Authors note: Hey guys first off I can't believe I only have three chapters and I hit 107 reviews. I was in a chat the other night and no one knew I was Kaos and people started talking about my latest chapter of A woman's worth and about Unbreakable. I was floored, I couldn't believe that so many people read both my stories. So I want to say thanks. The next chapter of A woman's worth is coming right up though you guys were slacking on the reviews LOL. Soooo as always I dedicate each of my chapter to someone and I'm going to do the same here. I know a lot of people are expecting me to flip out and put a certain um well lets just say people are expecting something and I'm not going to do it. BUT I am going to dedicate this chapter to Sam! Who is so brave, who posted a compelling and emotional post on my board. And to Cathy who was also brave and her shared a horrific experience with thousands of people. Both these women are a lot stronger than me, because I still have a hard time talking about mine. I was stunned into silence yesterday which is weird because I have a huge mouth. But I do stand up for people who I care about and Cathy Bravo girlie. Bravo and the gods of Chanel, Dolce, and Ellie Sabb are right there with me. And Sam love you girl. So with that said if you want to know more look on the board and leave Sam and Cathy a note. Now onto to the questions. Ladies I'm setting it up. Nathan and Haley will meet soon just keep reading. As for Brucas I actually think Brucas will meet before Naley or do they actually know each other from the past….LOL… Tons of clues just like in AWW. Read, think about it, and leave me a review. The more reviews the faster I will write AWW so I can update this story again. I will say one thing though the next chapter Haley meets Mama Scott who makes her an offer she might not be able to refuse… so enjoy. And Cathy think season finale, fluffy robes, champagne. Laters as Jessi and Mandy say…. KAOS
Chapter 4
Sunday Dinner
"I'm not sure this is the type of house I could live in. It's kind of small." Hillarie Collingsworth said as she impatiently tapped her Chanel clad foot on the grass. She lifted up her arm and looked at the Cartier watch on her wrist. And let out a huge sigh." André I told you what I wanted, I gave you my specifications. I really don't have time for this, you know that I spend my weekends riding and entertaining. I have to be in London in the morning and well this was a complete waste of time. " She told her the short man standing next to her.
"But Cherie this is the property, the one that everyone from the city is going to be dying for. It's not even on the market yet but I've been getting phone calls about it. You said you wanted a showplace, a place that was historical, that everyone would envy you for, well this is it. Look at it, how can you not love it? And the name Vanishing Brook, I mean could you just die?" Andre reached into the inside pocket of his white suit and took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead. It was a hot day despite the fact that it was October and he had been running all over town on his only day off, he was exhausted. So far the English bitch, as he had nicknamed her after she turned down one of the best properties he was showing, had found fault with every house he had shown her. They were either too small, or not opulent enough, or the lighting was off, if he heard that the only good place to find a large house fit for entertaining was obviously in England one more time, he was going to kick her British ass back there himself.
"Yes I know, it's um lovely for a cottage…but it's certainly not a showplace and it's certainly too small for our first house. This house reminds me of a cottage in back of my parents summer house, where the staff lives I cannot live somewhere like that, what would my mother say?"
"A cottage, Darling you can't be serious. It has 5 bedrooms, four full baths, not to mention two half bathrooms, an enormous living room, a solarium, walk in closets, a huge playroom, fireplaces in every room, and hello, the original wood from the 1800's. I cannot believe you don't love it. The lake, the terraces, the amazing lawn this house is screaming newlyweds. Frankly I'm a little bit hurt, I convince the owners to let me show it to you before anyone else…I mean I am the Andre the real estate guru of Greenwich, Connecticut. The only reason that I took you on as a client is because of your close, personal relationship with the Calhoun's, maybe we're not the right fit. I could give you the name of other realtors that um might be a bit more careful finding you a cottage that mummy would approve off." He answered her in a haughty tone. That should put the bitch in her place. Who the hell did she think she was talking too? It wasn't like he needed the commission, he was doing this more as a favor, the Calhoun's were good clients, and friends. God only knew why they were friends with the English bitch. She was certainly well dressed and her fiancée what little he saw off him, did look like he did belong, despite the fact that he barely mumbled two words to him. He drove a Jaguar but then again he learn a long time ago that it didn't matter what designer clothes they wore, or what car they drove some people just didn't have any class, and Hillarie Collingsworth certainly didn't have any. Oh god why were the yuppies moving into Greenwich, if he showed another newly rich couple city couple their dream house, and heard how they wanted to get out of the city and raise a family he was going to throw up all over his Italian loafers.
"Oh no sweetie I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, we don't want to lose you, you were highly recommended, and it is a lovely house. On six acres, and it does have the barn that can fit 12 horses, and the circular stone driveway, those are of course a plus in my book…" she answered him in a sugary voice.
"And don't forget the school district the house is located in one of the best school systems in the country." Andre Van Adams began to perk up, perhaps a sale was still possible, if he could bang this one out he would be able to take the summer off and go to the south of France with Clay his latest boy toy.
"Yes that too, but darling that really doesn't matter we aren't planning on having any children, we're not the type, we don't like children. Look the bottom line is that Nathan's mother is one of the biggest pillars in Greenwich society and well we are planning to do a lot of entertaining in this town. I plan to join a lot of boards, and the clubs. So my house needs to be my calling card. I want it huge, no I want a monster house, lots of rooms, big and airy. I'm going to need at least ten bedrooms, plus the master suite and I plan to start buying horses so I need, big, roomy stables and well my future mother in laws house is on at least fourteen acres I want one on twenty."
Andre stared at the blond in front of him with a smirk on his face. Who the hell did this woman think she was? "Well I can get you the house but a property like that is not going to be cheap. Are you sure you can afford it? I mean foreclosure is frowned upon in this town."
Hillarie stared at the short, stout little man in front of her and coldly replied. "Money is no object, it will be my mother in law's wedding gift.. I mean I am marrying Nathan Scott, the vice president of Illusions cosmetics, her heir. Have you heard of it?"
Andre felt the blood drain from his face, and waited for the ground to swallow him up. "Nathan your fiancé is Karen Hargrove's son. The Karen Hargrove, who is married to Andrew Hargrove owner of Hargrove Towers in Manhattan?"
"That is correct." Hillarie answered him as she stared into his eyes. One thing that she hated was being treated as if she was a nobody, by a nobody. Andre Van Adams was just a realtor to her, it didn't matter to her that he was one of the top leading realtors on the east coast he was still the help, who needed to be put in his place, she after all was Hillarie Collingsworth daughter of a lord, who was going to marry into one of the wealthiest families in the United States.
Andre couldn't believe that he was showing houses to the future daughter in law of Karen Hargrove. Dollar signs began to flash through his head as he began to gush. "She is an icon in Greenwich, I mean she belongs to the best clubs, she's on practically every fundraising board and she is sweet as pie and one of the best dressed women in the United States. I had no idea. Well my darling you are so right, this house won't do at all not for the future president of Illusions. You are defiantly going to need something bigger, grander. And I so don't think ten bedrooms will do, if you really want to do some entertaining I see at least fifteen at the very least. Now this is what I suggest, I think you should let me take you and Nathan to dinner at this lovely little Bistro on Greenwich Avenue, they hold a table for me, I eat there a lot. I think the three of us should sit down and strategize we can discuss how much entertaining you plan to do and how many bedrooms and oh yes where in Greenwich you want to live because you know that you have to live in the right section in order to be invited into the best parties, not that you'll have a problem after all Karen Hargrove is going to be your mother in law, now where did that rascal of a fiancé of yours go? Where has he run off to? Does he like French food? Oh my word it's hot, I need to sit down." The realtor began to furiously fan himself with the manila folder in his hand. He couldn't believe who the stuck up rich, English bitch, as he called her to his partner earlier that morning was marrying. This would be the biggest coo in real estate history; he held his breath thinking of the commission he would make not to mention the recognition and the introduction to the Hargrove's. He had been dying to meet them since they bought a place a few years back. He had it on good authority that Karen Hargrove loved to buy real estate and if she liked the property that he would find for her daughter in law well there was a chance he could steal her from Rachel Hart, his biggest rival. Oh it was shaping up to be a nice day after all.
"Um I don't know where Nathan went." Hillarie said as she began to look around for him. "You know what he probably went to the car to call the office, he's a workaholic, why don't you take me through the house again and I can point out what we're looking for. I mean it's not the right house for us but it's a good enough visual aide so that you can get an idea on the type of house that I want. And then we'll have some dinner. Is the restaurant any good?"
"Good it's the best of the best. And walking through the house, that sounds divine, Hillarie darling I just knew the minute you called we were going to be the very best of friends, now lets go inside and you can show me what you have mind. You're fiancé is so yummy by the way, you're one lucky girl. When you move to Greenwich I'll have you over to my house for brunch, you have to take a look at my English roses, I've won awards for them. Do you garden?" Andre asked her as he led her back towards the house.
Nathan watched them from his car. He let out a long sigh and hoped that they would take their time. If he walked through another house with them he would scream. What the hell was he doing in Greenwich, Connecticut looking at houses? He didn't want to move out of the city and into the suburbs. He wasn't the suburbia type; to him the suburbs represented a white picket fence, a big house with shutters, a dog sleeping on the steps, a pregnant wife wearing the top of her husbands flannel pjs, while the husband wears the bottoms with shear ling slip on slippers, drinking decaf in their yellow kitchen. Kids running all over the place, legos strewn on the floor and newspapers all over the kitchen table, basically living a life of chaos and Nathan wanted none of it. He knew that Hillarie didn't want children, that she had other ideas what type of life they should have in Greenwich, a lavish lifestyle filled with parties and society. But that wasn't him either. All he wanted was to stay in New York and work. Live in his apartment, play ball with his brother and have coffee at Starbucks while he read his the New York Times. Nathan didn't want to change anything about his life, so what the hell was he doing in Greenwich then? Why had he agreed to look at Estates as Hillarie called the houses they had looked at?
There was no way he was moving into any of the one's they had looked at, they all looked like mausoleums and besides he wasn't moving to Greenwich it was way too close to his mother, the last person he wanted to so see at the moment. He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. The suburbs unnerved him and the fact that he was on his mothers turf made it worse. They were currently not speaking actually he wasn't speaking to her, she was to him. And it was all due to Haley James. He groaned to himself as the named flashed in his head. What was his mother thinking; she was so wrong for their products? And why had she turned down his campaign, he couldn't believe that? That's what bothered him the most, the hours he had spent putting together a multi million dollar campaign and the way she had dismissed it. Like it was nothing. That thought was what was keeping him up at night. He closed his eyes and decided to take a nap maybe that would relax him and maybe he would be able to stop thinking about work; it had been a long and tiring day. A rest sounded perfect. He was just about to fall asleep when his cell phone began to ring. He looked at the caller id and groaned. "LUCAS." He said out loud. He flipped the phone open and grumbled a hello.
"Okay now am I a bad guy because I want to be alone, I mean I let her spend the night, the night ends in the morning in my book. The sun goes up you grab your clothes and your purse and hit the road. Luke needs his morning coffee, New York Times, and peace and quiet before I go to moms later. By the way you want me to pick you up or are you going to pick me up? She is actually cooking. She called me this morning and told me she was making our favorites and to make sure we brought our laundry. So what time? Man I can smell the fried chicken all the way down here."
"Not going." Nathan answered him in a grumpy voice.
"Oh hell no Nate, you know the rule come hell or high water we do not miss Sunday Dinner. Mom will hunt your ass down and kill you."
"Don't care."
"Oh god Nathan you're still not sulking like a little bitch over the whole Haley James thing are you? Let it go already there'll be other deals. God Nathan is your whole life just work, you so need to get a life. Look I'll meet you on 23rd and fifth let's get some coffee, we'll talk it out and go to moms. Give me five. I have to grab my laundry."
"I can't!"
"Nathan come on think of Charlotte…"
"Ugh low blow asshole. I can't meet you because I'm in Greenwich with Hillarie…"
"Oh hell no! You are not bringing the queen of ice to mom's she'll have a fit…actually it might be interesting, yes bring her it'll liven up dinner. Its always entertaining watching mom tear Hillarie down. Remember the last time, oh god when Charlie's frog landed on her lap. She screamed bloody murder and before you say anything you were laughing too."
"Shut up Luke, I'm not in the mood and hell no I'm not bringing her to dinner and yes I'm going but not for mom, for Charlie. Now go get your car, and come get me. I'm bored out of my skull."
"Well of course you are you're in suburbia with Hillarie of course you're bored. What the hell are you doing there anyway? She's not trying to get mom to sponsor her at that riding club with all those snotty ass women that mom despises oh god dinner is going to be great tonight, nice and lively. Damn Andy's going to be so pissed off he missed it."
Nathan rolled his eyes before he answered his brother was going to have a field day with this one. "Looking at houses."
"Houses for who? Oh god is she leaving New York and you for good?"
"Shut up ass! She wanted to check out some properties and she dragged me down here…I'm at Vanishing Brook which apparently is the hottest house soon to be on the market…"
"OH MY GOD! No way, oh god let me sit down and enjoy this moment. My brother in Greenwich, Connecticut. The land of botox, oh god this is too much. I can't believe it! Please Nate tell me you're not pulling my leg? You living in Greenwich, near mom oh god this is priceless. I can see it now, you and Hillarie hob knobbing with the crème de la crème of Greenwich society. Saturdays spent at the stables instead of the basketball hoop, Sunday brunches, you playing polo, smoking a pipe. Mom fussing all over you, you commuting everyday oh god this is too much for me to handle. Oh god Mom's going to have a fit, she hates all the snobby people like Hillarie, can you imagine Hillarie with mom's friends. Oh Hillarie and her snobby riding friends with moms fundraising crew and the working mothers? Oh god be still my heart, Mom is going to have a cow, the only reason she lives in Greenwich is because of Charlie. And she loves being different than everyone else, she'll be so pissed if her friends find out her daughter in law is a pompous ass. "
"Thanks a lot Luke. I need your support not your ridicule. Besides, I'm not moving to Greenwich Luke. I'm just buying time."
"Okay confused so if you're just buying time then why the hell are you spending a perfectly good Sunday afternoon looking at over price mansions near mom?"
"Because Sherlock I'm buying my time. Hillarie wants the perfect house and the toad …"
"The toad oh god who is the toad? Is it her brother?"
"Luke stop that family is going to be my family pretty soon, be nice."
"The toad Nathan, who is the toad?"
"You know that little guy in Will and Grace, the one who is always competing with Karen; he has all the rings on his fingers and talks with a southern accent…."
"Oh god …Don't even tell me…"
"Yep that's our realtor, the toad. But I've been watching the two of them together and he'll be sick of her by the end of the day and so will she. She'll never find what she wants, and by the time we're married I'll talk her into staying the city and buying a small house in the Hamptoms instead and everyone will win. I'll stay in the city and she'll have a house in Long Island"
"Not a real good way to start a marriage asshole. Look why don't you just not marry her and let me hook you up with this blond oh god I banged her sister the other day and her ass, Nathan it was perfection. Think about it we could have a hell of a party."
"I'm marrying Hillarie and you better get use to her because in a few months she is going to be a member of our family…"
"I'll believe it when I see it."
Nathan was just about to answer when he heard a knock on the car window. He looked up and came face to face with a beaming Hillarie and the toad.
"Hold on dick wad."
Nathan lowered the car window and before he could utter a word Hillarie started talking.
"Darling, Andre is a god send; he is going to find us the perfect house. When I get back from England we're going to start house hunting, we're even going to go on a helicopter. It might take some time but we are both determined to find the perfect abode for us. Now he is being a sweetheart and is taking us to dinner…"
"I can't." Nathan answered quickly, the thought of spending any more time with Andre made his skin crawl. He had been giving him the most peculiar looks all day, Nathan could have sworn he was checking him out.
"Why not darling? We're not going back to the city right now are we?" she asked him in a baby voice that Nathan hated.
"Um no its Sunday I'm due at my mother's…"
Hillarie perked up. "Oh I thought you weren't going but I'm glad you are. This would be the perfect time to tell her we're about to be neighbors and to talk about the wedding…"
"Yeah maybe we'll ask her to dinner when you get back from London, you know that Sundays are special to her, besides I know you'd rather go the dinner with Andre and talk about our house…"
"Yes you're right …"
"But of course I'm right, now drop me off at moms and you take the car. I'll hitch a ride with Luke later."
"Are you sure you don't want to come, we're going to talk about the gardens."
"Um as much as I would enjoy it you know mom's rule…"
"Come hell or high water Mummy Scotts motto. I'll be back late and well I have to pack still so I'll leave your car in the garage. I'll see you in two weeks and we'll talk about the wedding… I'm sure I can persuade mother to let us get married here instead of England." she said as she pecked him on the cheek.
"Yep two weeks. And we'll talk." Nathan answered as he picked up his phone, and put it to his ear. He heard Lucas' laughter. "Shut up Luke." was all he said. The last thing he wanted was to hear Luke mouth off about Hillarie. "Just get your ass down here I'll meet you at mom's in an hour asshole don't be late."
LATER THAT NIGHT
"So is the chicken crispy enough for you guys?" Karen Scott asked her children with a big smile on her face. It was Sunday, her favorite day of the week, the one day in which all of her children were under her roof.
"It's perfect mom thanks."
"Yeah mommy, thank you."
"And the potatoes do they have enough lumps in them Luke."
"Yep! Mom I can't believe you cooked all this. It's been a long time since you've cooked."
"Hey I helped too." A little voice whined.
"I know, I know and I think that's why it tastes better than ever. I can't remember the last time you made this for us mom, what's the occasion?"
"There's no occasion I just wanted to do something nice for my family, can't I do something nice, why do I have to have reason. Marguerite is on vacation and since it's been a while since I cooked I thought what the hell a nice home cooked meal for the kids that would be nice instead of take out. I also made double, double chocolate cake your favorite Nathan."
"Thanks." Nathan grumbled as he played with his potatoes. Lucas glanced at his brother, he knew Nathan was mad and he knew that he was also very hard headed, he also knew his mother and he could guarantee that this was not going to end well. He looked down at his food as a grin spread across his face, it would be a battle that he wasn't going to miss.
"You've barely touched your dinner don't you like it sweetheart, it's one of you favorites."
"Hillarie put me on cholesterol free diet so this doesn't fit the menu plan but the water is really good. I'm sorry you went through all that trouble for me."
Karen Hargrove rolled her eyes, he was mad at her, she could tell. He had barely said two words to her all night; actually he had barely said anything to her all week. Ever since he found out about Haley James he had been treating her as if she was a pariah and she wasn't sure just how much more she could take. Nathan had always been stubborn as a mule, and Karen knew he wasn't going to let it go. She took a deep breath and decided to be as pleasant as she could be and not lose it. It was after all Sunday and Charlotte, her daughter with her second husband, loved having both her big brothers around. Sundays were usually so pleasant and she hated it when they ended but on this particular Sunday she couldn't wait for them both to leave. Despite the fact that her gut told her to stay quiet, Karen couldn't.
"So Nathan, cholesterol free diet, huh. How nice of Hillarie to care about your health so much. I know how hard it must be for you to give up all you're favorites. So how is Hillarie these days?"
Nathan raised an eyebrow; he knew how much his mother disliked Hillarie she must be really desperate for him to talk to her for her to ask.
"Good" he grunted.
"That's great. So boys what did you two do today? Did you two play basketball?"
"Nope Nathan was too busy house hunting."
Nathan gave his brother the evil eye. And hoped to god he wouldn't open his mouth.
"House hunting, really?" Karen asked him in a surprised voice. "Are you moving? I thought you loved your apartment."
Before Nathan could answer Lucas beat him to it. "Yeah he's moving, Hillarie has him so pussy whipped that she is making him look at houses all over Greenwich, so mom get ready she is going to be your neighbor."
Karen was stunned into utter silence. She closed her eyes and opened them back up quickly hoping that she had heard wrong. The dining room was silent, no one spoke. Nathan eyes kept staring at his plate, he didn't dare look up, he could feel his mother's eyes on him. Lucas smiled and looked at his mother, but the smile quickly faded away when his mother gave him the death stare. He knew he had to do something and he had to do it fast.
"So um Charlie what's going on in school?" Luke asked his little sister. "Anything fun going on shortie?"
Charlie looked up at her brother and smiled at him. "Well we're going to be making this huge Thanksgiving meal. All the moms are going to come and we're going to cook it. Mommy is going to make the turkey and the pumpkin pie and then later after it's all done all the daddies and the rest of our families are going to come and eat it with us. I've been helping mommy plan it. Luke, Nate can you guys come too?"
"Of course I will." Replied Luke." I wouldn't miss your cooking for anything."
"Me too." Nathan answered. "But I wouldn't count on mom coming she'll be too busy with her new project to help with the dinner. I think Andy will take over for her like usual."
Charlie's smiled faded away and a tear began to fall down her face. Luke was stunned he stood up and walked over to his baby sister and knelt down next to her.
"MOMMY, you promised me. All the moms are going to be there. You said you would, that you already put it in you're palm. Mommy you promised. You missed the mommy tea and you promised me you wouldn't miss anything else." Charlie screamed.
Karen stood up and walked over to her daughter and picked her up. Charlie put her head on her mothers shoulder and began to quiet down as her mother whispered soothing words into her ears. Nathan watched the scene unfold before him. He felt horrible. He couldn't believe what he had just done. Lucas looked like he was going to punch him and Nathan wished he would. He deserved it.
Karen handed Charlie over to Lucas. "Luke take your sister into the family room and turn on some cartoons."
"Yes mom." Lucas answered his mother.
"Oh and stop in the kitchen, Charlie can have her cake in the family room tonight."
"Oh thank you mommy, thank you. What a treat, you never let me eat in the family room."
"There you go short stuff, and you're favorite brother will watch TV with you."
"Oh no you won't!" Karen exclaimed. "I want you back here Lucas Eugene. I want to talk to you and Nathan."
Lucas didn't dare argue with his mother. He left the room with Charlie and a few minutes later he was back. He sat down next to his mother and watched as she paced the floor.
"Nathan." She said. "What you just did was horrible. You not only hurt me by your words but you hurt your sister…"
"Mom I didn't…" Nathan interrupted.
"SHUT UP!" Karen screamed. "You hurt her there is no excuse or I'm sorry's. You hurt an innocent six year old and I am so ashamed of you. What kind of man did I raise?"
"Mom …' Lucas began to say.
"Shut up Lucas! And I want both of you to listen to me and listen to me very carefully. I love you both. For years I shielded you away from any hurt, or unpleasantness. I have sacrificed, and I have raised both of you to be decent human beings but today it is so clear to me that I have failed both of you…"
"Mom…"
"Let me finish Luke. Nathan I love you. I want you to know that, but I don't know you anymore. You have turned into someone I don't even want to know, into someone who only cares about work and money. For the last few months I have asked myself what happened to you? What did I do wrong? And why are you with that woman…"
"That woman has a name Mother, and her name is Hillarie. She is going to be my wife soon…"
"What? Excuse me! Are you out of you fucking mind."
"Mom…"
"No! I won't allow it. You cannot marry her. You're already screwed up she'll just screw you up more. Marriage to that cold, unfeeling woman. What the hell are you thinking?"
"I love her mom."
"No you don't! You don't love her. You can't! She is so cold, so calculating. How could you marry her? Listen to me son; don't make a mistake because it won't end well. She isn't right for you."
"How do you know? You have never even given her a chance…"
"I've given her plenty. I have kept my mouth shut! I said nothing as she insulted my choices, my friends, my husband. But when she called Charlie YOUR SISTER a brat I had to put her in her place. "
"She didn't mean it… the frog landed in her lap…"
"NATHAN my god are you really that pussy whipped."
"Oh god!" Lucas said as he started laughing.
"Luke shut up, trust me I haven't gotten to you yet but I will. Nathan listen to me, I'm older, I've been through hell and back. I know a thing or two about marriage. You can't marry her. You need to marry someone who has sex appeal, who isn't cold and unfeeling. You can't even joke with her. Do you even laugh with her? She isn't right for you actually I don't think she is right for anyone. Look one of the best things about my marriage to Andy is that we have fun. We don't want to get out of bed in the morning. Despite the fact that we've been together for years and we have a daughter he still pinches my ass on a regular basis. We have sex at least six times a week. We love each other and we don't care who knows it. Can you honestly say the same thing about Hillarie?"
"Mom first off and I think Luke will agree with me on this one, way too much information. So did not need to know about your sex life with Andy. And not everyone wants what you have, everyone is different. Hillarie and I are alike, we both value our independence and we have the same goals…"
"You're her meal ticket Nate. Are you that stupid that you can't see that! She doesn't even want children! Oh my god how could you do this to me? That woman in my family oh god. And no babies, I always saw you and Luke with children."
"I don't want children mom you know that. And not to be rude but this isn't any of your business."
"You're right but I actually care about you. I don't want to watch you destroy your life, it would hurt me so much."
"I'm sorry mom but this isn't about you and your feelings. This is my decision and my business."
"Well I for one agree with mom bro!" Lucas said. He had been sitting next to his brother quietly listening to their argument. "I don't think you should marry her."
"Oh great you're putting your two cents in, wonderful."
"Look Nathan you need to go out and have fun. You need to get out of your house, go to clubs, and sleep around!"
"Like you do?" Nathan asked him. "Tell something what was the girls name this morning?"
"Um …"
"I thought so. Don't give me any advice on my life Luke when you live yours like you are still living in a frat house."
"Fuck you Nathan…At least I know how to have fun and I fuck women who actually have vital organs!"
"You asshole." Nathan said to his brother as he stood up from his chair.
"STOP IT! BOTH OF YOU SIT DOWN! HOW DARE YOU DO THIS?"
The brothers both sat back down in their chairs and stared at their mother. Karen rarely yelled like that but when she did the boys knew that they were going to get it.
"I hate this, I hate what you have become. You Luke you're like some playboy running all over town sleeping with anyone who opens her legs. I'm disgusted. I'm waiting for the day to hear that you have some sort or sexually transmitted disease. Do you have any idea the embarrassment I feel when one of my friends mentions that you've slept with their daughter and haven't called them? Or how I feel when someone faxes me the latest gossip pages and you're name is plastered all over it. I didn't raise you to be this type of person, this man. And Nathan you have become someone who is so heartless. You don't do anything but work and when you don't get your way you deliberately hurt innocent people. I thought I was doing the right thing earlier this year by slowly handing both of you the reigns of my company, my dream but I was wrong. Thank god I caught it in time."
"What do you mean mom?" Lucas asked her.
"Yeah what he said." Nathan said as he looked up at his mom.
"I need to spend more time at home with Charlie. I wanted both of you to start making decisions about the company that you are both going to run someday…"
"And we did mom but you didn't like our choices…"
Karen took a deep breath. "You're right I didn't. I didn't like the campaign or the spokes woman. I didn't like it at all."
"I agree with you mom."
"Lucas quit kissing my ass you're still on my shit list. Since this Sunday is already ruined, I'm going to break my rule and talk about work. I want you both to listen to me very carefully and not say a word. Is that understood?" Karen asked them as she narrowed her eyes and stared at her sons.
"Yes mother!" they answered her.
"Good." She replied. "I started this company with barely any capital. I struggled, and I worked like a dog to make it a success while raising both you boys alone and without any money. For years I was married to a selfish man who hurt me in more ways that you can imagine. I sacrificed, I gave up my dreams and I don't regret it because I got both of you out of it. I let him pretend to be this perfect father when he wasn't. I lied to myself, and to you two because I didn't want to ruin this perfect family life, and when it was too much I sent both of you off to boarding school, to shield you away from the monster your father became. But I swore when he died I would show both of you who your mother truly was and I would raise you to be the type of men that I would have liked to have in my life. Today I realize that I have failed but I think I still have time to fix it. With that said I won't be giving up my company to either of you anytime soon and I will not change my mind about Haley James. I picked her and I think she is perfect and I will have her. She represents everything that I hold dear to me. She is Illusions and she is my choice. So now my boys I am giving you both a choice. You have a choice to stay with me, to work alongside me and make this company a bigger success than it already is. You have a choice to learn from me, and to show me that I'm wrong. That you are ready to take over. You have a choice to become the men I hoped I raised. But it's a choice and if you don't want to do it there is the door, I won't force you. You can leave. Or you can stay and respect my choices and watch as Haley James turns Illusions into an international success. So boys' there is the door. Get up and leave or stay. Either way nothing is going to change my mind and I'm going to go ahead with my plans for my company."
Karen waited and watched. She observed Lucas' silly grin and Nathan's scowl. She waited to see what they would do. After a few minutes of no movement she spoke again.
"You both made a good choice. Now I plan to head this campaign myself. Lucas tomorrow I want a meeting with Haley James, and Nathan I want you to redo the budget. Now I want both of you to get into the kitchen and get your dessert and spend some time with Charlie."
"Yes mom." Both boys said as they stood up and walked into the kitchen. Karen rolled her eyes and sat back down in her chair. Motherhood was never easy no matter what age the children were.
