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“I’ve been busy,” he stated. And avoiding them.
“And now you pay the price. She’s probably about five minutes away from your penthouse. I hope you’re alone. I’d hate for Shanda to meet Mother when she’s not happy with you.”
“You couldn’t have told her that I wasn’t here?” Even before Jerry could answer, he heard the buzzer. Fuck! “I thought you said five minutes?”
“Guess I was wrong,” he laughed. “Good luck, you’re going to need it.”
Kenneth ended the call and slipped the phone into his pocket. His mother would’ve already been told by the doorman that he was home, so all he could do was let her inside.
Opening the door he said, “Hello Mother. What brings you here?”
She huffed and walked past him. “Are you alone?”
Thankfully, yes.“I am. Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?”
She turned to him and said, “I would think my leaving you several voicemails would’ve gotten a response, but surprisingly, not one. Why is that Kenneth?”
“Why don’t we go and sit down?” he suggested. Kenneth knew no matter how he answered, she wasn’t going to be pleased. He couldn’t blame her either, so he might as well just say the truth.
Once they were seated, she asked, “Is there something you want to tell me, or would you prefer I ask the questions?”
He smiled. “I already know your questions, so I’ll fill in the blanks.” He gathered his thoughts and said flat out, “I met someone.”
“Apparently all of Boston knows that,” she stated.
That was an exaggeration. Kenneth knew there was talk, but everyone knew he wasn’t one to became serious about anyone. “It’s just talk Mother. Nothing more.”
“Since you’re not returning my calls, those rumors carry more weight. Did you want to tell me about her?”
He knew his mother had already dug into Shanda and her family, and probably at his father’s instructions. Protecting the family name. Great. A Heart, without one.
“She’s unlike anyone I’ve…dated.” That put a label on their status. He was shocked he’d even gone that far.
“And your plans with this woman?”
“Mother, some things are private,” he said firmly. And undetermined.
“You do know she is inexperienced and doesn’t even hold a college degree. What is she able to bring into the relationship that will help you grow your business?”
“Mother. That is…cold.”
She stared at him and said, “You didn’t think so a few weeks ago.”
She was right. He wasn’t the same person, but he hadn’t lost sight of what was important. If he had, he never would’ve closed that deal today. “Trust me Mother, my business is extremely important to me.”
“And Shanda? How important is she to you?” she asked.
He sighed. “Honestly, I’m not sure. But Mother, I’m asking that you please don’t interfere. She isn’t used to dealing with people like us.”
“My point exactly. She doesn’t have what it takes to be the wife of a Heart. You need to know the social network. You know I laid the groundwork for your father. Without me, where would he be?”
“I understand the role you play Mother. And I also know Shanda wouldn’t want to live that life. She would want…a marriage based on love.” That didn’t make him want her any less, even though he and Shanda felt so differently about love. She brought something into his life that was new and unexpected. “I am not sure where Shanda and I are going, but it will be for me to decide Mother. Not the family.”
She nodded. “You have always been headstrong. If this woman is really everything I have heard, then at least there is one thing I don’t need to worry about. She’s not after your money.”
No. I’m more worried she’s after my heart.
“Then you agree to let it alone?” he asked.
