SWNOVELS Chapter 41: Little Sami
Friday Afternoon at the Wright Diamond Corporation.
Ethan and John were busier than ever.
Ethan's family was two days away from moving into their new mansion, and there was a holdup at the car company for the new Pullman Maybach that he requested.
It was a six-seater Mercedes luxury car, perfect for a family of five, including Diana Turner.
As the kids were getting older, it wasn't practical to have them sit on their laps for long in Ethan's standard Maybach. They just had to have their own family vehicle aside from his business car. "John, tell them that they have a day to deliver the car or they are going to get a personal visit from me! Make it happen!" Ethan ordered from his desk.
"Yes, Mr. Wright! I'll... threat them if I have to," answered John before retreating back to the door.
Just as John Garcia exited the CEO office, another figure came in.
A slender, tall, and alluring woman in her early fifties arrived. She had dark hair and dark brown eyes like Ethan. She smiled as she walked towards the CEO desk and took the seat in front. Ethan immediately rose upon the presence of the woman and greeted, "Mother... what brings you here?"
It was Amanda Wright, Ethan's mother, the wife of Daniel Wright.
He walked over and pecked on his mother's cheek and said, "I thought you wanted to go golfing today with father."
"Why? Can't I visit my son?" Following a sigh, she admitted, "I just had to come, Ethan... because I met Patricia Johnson the other day and reported my son to be seeing someone!"
Amanda Wright's eyes widened as she looked into her son's handsome face. She probed, "Tell me, who is this woman?"
Ethan had already taken back his seat when her mother told about her visit. He exhaled and said, "Ah... So that's why you are here."
"Patricia said... this woman has been seen with you walking while holding your hand," Amanda simulated with both her hands clasped together. She leaned closer and said, "You barely hold hands with your mother! Surely, this woman is not just a friend or a business partner!"
"Hmmmm," said Ethan. He tightened his eyes at the thought of Patricia Johnson.
Aside from meeting them on one lunch gathering, he assumed that Patricia must have been with her father at the office when he and Samantha signed a contract of their marriage. It was either that or on the night that he took Samantha out on a date.
"Is she... your girlfriend?" Amanda Wright inquired with her eyes locked on Ethan. "Because from what I learned from Patricia, this woman already has children and were... apparently calling you Daddy?" It was because Ethan remained silent that his mother resumed with her thoughts, "I am not one to judge, Ethan. You know me, but isn't Patricia a better option?"
"Mother, how is Patricia a better option? She a scandalous woman. The fact that she approached you to get your side already tells much about her character," Ethan answered. "You haven't even met my wife yet."
"Haaah! Wi - fe? Wife? Ethan!" Amanda sat up from her seat and slammed both her hands against the table. "You - you got married without us knowing?! Son? How could you?"
"I am old enough to make my own decisions, mother... besides, I did not want her to change her mind, so I rushed things." He tilted his head to add, "As they say, strike while the iron is hot... We got married in paper."
Ethan's mother closed her mouth with her palm as she sat back in her seat. She muttered, "I can't believe I am hearing this! My son is after a girl!"
It was never like Ethan to pursue a girl, and while it was appealing to Amanda's thoughts, she still had many questions in her head about Ethan's mystery wife.
Abruptly changing her views, Amanda Wright asked, "But Ethan, why a woman with children? What - what about." She frowned, thinking deep, before continuing, "What about little Sami? Remember that I promised you to her!"
"Mother, how old is this... little Sami? And you said so yourself, you do not know this little girl's whereabouts, so you ended up setting me on dates with other women! Besides, why would I marry someone I don't know!" Ethan snapped at his own mother.
Seeing the dismay on her mother's face, Ethan promised, "Don't worry, mother. You will learn to appreciate my wife as I have. If she won me over, I'm sure she can easily win your heart. Why don't we meet at the First Diamond Hotel tomorrow? I am meeting with my wife's grandmother and we could use the time to get to know each other."
Amanda instantly got up from her seat, teary-eyed at her son's decision. She pointed out, "I just wished you had told me
"I meant to. I'm sorry, mother. I just... wanted to set things right before I introduce my family to you and father," told Ethan. Ethan had planned to introduce Samantha and the kids right after he changed the last names of Kyle and Kenzie.
The truth was, he was unsure if it was acceptable to tell about his one-night experience with Samantha nearly six years ago.
However, given the situation right now, it would seem like Ethan had to tell the truth. He could only help that his parents will not look down on Samantha for having slept with a stranger that fateful night. Leaning over against the table, he said, "Look, mother. Let me explain - "
"Nevermind... what's done is done!" Without hearing Ethan's words, Amanda acted to leave before saying, "Have John tell me the time of our meeting. I just hope... you made the right decision, son." Before slamming the door, Amanda added, "It's unfortunate that you won't be marrying little Sami."
Seeing his mother disappear behind the door, Ethan sighed and muttered, "Little Sami."
Amanda Wright told Ethan in the past that she and her college friend agreed to bind their children in marriage. It was a silly agreement between two young mothers at the prime of their marriage. It was when he was thirty years old that his mother brought it up, especially since he never dated any women before.
However, his mother could not find this little Sami and by the mention of her college friend, Amanda Wright would turn emotional and cry over her friend's memory.
He never really understood why. His mother never gave him details, nor was he interested in listening back then.
It was because Ethan's mother failed to find little Sami that she forced him on two surprise dates, hoping someone would catch his attention and finally get married.
As his parents were getting older, they expected to have grandchildren soon, but sadly, Ethan just did not find the one that caught his eye... until now.
***
In the evening of the same day, Ethan had dinner with Samantha and the kids at the condominium.
It was during their meal time that Ethan told, "Sam, my parents will meet you and the kids tomorrow." He gulped air down his throat before adding, "Someone reported to my mother about us being seen together and she came by the office to inquire."
"I had to tell her that we are married," Ethan said.
Samantha fell mute for a second. While she knew it was bound to happen, she honestly wanted more time to meet Ethan's parents. Especially since she and Ethan met in the most unconventional way. She forced a smile and responded, "Well, I suppose... it was meant to happen."
Samantha cleared her throat before excusing herself, rushing to the common bathroom of their home.
It was in front of the mirror where she took deep breaths, looking at herself. She closed her eyes, inwardly praying that Ethan's parents would accept her, despite her past mistake.
Just as she was pondering on these thoughts, she felt hands on her shoulders. She immediately knew it was Ethan's.
"Everything will be fine, Sam. I promise," assured Ethan. "Sure, they may have apprehensions, but it's like what I said... my parents will respect my decisions and it is because they value family that I am confident, they will also grow to love Kenzie and Kyle."
Looking at Ethan through the mirror, Samantha told, "I don't like conflicts."
"And I promise you, there won't be one," guaranteed Ethan before pecking on Samantha's head.