Chapter 2 #2
The plan had been in motion for more than a year now and was finally coming together. He had the staff already selected. Work permits had been acquired because he wanted an all Irish crew.
Full Irish meals would be served. Irish stew, Boxty, Colcannon, Coddle, Shepherd's pie were just some of the few meals that would be introduced. A live band playing Irish tunes. Irish artists were commissioned to sing and dance.
He wanted the best and had gone to a lot of expense to see it happen. Tapping the keyboard, he brought up the latest financial forecast and studied it, looking for any missteps.
Not that he did not trust his team, but he was a man who had his hand in his business. Lifting his head, he stared at the woman in his bed.
Funny how life takes turns. At one time the company had consumed him. Now she consumed him. Sighing softly, he pushed from the desk to go get a drink.
They had decided on Sunday because it was the time when both of them were free. And he knew she wanted to get the visit over and done with.
Halstead retirement community was an upscale housing development for the wealthy senior, designed with all the modern amenities such as nature trails, dog parks, two gyms, a golf course and swimming pools.
There was a bank, a church, a scattering of small tasteful department stores as well as a few restaurants and cafes.
It was a very good community if one could afford it. Not only were there the amenities, but the chance to mingle and socialize with people of like ages and common interests.
Kiara had chipped in some of the money to purchase the condo when her mother had decided to sell the house and move into the community.
Glancing over at her, Oscar could not help but wish they were on a leisurely drive to anywhere else.
She had been restless and edgy since she woke up this morning and barely eaten more than several spoonfuls of the oatmeal the housekeeper had prepared, and that was because he had bullied her into eating that much.
She was leaning back on the seat, her eyes closed. He knew she wasn't sleeping, neither was she relaxed either. He could see the way her hands were clenched and cursed silently that she had to go through this. He would have shielded her if he could.
The woman was her mother, but one cross word, one sign of stress and they were leaving, he decided grimly. Touching the turn signal, he drove through the main entrance towards the street where Dr. Victoria Landan resided.
It was a beautiful summer day, and he could see people milling on the golf course or taking walks. An elderly couple charmed him by strolling and holding hands. Flowers bloomed and scented the air.
Touching the button, he wound down the window for her to feel the scented breeze on her skin, smiling when she opened her eyes.
"It's such a lovely place."
"Indeed." Taking her hand in his, he linked their fingers and drove one handed, pulling up at the condo. A golf cart and a ruby red mini coupe were parked in front of the building, letting them know she was home. She would have attended the early morning service.
Parking behind the car, he alighted and came around to open her door.
"Ready?" he asked quietly.
Taking a deep breath, she nodded, taking the hand he offered.
Her mother was waiting for them at the front door, cold mahogany brown eyes measuring their progress. Oscar always wondered at the similarities in their looks.
Victoria Landan had passed on her features to her only child, but there it ended. Years of dissatisfaction and discontent had formed creases around her mouth and eyes, giving her a permanent sneer. She held her shoulders rigidly, chin lifted as if disdaining everyone else.
"I was about to go for a walk. You're late."
They were five minutes off, but Kiara was determined to keep things as civil as possible.
"How are you, Mama?"
"What do you think?" Stepping aside, she allowed them to enter, shutting the door as soon as they stepped over the threshold.
"I made some tea." She led the way into a small but elegantly appointed kitchen. Going straight to the stove, she turned on the kettle.
"We'll sit out on the patio," she decided.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I'm just making tea." The woman snapped. "It's not like I'm preparing an entire meal. And even so, I never knew you to lift a finger when it comes to the kitchen."
Pressing his hand over hers, Oscar shook his head. "She's improved. Kiara is now cooking up a storm every now and again. Not that I want her slaving behind a stove."
He got a cool glance for his trouble.
"Want me to take that?" Determined not to be put out, Oscar moved towards her and plucked the tray away. "Smells nice."
"Jasmine. I need the calm." Victoria sailed ahead of him and slid open the glass doors.
"It's so relaxing out here." Kiara took a deep breath and took in the gladiolas and freesias blooming and rioting in pots. The patio was neat as a pin, not even a single leaf falling to the cut stones as if not even daring to cross her mother.
Placing the tray on a wrought iron table in front of matching green cushioned chairs, Oscar took his place next to Kiara, forming an obvious bond, something that did not escape Victoria's notice.
It was bitterness and envy that spurted and gushed through her body as she stared at the couple. She had predicted that he would leave her daughter, dropping her for some rich socialite, but the man was sticking.
She also did not want to acknowledge that he was obviously in love with her. That will fade soon, she decided spitefully as she poured tea into delicate Meissen cups and handed them out.
"Now, what is this news you wanted to tell me?"
Oscar anticipated her reaching for his hand but could not stop the wince as Kiara pressed hard enough to rub bone against bone.
"We're pregnant with twins." She figured it was easier to just jump right in.
Her mother stared at her for a few seconds before carefully putting the cup on the matching saucer. Cold eyes swept over her daughter's face and settled on her still flat stomach.
"Twins."
"Yes." Kiara hated the fact that her stomach was jumping nervously or that her throat felt dry. She who was not afraid of anything was terrified of the woman seated across from her.
"We found out a few days ago. Oscar's paternal grandfather was a twin who died when he was a child. Padric told us that..."
"You told them before you told me. They're living all the way in another country, and they received the news ahead of me." Victoria shot an accusatory look at Oscar.
"They had business in town..."
"A simple phone call would have sufficed." Her mother cut into the argument with a voice that had a sharp edge. Kiara felt it cutting into her body.
"I wanted to tell you face to face and see your reaction. Why can't you be happy for me?"
"Happy?" Her mother laughed harshly. "I'm supposed to be happy that you were knocked up by a man who has the reputation of being a player? A pub owner? One who hasn't placed a ring on your finger? What's there to be happy about?"
Kiara felt the fury and pain of rejection rip through her like a sharp jagged knife and wondered dimly what she had expected. Anticipating her man's reaction, she pressed his hand to stop him from verbalizing his feelings.
"He's offered. Several times in fact. He wants to marry me. I've turned him down several times. And it's because of you, Mama."
"You're cold, unfeeling, and bitter. I've lived with you and seen the way you treated Daddy, a gentle soul who wanted nothing more than to be a husband to you. I've lived with that for years and it formed me."
"It made an impression and now I'm unable to give a wonderful man the satisfaction of saying yes to becoming his wife. You crippled me." Her eyes spit fire and she was unaware she was grinding her fingers against his.
"I came to tell you about the pregnancy as a courtesy." She rose, dragging Oscar up with her. "Now my duty is done. I'm pregnant and I refuse to come around this toxic environment while I'm carrying these precious cargoes."
"If you change your mind and finally want to be part of us, the choice is yours. I won't be coming around here anymore."
"How dare you! I gave you life. You ungrateful wretch..."
"Don't!" Oscar did not raise his voice, but it had the desired effect of stunning her into silence. "No one talks to the woman I love like that. Not even you."
"I've sat by and wondered if I should intervene, because she's your daughter. For Christ Almighty sake, she's your daughter. And you cannot see fit to embrace that and accept the wonderful gift that's her?"
He shook his head in disgust. "I will not have you upsetting her. Am I clear on that?"
"As crystal." Victoria rose as well, shoulders and spine straight. "I'll see you out."
"We know the way." With that, Kiara made her way out.
"You're a fool for alienating the only family you have and not realizing what a treasure she is." Oscar raked her with a contemptuous look. "Hopefully you'll come to your senses before it's too late."