.....3 years later.....

LUCAS

"Get me the Hastings file, Nina." I say over the intercom to my assistant.

"Yes, Sir." She responds immediately. Few minutes later, a knock sounds on my door.

"Come in." I say. I know it's Nina so I just allow her in. It's not any of the guys; they barge in; they don't knock. I have really crazy friends. Well, it's only fair because I do the same to them. I remember barging in on André and Sophia making out; he threw his shoe at me that instant. It's actually hilarious, thinking about it now.

"Here it is, Sir." She says, handing the requested file over to me.

"Thank you." I say at her and immediately start going through it.

"You can go." I say, when I notice her figure still hovering above me.

"Actually, Sir. There is something I need to talk to you about." She says, hesitating a little while her voice comes off shaky.

"Relax, Nina. We went to high school together." I say to her. Yeah, that's true but she was my junior.

"And please, sit." She nods her head and does as instructed.

"There's a situation at home. My mom is really sick and she needs me by her side. Her condition worsened and she just got admitted to the hospital today." She says, looking down.

"You want a break?" I ask her.

"Yes, Sir." She says. I give it a thought, I need her around but her mom is more important at this moment.

"Alright. You have till Monday." Today is Wednesday, so I can survive. Right?

"Thank you, Sir." She says, smiling.

"You are welcome." She stands up and takes her leave.

I focus my attention back on the Hastings file, reading through and highlighting important parts. I really need to get the details right fot their wedding jewellery. They want it custom made.

My phone rings and I take a peek at it to see mom calling. I snicker a little, knowing I can't miss her call even if I am busy. Forget about the sentiments involved in this matter, I know her so much, she will blast my phone with calls till I pick up and she won't fail to rant about it. So picking it is basically killing two unwanted birds with one stone.

"Hello, mum." I say.

"Darling, I got your gift and your wishes. Thank you." She sounds very cheerful. I am glad.

"Anything to keep your smile from faltering. Happy birthday, once more."

"Thank you. You are the best son." She says, chuckling.

"I am your only son, duhh." I respond to her.

"Whatever. Hope you're coming for the celebrations this evening?" She asks.

"Sure."

"You missed my 59th, even though it is justified. You can't miss my 60th." I was on a business trip during that time and I could not fly back for the birthday due to the terrible weather which was very weird, considering the time of the year.

"I know." Just as I respond, the door to my office opens, revealing my dad. I guess I left him out on my earlier list of people who don't knock. Well, throw in Goiai and mom and the list is complete. There used to be one more person who could enter at freewill but still gives me the courtesy of knocking. I immediately divert my thoughts from her. Not today.

"Hello, Dad." I mouth to him and point to my phone, also mouthing 'mom'. He chuckles and takes a sit.

"Lucas??" She calls out, as if sensing the divertion in my attention.

"Yes, I'm with you. Dad just walked in."

"Oh, Hi, honey." I roll my eyes at her and my dad gives me a glare. What a couple!

"First of all, the phone's speaker is not turned on so he can't hear you. Secondly, I can bet he just left you and you're already missing him."

"It's what happens when you're in love, my dear." She responds, chuckling at what I said.

"I can't wait for you to experience that feeling." I scoff at the thought.

"I am not the one for love, mom.  Will Goiai be there?" I ask.

"Yes, and she's even coming with her boyfriend too." Yeah, her boyfriend. I don't like the guy because he looks creepy to me. He's her colleague at the University.

"Yeah, her boyfriend." I reply with a sullen expression.

"See you in the evening, Lucas. Don't keep my husband waiting. I miss him already." I chuckle at the last part before responding and ending the call.

"Why are you laughing at what my wife says? Go get your own." Dad asks with a frown. I look at him, amused and we both burst into laughter.

"You both are one hell of a couple." I say, still laughing.

"It's what you get when you choose to spend forever with the right person." He says, smiling. Age has really done him well. Even in their 60s, my parents still look amazing and they are both still madly in love with each other. I wonder how they do it. Staying committed to one person eternally, the thought of me doing that makes me cringe.

"Love... love. Mum has been speaking about it too. Enough if it, how big is her party?" I ask him.

"You know your mother." That was all he needed to say for me to figure out the rest.

"You coming with a date?" Dad asks.

"Nahh, I am coming alone." I shrug while he just stares down on me.

"So, what brings you here, dad?"

"You see, son......"

•••••

Before closing for the day, I ensure I am at least at 70% completion for the Hastings project. I already made drafts of the rings. You see, the Hastings are English royals and as such, guests like that are accorded first hand treatment. They are A-class guests.

I close up and step out. I am the last to leave the building today and shit! It's already dark outside. I hastily get into my car and zoom off to my house to have a change of clothes before heading to mom's birthday.

"Happy birthday, mum." I slip my hands over her shoulder and pull her in for a hug, totally catching her unawares. She rolls her eyes before responding.

"Here I was thinking you would not come." She says after hissing.

"You know I won't miss your birthday. I just stayed a little late at work." I respond in defence.

"I was beginning to think both of you planned it." She says with a sigh, followed by slumping of her shoulders.

"What? Goiai is not in attendance? I thought you said she is coming with her boyfriend." That would be really uncool if she missed this.

"No, darling." She drags me away from her guests to the corner just before the stairs.

"I don't mean, Goiai. Marianna." She whispers the last part like it's forbidden to say. In all my conducts, I have made it an effort to avoid that name. Let's say after she dissolved our friendship, I never saw her again. The tabloids record the huge success she has made for herself over the years and I am happy about that. However, I wasn't the one that destroyed the friendship and if we're to mend it, she has to make the efforts and not me.

"So what's the big deal if she doesn't come? It's not like she's your child." I end my statement with a shrug that is followed by a smack on my head by mum.

"That's quite insensitive of you to say." She cautions.

"Well, don't let it bother you, mum. Happy birthday. You grow prettier everyday." I smile, touching her cheeks fondly.

"Thank you, son." She leans in and gives me a peck on my right cheek before repeating the action on my left cheek.

"Let me attend to my guests." She smiles and slips into the crowd. Yes, crowd. Mom organised a huge event to mark her birthday.

"Look who we have here." I don't need to think twice. Goiai.

"What is it?" I ask her, hissing.

"You don't have to be angry everytime." She gives me a playful nudge on the arm, coupled with a goofy smile on her face.

"I am not always angry." I feign a smile before speaking again.

"See?" My questions makes her burst into laughter, making me wonder what exactly is so funny.

"Whatever makes your ship float, dear brother." She waves off, shrugging her shoulders. Her gaze moves about my head and she stands on tip toe to wave someone over.

"Manuel." She calls out. Uh-oh. Boyfriend alert.

"Excuse me." I say to her and make my way out, not listening to her voice repeatedly telling me to stay.