GoodReadHonestly, it was hard for Karen to comprehend how someone as level-headed as Paloma could have raised someone like Jeffrey, a real bonehead.
She took a moment to compose herself, then gave Paloma a small smile, "Jeffrey and I, well, we had a bit of a misunderstanding.” "He told me!" Paloma ushered Karen onto the couch, her tone tinged with exasperation, "That boy of mine has got a temperament, and I'm sure he's been nothing but a headache for you! The truth is, his father and —we're partly to blame.
Always buried in work, we never had enough time for him. He was left to his own devices abroad and picked up some bad habits like smoking and drinking." Karen blinked.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"But you can rest assured, Jeffrey is not a bad kid. He just acts like he's never grown up.” Paloma couldn't help but sigh when it came to her son, "He told me this morning that he saw you dining with a friend and ended up punching the poor guy! His dad and | gave him an earful, then sent someone to check on your friend at the hospital. After work, we'll drag Jeffrey over there to apologize in person. Please don't be mad. Don't let this little tiff end things between you lovebirds. My son really likes you!" "It's not like that, we..." "Your request—to have him transfer his assets into your name in case he messes up again, leaving him with nothing—I fully support it! That's exactly what he needs. We've wanted to rein him in for a while now, but nothing seemed to threaten him. With you in the picture, we can finally breathe easy!" Paloma could tell this time that her son was genuinely smitten.
A mother knew her child well. She might not say much, but she was aware of all his carousing with fair-weather friends. Yet, what could she do? He always brushed her off, saying it was all just networking.
Now, someone had finally made him take things seriously, and that was such a huge relief for her.
"You go freshen up, and then let's head to the bank! I've got a meeting with the bank manager.” At the mention of the bank, Karen quickly waved her hands in protest.
After hesitating, she simply told the truth when she was unable to find a more delicate way to put it.
"Paloma. Jeffrey and I... are not dating!" Although Karen agreed with much of what Paloma said and could see her sincerity, she couldn't just marry Jeffrey because of it.
That would be so absurd! "Huh?" Paloma was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a bombshell.
Her husband, Huxley, also frowned and sat up straighter to look at her.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmKaren felt a litle awkward.
She couldn't exactly say that she and Jeffrey had just slept together for the heck of it—that she was just sampling what their son was like without any intention of being responsible.
This whole situation was totally unexpected! "| was visiting a friend in Swevia Country, and since my friend was rather busy, Jeffrey was just asked to look after me for a bit.
That's the only connection between us." There was never any romance.
"That can't be right. Jeffrey told us you two were an item, that it was even your idea. Oh, no, that's not what | meant. | thought maybe you liked Jeffrey too!" "I only ever saw him as a friend. Maybe Jeffrey read too much into it." Paloma exchanged a puzzled glance with her husband.
After a moment, Huxley spoke up in a deep voice, "Call that boy and find out what the heck is going on."
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