I had so been hoping to avoid this for, well, forever. I should have known it would have to happen eventually though.

"Oh wow," Kris exclaimed as we walked into my house.

I couldn't help but smile again, "This house was built in the late Baroque period, and as such, it is quite flamboyant."

"Quite," Kris replied.

I took a brief moment to look around the room, it is quite nice. The first thing you see when you look in is a magnificent marble staircase leading to the second story. This has always been my favorite place in the house. It is most enjoyable to slide down the banisters. Which is one habit that I just can't seem to break.

But my moment of quiet reverie was quickly broken when I heard a voice call out "Erik, dear, is that you?"

"Merde," I muttered under my breath.

"Oh boy," I heard Tony say behind me.

"What?" Kris asked.

"Mother," Tony and I said at the same time.

"Wait, whose mother?" I asked Tony, "Yours or Erik's?"

"Mine," Erik replied.

"Then why did you both say mother?"

"Because she asked Tony to call her that."

"Oh. Ok then," I said. This had not been something I was expecting. I had already made up my mind that he had children, but, apparently, that was not why he hadn't invited me here.

"Erik darling!" His mother exclaimed as she came down the stairs, "I was worried about you last night? Why didn't you call your mére? I was worried sick until Antonio called!"

"Hello mother," Erik replied as he walked up to his mother and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "You should not have worried. I was fine."

"And who is this?" She asked as if she had just spotted me.

Erik smiled at me and said, "This is Kristina, the one I took to the masquerade, mother. Kristina, this is my mom, Gabrielle DeMark."

I smiled at her, and stretched my hand out to her, "Pleasure to meet you, Mme. DeMark."

Mme. DeMark's face briefly turned into a grimace as she took my hand, "How do you do."

I think Tony could sense my discomfort, so he quickly took me by the elbow and said, "Come, I'm sure you'd like to see the rest of the house."

"But what about Erik?" I asked.

"He will catch up with us when he can." Tony whispered.

"An American, Erik? What were you thinking?" my mother asked, once she determined that Kris was far enough away not to hear.

"Please mother, don't start. Lecturing me will not help."

"What about our agreement?"

"What about it?" I asked, my anger rising, "She doesn't violate it in the least! It was one of the conditions that I am allowed to see any woman that I desire, and I desire her!"

"She, an American, is not worthy of us!"

"Please, Gabrielle," I spat, "Do not assume that you know anything about her. She is a good woman. And I will hear nothing bad about her. She is a better person than you will ever be."

"Do not talk to me like that Erik! You may not like it, but I am still your mother!"

I scoffed, "Did you think I had forgotten, if only it was that easy."

"Be careful what you say. You might regret it later."

I had to bite my tongue and count to ten before I responded, "One day I shall be lord of this house, and may the gods have mercy on you when that day comes, because I will not."

With that I left the room to go find Kris and Tony.