Bonus Chapter — Mother

"You really think they will like me?"

Eva looked at herself in the mirror for the nth time, to see if she was looking presentable enough. 

"Look at how adorable you are, of course they will like you. That's a given." 

Alex hugged her from the back, trying to calm her down and it kind of worked too as he could feel Eva relaxing a bit in his arms. 

He kissed the top of her head and gave her a reassuring smile. 

"It's going to be alright, okay?" 

"And we are here." 

Alex announced as he parked the car. He got out of the car and went to the other side to open the door for her. 

She took a deep breath before taking his hand and got out of the car. 

'It will be alright.' She mentally noted to herself and headed inside with a confident front, holding hands with him. 

The door opened and the maid welcomed them. 

"You guys are finally here." Mrs. Garner hugged Alex as soon as she saw him. 

She directed her glance towards Eva, who was standing there all stiff but didn't fail to deliver a polite smile. 

"Hy Mrs. Garner, here I brought this for you." Eva handed a neatly packed gift box which had a cute little ribbon on it's top. 

"You didn't need to but thank you." Mrs. Garner took the box and handed it to one of the maids. 

"Anyway, let's have some food first. I made lunch myself today, it's all Alex's favourite." She dragged both of them by hand and seated them at the dining table. 

"Where is father?" Alex asked. 

"He must be coming any second now, he just had somethings to take care of." Mrs. Garner replied, placing food on the table. 

Soon Alex's father came too and seated in front of them. Both of them greeted him and started their lunch. 

They all chatted. Alex and his father had some business talks while his mother and Eva were on their own world. It was a peaceful lunch. 

"By the way, I saw him opening the car door for you. He sure changed into a gentleman for you huh?" Mrs. Garner teased Eva, making her cheeks go red. 

"Mom when was I not a gentleman?" Alex added on his defence. 

"Oh, you want me to give you some history lessons." Mrs. Garner raised one of her eyebrows with a playful smile on her face. 

And just like that lunch was soon over. 

"Eva, come with me dear. Let the father and son have their boring business talks."

Eva nodded and followed her. They both entered a big maroon-coloured room liy by the big pair of windows and it's ceiling reached so high even the huge chandelier hung up looked small. 

They both sat on a sofa placed in the middle of the room which surrounded the big wooden coffee table. 

"So, I heard he is totally infatuated with you? He even gave his all to track you down." Mrs. Garner demanded. 

"I wouldn't go as far as that." Eva shyly remarked. 

"If that is the case then that's good." 

"Sorry?" Eva had a perplexed expression. 

"Let me be straight with you. I want you to break up with him." She said dead serious. 

"I don't think I get you." Eva tilted her head. 

"You are not eligible to stay by his side. I heard your uncle was diagnosed with the mark disease and Alex covered up the fees. I will double the price and pay you. Leave him." She signed a check and slipped in front of her. 

"You are misunderstanding something. I am not staying for his money. I love him." 

Eva stated in disbelief. 

"If you really love him, why did you leave him back then? And you had to come back when he rose up in his powers and inherited business from his father. Can't be a coincidence, can it?" 

Mrs. Garner strongly stated her points. 

"Yes, I left him once and I still regret it. I shouldn't have been weak willed to leave him just because of some hurtful words, but that won't happen again." 

Eva took a deep breath still nervous from the fact that she was Alex's mom. 

"Of course, there won't be a second time. You will leave him now and never return. I will find someone worthy of him. Take the money and leave." 

She pressed it even more. 

"You are his mother and with all respect I am telling you this, I won't leave him. I will never even if you offer me all of your wealth. The only time I will leave him is when he says he doesn't love me anymore or I am a burden to him." 

Eva tried to be as polite as possible. 

"You can have your time." Mrs. Garner smiled, sliding the check towards her. 

"I am afraid my decision won't change no matter the time you give me." 

The tension in the air got so thick, both of them stared at each other before Mrs. Garner burst into fits of laughter. 

"Oh my god. It was hard not to laugh all this time." She got up and sat beside Eva, engulfing her into a bone crushing hug. 

"My little baby. Take care of Alex from now on." She kissed her forehead, like mother like son. 

"Huh? I will but— 

"Don't worry. I am not against your relationship; I was just playing with you. You changed him for good, no one will be able to make him happier than you." 

Eva stared at her dumbfounded. 

"Now I know why he is so infatuated with you. You are just so lovable." 

Mrs. Garner chuckled at Eva, making her blush.

"What about the hurtful word that he said to you?" She continued. 

"It's okay ma'am. It wasn't a big deal."

Eva insisted. 

"Not a big deal? It was enough to make you leave. And don't tell me ma'am, I am your mother now." 

"Yes mom." Eva giggled. 

"And if he says anything hurtful again, I know he won't now, but if he does, come to me. I know how to take care of that spoiled son of mine." 

Mrs. Garner chuckled. 

"Yes mom. Will do." Eva joined her. 

And that's how they spent their day, talking about the kid Alex and his mom sharing his stupid childhood stories, and giggling to each other. 

They were so immersed in their own world, they didn't even realise, Alex and Mr. Garner staring at them with a found smile on their face. 

Maybe they could get used to it.