Chapter 35 A Mother, A Lie, and A Brewing Storm
Before he could say anything else, Madam Xi walked majestically into the living room.
"Hello son," She said while she sat comfortably on the couch across Johnny and Jack. Happy to see Johnny and Jack, "Hello Johnny. It's been a while." She eyed Jack who immediately looked away.
Her sudden appearance sent a shock through the room. Rowan's face turned a deep shade of red as he watched till she settled on the couch.
"Mom!" Rowan exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"By here, you mean in my son's house?" She asked but she did not seem to expect a response.
"Mom!" Rowan exclaimed again, this time, he raised his voice. "You can't just keep dropping your bombshell on me!"
Madam Xi seemed unfazed by Rowan's outburst. She turned to Johnny and Jack.
"How have you been Johnny? I heard you got married. I would have graced that occasion with my presence but we weren't in town. Is that why we haven't been seeing you around? Girls of these days are men keepers indeed." Madam Xi teased Johnny.
Johnny smiled. Madam Xi is a terror they all wanted to avoid at all cost. "Thank you ma" he said, still smiling.
"Mom! What are you doing here? It's really late. Aren't you supposed to be by your husband's side?" Rowan asked again, impatient.
"Well," she uses her hands while talking. " I am on a mini vacation.
"A mini vacation to my house?" Rowan snapped.
"Hell no, I can't escape a boring man to come to another boring man." She retorted.
Rowan sighed in relief. "So, what has your mini vacation got to do with my house?" He questioned.
"I brought some soup for you. I made them myself and I thought it's been a while since you tasted my homemade food."
Rowan's demeanor softened as he listened to his mother. He smiled. "That's nice of you mom, I did miss your food. I would kill to have some tonight."
Jack met Madam Xi's gaze. He wanted to look away but Madam Xi stopped him.
"You don't have to hide your face Jack, I am no longer angry." Madam Xi said.
"Mom! I already said I am sorry." Jack pleaded, guilt seated peacefully on his face.
"I don't see why I should remain angry. Is it not Rowan that has shamed me. If he had gotten married and had given me grandchildren would you have asked your wife and kid to leave my house? She lamented.
"They already spent two days!" Jack exclaimed.
"So you called them to leave? Is that it?" She asked.
"I didn't really call them. They were missing home too." Jack tried to justify himself.
"Did you hear that?" Madam Xi turned to Rowan. "Did you hear what your cousin just said? He is not even as old as you and he already has a kid that he can choose whether to stay with me or not."
"How long do you intend to remain a bachelor. Isn't it the right time for you to settle down and take your responsibilities seriously." Madam Xi continued.
Rowan was about to protest when Johnny, quick on his feet, stepped in to save the situation.
"Actually, ma, Rowan has a girlfriend." Johnny chimed in.
Both Madam Xi and Rowan were shocked. "Really?' Madam Xi asked, trying to scan his expression for lies.
"Yes ma. Her name is Amanda and she works in Rowan's office." Johnny continued.
"You are dating an employee?" Madam Xi frowned at that revelation.
"Not really. They met outside the office. Rowan just employed her to be his assistant so that he can spend more time with her since he is always busy." Jack added, trying to play along.
"Is that true?" She turned to Rowan to hear his side of the story.
Before Rowan could defend himself, Johnny quickly interrupted him. "And the good thing is that Amanda is pregnant."
Madam Xi's eyes widened in shock. Jack and Rowan also focused their gaze on Johnny. They were not expecting such a lie from Johnny.
"What? Why wasn't I informed of this?" Madam Xi asked.
Jack chimed in, "It's all been happening so fast, Madam Xi. We just got to know about the pregnancy. We were talking about how to tell you the good news"
"Rowan, say something. Tell me all of this is true." His mother pestered.
Rowan, intending to say otherwise, met Jack and Johnny's stern face. He decided to play along with the story. "Yes mom. I was planning to talk to you about it, but things got complicated."
Madam Xi looked torn between anger and happiness. She finally sighed. "Well, if that's the case, I want to see my daughter-in-law tonight."
"What!" Rowan exclaimed.
"Tonight!" Jack asked.
"She is at the hospital at the moment. She was stressed earlier today and was taken to the hospital before we discovered she was pregnant. The doctor demanded that she rests for tonight.
"I see" Madam Xi resigned. "Then you can invite her over for dinner on Friday."
Johnny and Jack exchanged subtle victorious glances as they had successfully averted an impending disaster. "That is a perfect idea. Right? Rowan" Jack asked, giving him signals that he should agree.
Rowan nodded in agreement. "That should work."
"I should take my leave then. My mission here has been accomplished." Madam Xi said as she rose to her feet. "Don't forget son, this Friday. I can't wait to tell my husband this good news."
Madam Xi left the room, her departure leaving a tensed atmosphere in her wake. Once she was out of earshot, Johnny and Jack let out a collective sigh of relief. Anger evident on Rowan's face.
"Now what?" Rowan exclaimed.