Liliana-
By the time the plane landed, I was shocked that I hadn't passed out already. From the moment I agreed to meet Frantz's mom, I felt as if my brain was lacking oxygen. I was a nervous wreck. My palms wouldn't stop sweating, and my stomach felt so uneasy, I couldn't even blame it on the plane ride. My heart was thumping in my ribcage harder than a fist pounding against a wooden door. My breathing was a bit unsteady, and as a result, my entire body was on edge. Through the entire ride, I pretended to read my book so Frantz wouldn't worry, but my eyes often stared blankly at the page, barely understanding a simple sentence.
When Paul announced that we were landing, I almost screamed.
Frantz was being a gentleman. He led me out of the plane, and waited for me to get in the car before he got in. When we sat, the closer we drove towards the city, the more nervous I became. Frantz was preoccupied with work, and I kept playing with my fingers, and pretending to be busy by looking out the window. My throat was so dry, yet I didn't want to drink too much water, only for my bladder to act up while having lunch with his mom. It didn't even occur to me to call my parents until now, but I decided to leave that for later.
Unable to stand the bothersome silence much longer, I took in a deep breath before speaking.
"So are we having lunch at a restaurant or...?" I trailed off, as I decided to create conversation just to take the focus off my nerves.
"Well mom initially was going to have food prepared, but then she realized that she didn't know what you like to eat, so, yeah we're meeting at a restaurant." Frantz clarified, then he frowned and asked, carefully, "are you sure you're okay?"
And with a quick nod and a, "mmh hmm," I looked away.
Frantz smiled, and said, "I'm telling you, there's no need to worry, my mom is going to love you." And I simply smiled, breathing shakily, because nothing was going to ease my nerves at this point.
It didn't take long for us to pull up to the restaurant, and when I saw the name, my jaw fell to the floor. Angel's Palate. How ironic.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This was the exact same place that Carlos brought me for our first date, and now just being here, caused my nerves to melt away, only for a sense of unwelcomed Deja vu to fill my body. I could feel the blood drain from my face when the car pulled up to the valet, and the door opened.
This was all too much. There was the stress of the dream I had about Frantz, then the nerves of meeting his mom, and now, I was to have lunch in a place that did not hold the best of memories. The thought that I was once brought here by a maniac caused my mouth to turn sour, and I felt nauseous and cringed at just how naïve and vulnerable I allowed myself to be.
I gulped.
Frantz exited the car after me, and he placed a hand on the small of my back, causing my face to flush with a blush as I looked down nervously. His warm palm against my skin sent a shiver up and down my spine, as a sensation heated my body from head to toe, and the memory from my dream powered through my brain like a flying bullet.
Oh I was in trouble.
Frantz kissed my temple as he asked, softly, "Are you ready?", and with a shy nod, I said, "ready." I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eye, and all I could think about was his warmth against my back. However, as soon as he took a step towards the door, I exclaimed, "wait!"
He turned and looked my way quizzically, and I sighed as I decided to do something riskier than dating my boss. I pulled him close as I brought my lips towards his ear and I whispered, "the reason I've been acting strange is because I had a certain dream about you last night." Then I pulled away, feeling a certain amount of weight lift off my shoulders. Now it was Frantz's turn to feel uneasy. Call me evil, but I suddenly felt much better.
Frantz blinked in surprise as he looked away then asked, quizzically, "what kind of dream?" But I didn't reply, instead I simply shrugged then smiled as I began making my way inside, and he had no other choice but to follow after me.
As soon as the Maître D noticed Frantz, he smiled widely as he said, "Ah Mr. Cavalier, right this way, please."
The slim man, walked in a tall yet stiff manner, as he led us through a first dining room, where Carlos and I had our first date, towards a second side of the restaurant, which was more secluded, and had less guests.
As soon as we entered the room, I saw his mom. The resemblance between mother and son was unquestionable.
She was a beautiful woman, with neck length dark brown almost black hair, dark eyes, a straight nose like that of her son's, and the flowery short sleeve dress she wore with white heels, instantly made me feel underdressed.
I hesitated a step upon seeing her, and Frantz ran into me. His hand landed around me as he smiled encouragingly, and kindly pushed me forward. I almost wanted to shake my head stubbornly and run the other way when his mother looked up and smiled, but I had no choice but to move forward.
By the time we reached the table, Mr. Cavalier's mother was already standing to greet us. She opened her arms as she greeted, "Darling!" but to my surprise, I was pulled into her arms, instantly getting a whiff of her sweet perfume, as she cuddled me in her arms. I chuckled shyly and slightly awkwardly, as I patted her back softly, and unintentionally wiping my palm sweat on her expensive dress.
When she pulled away, her smile did not falter as she said, "now let me get a good look at you," as she spoke, her grip fell on my chin as she turned my face from side to side, then she held me at arm's length, examining me, while I uncomfortably stared back her, with a very tight smile.
"My, my," she hummed, then added as she looked back in my eyes, "how did Frantz land a beauty like you?"
"Mamma that's enough," Frantz groaned, then he added, "stop abusing my girlfriend", and she looked his way disapprovingly as she scolded, "I just asked, a simple question. She's beautiful, and I'm not sure why she would settle for you," this caused me to smile and feel a bit more comfortable, then her eyes turned to me as she leaned in and asked, "seriously did he pay you so that he could impress me?" And I could only imagine Frantz rolling his eyes at her question.
"No ma'am," I giggled shaking my head, and her smile widened as she brushed off, "darling none of that 'ma'am' stuff, call me Mariella."
Then she released me and turned to her son who had already sat down as she asked, "now that your girlfriend's here, you're too embarrassed to greet me properly?" And she feigned in expression between hurt and disappointment.
Frantz groaned as he stood up and pulled her in his arms as he mustered, "ciao mamma," then he kissed her on both cheeks, and I smiled as I appreciated the picture of Frantz with flushed cheeks, and not so well composed around his mother.
She laughed, then she pulled away, as she said, "alright, alright, that's enough. I'm not here for you, I'm here for Liliana." She explained as Frantz pulled her chair back and allowed her to sit before he pulled my chair out for me.
"Thank you." I stated, quietly, and he smiled my way, and I felt my heart flutter, as I blushed and looked away. The exchange did not go unnoticed by Mariella, because in the corner of my eyes, I saw her beam as she looked between me and Frantz.
Frantz cleared his throat when he remembered that his mom was there.
"So Liliana tell me everything, how old are you? Where are you from? How long have you been working for my son?" Mariella asked, in curiosity.
"Ma please," Frantz begged, and Mariella looked towards her son as she questioned, "what? Liliana doesn't mind, right honey?" She asked, me.
"No, it's fine," I nodded and looked towards Frantz reassuringly, before I replied, "I am 24 years old, I was born and raised in Georgia, and I've been working for your son for just a few months."
"Was he nice to you?" Mariella asked, sending a sharp glare towards her son, who simply shook his head, though a soft smile lingered on his lips, "yes, for the most part." I stated, and Mariella nodded her head as she said, "good."
Mariella prepared to say something else, when her phone rang. She picked it up and noticed the caller ID as she said, "Oh it's your father," then she looked my way as she said, "I'm sorry darling, I have to take this, I'll be back in a jiff." Then with a nod from me, she excused herself from the table as Frantz stood up.
When his mother had departed, he groaned and looked my way as I giggled and said, "I like your mom. Why didn't you tell me she was so nice?"
"Well I did, but you were too busy freaking out about meeting her that you didn't hear me." Frantz explained with a shrug, as he sipped his water.
"Sure, blame it on my nerves." I rolled my eyes, as I looked away and smiled.