“Dave?” Maria Forbes called, looking all emotional like she would tear up at the sight of her son. She was finally standing less than one feet away from him after all these years.
“What are you doing here, Mom?” Mr. Blackwood asked with a cold expression, the shock had quickly been replaced with solemnness, probably a poker face to hide his true emotions.
“A… A friend invited me, she said it was a work partner’s birthday, I didn’t know it was you.” Maria Forbes replied.
Mr. Blackwood scoffed and shook his head, finding her response funny. “You really didn’t think I would buy that, did you? I am no longer eighteen, mom, but you are still terrible at lying. You hate parties, you only attend them if they are a family function.” He uttered.
Mrs. Maria Forbes Chuckled. “Maybe that is why my spirit was accepting of the invitation, because it was family, you can change the last name but you can't change the blood.”
“Drop it already, Mom!” Mr. Blackwood growled as usual. The low growls had come with his new character and now was a part of him. Meanwhile Anna just stood there in confusion while watching the whole thing play out.
“Fine, I lied, and I am glad that you still know me too well, you still remember what I was like. I wanted to be here today, I found ways to make sure that this very moment happened today.” Mrs. Forbes admitted.
“A-ha!” Mr. Blackwood muttered with a nod of his head. “Now it makes sense, you were behind the false fire alarm, weren’t you?”
Mrs. Maria Forbes Smiled. “Aye! You have always been a smart boy, it didn't take you long to figure that one out. What can I say? I would do anything to see my boy. You have been avoiding contact with me, I understand that you are angry but I just wanted you to hear me out.”
“I do not want to hear a word that you say, Maria!!” Mr. Forbes yelled, unable to hide his anger anymore.
“Okay, maybe I should give you two some space, I don’t think this is such a good time.” Annabel said in a whisper.
Maxwell shot her a mean glance immediately. “No, we are not quite done. If there is anyone who should leave, it is this woman, she is not welcome here.” He blurted, while pointing to his mother.
“Max! She is your Mom! You should not speak to her like that,” Annabel said with a hush, expressing her displeasure with his words.
“No, she is not deserving of that title. She stopped being my mom the moment she stayed mute while my father cast me away. Now she is just the woman who gave birth to me, and I want nothing to do with her or that family.” he said to her.
Anna could feel the pain in his words, he was really hurt. She had not seen him this broken, not even the day she turned down his gift and had him raging like a mad man.
Mr. Blackwood turned back to Maria Forbes who was already breaking down in tears. “So Maria, when you are done with the party, kindly leave with your friend and I wish never to see you again,” he spat, and then he walked out of the room.
Anna stood there in awe. What had just happened? It looks like Mr. Blackwood had bigger rivalries than his hatred for Jimmy. She turned to Mrs. Blackwood who had broken down in tears and she had no idea what to do.
She had just met this woman, she didn’t even know her before now, what could she say or do to make things better? It would be really awkward to walk away while this old woman was crying. Why did Maxwell leave her in this awkward situation?
“Ma…” Anna started, wondering how the lady would respond to her sympathy. Was she about to make a big mistake by getting involved in this?
“I am really sorry about that, he is not in a good mood right now and that contributed greatly to his reaction and words, please don’t be offended.” She pleaded.
Mrs. Forbes wiped off her tears with a little nod. “No, he is mad at me and I understand, I just wish he would hear me out.”
Anna suddenly had the courage to step forward and take her hand, she had really smooth and healthy hands considering how old she is supposed to be.
“Ma, he is your son, I am sure he can’t be that mad at you, just give him time and he will come around.”
Maria Forbes smiled weakly. “I see you care for him, it is good to know that he has someone who cares for him. it always scared me that my little boy was all alone in the world, thank you for your kind words.”
“You don’t have to, Ma. Maxwell is difficult to deal with, but he is still a good man in general, everyone has their flaws. I will speak to him on your behalf, I promise you.” Anna said to her.
Maria Forbes nodded again. “Thank you for that, I will be around in case he changes his mind.” She said and cleaned the trails of tears on her cheeks and then she left the room.
Anna stood there and sighed. She was quite a nice woman and she was pretty too. Maxwell got the looks, so why didn’t he get the character as well? How did he become a libertine who cares about sticking his dick into women’s bodies? A man who objectifies women and blackmails them into sex? That doesn’t feel like a product of the loving woman Anna had just met.
Anyways, she needed to put her personal feelings aside and help reunite this family. but first of all, she needed to know the full story. Why does Maxwell hate his mother so much? There was only one person who could answer that question, and she needed to find him, but where would she start from in this enormous mansion?
!