Chapter 51: Lunch is Served
Selene
The next morning rolls around and we are all on edge, the three of us are having lunch with John’s mother today. John wants us all there putting up a united front. This morning we are meeting with a publicist. She comes over to my office and the guys go over how they want our relationship released to the press to avoid anymore tabloid drama. We all manage to get a couple of hours of work in before heading to meet John’s mother for lunch.
If I’d known John’s mother looked like a frostbitten Vogue editor with a penchant for judging peasantry, I’d have asked the server for tequila instead of sparkling water…. Well perhaps a mock tequila seeing as these littles buns are baking. We arrived before her and I’m nestled between Adrian and John.
She arrives in head-to-toe cream, her posture stiff enough to cut diamonds, lips pursed like she just smelled poor people.
“John,” she says, leaning in with a cheek kiss so formal it could have been a business transaction.
Then her gaze sweeps over to me.
Her eyes narrow just enough to communicate everything: not good enough, not the right type, temporary distraction, I’m sure her list is endless.
“I suppose you must be Adrian”, she says offering her hand to Adrian, Adrian simple nods and answers “ pleasure “.
“Selene,” she says, voice clipped. “You’re… quite glowing. Pregnancy has certainly made you more… noticeable.”
I smile sweetly. “I’m sure that was meant as a compliment.”
She arches one perfectly tweezed brow. “I wasn’t aware this… relationship was so serious. I suppose congratulations are in order—twice, apparently.”
John clears his throat. “Mother.”
“No, no,” I say, dabbing my lips with a napkin. “Let her finish. I’d hate to interrupt such a vibrant display of barely veiled hostility.”
His mother blinks. Once. Twice.
“You’re quite—direct.”
“Only when provoked,” I say calmly, leaning back. “You might be used to women who shrink around money and power. I wasn’t raised that way. You don’t have to like me. But you will respect me if you want to be around our children. I have zero tolerance for people looking down on me.”
John smiles—dangerously. “And just to be crystal clear, Mother: I don’t care about the press. Or your high society friends. Or your garden club’s opinion. If you can’t accept Selene and Adrian and I’s relationship , you don’t get to meet your grandchildren. Period.”
The air turns glacial.
Her spine stiffens further—somehow—and she lifts her chin. “I see. Well. I’ll have to… consider what that means for the future.”
“Do that,” John says, turning to me with a private wink. “In the meantime, Selene,Adrian and I will continue building our own.”
“I just don’t get how this (she points at the three of us with a perfectly manicured nail) works “.
“I’m sure we don’t need to give you a talk on the birds and bees”, Adrian answers and she flinches and I smile at her clear discomfort.
The conversation shifts, but the air never quite clears. By the time dessert arrives, I’m craving escape.
And I get it.
Just… not the kind I wanted.
Adrian
Desert arrives, when my phone buzzes. Bianca.
Bianca: “Emergency. I need to talk. Please come.”
I ignore it. Then the second buzz.
Bianca: “It’s about the baby.”
Dammit. I stand up and excuse myself with John’s bitch of a mother and tell John I’ll be in touch and kiss Selene on the mouth, making sure John’s mother has a clear view. And then whisper to Selene , “It’s Bianca “.
I head over, only to find her sitting calmly in a hotel room, legs crossed, wearing a silk robe that’s more lingerie than loungewear.
“There’s no emergency, is there?” I ask flatly.
She sighs dramatically. “I needed to see you. I’ve been having pains, Adrian. The doctor says stress could make me lose the baby.”
I stiffen. “That doesn’t mean you get to manipulate me.”
Her eyes fill with fake tears. “I just want to be part of your life. You’re the father of my child.”
“That hasn’t been proven yet,” I snap. “And even if it is mine, that doesn’t give you a free pass to lie, guilt-trip, and fake emergencies.”
Her expression changes—sharpens. “Well, maybe you should consider the kind of stress I’m under. I’m being ignored. Replaced. You’re playing house with her while I carry your child.”
I take a step back, fury rising.
“You need help, Bianca. And if you keep pulling stunts like this, I’ll make sure the court knows it when the time comes, last time I checked I didn’t invite you to Denver, but here you are. I’m getting real tired of your pathetic attempts to get between Selene and I. .”
I turn to leave.
That’s when she drops the final grenade.
“Oh, and by the way—my lawyer will be in touch. I’ll be filing for full custody. Since you’re clearly too busy playing family with that slut .”
Moving swiftly, I grab her by her neck and squeeze... not too hard but hard enough for her to know I'm not playing “Let me make myself abundantly clear, if that baby is mine, I will fight you tooth and nail for custody, I give zero fucks about your stress, I will be there for your doctors visits and scans and if you’re admitted to hospital, if not don’t bother me!”. I storm out and head back to the office .