Mother approves

Meredith's POV:

I heard Dixon banging at my bedroom door, grabbing one of the many pillows that I have in my bed, I covered both my ears with hopes of getting my much needed sleep. Conrad brought me back home on or about twelve midnight, give or take a few minutes. But the point is he sticked to the the plan. He was convinced when I told him that I have to be back home by that time to set an example to my younger brother. Which was partly true.

Dixon was awake last night when he pulled over and to my chagrin, he did not bombard me with text messages asking me what time I'd be home. Which was not surprising, Dixon only knew about me agreeing to work for Gustav but he did not know to what extent my work description goes.

"Meredith! Open the door!" He yelled again accompanied by the loud banging with no signs of stopping.

"Go away!"

"Believe me, I want to! But Mrs. Anastasia Knight says she needs to talk to you now!"

"What!?" I bolt out of bed. I gathered all my hair and made it to a top bun and ran to the bathroom to get myself cleaned up and worthy of Anastasia Knight, all the while mumbling."When will these two ever learn to give me the rest I needed?"

Given the date that I had last night with her son, her unexpected visit could only mean two things. One, a good thing and two, a bad thing. Both involving her son because apparently, in the Anastasia world---we are all living in it. That woman is okay-ish. But when it comes to her only son, she bares her fang and remains poised until any woman crosses the line to meet her certain social death.

Dixon probably told her that I came home last night and there is no need to look polished, I just need to get rid of the morning breath and appear to be an effortless woman who just got up from her bed to face the mother of her enemy. Whatever Anastasia wants---she sure hope she's ready to counter attack it if it doesn't go as planned.

She made sure she wiped her face clean and gargled and applied lipgloss so she doesn't look pale as snow. That woman had a knack for pointing out deficiencies as if she's perfect from head to toe. I hate it everytime she leans in to whisper things like how she does not like how female A wears her dress too short or how a fellow church goer visited a plastic surgeon to lift her brows or eliminate crows feet. This either happens during church service or after.

I noticed the analog clock in my sidetable. Fuck. It's two PM.

I made sure that I applied a little perfume behind my ear in case she goes in with a hug. Anastasia loves hugs.

She was seated in the lounge, Dixon was nowhere to be seen. I guess he learned how to not mingle with people who gives off bad vibes . Good for him. Mustering the courage to smile even if I don't like the feeling of being woken up, I tried my best. She had her back turned to me. One of these days, I feel like I am going to snap. Or all the smiling will just grow on me. Whatever, I am eager to finish all these even if a little part of me is enjoying it.

"Hey, do we have an appointment today?" I asked her as I approached her with my fluffy slippers. She gave me a quick sweep and then smiled. "Did I forget a schedule? I am so sorry...I was out last night and I came home kind of late---"

"Yes, yes. You were with my Conrad!" She squeaked.

I dropped my gaze, amping the acting up a few notches higher. "S-sorry. I forgot to text you before I agreed. He caught me by surprise. Just like how you are now."

"Well, what can I say, it runs in the blood." She pulled me closer to have a seat beside her. "Tell me, is it true that he made you ride his motorbike?"

"How...?" I am genuinely confused now. "Did he..."

"Oh, no. The security guard reports to me directly. And Conrad rarely uses his bike. He brought an extra helmet and he told me this morning that he was with you when I confronted him why he was late for a meeting. However, that man is being Conrad. He hates divulging into details and just left me hanging. So I came here. Please, tell me everything."

This woman must have had acorn seeds with its tanins for breakfast. Could she be more insensitive? Conrad did not tell her anything, so why should I? I smiled and showed her how uncertain I am as of the moment. If I tell her anything, that would put me in a very complicated situation. The man might assume that I am snitching on him and men don't like that. I shook my head. Much to her horror.

"I don't think I am the best person to answer that, Anastasia. Yes, we went out last night and we had fun. That's all that I can tell you." I said firmly.

She sighed and smiled at me. In reality, I was bracing for impact. She loves being in control and she's not in control now. "That's fine. But do you like my baby?"

I chuckled, "when you call him that, I forget how fast he was driving last night." Realizing that I should have not said that, I quickly added, "sorry, that came out wrong."

Anastasia reached for my hand and squeezed it tightly, her eyes met mine and I know I got them good. They took the bait, hook, reel and sinker. She might be imagining babies in her head right now but I am imagining freedom after I deliver Conrad Knight's head to Gustav. Figuratively.