Christina boiled as her eyes trailed the duo who held on to each other like they were old time lovers.

But she didn't let it show. She couldn't make a mess of herself in front of her boss's mother. Or to put it better, her potential mother-in-law.


And that would be possible if she played her game right. And a look at the almost seething woman opposite her, she knew she was doing something right.

At first, when the woman called for her earlier in the day, she feared she wanted to talk about the call the other day. But when her talk started... Christina knew she had finally found that channel with which she would make Charles hers.

"Go and get him," Mrs. Oxford commanded, Christina a bit offed by the harshness in her voice.


"Yes ma'am."

Mr. Oxford was smiling, holding her tight. He whispered something to her as they got to the place they had to check for their reservation and she smiled.


Fisted, her hands almost got bruised by her arcylic nails which she chose to be neon. She hated that she was not the one in his arms, she knew for sure she was a better sight to be seen beside him. Not the... little woman who looked starved of good emotions.

"Mr. Oxford."

"Miss Kane. What are you doing here?" Everytime she found herself in front of him, she felt she had a chance to blurt out how she felt but she never found the courage.

The courage didn't come at that moment either despite her growing anger.

"Miss Kane?" Even the woman in her arms questioned her silence with her brows.

"I-"

"Before I forget, please contact Mr. Richard as soon as you can."

"The lawyer?" Did they have some kind of problem? She knew of none.

"I believe he is. Miss Kane are you okay? You are zoning out a lot."

"I uh-"

"You are fine, yeah?" His voice was so... Her eyes shut for a second. "I guess you are." The smile on his face as her eyes came open turned her head. "Well, don't forget what I asked you to do. Isabella, let's go. I am famished."

"Your mother is around sir." His mention of that name reminded her why she was in front of him initially.

Isabella. Isabella Shade.

What did the woman have that she didn't? She knew she had it better than her even.

"Excuse me?"

"She wants you to come over." She watched as his eyes looked forward and searched. When he happened to find his mother, he sighed.

"Why is she still here?" he murmured. "Okay Miss Kane. Lead us to her."

Christina sighed painfully as his hold on the silent woman did not once fail. It was though he could read her thoughts, the way he gripped her even tighter.

At that point, his mother was her only hope.

~

Watching the hair of his pretty secretary bob as she led the way, Isabella found herself nibbing on her lower lip.

His mother?

She was just getting used to the idea that she was finally with Charles. Adding his mother to the list was quite... huge.

"Relax, she won't bite." Isabella's eyes went to the seated woman who was dressed in a elaborate purple gown with jewelries to kill for adorning her.

Momentarily, their eyes met. And the woman did not look happy to see her. And to see her son's firm hold on her.

"Mother," Charles monotonously said as they got to her front.

"Charles," she returned, getting up. Her eyes then went to Isabella and scrutinized the heck out of her.

"What are you doing here? I thought I told you to leave."

Mrs. Oxford's burning sight left Isabella who tried to weasle out of Charles firm hold. "I am my own person Charles. I don't need a stubborn son to order me around."

"I won't have to if you weren't so adamant to be around me."

"Is it so wrong to be concerned about you? And speaking of being concerned..." her eyes went back to Isabella. "Who on earth is she?"

"You will know in due time."

Isabella noticed the face his secretary made in response.

"I would like to know now. Is she a fling or the wife you are searching for?"

Charles pinched the bridge of his nose as though to keep himself in check before saying, "Mother, in due time you will know."

"She is the wife then." Mrs. Oxford's eyes did more scrutinizing. "Who exactly is she?"

"How do you mean mother?"

"Do you think I will let you go off and marry just anyone?"

"I believe my instructions were to stay out of my business." The heat between the two... Isabella wondered what could have caused such rift.

"I just want to be sure she doesn't have anything on you." Isabella got that was being motherly, but she was going about it a bit rudely. That made her have a lesser percentage of respect for the woman.

"Mother... be careful how you tread."

His mother snickered, her gown rustling as she folded her arms. "Does she know Charles?"

"What?"

"Does she know you are marrying her only because you want to meet your real father?"

"What?" Isabella spoke for the same time, the question startling her.

"She doesn't know?" Mrs. Oxford looked amused. "That's very interesting. Listen..." she moved closer towards Isabella.

"I know my son is rich and handsome and all that. You might find it hard to leave him along the line. But if I find you a person covered in numerous dirt, know that I will separate you two no matter what. And by the looks of things, that will be soon."

"Mother!"

"See you later son," the woman said, smirking as she grabbed her purse and walked away.

"Isabella..." His hold relaxed but soon moved to her shoulders and made her face him.

Her head still processing the question his mother asked earlier, she looked up at him and asked, "Is it true?"

A deep sigh as though he was going to regret his words after, he said almost quietly, "Yes."