Phil.

Days pass by but I'm unable to come up with a decision. My soul is willing but my heart states otherwise.

How can I work under my fiancee? The pay is mouth watering but how will people see me? I can feel that they'll be kind to me but I just don't want to work for them.

Mum has been calling but she hasn't passed by my office since that day. I only went home to pick more clothes and some other essential stuff which I need both at home and in the office. All I need is to be near Tabby. Her dad and mum doesn't seem to object to there living with me and I'm planning to go to them so that we may set a wedding date. I just want everything to be official before we get ourselves in shit.

***

It's on a Friday evening and I happened to rush home to pick some stuff which I need for the weekend. The front door is unlocked and I assume mum is home. I push the door open and let myself in.

I'm not surprised to hear mum singing in the kitchen but what surprises me is the middle aged guy seated on the couch, scrolling through the tv channels.

I don't spare him a glance as I walk to the kitchen to confront mum.

“Who is he!”

I demand to know as I stand by the kitchen door.

“Oh Phil, you're here?”

“Mum I've just asked you a question!”

“Well, if you must know, he's my colleague and a good friend of mine and he passed by for dinner.”

“But mum! I've never seen him!”

“You haven't met all my colleagues and friends, have you?”

“No, but...”

“You left me here all alone and you're acting up because I've found company?”

“Dinner will be ready in a few. Be a good boy and set the dining table for me.” She says casually.

“I'm here to pick some stuff and then I'll be gone. However, I can't resist your food mum.”

I say as I walk towards the dining table, after saying a brief hi to the stranger.

“You left me all alone and now you're complaining because I've got myself some company! What did you expect?”

Mum says and I'm sure she thinks I'm not within earshot.

Well, it's good that she has company but let it not be what I'm thinking because she won't bring any other man in my father's house! Not when I'm alive!

The table is set and I walk to my room as I text Tabby to wait for me at her office since I passed by home. She replies and I smile as I put the phone back into my pocket.

Minutes later, mum calls me to join them and I walk downstairs, fully dressed into casual wear. The nameless guy is already and the table and he's seated next to mum. Gosh! Does he have to sit there? Next to her? Isn't he just a colleague?

I don't want to overwork my brain therefore I walk and sit directly opposite them.

They've already served themselves and I do the same, my eyes slightly scanning their side then dwelling on my plate.

The guy seems to be enjoying his meal and I can pay any price to spoil the moment for him.

And I come up with just the perfect plan.

“So, what did you say your name was?”

“Me?”

He asks startled.

“Yes, you! Of course you don't expect me to ask my mother's name! You!”

“Table manners son. Table manners! You don't talk with food in your mouth!”

“I know that already mum but your company here didn't properly introduce himself!”

“I'm sorry. My name is Harrison. Your mum calls me Harry and...”

“Oh Harry! What a romantic name to be called by my mother...ahhhw!” I comment sarcastically. I don't like him one bit! “So, does your wife know that you're in a widow's house munching chicken and rice?”

“My.wife.is.late!”

He says amid clenched teeth, obviously trying to hold back his anger. He places the piece of meat he has on his hand on his plate and pulls back his seat.

“Lucy, I'm out of here. Your son here is pissing me off and it's better if I get out of here!”

He stands up ready to go.

Mum is staring at me, shooting daggers and she seems ready to pounce on me.

“Wait Mr. Harry. I meant no harm. But one last question...do you visit any widow's house for dinner?”

I know I'm trying to piss him further and he throws the towel on the table after wiping his hands then walks away dejectedly.

I pretend that nothing has happened as I dig deeper into my food. I can feel mum's eyes burning into my skull but I don't look up till she grabs the fork from me.

“What did you just do Phil? You chased away my friend!”

I thought she'd make an effort to run after him but she remains seated.

“Isn't that the same thing you've been doing to my fiancee? It hurts, right?”

I tilt my head to face her.

“Look here son, Harry is harmless. He just passed by for dinner! You've hurt him and he had no ill motives!”

“You have been hurting an innocent Tabby for the longest time and I haven't been complaining and when I do, you get another reason to hate her even more.”

“I'll never approve of her! Never!”

“And I...Philip...will never approve of your male colleagues or friends! Never!”

I stand up and walk to my room, pick my bag which is already packed and I walk past her towards the door.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes I am.”

“Can't you stay for the night?”

“No. Tabby can't sleep all one!”

“Can't you invite me to you house?”

“No thank you.”

“It's okay son. I'm sure sooner or later you'll see sense in what I've been telling you and you'll dump that girl!”

“That day will never see the light mum...I love Tabby and She's mine forever!”

“Son you're defying me. You'll regret your decision.” she warns.

“Is that a threat mum? Maybe I should just take her dad's job offer just to spite you. You're so full of bile and until you tell me why you hate that man and his family so much, I'll keep on defying you mama!”

“No! No son! You can't work for him. You just can't!”

“And why shouldn't I, if I may ask?”

“Because that man Fredrick...that wealthy business man! That drug Lord..killed your father!”