Wild Society.
Travis was really pissed about this, he said something about it been some kinda organization and I think Trent was a part of it.
But my question remains, why didn't he let the man at the party talk to me? He was about telling me about it.
This will piss him off but I really needed to meet Hastings again.
I sighed and glanced out the window, it was Monday and I was heading to work. Yeah, Rosa was right, I was a workaholic.
I mean, I know the flight really took a toll on me but I can't possibly stay home to feel better. I find my peace behind that desk... getting work done.
We pulled over and I stepped out of the car. Today I wore a pink dress, it was body con and had a wooly texture and buttons leading from the top to the end.
My hair was straightened on either side of my face, I stepped into the lobby and Layla looked up. "Welcome back, Mrs Ferrari!" she greeted and I shot her a smile before heading up the stairs.
"Oh my gosh!" Bethany heaved once she saw me and Kourtney got out of the office. "What are you doing back?" She asked and I ignored them and walked into mine.
I took my seat and looked up to see them both standing in front of me as usual. "I'm back, is that a bad thing?"
"So soon?" Kourtney asked. "If you are wondering how the 60th went, everything went good"
"How are you back so soon?" Bethany demanded and I sighed and looked up at the both of them again.
"Can we get back to work? The Stellar Awards is early next month, we've barely got time to be playing around
"Elias and his team are rounding up work, they just need your final supervision" Kourtney informed. "That's great, schedule one with Jenkins, we would want his opinion too"
She nodded and took that down. "Anything else, any new client?" I asked. "Actually..." Bethany drawled and I looked up at her.
"When is the wedding?"
"In November, we are gonna begin planning soon" she squealed and I smiled. "I'm honored to be your wedding planner "
"I can't believe this is happening" Kourtney muttered and she rolled her eyes. "That reminds me, is it true that Hillary rejected Justin's proposal?"
"Yes"
They immediately occupied the seats in front of me. "Spill it!" Kourtney commanded and I sighed and looked up at them.
"She turned him down at the gala last Wednesday for personal reasons, apparently she isn't ready to settle down"
"I can't believe, I actually envied them" Kourtney murmured. "But they were perfect. How's Justin doing now? He's too handsome to be going through shit"
I shot Bethany a look before answering. "They broke up, Hillary will be flying back to London. That's all, now can you both get back to work?!"
They sighed and got back up. "Welcome back, I guess"
"Yeah, shut the door"
________________________________________
The telephone rang and I picked it up and answered. "Pearl Vega speaking"
"You can't even go by your husband's name" the person said and I paused and looked up. "Mom?"
"You made me go through the trouble of getting your office number" she complained. "How did you get it?" I wondered.
"That's not why I called. I want to see you at lunch at 2 pm" she ordered and I fell back on my seat. "It's really nice for you to invite, Mom but I-"
"It's to not a request. What better thing could you be doing right now?"
"I'm at the office"
"As expected, at 2 pm. Don't be late" she ended the call and I groaned. If i knew she was the one calling, I would have ignored.
Why does she find the perfect moment to disturb my life? I wasn't down for lunch or whatsoever.
I picked up my phone to call Bella, she answered. "Hey, are you back from Italy?"
"Yes and apparently Mom found out, she invited me for lunch" I said. "Me too, I wish I can bail but I have no excuse"
"I have an excuse but she made it useless" I replied and she chuckled. "How's the trip?"
"It was good, everything went well"
"You got back pretty fast" she commented. "Yeah, I've got work to do"
"Yes, the Stellar Awards right?" She asked. "Exactly, I don't got much time" I replied. "I guess, we'll see at lunch"
"Sure" the call ended and I sighed. Kourtney walked in with a bouquet of roses in hand. "This came in for you last Friday" she placed them on the table.
"Are there any notes?" I asked, picking it up. "My thoughts exactly but then I asked why Travis will send you flowers when you both were on your way to Italy?"
I looked up at her. There must be from Aiden. "It's from someone else" I replied, placing them beside.
"How's Davis?" I changed the topic. "I haven't seen him for a while, I guess his busy"
"He hasn't stopped by?"
"No"
"Plastic surgeon do be busy" I pointed out and she nodded in agreement. "I'm having lunch with my mom at 2 "
"Cancel schedule for the day?" She asked. "I may be back -"
"I know you, Pearl. You'll head straight home, you will never be back " she cut me off and I chuckled. "Can you blame me? I get tired"
"You should have rested today" she pointed out. "And leave the work for whom?" I asked and she glared.
_________________________________________
"Good afternoon, Mom," I greeted as I stepped in. She turned and shot me a look.
"I said 2 PM. It’s 2:30," she replied sharply, walking further into the house. I sighed and followed.
"I told you, I was at the office," I explained, knowing it wouldn’t appease her.
"Hey, Pearl," Bella called out from the sofa, waving casually.
I waved back, but before I could respond, my mother chimed in. "Come help me in the kitchen. Your sister can’t do anything, remember? She’s with child," she said, disappearing into the kitchen.
I bit back an eye roll. Why was I even invited to lunch? Aside from being dragged into chores, I couldn't think of a single reason.
"Mom, I told you, I’m fine," Bella protested as she joined us in the kitchen.
"Don’t pick up anything. Sit down," Mom commanded, forcing her back into a chair.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the interaction.
"You’d get the same treatment if you were with child," Mom quipped in my direction, predictably turning her focus to me.
I forced a smile. "Don’t worry, Mom. I’m sure I won't get the same treatment no matter the circumstances."
She rolled her eyes. "For lunch, we’re having Salad Niçoise. I read it’s the best recipe for pregnant women," she announced, and Bella let out an audible sigh.
"Mom, come on," Bella groaned.
"You need to put on five pounds before your second trimester," Mom said matter-of-factly.
I watched their banter with mild amusement, glancing at the clock. I was itching to get back to the office.
Mom caught my wandering attention. "And why are you checking the time? Do you have somewhere to be?" she asked pointedly as she rummaged in the cabinet.
Moments later, she called out, "Check the potatoes, Pearl."
I walked to the pot and looked at the boiling water. "Is it soft?" she asked.
"I don’t know," I answered honestly, unsure how to test it.
"Pearl!" she snapped in exasperation.
Bella moved to help, but Mom stopped her mid-step. "Are you crazy? Do you want to hurt yourself?"
"Mom, I cook at my house, remember?" Bella argued.
"Tell Derrick you need a chef. Don’t put yourself through that," she replied, even though she threw a fit the last time she discovered I had a chef.
"Mom, I don’t mind—"
"Pearl will do it," she interjected, cutting Bella off.
I sighed and turned off the stove. "Can we start cooking now?"
"If only you could," she muttered under her breath, moving toward the stove herself.
"This meal is for you too. I hope you and Travis have started making an effort," she said, turning to me with a sly look.
I glanced at Bella, who was trying not to laugh. "Have you?" Mom pressed, fully facing me now.
"What?" I asked, confused. "Are you both even getting intimate? Doing—"
"Mom!" I yelled, covering my ears.
"There’s nothing to be ashamed of! We’re all mature women here," she insisted.
Moments later, we sat at the table. I poked at the salad with my fork, sneaking glances at Mom and Bella as they ate.
"Eat more," Mom urged.
"I can’t eat all this!" Bella protested.
"You need to gain five pounds!" Mom insisted.
"Mom, I’m eating healthy. Your salad isn’t going to magically make me gain five pounds," Bella argued.
I chuckled softly at their back-and-forth and focused on my meal.
"Is Travis back?" Mom suddenly asked, shifting her attention to me.
"He’ll be back this week," I replied, though I was merely guessing.
"How did the anniversary go?" she continued.
"It went well. Rosa sends her greetings," I answered casually, hoping the topic would drop.
She hummed in acknowledgment before resuming her badgering of Bella. I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my stomach lightly. It had been aching for a while now. After a few more bites, I pushed the plate away.
"Thank you, Mom. I’m full."
She glanced at my plate, unimpressed. "How can you take five forkfuls and be full?"
"I’m fine," I replied, glancing at the time—past 4 PM. "Thanks for the meal, Mom, but I really need to go," I said, rising to leave.
"You’re heading back to the office?" Bella asked.
"Yeah. It was a nice lunch. Let’s do this again sometime," I said with a forced smile.
Or never, I thought to myself.
"And perhaps, you’ll have good news next time," Mom added pointedly.
I smiled faintly and left.
Later that evening.
I sighed as I leaned back in my office chair, grateful to have proven Kourtney wrong by showing up for work.
By the time I got home, I was beyond exhausted. I stepped out of the car to see Williams waiting for me.
"Welcome, Mrs. Ferrari," he said, extending his hand for my bag and coat.
"Thank you," I said, handing them over.
"There’s someone waiting for you," he informed me as he opened the door.
I walked into the living room to see Harrison sitting on the couch. Of course—Travis mentioned something about him meeting me.
"Good evening, Mrs. Ferrari," he greeted, rising slightly.
"Harrison," I replied, gesturing for him to sit. I took the seat opposite him.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"No," he replied curtly.
"Is Travis back?"
"He’ll return tomorrow," Harrison confirmed.
I nodded. "So, what brings you here?"
"I was asked to review the schedule with you," he said, handing me a book.
I flipped through it briefly.
"The Sienna Ball," he said.
"Yes, on the 19th—this Saturday. It’s an important event for you and Mr. Ferrari to attend," he explained.
Of course, Aiden had already invited me to this same ball. I hadn’t planned on going, but now it seemed unavoidable.
"Anything else?"
"That’s all for this month," he replied.
"This could have been sent in an email," I muttered but thanked him anyway.
"Have a good evening, Mrs. Ferrari," he said, taking his leave.
Once the door clicked shut, I fell back onto the sofa, utterly drained.
"Welcome back, Pearl. Dinner is ready. Should I serve it?" Evelyn asked from the doorway.
"Yes, but can you bring me an Advil with that?" She nodded and disappeared into the kitchen.