Chapter 41

Donna's Pov.

The suite door swung shut behind us, the plush carpet sinking softly beneath my feet as we took in the beauty and size of the suite, it was enormous. "Wow, this is bigger than mine," Jake said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I'll sleep here tonight."

"I don't care where you sleep," I retorted, "as long as I am not sleeping on the couch or the floor."

He smirked. "Whatever. Go freshen up. You reek. I'll find the perfect movie and order room service.”

I rolled my eyes, already feeling a familiar heat rise to my cheeks. "Charming."

As I headed towards the bathroom, his voice followed, "Chop chop! If you move any slower, it'll be morning already."

I gave him a side eye and quickened my pace, pushing open the bathroom door. It was enormous, all gleaming chrome and marble. It instantly reminded me of Louis's suite that night, and a wave of heat washed over me. Memories of that intense night threatened to surface, the feel of his hands, the frantic urgency... I caught myself just in time before my hands touched my pussy.

I forced the images down immediately Jake's voice boomed from the other room, "The Hangover or Bridesmaids?"

"Bridesmaids, definitely!" I shouted back, a laugh escaping my lips.

"Knew you'd say that," he chuckled. "Melissa McCarthy, gotta love her."

The hot water worked its magic, easing the work tension from my muscles. As I emerged, Jake's voice came again, "There are some nightgowns on the bed." It was like he could read my mind – I was definitely in need of a change.

The white nightgown was soft and silky against my skin, worlds better than the dress I was wearing. I joined Jake in the sitting room, the movie already playing on the enormous TV. He grinned as I settled on the plush couch.

We fell into conversation, talking about family - our endless aunts, uncles and cousins back in Napa, most of whom worked at the winery, it was a family business after all. I specifically asked about Uncle Milton, my favorite, though I haven't spoken to him in a while now.

"He is doing alright," Jake said, staring at the TV screen. "Though apparently, he is in the process of divorcing wife number three."

"Ugh," I groaned. "I thought he finally found the one. You, on the other hand, are you ever going to find your own ‘The One’?"

He smirked. "I'm working on it, sis. But most women end up not being good for me."

"You mean not being good for Mom," I countered, a knowing smirk playing on my lips. He didn't have to spell it out for me. Mom, with her impeccable taste and sky-high standards, had effectively vetoed every single one of his past girlfriends.

Despite his bravado, he would do just about anything our mother asked of him.

He shot me a mock glare. "Come on, Donna, I'm a grown man. Mom looks out for me, sure, but I'm perfectly capable of making my own decisions."

But I knew better. Mom controlled him, subtly influencing his every move under the guise of motherly concern.

"Who are you trying to convince, Jake?" I muttered, rolling my eyes.

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted our conversation. Relief washed over me – hopefully, it was room service. I pushed myself up from the couch and headed to the door, a wave of optimism blooming in my chest.

I swung open the door to reveal the room service staff, a wide smile already forming on my face. However, my smile froze before it even formed as a familiar figure materialized behind them, seemingly out of thin air.

*************

The air whooshed out of me as Mom walked past me, the white nightgown on her clinging to her slim figure in an unsettlingly similar way to mine. "Hey, Donna, mind if I join in the fun?" she chirped, breezing into the suite without waiting for an answer.

Of course, Jake. I whipped my head towards him, catching the flicker of guilt in his eyes before he quickly averted his gaze. Like a scolded puppy. The room service guy dropped the food off on the coffee table, oblivious to the sudden tension that had gripped the room.

Jake tipped him generously, practically shoving him out the door in his haste.

Mom, oblivious to the drama she'd just caused, glued her eyes to the TV. "You know, Rose Byrne is the real MVP of this movie," she declared, her voice dripping with the kind of film analysis that always annoyed me.

Both Jake and I sputtered, a defensive reflex. "Why in the world would you choose Rose Byrne over Melissa McCarthy?" I demanded, already feeling my annoyance simmer.

Mom waved a dismissive hand. "Rose Byrne's character, Helen, she's so dislikeable, yet she makes you understand her, right? Versus Melissa's character, relatable for sure, but kind of a one-note kind of funny. She didn't have to do much to make you like her."

It was maddening. Logically, I knew she was probably right, but come on, Melissa McCarthy was a comedic goddess! Still, the fight fizzled out before it even started. We ate dinner in a tense silence, punctuated only by the sounds of silverware clinking against plates.

Then, like a bomb, Mom dropped the question I knew was coming. "So, Donna, why are you still in Los Angeles? It's been eight months since you came to Los Angeles; no movies, no TV shows.

You left home right after your father's funeral, and honestly, it felt like you were running away from me. Like, with your father gone, there was no reason for you to stay and deal with me."

My muscles tensed. "Mom, that's not it," I sighed. "I'm here chasing my dreams, not running from you. I don't hate you."

She looked at me, a flicker of vulnerability in her usually steely gaze. "But it feels like you do. You always keep me at arm's length. Even when your father was alive, you two were so close. An impenetrable little unit, and I wasn't allowed in. I tried but you never let me in.”

This wasn't the conversation I expected to have with her tonight. It was raw, honest, a side of Mom I rarely saw.

Taking a deep breath, I offered a hesitant olive branch. "Okay, Mom. You want me to let you in? Fine. I've got a lead role in a play that starts next week. You can come see me act. I've been dating a guy named Charlie since I moved here. And, wouldn't you know it, I actually work in this very hotel. There. That's all there is to know about my life in LA."

A faint smile touched her lips. "Thank you for telling me all this, Donna. I do feel closer to you now. But," she continued, her eyes flickering to Jake before settling back on me, "I have a proposition for you."

My stomach lurched. "What kind of proposition?"

Mom took another deep breath. "Here's the deal. In the next four months, if you haven't landed a film or TV role, you'll come back home and join the family business."

My head spun, but before I could even attempt to formulate a response, Mom added, "Don't worry, you don't have to answer now. Sleep on it. No pressure. But consider it."