The bodyguard from earlier, Elias, stands at the door panting for breath.

“What is it? What’s going on?” Jeremiah jumps up in alarm.

“She’s coming. I tried to stop her, I swear, I did. But...but she wouldn’t listen. I...I didn’t know what to do.” Elias begins to pace in agitation without stopping to catch his breath.

“Whoa, whoa! Slow down. What’s going on? Who’s coming?” Jeremiah approaches him in confusion.

“I’m so sorry, I tried to warn you, but you...”

“What are you talking about, Elias? Who the fuck is coming?” Jeremiah grabs him in irritation, forcing him to stop.

For a moment, it’s so quiet in the room that you could hear a pin drop.

Then Elias looks up at Jeremiah, his face full of apology as he speaks. “It’s Mrs. Blackthorne. She’s back in town, and she’ll be here in twenty minutes.”

Jeremiah takes a step back, his hand dropping in shock and all the blood drains from his face.

“I only came to warn you. I’ll be waiting on the plane when she sees you off.” With that, Elias sprints out the door without a backward glance.

“F*ck!” Jeremiah exclaims. He turns to me, suddenly remembering I’m still in the room. “What are you still looking at? Hurry up so we can leave!”

I gape in confusion. “Leave? Why?”

“My mother is coming. That woman is a sucker for love and romance. I’m not about to sit through one of her sessions or kiss you in front of her,” he hisses in disgust.

“Well, I wasn’t looking forward to kissing you either!” I yell in indignation.

“Then get up so we can leave before she arrives!” he yells right back.

“No.” I cross my arms over my chest and settle against the bed comfortably.

“What do you mean no?” He looks at me in disbelief.

“That sounds like your problem, not mine. So deal with it alone.”

His nostrils flare. “You don’t seem to understand the situation we’re in. By the time we get downstairs, there’ll be nobody in the house because all the staff will have run for their lives.”

“What are you talking about? I thought you said she likes romance. What’s so bad that would make people run away?” My heart skips in my chest.

At that exact moment, the doorbell rings loudly through the house.

Jeremiah looks at me with anger and utmost loathing. “Well, you’re about to find out for yourself.”

**** **** **** ****

I make my way slowly down the stairs, Jeremiah dragging his feet behind me. The first thing I notice is the silence, then the mess. Downstairs, suitcases are scattered around the living room, some slightly open. It looks like staffs were packing for our trip but left things half-finished.

“Hi darling!” a sweet voice calls from somewhere to my left. I turn to see a grey eyed woman wearing a beige dress seated leisurely. Diamonds glitter from the rings on her fingers. She’s absolutely stunning.

“Mrs. Blackthorne!” I exclaim.

“Oh, don’t call me that, darling; you’re the new Mrs. Blackthorne,” she chuckles softly.

“What should I call you then?” I hop on the couch next to her, warming up to her friendly energy immediately.

“Call me Emily, but don’t let Jeremiah hear you,” she whispers.

I giggle and whisper back, “Alright, Emily.”

Just then, Jeremiah comes into view and clears his throat. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Shame on you, boy. You wouldn’t even allow your own mother to attend your wedding!” Emily scoffs.

“I had the wedding broadcast live across the country. Is it even safe for you to be here right now?” Jeremiah takes a seat across from us, crossing his legs.

“Of course! The perimeter is secured by my competent security. You have nothing to worry about.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about. You know what I mean,” he locks eyes with his mother. I feel the tension in the air as I look from mother to son. “Is everything okay? Do you two need to talk?”

“No.” Emily grabs my hand. She looks like she would rather not be left alone with Jeremiah.

“Well... if you say so,” I shrug, trying to play it cool.

“I’ll see you to the airport, then I’ll leave. I promise. I just wanted to meet your bride” Emily’s gaze is pleading.

“Fine,” Jeremiah says through clenched teeth and stands to walk away.

“Oh, don’t be in such a hurry, baby. Why don’t we all discuss?” She turns to me. “Melissa dear, how many sex styles do you know, and which ones are you planning to use tonight?”

“Wh...what?” I blink, completely flabbergasted.

“Yes, dear. A wedding night is very important, and good sex is one way to make it memorable,” she smiles sweetly.

I feel myself go red as my face heats up. “I can’t, I d...don’t...” I struggle to form a sentence.

“Oh no! Are you a virgin, dear?” She gasps, her fingers going to her lips in horror.

“What? No, I...”

“I could recommend a good lubricant that would ease you for the first time. But I thought you and Jeremiah had done it several times?” She looks at her son.

“Mother! Can you please stop?” Jeremiah breaks eye contact, looking uncomfortable and as red as I am.

“But there’s this style I saw in a sex magazine last week. It’s good for penetration. All you have to do is rub the tip with—”

“Mother! Stop! We have a lot to do” Jeremiah palms his face.

“Yeah, and I’m not done packing!” I jump up, desperate to get away.

“Oh dear, don’t look so worried. I came with my attendants. They’ll have your bags ready and loaded into the car. For now, I have to teach you the basics about sweet intercourse.” She stands and links her arm through mine. I look towards Jeremiah for help, and he smirks in satisfaction.

“I’ll remain inside to oversee the packing; you can go ahead with Melissa,” he offers innocently.

“Thank you, baby! We’ll be waiting in the car.” She begins to pull me toward the door, then stops abruptly.

“I just noticed, I haven’t seen Elias around. Is he taking my advice about using chocolate-flavored condoms now?”

“Mother would you just leave ?” Jeremiah growls.

In that moment, I see something. it happens so fast that I almost didn’t notice it.

Just before Emily plastered that dazzling smile on her face, there was a moment when she flinched. It looked like she was scared of something.

I look between her and Jeremiah, what is going on here?