My mother. Who I hadn't spoken to in over a year. Who I definitely hadn't told about moving back to the city, about the job, about anything.
The preview of the message showed on my lock screen:
Reina, I've been trying to reach you for days. This is unacceptable.
My hands started shaking.
I unlocked my phone with trembling fingers.
The full message appeared:Reina, I've been trying to reach you for days. This is unacceptable. Family dinner this Saturday at 6pm. Everyone will be there. You WILL attend.
I stared at it, my heart hammering. Tried to ignore it, go back to work. But my phone buzzed again with another message from her.Don't ignore me, Reina. I know you're seeing these.
Then immediately another:
Need I remind you that I'm the one who got you that interview with the NIHL? The hiring manager is a personal friend. The least you can do is show your face at a family dinner.
The words hit me like a physical blow.
She’d gotten me the interview?
I sat back in my chair, the room suddenly spinning. I'd been so proud of landing this position. Had thought it was my portfolio, my skills, my merit that had earned me the job.
But it was her.
My mother had pulled strings. Had called in a favor. Had handed me this opportunity like charity.
Which meant she had leverage.
And she knew it.
My phone buzzed again, and I flinched.
6pm. Don't be late. And Reina? Dress appropriately. We're having a special guest I'd like you to meet.
Special guest.
Oh God.
My mother was setting me up. Of course she was. That's what this dinner was really about. Not family. Not reconciliation.
Matchmaking.
I should ignore it. Should delete the messages and pretend I'd never seen them. Should block her number and move on with my life.
But the guilt was already eating at me.
She got me this job. This job I loved, that I'd worked so hard at, that had brought me back to this city and back to Luca and Jaxon.
If I didn't show up, would she take it away? Could she?
My fingers hovered over the keyboard.
I could say no. Could tell her I was busy. Could stand up for myself for once.
But instead, I typed:
I'll be there.
