A week passed just like that. The relationship between Altezza and Adaline returned to its usual state. No trivial chat messages, as couples in love might exchange. The incoming messages only revolved around inquiries, notifications, or greetings from the young man's parents and also his mother.
Yes, whether it was him or Altezza, both were merely message intermediaries. Nothing more. Altezza was also occupied with a pile of work that he had to finish for Antony's wedding in two days, which would last for three weeks. After the grand celebration, the Quirino extended family planned to go on vacation together.
Adaline had just returned from her supervisor's office when Tessa mentioned that her phone kept vibrating in her locked desk drawer. Yes, she always kept her phone on vibrate mode while working. Her mother knew that if Adaline couldn't be reached on her phone, she would contact her office number, just like Altezza.
So, if her phone kept vibrating, and there were no calls to her office number, it meant that the important call didn't come from either of them. Adaline sat down and was about to open the drawer when her phone vibrated again. "Hello?" she greeted the unknown number.
"Hello, dear," a woman on the other end responded. "Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you several times!" The woman grumbled again.
"Mrs. Quirino?" Adaline became nervous after realizing the call was from her prospective mother-in-law.
"Mamma, Adaline. Call me Mamma," the woman commanded firmly. "Yes, Mamma," Adaline stammered. On the other side, Tessa, who saw her nervousness, silently asked 'who?' Adaline shook her head and walked away from her cubicle towards the pantry in the corner of the room.
"I apologize, Mamma. I just finished a report for my supervisor," she honestly replied.
"That's okay. I was just impatient. Initially, I wanted to come to your office, but Altezza prohibited it. I asked him to contact you, but he refused as well. Come here, to Altezza's office. Mamma is waiting for you here."
"M-Mamma is here?" she asked in panic.
"Yes, I've been here since earlier. I'm bored waiting for Padre and Altezza; they've been in a meeting for ages. I wanted to take you out, but Altezza objected, saying it's unprofessional. How can your future husband behave like that? Come here, dear. Keep me company before I die of boredom," she cajoled with the sweetest tone she could muster. Adaline bit her fingernail, confused.
"That's Mamma... um..." She wanted to come up with an excuse, but she wasn't good at lying.
"Are you also going to be heartless to me? I don't care; leave your work and come here right now!" Her command was firm, even though spoken in a low tone. "Or else, I'll come downstairs and announce to everyone about..."
"Y-yes, Mamma. I'll come upstairs now," she finally replied.
While Adaline was restless about meeting her prospective mother-in-law again, the lady hung up and looked at her only son sitting behind the desk with a challenging gaze. Indeed, Altezza had no meeting whatsoever. He was busy, but not as busy as his mother claimed. As for his father, his mother was clearly lying because Mr. Benjamin Quirino was currently nowhere to be seen.
Altezza had merely declined his mother's invitation for lunch with Adaline, citing an important lunch with a crucial client. He also refused his mother's request to summon Adaline to his office, not wanting to raise questions among his subordinates.
Come on, they had to maintain professionalism, especially since no one in the office knew about their relationship, and Altezza intended to keep it that way even after they got married.
But it was his mother's character to employ various means to get what she wanted. The door to his office was knocked, and they could see through the glass that Adaline was standing outside.
"Come in!" Delila Quirino ordered loudly. If they were close, her voice could be ear-piercing.
Adaline entered, dressed in a bright red chiffon long-sleeved blouse with a knee-length black pencil skirt. Her long hair was casually tied, as usual. She looked professional and beautiful.
Adaline was not like most women, or let's say, not like most employees who usually engage in what women call 'touch-up' to appear more beautiful or refreshed. No, she always presented herself as she was, just like now – a natural face with rosy cheeks due to embarrassment, not because of blush.
"S-Sir," she stammered, still by the door. Of course, she was surprised because she assumed Altezza was in a meeting with her father. However, he was currently reviewing the report given to him by Duncan.
"Darling, I can't wait to meet you. Come on, let's go." The grande dame was already standing, grabbing her limited edition bag that matched her outfit. She was ready to take her prospective daughter-in-law out.
"G-go?" Adaline looked at Altezza and Duncan in doubt. She herself was unsure if Duncan knew about her relationship with Altezza. "Go where, Mamma?"
"Anywhere. Lunch, then a little stroll. And yes, there's something important I need to discuss with you." Adaline's arm was already nestled in the crook of the grande dame's elbow.
"B-but Mamma?" She looked at Altezza, seeking help. The man stared at Adaline with a flat expression, letting her handle it on her own without any intention to assist.
"Adaline still has work."
"So, your work is more important than accompanying me, is that it?" The grande dame spoke with a petulant and childish attitude. Adaline bit her lower lip, feeling panicked.
"Mamma, Adaline and I have decided to maintain professionalism at the office. Please respect our decision. What will people say if Adaline is suddenly accompanied by the Grande Dame? There will be gossip, Mamma," Altezza finally intervened to help Adaline, feeling sympathetic.
"And what if they gossip? You do have a real relationship, don't you? And you are getting married, right?" His mother challenged with a suspicious squint. Her gaze seemed to accuse, saying, 'unless your statement yesterday was just a pretense,' which made Altezza roll his eyes.
Adaline grew more panicked, unable to witness the conflict between the mother and son any longer. The Grande Dame with her selfish demeanor and Altezza with his professional stance.
"Alright, alright. I concede. Mamma can take her out. But you both go separately. Adaline needs to ask for permission from her boss first. Duncan, call Jessica and tell her that Adaline needs to leave early," she ordered Duncan, who responded with a nod. He left the room.
"B-but Sir. My work?"
"Jessica will handle it. You don't need to go back to the office. This Grande Dame, when she goes out, might not return until dawn. You just get ready," he said in his usual flat tone.
While the mother grumbled in frustration, she moved to her son's seat and affectionately kissed both of his cheeks.
"You are truly my best child," she said, hugging her son with a childish attitude, as if she were a child thankful to her father for buying her a new toy.
"How many children do you and Padre actually have?" Altezza muttered as he released himself from his mother's embrace.
Altezza was used to his mother's spontaneous behavior, so he didn't feel awkward being kissed or hugged even with others around. That's why Altezza also grew into a person who 'liked to touch,' as the man had mentioned earlier.
"Of course, my dear, you are my only beloved child. But if you start misbehaving and not obeying my wishes, I will fire you as my child!" she threatened with a menacing gaze.
Altezza just shrugged nonchalantly. The large-bodied woman turned her attention to Adaline.
"Okay, dear, I'll go down first and wait for you in the car. You can grab your bag and say goodbye to go home," she said, reaching for Adaline's hand and placing it in the crook of her elbow as they left Altezza's room.
Before leaving the room, she waved her hand to Duncan, who was about to enter Altezza's office again.
They entered the executive's exclusive lift, allowing Adaline to exit on her floor. Before the lift chimed, the Grande Dame whispered, "Ten minutes," to which Adaline responded with a slow nod.
Adaline continued walking into her supervisor's office, ignoring Tessa's questioning gaze.
"Come in," her boss said. When she saw who was at the door, a broad smile spread across the face of the woman in her forties, still happily single. "Yes, Miss Scott?" she asked with a restrained smile.
"Um, Ma'am."
"Yes. Can I help you?"
"Um, it's... well..." Laughter echoed in the four by four-meter room.
"Never mind, I was just kidding. You can go," she said, waving her hand as if shooing Adaline out. "And yes," she added as Adaline was about to open the door. "Don't forget my wedding invitation!" She reminded, and a blush appeared on Adaline's face. She could only nod quietly and exit the room.
"Why, Ada? Is there a problem?" Tessa asked as she saw Adaline organizing her bag. "You looked panicked when you received that call earlier."
"Nothing, Tess. I just have to go home early. There's something I need to attend to," Adaline replied honestly.
Adaline certainly couldn't tell Tessa that her prospective mother-in-law had already asserted her dominance over the prospective daughter-in-law.
"I'm sorry, okay? I'm leaving early." She said with a guilty expression. After all, Adaline's workload would eventually shift to her colleague in the same division.
"It's okay. But if anything happens, or you need help, just call me, okay?" Tessa sincerely requested, and Adaline nodded in response. After that, Adaline left. She couldn't exceed the ten-minute limit given by her prospective mother-in-law.