Chapter 26: Meant To Be

" You're catching on pretty quick " Mrs Henderson complimented Lucia after she struck the golf ball with a club.

" It must be because you're a really good coach, " Lucia smiled, placing both hands on top of the club.

" I thought you'd have similar characteristics with Maria Lewis... But I was wrong, you're nothing like her " Mrs Henderson smiled

" Maria Lewis? Mr Hender— I mean Liam's ex-girlfriend? " Lucia asked puzzled

" Do you know her? " Mrs Henderson asked

" Not exactly... But I've heard of her several times " Lucia replied

" What about her? " Lucia spoke when Mrs Henderson said nothing

" It's just that... You're nothing like her... I thought Liam was attracted to girls who were like Maria, looking at them... They made a perfect couple in the eyes of people, they were each other's ideal type " Mrs Henderson replied

" I d-don't understand " Lucia stuttered a little

" Mm... Do you know Lara? " Mrs Henderson asked

" Lara Lawson? " Lucia asked

" Yes. Lara Lawson " Mrs Henderson replied

" We met once, a few days ago at a ball " Lucia said

" She was a really sweet girl who was willing to leave her parents behind and leave the country with Liam but the idiot kept treating their relationship like a business deal... Talking of things like the date of termination till the sweet little girl could no longer take it... Then he met Maria, a grumpy, arrogant, rich, ambitious, independent, sassy and classy woman... The total opposite of Lara... " Mrs Henderson paused for a while to take a deep breath.

" My legs hurt standing in one place, would you like to walk with me? " Mrs Henderson asked

Lucia nodded her head in affirmation she knew she was in for a long story but she was excited nevertheless.

" Well Maria is the daughter of Neo Lewis, the head of the Lewis Group, a very influential organization. She followed in her mother's footsteps and became a very good designer, some even nicknamed her the best designer in America, although she's not far off from the title... " Mrs Henderson spoke as they walked around the fairly large lawn

" Mm.. hmm " Lucia made sounds to let Mrs Henderson know that she was listening

" Although both our families were acquaintances, Maria and Liam did not know each other... Not until they met in China which was pure coincidence, I later got to know of their relationship when they were on holiday... Apparently a year before they graduated '' Mrs Henderson paused again to examine Lucia's facial expression.

Liam on the other side of the large lawn kept thinking about what his mother could possibly be talking about with his fake fiancee that was making them walk around the lawn

" Should I interrupt? Everything seems to be alright " Liam sighed to himself, he decided to ignore them and busy himself with a magazine he had found on a table beside him.

" So did you like Maria? " Lucia found herself asking, to be honest she wasn't curious but either way what harm could knowledge do?

" I did not hate Maria, in fact I liked her but she was most definitely not my ideal daughter in law nevertheless I wouldn't have rejected her if she was Liam's choice of a wife " Mrs Henderson replied

" What about her did you not like? " Lucia asked

" She was arrogant as I had earlier mentioned, she was ignorant, spoiled, used to having things her way and she was the type to be reckless if it meant she would have her way but one thing I liked about her was the fact that she was independent and ambitious... She was really hard working as well... " Mrs Henderson sighed

" When I saw you for the first time, I could tell you were a reserved and conservative girl. I wondered if you were my son's type, but when he introduced you as his fiancee and not just his girlfriend I was really relieved... It felt nice to know what my son's type was... A beautiful, reserved, nice, calm and honest girl " Mrs Henderson smiled as she outlined Lucia's qualities.

Lucia chuckled nervously, not knowing what to say in reply to Mrs Henderson. " It's nice to know that you think of me that way... Mrs Henderson " Lucia said after a while, frowning inwardly

" Huh?? Mrs Henderson? " Mrs Henderson asked smiling

" Sorry... I meant mother in law " She apologized, putting on a fake smile

" You know I once offered to teach Maria how to play golf, she objected saying it was a sports for old people " Mrs Hendersonq recalled

" I said the same thing too " Lucia replied

" That was why I thought you'd be like each other but unlike Maria, you accepted to learn how to play which means you're humble... " Mrs Henderson smiled once more.

" So were you testing me? " Lucia asked

" What? No it was a mere coincidence " Mrs Henderson answered

" So what was the result of your 'mere coincidence'? " Lucia asked

" Well I may not know you that much but from what I can see, I can tell that the both of you would compliment each other... " Mrs Henderson paused and stared in the direction of Liam

" Because you're polar opposite " Mrs Henderson continued

' It's not every time opposite attracts Mrs Henderson, sometimes they tend to repel ' Lucia said in her thoughts

" Let's head inside and have some food " Mrs Henderson suggested

" That'd be great, I'm starving " Lucia smiled, pushing aside every thought that was in her head

" Unfortunately that won't be today " Liam's voice came from behind

" Huh? Why?! " Mrs Henderson asked

" We have to go home, I have work to do and my time is already far spent, I'm behind the clock " Liam explained

" But she's hungry, just a little bit of food and you both can leave... Hmm? What'd ya say? " Mrs Henderson gave a hopeful look

" I'm sorry Yvette... Next time, besides if it's just a little that she eats them she will remain hungry still " Liam replied

" Fine then... Move along, I have something to tell Lucia in private " Mrs Henderson gestured at Liam to move away

" I'll be in the car then " Liam replied and left

" Come closer... " Mrs Henderson gestured at Lucia to come closer

" Okay " Lucia replied and scooted closer to Mrs Henderson

" So I know that.... "

***

Lucia silently pulled open the door of the car and got in, a puzzled expression sat on her face as she said nothing. The driver started the car engine, surprising Liam who was unaware of when Lucia got into the car.

" Huh... Miss Camden is not yet bac— " Liam was about to say before he saw Lucia looking like someone who had just seen a horror movie in reality " Geez... When did you get in? " Liam asked, startled, but no response came from Lucia so he decided to let it go.

A long-lasting silence reigned on their car as neither said a word, not until Lucia broke the silence.

" What made you feel that you and Maria were not meant to be? " Lucia popped out of the blues