Page 56 of My Favorite Boss

She crossed her arms as if to say “Gotcha.” Obviously, she had learned trying to get around Myers was a fail, so she lay in wait for me where I least expected. My home.

I’d be impressed if it weren’t for it being my mother.

“I don’t have time for you this morning. I have a meeting,” I said, attempting to brush past her.

“I’m not taking no for an answer this time,” she snapped, pushing past me into my condo.

I wasn’t leaving her alone in my condo, so I glanced at my watch. “You have ten minutes, Mother. I have a huge presentation for my company this morning.”

She rolled her eyes. “Your little plants and flowers,” she huffed.

Her snide remark hit its intended target. She thought I played in the dirt and what I did was meaningless. It still bothered me what she thought, although I never allowed her to see my reaction.

“What do you want?”

“There is a function a week Friday⁠—”

“No,” I snapped.

“Lisa Summers will be there. She is the sort of woman you need to set you on the right path.”

I rubbed my eyes. “Mother, I am not attending. Nor am I interested in meeting one of your socialites to improve my so-called image. I like my life. I love my career.”

“It’s nothing. You’re nothing!” she cried. “Your brother⁠—”

Again, I cut her off. “Stepbrother. And he is a clone of you. Heartless and hungry for power and status.” I shook my head. “Do you realize that I could buy and sell you? All of you?”

She scoffed. “I doubt that.”

I smirked, liking the slight look of doubt on her face. “The money left in my trust fund was invested and tripled. Then again. And again. I make a great living ‘playing in the dirt.’”

“You need to marry well. Get in with the right people. Your brother⁠—”

“Again, stepbrother. I’m sick of being compared to Terence. He’s a lawyer with a bad reputation, a penchant for whiskey and women way too young for his age or bank account. How you rank him so high in your favor, I will never know.” I paused. “Or care. I am not now nor ever interested in being compared to him. I had enough of that growing up.”

“I pushed you to reach your potential.”

“You pushed me to be what you wanted. Terry might have liked the attention, but I didn’t.” I shook my head. “Your second husband and his son have always held more affection in your heart than I did. Being your son wasn’t enough. I had to be what his son was. And while I couldn’t say no as a child, I can say no now.” I met her eyes, the anger evident. “You want a big society wedding and grandkids to show off? Ask Terry.”

“He could have his pick of eligible women. He’s a catch,” she insisted.

“Then let him get caught.” I held open the door. “Now, leave.”

She brushed past me, her head held high. “Such a disappointment you are.”

I nodded. “That goes for both of us.”

The sound of the door slamming between us was loud.

“Can’t we go faster, Darryl?” I barked from the back seat.

“Sorry, Mr. Bane, there’s an accident ahead.”

I looked at my watch. Thanks to my mother’s unannounced visit, and the moments I’d required to calm down from her caustic words, I was already late. I’d wanted to be in the office ahead of everyone. To make sure the model was perfect, the refreshments laid out, and everything in its place. I had worked too hard on this for it to fall apart at the last minute. I dialed Myers, upset when the call went to voice mail. I shut my eyes and counted to ten. I looked at the blocked road ahead and did some fast calculations in my head.

“Let me out. I can run faster. Call Myers and tell her I’m on my way.”

He stopped the car, and I got out, racing down the alley. By cutting through the back ways, I could shave off time and make it. Five minutes later, I was rushing through the front doors of the building. I managed to get into an elevator before the doors closed, and I checked my reflection. I looked windblown, and my tie was crooked. When the doors opened, I raced to my office, hearing voices.