329 Howdy!! (2/2)

”Silly boy, I'm right here. You can just work and I'll accompany you. What matters is that we spend time together as for how we do it, that shouldn't be a big deal.”

Darren pursed his lips together for a minute before speaking out his worries, ”You're not gonna leave, right? I mean you're gonna stay with me longer this time, right?”

”You want me to stay longer?” asked Francesca.

”I do,” answered Darren and even emphasized by nodding his head. ”Can you stay longer? Please?!”

Francesca fixed his hair and nodded her head, ”Of course, I can stay. For my one and only son, I'll do anything.”

Darren smiled widely as he heard her reply. He knew she didn't just say those words. She meant it. Yes, his mother wasn't always able to stay beside him but she was always there for him when he needed her. He had seen her giving up her everything for him and that's why not even for a second was he willing to believe that those words were shallow.

”Now, chop-chop! Get to work. Don't get distracted just because I am here,” her light reprimanding made Darren smile wider at her.

He hurriedly went back to his seat and continued his work. Francesca was looking around his office when she asked, ”How's your girlfriend? And when am I gonna meet her? I have been hearing so much about her lately that I'm starting to get jealous.”

Darren bit his lip. ”Mama, are you here for me or Sweets?”

”Both,” was her straightforward reply. ”I'm here to see my son and also to meet the daughter he had chosen as a life partner.” Her words warmed Darren's heart instantly. ”So, when am I meeting this new daughter?”

”Sweets is out of town. She'll be coming back tomorrow. I'll bring her to meet you as soon as she comes back. She'd be really happy to see you.” Darren was already excited about his girlfriend meeting his mother. If there was one thing he was certain of, that was that his girlfriend and his mother were gonna be best pals. There was no way around it.

”Hmm... Good. It gives me enough time to buy a gift for her,” said Francesca as she continued, ”I came in a hurry and forgot that I was supposed to bring a gift for my future daughter-in-law as well. But nobody can blame me for forgetting, I'm quite oblivious to these formalities.”

At this point, Darren knew that she was mostly chattering to herself like she usually did when she'd be trying to reason something.

”Mama, there is no need for any gift.”

”What do you know?” Francesca gave him a displeased look which instantly shut him up. ”I want to give something to my new family member. I just don't know what to give. You gotta help mom with this...”

”Okay. I'll do as you say...”

”Very well.”

Francesca had just taken a seat back at the sofa when she heard a knock at the door. The door was pushed open and someone craned in her head with a wide smile.

”Hey, boyfriend! Missed me?”