what she said.
"Mom, How are you sure that any of these men of this file won't do that?"
"Do what?"
"Woo me and break my heart afterwards."
Her mother's eyes widen, but she smiled at her like she expected that question from her.
"You will choose on whether you pick from the list I gave or make your own."
"Do you mean I get the freedom to choose?"
". Those are just merely my suggestions to you."
"As long as he loves you for real. I will accept him. "
"But I will assess him carefully. Men are still 'men'."
Dinner had past as they both got ready to bed. But Tabitha wanted to be in her mother's room for the night
Her mother smiled and let her in her quarters. It was just as she remembered it. Spacious, extravagant and polished. Linen sheets with a wooden overhang post over the bed.
It had a familiar scent of lilac, citrus blossoms and jasmine. A flower that which her mother loved. She bathed and slipped on her matching pink pajamas with bunny slippers. Her mom in an ivory white nightgown and fluffy violet slippers.
She combed her daughter's wet hair. A bonding moment that they share. It reminded her of the times her mother rolled her endlessly with tons of outfits she bought from trendy brands.
Her mother stared at her daughter. Reminded of the little girl that she raised with care and affection that had grown into a lady.
'My daughter has grown into a fine young woman'
"Do you still have work tomorrow, Tabitha?"
"Yes, mother. Me and my colleague Amy are on duty but only in lasts till noon."
"How so?"
"It's a holiday." Tabitha replied, reasoning her short shift at her day job.
"Hm, I was hoping we get to have a mother-daughter bonding after your shift."
"I'm okay with that."
"It's getting awfully late. We must head to bed, Tabitha."
They slept together and Tabitha never felt so relieved to be with her mother. That she fell into deep slumber along with her.
The sun hasn't risen yet. it was a dim room. Her mother woke up early to wake her daughter, Tabitha.
"Rise and shine, dear. Wake up you'll be late for work."
Groggy and grumpy. Tabitha wakes up and stretches her arms and yawns. She covers her mouth as she does so.
"Mother, What time is it?"
"4:56pm."
"Let's head downstairs to get breakfast and tea"
"Coffee?" Tabitha insisted
"Tea, dear. Caffeine will danger your sleep patterns."
She nodded and followed her mother downstairs. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, with the other hand on the railing to avoid her from accidentally falling head first down the stairs.
"Try to keep your eyes peeled, Tabitha. You might fall."
She nodded and followed her mother's instruction.
Tabitha felt the chill of the early morning breeze, as she tightly wrapped her night robe to warm herself. The butler named Earl was on duty every morning to prepare their morning routine.
"Earl, me and my daughter will dine by the veranda!"
"Understood, your grace."
"Should I fetch you your usual."
Zynette, Tabitha's mother nodded.
- Writer
