Shattered Reflections

n's

e. Who would dare to spread such a ludicrous rumor? I could already envi

. With no time to spare, I grabbed the telephone and hastily dialed a numb

ment. Urgency dripped from my words as I issued my command, "Alert Ben a

r nervously on the table, my thoughts racing. The tension

cipation building as I prepared to address the issue before it got out of h

with a sense of urgency, Ben didn't waste a mome

uit jacket at the edges. I maintained a measured, deliberate tone as I articulated my demand, my

n end. The footsteps receding from my vicinity confirmed his departure. The door swung open, and without facing him, I issued my

oor swung shut, leaving

around for a pack of cigarettes. With the cigarette between my lips,

me off guard. Before I could utter a word, a familiar scent wafted into the room

m

shtray on my table. I slowly turned to face my mother, silently waiting for

cted expression left me bewildered, but I chose not to press my luck any further. I ma

she cat walked across the room, approaching my desk. "I do hope that becoming a father hasn't caused

a model before her marriage to my father, who was just beginning to build his company at the t

y beautiful; she was an enchantress. Her dark brown chocolate eyes held a depth that drew you in, and they sparkled wit

her enchanting eyes to her elegantly sculpted cheekbones. Her skin had an ethereal porcelain quality that seemed to glow with

elegance, created an aura of enchantment that left a p

s clad in an emerald green fitted gown that seemed to have been designed with exquisite attention to detail. Small pearls a

g just enough to tease the imagination. Her grace and elegance were perfectly accentuated by

looking this hot?" I couldn't help but tease as I circled the desk to wrap her

was probably too stunned to remember to get jealous."

e she'd been away. It felt good to be in her presence again, sharing laughter and stories like we used to. The tension that had

my mother began. She shot me a knowing look, making it clear that her next words might not be pleasant, but then she amended her statement,

simply smiled and cast a knowing glance at my forehead, and I realized that she saw th

n. There's nothing going on between Emma and me. I'm in love with Ashley." I

r. I knew my mother had a ruthless side to her personality, and the fact that Ashley was still part of my life was mostly

on't like Ashley, but won't you at least give her a chance to prove herself? I do

ay of getting her point across. I exhaled sharply, feeling the weight of our conversatio

d. My immediate response was to cut in, "But you were also a

er fingers against my lips. I reached out to hold her hand against my lips and kissed it, then clasped it

k of listening, my boy, but I still love you just the way you are. Your father and I." Her words were

and by that, I mean Emma," my mother remarked, settling b

ion. "Careful, son, you might go bald bef

ed, you were the gossip enthusiast, and he was the businessman," I exclaime

y took a keen interest in your choice," she expl

. "Mom!" I exclaimed, shaking my head, realizing that I would never esc

ce. She turned her attention back to me, her expression apologetic. "I'm sorry, Ethan, but I have som

o the door, her hand on the knob. Before stepping out, she turned her head slightly i

eparture that felt unusually abrupt as she didn't even shut the door behind her. I sighed

de my door was none