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“Mom, I don’t want him to think that I’m still that eighteen-year-old. This is my chance to show him how I took all those business courses and applied them in the restaurant.”
“And having your mother tagging along will not show him what a wonderful woman you’ve grown up to be,” she smiled, proudly.
You mean the type of woman who lies and keeps secrets?I felt so damn guilty. There was a part of me that felt as though I could confess everything and take her with me to meet Damien. But the guilt would be replaced with frustration because I knew she’d just put a stop to it all.
I’m not sure why, but I knew Damien was going to find the answers I needed. I saw the determination in his eyes.He wants to know almost as badly as I do.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I thought you wanted to hang out at the hotel today because of the rain. I never would’ve accepted his invitation for coffee if I thought you would be stuck here, bored,” I stated.
Mom made a face. “Bored? I dream of days when I have nothing to do. I am looking forward to some quiet time. I was only worried about you. But you’re right. He was your professor and it’s not like he’s some stranger I need to worry about.”
A stranger that I’m about to pay twenty-thousand dollars to.
“I’ll try to get back as soon as possible,” I said.
“Honest. I don’t want you to rush. I’m fine here. And after everything we ate yesterday, I think I’m glad we’re not going out to lunch again today.”
I smiled. “I feel the same way.” Giving her a kiss on the cheek, I headed out the door. Damien had shown me the trick for hailing a cab.Can’t be shy. Make yourself seen. Not easy on the busy streets of New York, but after a few tries, it worked. The taxi had me at Damien’s office at the scheduled time. A much better impression than the first one.
“Hello, I have an appointment with Mr. Blaze. My name is MaKayla Prada,” I informed the receptionist.
“Good morning, Ms. Prada. Mr. Blaze is just finishing up a call and will be with you shortly. Can I get you a cup of tea?” she asked.
I smiled but declined. It was nice to know Damien had paid attention to my choice of caffeinated brew.
The waiting area didn’t hold any of the things one would do to occupy themselves, like magazines. I pulled out my phone and decided to check on things at the restaurant. Having security cameras ensured we need not be physically there to make sure everything was okay. Even though we were closed for the week, I also knew that this was when something major went wrong. Last time it was a broken pipe that had flooded the dining room. Once I confirmed everything looked fine, I slipped my phone back into my purse.
The door to the office opened and Damien stepped out. “Good morning. Looks like it was my turn to keep you waiting,” he said.
I wished he’d forgotten all about that, but at least he acknowledged his tardiness.
“Why don’t we go into my office, and we can begin.” I nodded. Then he turned to his receptionist and said, “Dottie, I’m expecting someone from Summit Labs. Can you let me know when they arrive?”
“Of course,” she replied.
I followed him into his office, and he said, “Why don’t we sit on the couch.”
I was nervous and sitting so close to him wasn’t going to help. “I’d prefer to sit at your desk if that is okay.” Not waiting for a response, I took a seat by his desk.
Damien walked around and sat across from me. “I received your email this morning with all the information I requested. Not much to go on, which is why I have requested someone to come to my office and draw some blood. That with your DNA test results might help paint a better picture.”
“Mr. Blaze, I gave you what I know, but I honestly do not know if Venus Prada is even my mother's real name,” I admitted.
“I will be looking into that as well. This is not going to be as easy as you may have thought,” he stated.
Shaking my head, I replied, “If it were easy, I’d have found them myself. I am here because I have no idea what else to do.”
“Then trust me. I’ll get you the answers you need. Just have a little patience.”
“I’ve been waiting for many years; I can wait a little longer. What can I do to help?” I asked.
“Tell me about the earliest memories you have. Do you remember anyone besides your mother?” he asked.
I tried thinking back as far as I could. “I think I was four or five years old. I remember hearing my mother on the phone. She was speaking in a different language, one that I did not understand. It wasn’t French because I have heard that many times.”
“Does she still speak that language?” he questioned.
I shrugged. “Never in front of me.” I hadn’t thought about that in such a long time. Had I intentionally blocked it out? Did I even remember it correctly? Was it just a dream? “Mr. Blaze, I can’t even say for sure that the memory really happened. I was young and...and...I just don’t know anymore.”
