Lunch begins in awkward silence, but it doesn't take long before Catrine starts asking questions.
Catrine hums. "And how do your parents feel about you studying business?"
"They're supportive."
"Yet they didn't come with you? Strange."
Mason frowns. "Mom, stop."
But Catrine ignores him. "I just find it fascinating how certain girls end up in the company of wealthy men. First Mason, now…" Her eyes flicker briefly to Dylan.
Lana stiffens. "I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, I think you do," Catrine says smoothly. "You're an ambitious young woman. Nothing wrong with that. But I do wonder—are you more interested in the business degree or the connections that come with it?"
Lana feels heat rise to her cheeks. Before she can respond, Dylan sets down his glass with a quiet but firm clink.
"Catrine, that's enough."
Catrine raises an eyebrow. "Oh? Did I say something offensive?"
Mason, already seething, pushes back his chair. "Come on, Lana. Let's go."
Lana doesn't hesitate. She stands, feeling Dylan's gaze on her as she follows Mason out.
As soon as they're gone, Dylan turns back to Catrine, his expression ice-cold.
"You're unbelievable."
Catrine smirks. "Just looking out for my son."
Dylan exhales sharply. "No wonder Melissa acts spoiled. She's exactly like you."
Catrine's smirk twitches. "And whose fault is that?"
Dylan glares. "You treat every woman like she's scheming for something. You have no idea who Lana is."
Catrine tilts her head, voice dropping. "I don't need to. I know how these things go. A girl like her gets close to Mason, plays the sweet friend, and before you know it—an accidental pregnancy, a quick wedding, and a comfortable life."
Dylan clenches his jaw. "That's a disgusting assumption."
Catrine leans forward, her smile razor-sharp. "Oh? And tell me, Dylan—"
Her voice lowers to a whisper.
"Isn't that exactly how you got me?"
A heavy silence hangs between them. Dylan's hands tighten into fists.
Then, with a sharp exhale, he stands. "This conversation is over."
Catrine merely lifts her glass. "Of course it is."
But as Dylan leaves, he knows one thing—
Catrine sees Lana as a threat.
And she isn't going to let it go.
________________________________
The cool air outside the restaurant was a relief after the suffocating tension inside. Lana took a deep breath, her chest still tight from Catrine's intense questioning.
Mason ran a hand through his hair, sighing. "Lana, I'm really sorry about that."
Lana shook her head, forcing a small smile. "It's okay, Mason. I can handle it."
Mason frowned. "You shouldn't have to. My mom can be… difficult."
That was an understatement. But Lana didn't want to make it harder on him. "She's just protective of you," she said lightly, though they both knew it was more than that.
They walked a few steps down the street when a familiar deep voice called out—
"Mason. Lana."
They both stopped.
Turning around, they saw Dylan standing outside the restaurant, hands in his pockets. His gaze lingered on Mason for a moment before settling on Lana.
Their eyes met.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. There was something in the way Dylan looked at her—something unreadable, yet intense. Lana felt her breath hitch, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through her chest.
Then Dylan broke the silence. "Are you alright?"
Lana blinked.
That was the same question Mason had asked her moments ago, but somehow, coming from Dylan, it felt different. More personal.
She nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine."
Dylan's lips pressed together, as if considering her answer. "Good."
Mason glanced between them, raising an eyebrow. "Dad, what are you still doing here?"
Dylan ignored his son's question and instead, in a tone far too casual, asked, "Lana, have dinner with me."
Mason choked. Lana's eyes widened.
Dylan, who had been too focused on Lana's reaction, finally noticed their stunned expressions. Realization hit him a second too late.
His words had sounded like a date.
Clearing his throat, he quickly corrected, "I mean, Mason should bring you over for dinner. At our house."
Mason stared at his father, half in shock, half in amusement.
Lana, feeling a strange mix of relief and disappointment she didn't understand, hesitated before saying, "Oh… um, sure."
Dylan nodded, his usual composed expression returning. "Good. I'll see you both tonight."
Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Lana and Mason standing there, still processing what had just happened.
Mason was the first to break the silence. "Okay… what the hell was that?"
Lana had no idea. But for some reason, she couldn't stop thinking about the way Dylan had looked at her.
And how, just for a second, she had wanted to say yes.