Page 65 of Crazy in Love

“Yes,” I deadpan.

“Mr. Kane, your mother is coming with Cathy.” I hear the doorman say through the intercom.

“She’s making sure we still come tonight,” Lee says, and I burst out laughing.

“A tenner says it’s about this stupid event Cathy is doing.” I put my hand out, waiting for Lee to take the bet.

“Deal. What’s it for again?” Lee asks.

“I don’t know, she talks, I pretend to listen.” I stand up when Mum and Cathy walk through the door, and I walk over to Mum and give her a kiss on the cheek. “What a lovely surprise.” I put on a smile, ready for her speech.

“Well, if I call beforehand, you find a way to get out of it.” She pushes me out the way and walks over to Lee.

“And what if I wasn’t here?”

“Then you wouldn’t be here, and I know you are really working, and not trying to avoid me. Lee, it’s nice to have you here too.” She gives him a kiss on the cheek.

“Was talking to Aiden about tonight's dinner, asking what type of wine to bring.” Lee peeks over at me, and I shake my head, walking back to the desk.

“Just you two being there together is all I need.” She turns to face me as I sit back down. “And for you to stay for a whole meal.”

I shake my head, smiling, and look over at Cathy, waiting for her to start with what she really wants.

“How can we help you today?” I ask them both, but look at Cathy.

She takes a moment before answering my question. “I have everything set up for the event, and it’s running smoothly at the moment. I was hoping-”

“No hoping, because I’m telling you, Aiden, you will be doing what Cathy tells you,” my mum cuts her off while looking at me, and my eyes move to Lee who is rolling his eyes, turning back to Cathy.

“I would like you to attend, and if you can get some of your businesspeople too. I want this to be a success and hope to hold this event every year.” Cathy places a file on the desk for me, and I pull it closer, then hand it over to David. “I’ve made a plan for what I would like for the event to mean.”

“Aiden, can you not even read it?”

“Mother, I will read it. But it’s best for David to read it first,” I snap back, trying to keep my cool with how she’s pushing my buttons at the moment.

“Cathy and the family will be at dinner tonight too.”

“Mother, I was hoping that it would just be us, you know family.” Lee turns to face her, not wanting to look at Cathy.

“They are family, Cathy will be part-”

“Mother, don't start again,” Lee cuts her off, and she shakes her head, then turns to face me.

“You will be coming to the event, and I’ve done what I wanted to. We will see you tonight.” She walks around the table and plants a kiss on my cheek, and then one on Lee’s. “David, glad you will be coming tonight too.”

I wait for them to start walking down the stairs, then I turn to Lee.

“Wow, this is what you have to deal with every day?”

“It’s fun, isn’t it?” I lean back in my chair and turn to look at David.

“I have to admit, she has a good set up, and if you help her, the money will be good for cancer charities.” David places the file on the table, and I don’t pick it up. I trust David when it comes to business, so if he thinks it will be good, that’s all I need.

“Suppose we should see who we can ask to attend.” There is a reason I don’t host charity events; if one thing goes wrong, then your name will be dragged down so deep it would take years to climb back up.

“I will get some wine and see you at dinner. Are you coming straight from work?” Lee stands up, grabs his water bottle, and walks over to the door.

“If nothing keeps me here, I should be on time,” I reply, making him laugh.

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