Edwin sat in his office, focused on his work. Every day, he would try his best to get immersed in his work so that he would have no time to dream about Jessica. Edwin had expected that after a while it would wear off. But he realized that it only seemed to get worse.
Occasionally he would sigh as he worked. He would pause, crack his joints to free them, then he would resume his work. He never left work anymore.
While he was still in the same position, his secretary dialed his telecom.
"Yes?" He answered gruffly.
"Sir.. your mother is here to see you," Bridget spoke into the telecom.
Edwin groaned. "What exactly does she want this time around?!" He murmured to himself. "Let her in."
"Alright, sir."
He continued his reading and correcting. His mother pranced into the office in her overly expensive outfit. Edwin compared it to Jessica. Something he had always found himself doing of late.
His mother sat before him, he didn't turn to say anything. If she was going to visit him during working hours, then she might as well deal with it. However, Mrs. Turner had a different idea. She slammed the desk, causing Edwin to lose the focus he had struggled to attain.
"Was that necessary?" He asked slowly. Almost as if the bang didn't affect him at all, as if he expected it to happen. Well in truth, it was simply because he knew his mother.
Mrs. Turner scowled. "How dare you ignore your mother, Edwin. Is this how unfilial you want to be?"
Edwin finally looked up to catch a glimpse of his mother's face. He cringed at her makeup. It was too much.
"Ugh, mom! Is this necessary?" He reiterated.
Mrs. Turner stared in confusion. "Is that necessary?"
"Your- ugh. Nevermind. How are you, mother?" He asked with a faux smile.
Mrs. Turner smiled brightly. "I would be fine and very great if you would tell me when you wish to marry the young Miss Reid. She seems to be the perfect woman for you. Why aren't you preparing for the marriage yet?"
Edwin rolled his eyes. "Mom, you came all the way to the company, and came all the way up to the office, just to ask me when I would be getting married?"
Mrs. Turner nodded quickly.
"You could have called," Edwin stated simply. "You could have used your mobile to dial my number."
"I know how to place a call to Mr. Smarty Pants!" Mrs. Turner gagged. She threw him a paper towel. It just floated around on the desk and landed softly in between them. Edwin struggled not to laugh out loud.
Mrs. Turner chuckled. "Brat."
"I'm your son." Edwin reminded her.
"I don't care, you have to get married! And that too very soon!" Mrs. Turner deadpanned. "You see, growing old for Christ's sake!"
"I know mom. I will get married soon. I promise." Edwin said with all seriousness.
"When? You have been saying that!"
"I just don't think I want to go on with Hannah," Edwin muttered. He wasn't sure how his parents were going to take it.
Mrs. Turner turned red with anger. "What?!" She slammed the desk. "You must marry Hannah Reid. Our families have been friends for decades. You cannot break this lifelong friendship because of a silly thought! You will get married to Hannah. And I'm giving you time. If your time elapses, I will have to plan a wedding by myself."
"Mom! It's my life, I get to choose who I spend it with."
"No, you do not. Your family gets to choose, and you get to love the choice. Hannah Reid is the perfect candidate for you, Ed. And you must marry her."
"Alright. I have heard you." Edwin said. He wasn't going to argue with his mother. What he wanted to do was in his mind anyway.
"I know that looks, my boy. If you go ahead and try anything funny, rest assured that the family will not try to placate the Reid family."
"Yen yen yen. Okay, mom. It's time to leave."
"Are you chasing me out of the company?" Mrs. Turner asked in shock.
"Well, wasn't that all you came for? You wanted to forcefully remind me to get married, and now you have done that. Is there anything else?" Edwin asked, irritated already.
Mrs. Turner cleared her throat, dusted her dress, and stood up elegantly. Picking her bag, she threw one last look at her son.
"Do not forget Edwin. Your clock is ticking." She said finally. Then she left. Edwin watched her leave his office. He sank back into his seat. That was when his muscles relaxed. He didn't know how tense he was in the presence of his mother. The idea of being married to someone made him get all tensed up.
He swiveled in his chair, tapping his chin with the top of his signing pen. After a few minutes, and the effects of his mother's presence had worn off, he sat up again and resumed his work. He couldn't afford to lose focus again. Especially when it had to do with women. Jessica always found a way to plague his thoughts. He wondered how she would be by now.
His secretary called again.
"What?!" He growled into telecom.
"I'm sorry sir, but your mother dropped a note for you before she left."
"Read it," Edwin ordered.
"It says, 'Don't forget Edwin. Your clock is ticking."
Edwin kept silent.
"Sir-"
"I heard you, Bridget. Cut the damn call or I'll cut your pay!"
"Ah, mother. Let's see what happens to your dear Hannah Reid after this."