Chapter 5: Mother,Are You In Love With Your Driver?

Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Mother,Are You In Love With Your Driver?

London looks exceptionally beautiful today.

Simon drove smoothly through the quiet streets, heading to the art gallery. The sun touched the tall white houses, red double-decker buses rolled past, people were walking through the sidewalks with coffee in their hands. Cars glided beside them, but Simon’s eyes stayed on the road. His hands were firm on the wheel.

At the back seat, Flora was not looking at London. She was watching her daughter.

The girl had suddenly become quiet. Too quiet. She sat staring out of the window, her lips pressed together. Flora could feel a tightness in her chest. What is wrong with her? Why is she suddenly silent ? A deep worry grew inside her.

Just then, Simon’s phone rang.

He glanced at Flora through the mirror and answered quickly.

"Hello? Yes, it’s me. I got the job. Yes, a new job. I will come over when I am free, I promise. I’m driving now."

And he quickly ended the call.

Flora looked at him from the rearview mirror and frowned. Her beautiful eyes turned cold. She did not say a word, but her displeasure was obvious.

Simon drove for some minutes in silence. He followed the map and drove through the second lane. The street was serene.He drove pass busy shops , lovers holding hands and children laughing.

Then his phone rang again.

This time it was a woman.

"Simon? It’s Uriah. I have been trying to reach you but your number has not been connecting. I am in town. I really need to speak to you, please.Its really urgent and if you don’t mind, can we meet over coffee and iron things out?"

Before Simon could reply, Flora flared up.

"Enough!" She shouted, her voice sharp with anger. Uriah can hear her clearly from the other end.

"Simon, you are not supposed to take calls

while driving! Do you want to hit other cars and cause accident? Keep your eyes on the road!"

Simon swallowed hard and immediately ended the call. His heart was beating fast, not from fear, but from the fire in her voice. And from the mirror, she was still watching him.

Maya looked at her mother and then at Simon. She shifted her gaze slowly.

Flora was sitting near the window, her arms crossed, her voice was sharp and loud.

"You don’t plan dates while you are driving my car. Flora said, her face tight.

Simon turned. He looked tensed. "Ma, she is just a colleague from the agency. Nothing more. Am sorry, pardon me."

Maya watched her mother closely.

She thought to herself, _"Why is she upset? Why interrupt his call? Does she like him too? Is that why she doesn’t want him to answer calls?"

She knows how her mother loves. When her father was alive, she was always buying him flowers. She never allowed the female chef to cook his meal.

Her mother is a jealous lover and a heartbreaker. Her father would buy her luxury diamonds, yet she would always refuse to go to the gala with him.

Her mother was a good luck charm. An asset that attracted wealth to her father. Foreign investors partnered with him because her mother’s beauty was always on their lips.

"Mother," Maya whispered softly, "maybe you should take it easy with him. He meant no harm."

Flora did not answer. Her tension grew. Flora maintained composure,if she bounces on Maya , she will feel terribly bad all day.

Simon kept driving.

His hands were tight on the wheel. And his eyes were on the road ahead. They were almost close to the art gallery.

Flora was quiet. Her countenance was still moody. Maya sat at the back. She was pressing her phone.

Then they heard it.

VROOOOM.

A bright red Lamborghini came from nowhere. It was very low and very shiny, like a moving jewel. It slowed down and pulled right next to their car. Inside the passenger seat, sat a very pretty young lady.

She looked twenty five. Her hair was long and blonde, blowing in the wind. Her sunglasses were on top of her head. Her lips red. Her skin glows. She looked rich, confident, and fearless.

She looked at Simon and smiled.

Then she lowered her window.

"Hi," she said in a sweet, playful voice. She was looking only at Simon.

Simon was surprised. He glanced at her quickly and then looked back at the road.

"Hi," Simon said, a little confused.

The lady laughed. Her laugh was soft.

"Wow," she said. "You are too handsome to be driving like this. Are you single? You look dangerously cute with those hazel eyes. I have never seen hazel eyes like yours in London."

Simon’s face became red. He did not expect that.

Flora’s head turned sharply. Her eyes widened. She looked at the lady, then at Simon.

The lady continued. She was not shy at all.

"What is your name, handsome?" she asked. "I am Sophie. I am heading towards the gallery on the next street. I think you should have my number. Can we exchange numbers? I would love to see you again. Just you."

Her voice was full of flirting. She was biting her lower lip a little, smiling at Simon.

Maya gently sat up at the back . She was watching everything like a movie.

Simon opened his mouth. He wanted to be polite. But before he could say a word, Flora cut in.

Her voice was sharp. It was loud and full of anger.

"Simon! Focus on driving!" Flora commanded.

Her voice shook. Her hands were shaking. She was not just talking about driving. She calmed down so she wouldn’t look vulnerable.

Simon immediately looked away from Sophie and stared straight at the road. His jaw was tight. He held the steering wheel harder.

"Yes, ma’am," he said quietly.

Then Maya became furious. Her face changed. She looked at her mother with anger.

"Mom! What is wrong with you?" Maya asked . "Why are you shouting at him? Are you jealous or what? Why are you acting like his girlfriend?"

Flora’s heart broke into pieces when she heard that. She felt embarrassed, hurt, and exposed. Her mouth opened but no words came out. She felt like everyone could see her secret feelings.

"Maya! Enough!" Flora said, her voice was loud. "How dare you ask such silly questions?

" You little brat. I am only trying to keep us safe. He is driving! He should not be distracted by strangers!. Do you want us to have an accident ?"

Sophie was watching the whole drama. She saw Flora’s angry face. She could also see Maya’s painful face.Then She looked at Simon,he was quiet, and almost stressed out.

Sophie smiled. It was a small, pretty smile. She understood everything without anyone telling her.

"Relax, ladies," Sophie said sweetly, but with a little mockery.

"I was just giving a compliment. No need to fight over him.

He is handsome, and he is clearly... single." She said, observing his fingers.

She laughed lightly.

Then she looked at Simon one last time.

"See you around, hazel eyes," she said.

She stepped on her accelerator. VROOOOM. The red Lamborghini made a loud, powerful sound and drove away fast, leaving their car behind.

Simon continued driving towards the art gallery. No one talked.

Flora looked out of the window. She felt hurt, and angry, but she could not explain why.

Maya crossed her arms and hissed. Her jaw tight with furious defiance but she remained silent.

Simon just drove, his eyes fixed on the road, his heart beating very fast.