AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I guess there is that, then how about…”
Sebastian lists a few more reasonable items on the menu, and when the waiter comes a moment later, we place our order. Chicken alfredo for me, steak for Sebastian, and some kind of salad for his mom.
Sebastian takes my menu. “Can you just make sure the chicken is pre-cut, please?”
If the waiter finds the request weird, he doesn’t comment on it.
“How did you—”
His hand covers mine on the table. “I see you, Penelope.”
* * *
SEBASTIAN
Penelope’s lips are still stuck in a little o of surprise, and a part of me wants to laugh at how dumbfounded she looks. Then again, can I really blame her? If it was any other girl, I probably wouldn’t have noticed it, but this is Penelope, and I can’tnotsee her.
She demands my attention, and I can’t look away.
Every time we’re together, I watch her, learning her little ticks and tells. Observing the way she moves through the world and the things she does. In doing so, I got to know her. I know how proud and stubborn she can be, but at the same time, she’s also sensitive and shy. I wanted to show her she didn’t need to do this alone. Not any longer. She had me in her corner, and I wouldn’t let anybody talk shit to or about her.
“I see you,” I repeat, needing her to understand it.
God, she looks beautiful. The dress she picked was light blue lace that fell almost to her knee, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she followed my request and wore the underwear we bought today underneath it. I really hope she did. I wanted to slowly take off piece by piece of her clothing until there was nothing else standing between the two of us. Just her and m—
A throat clears once again, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Can we get down to business? Considering you’ve been avoiding my calls, a lot needs to be discussed.”
I swallow back my groan.
Why did we have to have this dinner with my mother again?
I should have taken Penelope out to dinner alone. A date for just the two of us. It was one of the last items on her list that we had yet to cross off. Maybe then we could create a new list, something for the both of us to look forward to. There were so many things I wanted to show her. So many things I wanted to teach her.
But first, we had to get through this dinner, and the sooner we did that, the sooner we’ll be out of here.
“What did you want to talk about?” I ask, shifting my attention to my mother.
Just then, the waiter arrives. Mom’s clearly not happy with the interruption, but she stays quiet until we’re once again alone.
“Now that you’re back home, I’ve organized your schedule for the next few days,” Mom starts, grabbing her fork. Not sure why because she’ll end up playing with her food more than she’ll eat, but whatever.
“And what’s exactly on my schedule?” I ask as I dig into my food. From the corner of my eye, I can see Penelope do the same. She’s been awfully quiet, not that I can blame her.
“There are a few contracts I need you to sign. On top of that, you have a meeting at the record label tomorrow before the awards ceremony. Now that you’re back home, they want to know what your plans are for your next album and organize the continuation of the tour. Your clothes for AMAs will be delivered tomorrow, and the stylist should arrive at four to help you get ready for the show…”
Back home? What is she talking about?
“I’m not back home, Mom,” I stop her before she really gets into it. “I’m just here for the AMAs, and then I’m going back to Blairwood.”
I watch as she slowly places her fork down before turning that stern gaze on me.
“What do you mean you’re not home?” Her eyes narrow at me. “I’ve allowed this…” She grabs her glass of wine and waves her hand as she tries to find the right words. “This nonsense of yours for way too long. You’re an adult with responsibilities, Sebastian. People have expectations from you, and not just your record label, but also yourfans.”
I grind my teeth. “Oh, trust me, my fans didn’t want the version of me they would have gotten if I stayed.”
I knew better than her all about my responsibilities and expectations. They were weighing on my shoulders, sinking me under the surface and making me suffocate.
“Your fans wanted you to give them the performance they paid a lot of money to come and see!” Mom hisses, her eyes blazing with suppressed anger. “But what did you do instead? You ran away.”
