Madam Cole kept pacing around in the living room; she couldn't overlook the feeling that something serious was about to happen, but she couldn't even pinpoint what it was. Her mind was wandering over everybody and everything that was happening.
She then realised that it had been days since she had heard or seen her daughter. She sighed. How can that daughter of hers be so stubborn? Then again, she is not to be blamed if not for her headstrong father, who was hell-bent on marrying her off, doing the right thing the wrong way.
Also, thinking about that husband of hers, it's high time they had a conversation about the things he had been doing to even think he had the guts to tighten the security around their daughter. Isn't he worried the girl might rebel?
Sighing, she covered herself with a simple but elegant coat and then went to prepare his favourite latte drink for them to have a smooth conversation.
Having prepared all these, she went ahead to knock on the beautifully made mahogany study door.
Although she knew how much her husband detested being disturbed whenever he was at work, she also knew she could no longer afford to avoid this conversation, not with this ominous feeling she was having; moreover, it was already around the time he would get off work, so everything should be fine, right?
After a few minutes of waiting at the door, the gigantic door opened automatically, signalling her to enter. She chuckled, thinking to herself that he might have known she was the one at the door; that's why it was so easy to enter without any formalities.
She got in with the maid following with the drink she made for her husband. The maid put down the drink, bowed, and tactfully left them alone to themselves.
Clearing her throat, Madam Cole said, I'm sorry to have interrupted your work. I hope I'm not being too much of a disturbance; it's just that I have some urgent matters to discuss with you. Is it okay to talk now? She asked.
Yeah, it is, but I'll need you to give me some minutes so I can round this up and give you my full attention. He said
Looking at the drink she brought along, he couldn't help smiling. You must have come prepared; you even brought along my favourite drink. Does that mean you're bribing me? He jokingly asked. This thing that's worrying my wife must be very, very important, he teased.
Yes, it is. You can also say I brought along your favourite to bribe you if that makes you happy, plus I figured that you must have needed some refreshments seeing you've been working all day nonstop, Madam Cole said with a facial expression that says, "Praise me, praise me." This will also aid our conversation a bit, or don't you think so?
Ohh, I did, Mr Cole said dragging the word a bit. That's so thoughtful of you. You know your husband has been cooped up inside all day; you might also want to help by massaging my shoulders. That'll be a better way to bribe me, I think. Mr Cole said, while adjusting his glasses and grinning to himself.
You and all your mischievous antics; just tell me you want a massage, and I'll gladly obey. See you beating around the bush like a child asking for his favourite candy. Anyways, I'll only do so on one condition: her eyes come alive with so much love and playfulness.
Seeing how she completely turns into a young lover girl when with her husband, one will be shocked at how they lovingly relate with each other compared to their no-nonsense relationship they had with their children. This is a shocking contrast.
Replying to Madam Cole's previously asked question, and what will the condition be, my queen? I already give you a leeway to explore now. Isn't it?
You do! The condition is not that much anyway; I just want to ask you not to get angry and listen attentively to our discussion before any reaction. It's that simple.
No, it's not that simple. Seeing how worried you look, what we're discussing should be important, so when you said something I didn't agree with, I still had to wait until you were done speaking before I could talk? Mr Cole asked.
Yes, you're right. Replied Madam Cole.
Okay. I just hope I'm not shooting myself in the leg by doing so.
You are not; just round up quickly. She went behind the CEO chair he sat on and started massaging his shoulders with so much skill and familiarity.
….
Moments after, Mr Cole finally rounded up what he was doing; he heaved a sigh of relief. He could now give his undivided attention to his woman without any disturbance.
He raised his head from the pile of files in front of him and pulled his wife away from his shoulder to face him. He said with a happy smile on his face, How do we have to thank Madam for a job well done? I feel so refreshed with the massage and drink.
Well, your majesty need not do anything other than listening to this queen, please, and grant her wish, she said mischievously.
Seems my queen is very eager about this conversation. If the queen's wish is within the emperor's capability, this majesty here will surely grant it with ease.
You can let this lord here hear your request first, then we can deliberate on the seriousness of the matter together. He said tactfully, not wanting to shoot himself in the leg the second time.
Now that it is time to do the talking, Madam Cole finds it hard to put her thoughts into words, as she's not used to this kind of thing. Before, she always tried her best to maintain a neutral stance between her husband and children, as she believes not questioning her husband's decisions on the children's matters is for their own good.
She kept sighing, not knowing where to start. Is the topic that hard to say? You can always start as you like. I do my best to listen before making a judgement, you know I don't bite, nah. Mr Cole said he was trying to ease his wife's tension.
Okay. What I want to discuss is not that serious, and at the same time it is. As you also know, I don't interrupt whenever you're disciplining the children or you make any decision. I've always supported you.
Seeing how the discussion started, Mr Cole already had an idea of what she was trying to say but decided to keep his cool just as he had promised and see how this would end before saying anything.
But this time around, I think you might be doing the right thing the wrong way. About Jayden's marriage, I'm not asking you to stop the wedding; I only want you to think about it and give her time to come to terms with things. She might seem like a brave lady, but she's only a young girl.
No! You're wrong. How can you call a woman 28 years old a young girl? Is she the one that sent you to me? No, that can't be, but anyhow it is in this matter I'm her father, and I'm capable of making great decisions for her.
I'm not disputing the fact that you're right, but don't you also think there might be a reason why she's so adamant about staying single? I mean, which family's lady is not married with kids by now? Have you ever seen her with a man? Not before, not now, not ever. She's already making me doubt her orientation. What if she's not sexually straight? You won't want that to happen, right?
No! God forbid! How can you say her daughter is not sexually straight? Are you insinuating she might be a lesbian?
No! It's not possible; I think she might just have the normal fear for marriage. You also know we've pampered her since she was young. The only thing that made her this estranged from us was also the matter of her choosing her career back then. This matter needs to be tread carefully.
You have no need to panic; whether or not she likes it, she's getting married in the next two weeks, so relax and make the necessary preparations. Also make sure you keep an eye on her. I don't believe she has agreed just like that. I'll also inform Eric to arrange some of his men to help keep an eye on her. Everything will be fine, okay?
Hmm, okay. I just don't know where this ominous feeling is coming from, but I guess it's fine since we've made necessary arrangements.
They both heave a sigh before making their way out to freshen up, have dinner and then rest for the night, both having different thoughts in mind despite walking hand in hand.