31 Going Back

After a busy day at the office, Reuben got into his  car and asked the driver to send him back to the Old Ming Residence.

He spent the entire time looking out the window and not working. 

The driver was worried seeing his strange behaviour. But he did not bother his boss.

Soon they reached the Ming Residence and he got out of the car.

As it was not too late in the night, he saw his mother watching her daily TV show with some of the older maids. They were discussing how they would handle the disobedient daughter-in-law on screen if they were in the elderly woman's place.

When the maids noticed Reuben at the door, they scurried away in fear.  Renee chuckled at their behaviour and then glared at Reuben who was walking towards her.

"Why do you have that grumpy look on your face all the time? It makes you look ugly!" Scowled Renee Ming as she saw her son sit next to her.

"It makes me look like you." Answered Reuben, to which he got a hard punch on his  arm.

"Say that again." Renee bared her teeth.

Raising his hands in defeat, Reuben just placed his head on his mother's shoulders.

"Tough day?" She asked while rubbing his head.

"Hmm." That was all he said and then he closed his eyes.

'This guy never opens up to us. I'm his mother! He can at least tell me how he feels.' Renee felt sad seeing her son's exhausted face.

"Son? I have to leave soon. I can't stay away from your father for very long." She decided to tell him her plans.

"I know." He spoke with his eyes still closed.

'I'm already used to being alone now.' Reuben thought.

Reuben's father, Felix Ming, had been in an accident and wanted to stay in their countryside home for his recovery.

This place was built because grandpa Ming loved the countryside and had bought a villa in his wife's village. He spent his time there after his retirement.  

So Felix decided to shift there for the time being and of course, Renee followed her husband to the villa.

Though Felix recovered soon after his physiotherapy, he decided that staying in that serene village was better than the bustle of the city.

It's been two years since they moved and they only came back for any important celebrations.

Renee had come back this time because she wanted to see her son who had come back after his work abroad and also for all the things that she had asked him to buy.

"I may be going now, but I asked Mathew to keep his eye out for any news from Obsidia. I'll come back as soon as they announce the new collection." She thought of the rumors that were spreading in the market about LY's latest designs.

"Sure. I'll be moving back to my place as well." Informed  Reuben.

'What will I do in this huge place all alone.' He then sat up.

He had an apartment for himself that was close to his office. He usually stayed there and only came back to the Old Ming Residence when his parents visited.

"Hmm. You just can't wait to run away to your secret little place." She puffed up her cheeks.

Reuben had wanted to keep his new place a secret from his mother so that she does not pop by unannounced as he hated people barging in on him.

'I would have thought that he was hiding a girl from me at this new place, but then again this is Reuben I am talking about. How could he even get a girl with that stupid frozen face of his? ' She looked at her son like he was something disgusting.

'Plus I made Mathew snoop around, no signs of a girl there. This eternal bachelor!' 

"What's with that look? Are you cursing me for being a virgin again?" He asked while frowning.

"If you know it then do something about it!" Renee glared.

"Oh don't start again. At least not if you want me to buy you the jewelry from that company you love." He bribed her to stop talking about his non-existent love life.

"I can buy them on my own. There's no need for your help." Renee looked at him with disdain.

"Before they even hit the market?" He sweetened the pot.

Immediately, he got the reaction he had hoped for.

'Now she's listening!' He folded his hands and sat like he's the boss.

"I get to buy before these pieces are even released? How are you going to do that?" With her curiosity piqued, Renee couldn't help but ask him.

"I know the VP. He owes me a favour." Reuben thought of the deal they made when Obsidia opened their stores in Phoenix Mall.

'Looks like I'll have to meet Wade.' Then Reuben's face had an evil smile on it.

'Why is that smile giving me the shivers?' Renee rubbed her arms and wrapped the shawl around herself tighter.

"Fine! I won't talk about the fact that I won't ever get to hold my grandbabies for now, if you get me the set that I like, before it's released. Deal?" She extended her hand after stating her deal.

"Deal!" He hurriedly shook her hand before she withdrew the deal.

"Good. Keep your word. I'm going to finish packing now. I'll be leaving at 5 if I want to see your father before breakfast. So don't bother getting up early to send me off." She kissed her son on his cheek, then walked to her room.

"Have a safe trip, Mom. Tell Grandpa that I'll come meet him when I get free." He spoke until he saw his mother disappear.

"Haaa.. Better get some rest." He too got up and walked to his room.

----- 

On the other side of the city.

Lina received a call that Uncle Pat would not be returning home and so she decided to have dinner in her room itself.

Mrs. Ping served her lentil soup with  croutons because Lina did not feel too hungry but she couldn't go to sleep on an empty stomach.

'Uncle Pat won't be back tomorrow as well. But I can't stay holed up in my room till he comes back.' She thought of how to spend her Sunday.

After dinner, Lina just took selfies on her bed and goofed about.

She played with her brown hair and combed it into a nice plait to stop it from getting tangled when she rolled about in her sleep.

'I feel like I've not coloured my hair in the longest time. So how about I spend the day at the salon and then go exploring the city?' The violet streaks in her hair were fading out and she decided that it was time for a new look.

She called and asked Mrs. Ping to book an appointment for her at a well reputed salon and also to get her a list of good places to eat at. 

'A Sunday brunch sounds like a nice plan.' She thought of sipping mimosas with the warm sun hitting her face, giving her that awesome glow like an instagram filter.

'Maybe some guy will fall for me and then my whirlwind romance will kick start.' She fantasized.

'Or maybe not. Lot's of creeps are around these days.' Shaking her head, she made proper plans.

She also decided that asking the people in the Manor for places to hangout in would be a nice idea as they knew the city and maybe she could find her new hangout place here.

With her thoughts sorted for tomorrow, Lina decided to sleep early.

'I must be out of the house early, if I want to avoid those two.' Closing her eyes, she drifted off to her wonderland.