Page 7 of Sexy Mountain Daddy

CHAPTER FOUR

Serena

Mother has been acting strange ever since she met Kellan, and I truly did not know what to make of it. One minute, she’s asking me how our relationship is going, sounding quite cheerful, but when I tell her how great it is, she gets all huffy and acts like Kellan is one of the worst people in the world. I didn’t understand what her problem was because Kellan was a good guy, but she is just making it adamant that she does not like him, and I am not so sure anyone would be able to change her mind.

The feeling seemed to be mutual with Kellan because any time mom was around, he would be nice and all, but he never looked really happy to see her. I can’t say I really blame him since he is being treated rudely, but I wished the two of them would just put aside their differences and get along. They didn’t need to like each other, I can’t force someone to feel that way, but they need to at least be civil with one another without causing a ruckus.

Like tonight, mom wanted to meet up for dinner but didn’t want me to bring along Kellan. She basically said that she wanted to have a mother-daughter dinner without having to worry about any men tonight. Surprisingly, Kellan was actually quite supportive of it, deciding it would be best if he stays home and works on some paperwork, so he didn’t get behind. I didn’t want to go without him, but I didn’t want to force him into doing anything that he didn’t want to. I understood why he wouldn’t want to be around my mom who is making it clear she doesn’t want him around.

Sigh.

“SERENA!” I heard mom call from across the restaurant, “we are here, honey!”

My eyebrows furrowed in slight confusion. We?

Looking over, I saw mom walking towards me, a big smile on her face. But my eyes were not drawn to her. They were drawn to the man who was walking behind her, dressed in a nice, tailored suit and radiated an aura of arrogance. My eyes narrowed when I saw the smug smirk on his face, looking at me like I was a prize. Did mom really do what I think she did?

“Mother.” I greeted, trying to cool my temper, “I didn’t expect you to be bringing someone.”

“Ah, well, I thought you would try to tell me no if I told you.” She admitted, knowing damn well that it would have been the case, “but I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to let you meet this wonderful man. Serena, this is George, the heir to this big company. George, this is my lovely daughter, Serena.”

George held out his hand to me, grinning, “ah, Rosalie has told me so much about you, Serena, I am pleased to see that she hadn’t been lying to me at all. You are a very beautiful woman if I must say.”

I gritted my teeth together, wishing now that I hadn’t come as I reached out, shaking his hand, “funny. I can’t say that I’ve heard anything about you.”

George sat down across from me, motioning over the waiter, “wine?”

“No thanks.” I told him, sipping on the glass of water, “I just want to eat and get out of here as quickly as possible. My boyfriend will be waiting for me at home. I don’t want him to misunderstand what’s happening here. I didn’t come here to be on a date.”

“I understand.” George replied, looking as if he really didn’t care about what I had to say, “the thing is, Serena, I do have a lot to offer you and I feel as if I will be a better choice than your boyfriend. Rosalie has told me that she does not feel as if he is a good fit for you. That you deserve someone with money who can take care of you.”

Mom didn’t even look guilty.

“I am perfectly happy with Kellan.” I disagreed, thinking about just getting up and walking away, “I don’t need a rich husband to be happy, and my boyfriend and I make more than enough money to be happy.”

George pulled something out of his pocket, setting it down in front of me, “I understand, like I said, but I have a proposition that would be much better for you than to stay with him.”

I saw that he had placed a check in front of me, and I was baffled when I saw one-hundred thousand dollars written on the check. I thought all of this had to be a sham considering no one sane enough would try and buy someone off like that, but when I saw the sincere look on his face, I was horrified. He really did have intentions to come here and try to break Kellan and I up. And here my own mother was going along with it!

“Are you crazy?” I demanded, glaring at the both of them, “do you really think money is going to change how I feel? I love Kellan, mom, and he is a really good guy. I don’t know why you can’t just accept him for who he is. It isn’t right for you to do this, especially without him present so he can defend himself as well.”

Mom rolled her eyes, obviously not caring, “who cares? Baby, I just want to do what is best for you. Do you really think that guy is going to stick around? He is just going to be like Lazarus and end up hating you as well.”

I couldn’t believe that this was my own mother saying these things to me, feeling like my world was coming crashing down. It was obvious then that she had no respect for me, and no respect for my relationship with Kellan. That made me angry, and I jumped to my feet.

“I’m leaving!” I snapped at them, grabbing the check and tearing it to shreds, “until you have the decency to respect my relationship with Kellan, I don’t want you contact me, mother.”

I turned away, going to leave, but I froze as I saw Kellan standing a few feet away, dressed in a nice black suit, all eyes on him basically. From the look on his face, I knew that he had heard everything that was said, but I just hoped he wasn’t angry with me. I really didn’t know this was going to happen.

“Rosalie.” Kellan greeted as he stepped closer, putting his muscular arm securely around my waist as he kissed my temple, “I apologize for being late. I was thinking that I wasn’t going to be able to come because of work, but I managed to finish my paperwork early.” Kellan’s tone was slightly cold, but the smile on his face, you wouldn’t think that, “who is this man? I thought it was going to be a mother-daughter dinner.”

“One that you are interrupting.” Mom grumbled, now looking embarrassed.

“If it was just you two, then that means this guy over here is interrupting as well.” Kellan agreed, George instantly looking away, not looking confident anymore, “but that’s good you two are here. You can see what I have been planning to do for a long while now. I wanted to wait a while, but now is as good as ever.”

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as Kellan released me, wondering what he was going to do. But my eyes widened in shock as Kellan kneeled down on one knee, pulling out a velvety purple box out of his pocket. I covered my mouth, knowing damn well my jaw was dropped as I watched him open the box, revealing a dazzling diamond ring.

“Serena, I know we haven’t been together for that long, but I know you are the one for me.” Kellan murmured softly, “all I can see is you in my life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I want to live my life with you, have children and grow old. I love you more than you would probably ever know, and I want you to move in with me. I don’t care what anyone says, even if they try to tear us apart.”

Tears welled in my eyes, unable to believe that this was actually happening.

“Serena, will you marry me?” Kellan asked me softly, the whole restaurant watching us.

I fiercely nodded my head, practically sobbing, “yes! Of course I will marry you.”

Kellan slipped the ring onto my finger before rising to his feet. I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him harshly, never wanting this moment to stop. Kellan pulled away, whispering for me to be patient as he turned to mom, smiling at her.

“Listen, ma’am, you don’t have to like me,” He told her, his voice earnest, “but you are sure going to respect our relationship. All of this, it was uncalled for. And honestly, it was downright rude. I hope you have a lot more respect for us in the future.”

Mom didn’t get a chance to try to defend herself as Kellan led us away, not wanting to deal with her any longer. I didn’t care though, just wanting to be at his side in this moment. Kellan was right, so maybe it is time to put some distance between us so that we can be happy.