Chapter 18: Complaints
Originally, Mia didn’t plan on talking much, but as soon as Chloe answered the phone, Mia couldn’t help but complain about what had happened the day before
“You won’t believe it. That scumbag Julian actually came looking for you yesterday, saying all kinds of nonsense. I was so fed up I couldn’t even be bothered to argue.”
Chloe was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Julian to come looking for her.
“Did you tell him where I am?”
“Are you kidding? How could I possibly tell him that? Even if I knew exactly where you were, I wouldn’t tell him. You’ve finally escaped from that hellhole. No way I’m going to ruin that for you. Let him suffer and regret it on his own!”
Hearing Mia’s response, Chloe breathed a sign of relief. The fact that Julian didn’t know her whereabouts was a huge relief. Things would have become far more complicated if he had found out:
“Anyway, let’s not dwell on such unpleasant things. Don’t worry, I won’t betray you. But I do need a favor from you. Are you free tonight?”
Meanwhile, Ella and her mother Madison had just finished their business and were preparing to head home. Ella was feeling particularly cheerful, knowing that her graduate school application process was progressing smoothly. She was ready to return home with her mother, but Madison suddenly stopped.
“You go on home. I’ve got something else to take care of.”
Although she wasn’t sure what her mother was up to, Ella didn’t ask any questions. Madison frequently attended gatherings with other wealthy women, so Ella assumed this was one of those occasions. She decided to head home on her own.
Once Ella left, Madison called for a car and instructed the driver to take her to see Julian. When she arrived at his office, Julian was still in a meeting. Madison waited in his office, and it wasn’t until much later that Julian finally returned.
Seeing his mother waiting for him, a wave of frustration washed over Julian.
“What brings you here today?”
Madison didn’t like his tone. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying I’m not welcome?”
Julian immediately felt a headache coming on. This was exactly the kind of conversation he hated. “Of course not,” he replied, trying to placate her.
“Enough of that. I came here for a reason. If you can’t manage the woman you’re seeing right now, then I’ll take matters into my own hands. I know you don’t like me interfering in your affairs, but I won’t tolerate her making me angry.”
The reason for Madison’s visit was clear–she wanted to talk about Chloe.
Julian was momentarily confused. “The woman I’m seeing? Who are you talking about?”
“Chloe’s behavior! I’m telling you, her attitude is the result of your constant indulgence! It’s no wonder she’s turned out this way!”
Hearing Chloe’s name from his mother’s mouth made Julian tense up. How had this situation involved Chloe?
“What happened?” he asked.
Chapy & Complaints
Chapter 18: Complaints
Originally, Mia didn’t plan on talking much, but as soon as Chloe answered the phone, Mia couldn’t help but complain about what had happened the day before
“You won’t believe it. That scumbag Julian actually came looking for you yesterday, saying all kinds of nonsense. I was so fed up I couldn’t even be bothered to argue.”
Chloe was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Julian to come looking for her.
“Did you tell him where I am?”
“Are you kidding? How could I possibly tell him that? Even if I knew exactly you were, I wouldn’t tell him. You’ve finally escaped from that hellhole. No way I’m going to ruin that for you. Let him suffer and regret it on his own!”
Hearing Mia’s response, Chloe breathed a sigh of relief. The fact that Julian didn’t know her whereabouts was a huge relief. Things would have become far more complicated if he had found out.
“Anyway, let’s not dwell on such unpleasant things. Don’t worry, I won’t betray you. But I do need a favor from you. Are you free tonight?”
Meanwhile, Ella and her mother Madison had just finished their business and were preparing to head home. Ella was feeling particularly cheerful, knowing that her graduate school application process progressing smoothly. She was ready to return home with her mother, but Madison suddenly stopped.
“You go on home. I’ve got something else to take care of.”
was
Although she wasn’t sure what her mother was up to, Ella didn’t ask any questions. Madison frequently. attended gatherings with other wealthy women, so Ella assumed this was one of those occasions. She decided to head home on her own.
Once Ella left, Madison called for a car and instructed the driver to take her to see Julian. When she arrived at his office, Julian was still in a meeting. Madison waited in his office, and it wasn’t until much later that Julian finally returned.
Seeing his mother waiting for him, a wave of frustration washed over Julian.
“What brings you here today?”
Madison didn’t like his tone. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying I’m not welcome?”
Julian immediately felt a headache coming on. This was exactly the kind of conversation he hated.
“Of course not,” he replied, trying to placate her.
“Enough of that. I came here for a reason. If you can’t manage the woman you’re seeing right now, then I’ll take matters into my own hands. I know you don’t like me interfering in your affairs, but I won’t tolerate her making me angry.
The reason for Madison’s visit was clear–she wanted to talk about Chloe.
Julian was momentarily confused. “The woman I’m seeing? Who are you talking about?”
“Chloe’s behavior! I’m telling you, her attitude is the result of your constant indulgence! It’s no wonder she’s turned out this way!”
Hearing Chloe’s name from his mother’s mouth made Julian tense up. How had this situation involved Chloe?
“What happened?” he asked.
Chappi 11. Complaciti
“What happened? I ran into her at the library today, and I merely said a few words to her. In response, shel was condescending and sarcastic, even suggesting that I’m uneducated! I’m telling you, with that attitude of hers, what kind of culture could she possibly have? She has no sense of decency at all!”
Madison was livid as she recounted the encounter. Julian, on the other hand, was focused on the fact that Chloe had been at the library. He couldn’t understand why she would be there.
Oblivious to Julian’s change in demeanor, Madison continued her tirade. “You know, I never minded her taking care of you, but running off to the library? What does she think she’s doing, trying to convince me she’s cultured by hanging out there? She needs to wake up from that dream!*
“And, would you believe, she actually told me that you two have broken up? She had the audacity to suggest that we pretend we don’t know each other from now on. Can ymagine? She never used to be like this. Her attitude towards me was downright disrespectful! I’m te ou now, she’s never going to be part of this family, and I’ll never approve!”
After venting her frustrations, Madison felt significantly better. Julian, however, had remained mostly silent throughout.
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t tell me you’ve really broken up with her?”
Reflexively, Julian denied it. “Of course no
Even if I wanted to, she’d never agree to it.”
“Exactly! You’re so far out of her league that she should consider it a blessing to be with you. You need to put her in her place. Let her know how to properly speak to her elders. I can’t believe her nerve!”
The more Madison complained, the more uncomfortable Julian became. He couldn’t stand to listen any longer.
“Alright, Mom, that’s enough. This isn’t that big of a deal. I’ve got more meetings to attend. I’ll have someone take you home, and we can talk about this later.”
Julian was desperate to get his mother out of the office. He couldn’t bear to hear her complain about Chloe any longer.
Madison was far from pleased. “Are you even paying attention to what I’ve been saying?”
“I got it,” Julian responded, eager to end the conversation.
He hurriedly ushered his mother out, feeling a wave of relief once she was gone. After the interruption, Julian found it hard to concentrate on work. Standing by the window, his thoughts wandered to Layla’s upcoming birthday. He wasn’t sure what gift to get her,
After a moment’s hesitation, Julian decided to ask Adam for advice.
Adam’s reply came quickly: “You usually just get her jewelry or something, right? You can’t go wrong with that. Just stick to what you know.”
Julian frowned at the response and typed back, **Come with me. I can’t decide on my own.“*
When Adam saw the message, he couldn’t believe it. “He can’t decide on his own?* he thought. *So who chose all those gifts for Chloe before? A dog?”
Despite his silent grumbling, Adam agreed to meet Julian at the mall.
