Sleeping With The CEO
Chapter 126: Maternal Hurdle

Chapter 126: Maternal Hurdle

Derek was at his wit’s end. He was done. The whole thing about apologizing was just... It was now becoming ridiculous.

What had he done in his past life to have his attempt at doing something good, something honourable, be thwarted every step of the way like this? That was all that he could think as he stood in his penthouse bedroom staring at his reflection in the mirror opposite his bed. Downstairs his ’visitor’ moved about and Derek went to sit on the bed.

He had been sure that nothing would stand in his way of seeing Emily this time, but clearly the universe was proving him wrong again. Earlier that morning he had just slipped into his meditative state, slash pseudo-sleep, and was getting himself together, preparing to face the day once more when there had been a ringing sound. His doorbell going off.

Pulling himself out of his trance, he had gone to see who it was, and lo and behold it was his mother.

She had been standing there like it was the most normal thing for her to be at her son’s door at six in the morning, like they were at the manor and had just happened to cross paths, while going about their days.

Not even bothering with niceties, Derek had gotten straight to the point.

"Mother, I have not been away from the manor that long. In fact, you just saw me a few days ago. Do you not think this is overkill?" He had asked, blocking the door with his frame. She had clutched her chest in mock hurt, taking a step back and looking at him with wide eyes.

"What have I done in this world that my son does not even greet me with a simple good morning. Instead telling me that we’ve already seen each other before? I shall never recover from this heartache and pain?" She’d said, swaying dramatically where she stood.

Then in the next moment, she had stopped her awful act and had pushed her way in. She had dropped her bags on the couch and then turned around, inspecting the place. Whether she was looking for signs of a wild lifestyle, of alcohol and drugs, or maybe some scantily dressed women, Derek had not known.

Whatever it was that she was looking for. She clearly did not find it because she had turned back to him, looking almost disappointed. "Are you well Derek?" She’d asked and he had lied through his teeth about being absolutely fine, just swamped with work. Work that he absolutely had to get back to. Which was why he was currently upstairs.

He had told her that he was going to work. And at that moment it had been true. All traces of his calm state had left him, at her arrival. So he had just intended to get some work done. But once he got upstairs he could not concentrate on work.

His mother’s visit was not good. It was a problem because it meant that rather than going to see Emily, he would have to entertain her. He would literally have to leave work early and then come back home so that he could show her around or maybe spend the evening with her if that was what she wanted. Which meant that he would not be able to go and see Emily.

His train of thought suddenly cutting off, Derek paused. Perhaps things were not so bleak. Maybe his mom was only passing by. Maybe she was only there for a few hours, and then she would go back to the manor. With that thought in mind Derek went to get ready for work. Then he rushed back downstairs and found her in the kitchen, chopping fruits, and adding them to a bowl. She handed it to him when he came close to the counter.

"Come. Sit, let us eat," She told him, and Derek did as instructed. Before he could even prompt her to see what her plan was, she was talking. "Do not worry about me getting bored or lonely today. I will be running some errands around the city and once I am done. I will come back here. You and I can spend some quality time together in the evening,"

Heart sinking, Derek tried to find a ray of hope in the situation. "I take it that you will be heading back to the manor a bit later on," He asked, and his mother merely shrugged.

Grabbing half an apple and taking a bite from it. "No, actually I was thinking I would rest here, and go back to the manor in the morning,"

She said it so simply, but with each word she shattered all of the hope that Derek had, of being able to see Emily that night.

Pretending as though his world was not falling apart around him, he managed to say goodbye to his mother. Then he headed to work where he proceeded to act like somewhat of a leader.

He felt the hours dragging by, weighing down on him. Each and every single one bringing him closer to a time where he should have been going to see Emily, but would not be able to do so.

It was horrible, and when the work day ended, it got even worse. He made it home earlier than he was used to. And as promised his mother was there, along with all of her shopping. After she spent close to an hour regaling Derek with shopping escapades that he had absolutely no interest in, the two of them shared a meal.

But it soon turned out that the meal was just a cover for her to play detective.

Playing twenty questions while pretending like she was not playing twenty questions. How are you? How have you been? How is work? Are you stressed? Is your uncle bothering you? Is there anything else that’s bothering you? You know, maybe if you went out more, met up with a few people. I know some lovely ladies. Derek dodged every single question and then had to evade her attempts at matchmaking. It was all very tiring, but on top of that, it was worrying too.

He had thought that his mom had been fooled when he had seen her a few days ago, but clearly she had her suspicions that something was wrong with him, and was trying to figure it out herself. He would have to be more careful in the future. By the time eight o’clock rolled around Derek feigned tiredness and said he was going to bed early. Something that he realized was a mistake the moment he made it to his bedroom. He had left his briefcase downstairs which meant that he could not access his work without having to go back to the living room where his mother was watching some soap opera. So he had to stay up in his room doing absolutely nothing like a grounded child.

Hours passed.

And at some point he heard his mother pass by his door as she went to one of the guest bedrooms. More hours passed and Derek watched as they slid by on his phone. One became two, two became three, three became four.

As the clock flashed four an idea suddenly occurred to him. What was he doing?! He was a grown man terrified of leaving his own home because he was scared his mother would catch him. If she caught him what could she even do? Ground him? He was being ridiculous

With this new epiphany Derek got up.

Still, knowing that he was a grown man in his own penthouse did absolutely nothing for his childish fears. So rather than just walking out boldly, he tiptoed his way out of his own house, sneaking out like a teenager going to a party. But in the end, he got it done. And by four-thirty, Derek was on his way to see Emily, his mind feeling clearer than it had in a while.

His heart light for the first time in days. This time would be different.