Lesley sat in Vin's mansion obviously in deep thoughts. His mother had asked to see him.

He needed no one to tell him it was about Emily. Their lunch date had ended in a not so good way.

Emily had acted so emotional like an over-spoiled kid when he plainly told her he had no intentions of dating or marrying her and ran off crazily.

He had carefully prepared his speech while in the car and had even asked Nick and Matteo for some tips on how to make his mother not bother him with matchmaking again.

"Lesley what are you doing to me?"

He opened his slightly shut eyes and saw Ms Vin looking at him with a disappointed face.

It hit him quite alright but he wasn't about to give into his mom's trick.

"Mom, I'm sorry but I can't," Lesley said, looking away trying hard not to meet his mother's gaze.

It was always hard for him to meet his mum's eyes and not yield to her demand.

Ms Vin sat on the chair with her head bent and one hand held her jaw. She was sniffing and Lesley knew she would soon break down in tears. He wasn't ready for that.

"Lesley, have I not been a good mother to you? I have tried to do all I can for you since your father Left us, to see you happy. Why can't you just agree to marry anyone of these fine Ladies I introduce you to? why? Emily is nice right?"

Lesley went to her side holding her hands.

"Mum, you are the best.There is nothing I could have ever asked for. You gave me all and I truly appreciate all of it but...I don't love Emily. I don't want to marry who I don't love. Please mom try to understand me."

"Are you in love with someone else?"She asked, looking up to Lesley to meet his eyes.

Lesley wasn't sure what to answer his mother. He wasn't even sure if he was infatuated or in love with Sofia. He had asked Nick to find out everything about her but still it wasn't enough for him to say he loves her.

But he knew he thought about her a lot.

He would be having dinner with her tonight and probably would learn about her.

"Lesle" Ms Vin called, taking Lesley's hand into hers. Lesley saw his mother's eyes and saw it was filled with love. He knew and was very sure his mother loved him a lot only that sometimes she goes about it the wrong way which although might seem good to her but would be bad for him.

She continued, "You are my son. I would never do anything to hurt you. I love you son. Please give Emily a chance."

Lesley was caught in-between. He can't promise his mother to love Emily when he knew he couldn't. And outrightly saying no to her at that moment would hurt her.

"Mom, I would try but no promises," Lesley said, hugging her. He hated to see her that way. Seeing her cry break him. He promised he would do anything for her but this case was sensitive to him. This was his lifetime partner they are talking about. He wasn't sure he would willingly go into marriage with someone he feels nothing for.

_____________

At Sofia's Home

Ms Alex, Sofia's mother was feeding her husband food in his mouth and they were giggling and making happy faces at each other.

Sofia's siblings ate their food bickering while at it.

"Mom, I have a dinner date,"Sofia said amidst clearing the dishes.

"With who?" Ms Alex asked, still doing what she was doing.

"My CEO, Mr Lesley"

Ms Alex noisily dropped the spoon in the plate and faced Sofia looking horrific.

"Sofia! Your CEO? Don't tell me you are sleeping with your boss!" Ms Alex was furious. She taught Sofia to know better and was disappointed with her. She trusted her to do better.

"No mom. It's just a harmless dinner. Trust me it's nothing."

"Sofia, don't bring shame to this family. You are going to get yourself in trouble with one of these rich inconsiderate men and I won't be there. You know how some of them can be"

"Trust me mom. I can handle this," Sofia assured her.

Her Mom had developed a tinge of hatred for the rich people after a terrible encounter she had with one of them and since then had warned them to be careful when dealing with them.

She couldn't have agreed more. Ms lex was a typical example. She treats her like she doesn't matter at all. She doesn't let it get to her. She just needs the money for her family and could bear any amount of insults for her family.

Sofia quickly had shower and gently applied her body lotion and light make-up. She wasn't one to take plenty of time getting dressed. She checked her phone to see the text she received from Lesley. The address was written there.

it said, "7pm, Chriswood Eatery."

She took a deep breath and headed for Chriswood Eatery. She was a bit excited to be having dinner with Lesley although a part of her inside felt reluctant. She wasn't exactly sure what it would mean to Lesley considering he is her boss. She made a mental note to act carefully as she doesn't want to get in trouble with her boss. At some point, she felt like she might complicate things when she remembered Ms lex warning but she waved it off assuring herself it was just a harmless normal dinner date and nothing more to it.

Sofia wondered if she was being honest with herself. Was she really not interested in Lesley?

Was she just having a normal dinner date with him that had no deep meaning or was she expecting more?

She was sure she felt something for him and maybe he did but then, their status are far apart besides Lesley was already in a relationship with Ms lex daughter and also Lesley happens to be her boss.

Sofia was having a lot of trouble deciding what to do. To go on with the date or head back home.

She heard her phone beep, checked it and saw it was a message from Lesley. it simply said,"I'm waiting for you, can I come pick you?"

She was deciding whether to reply to the text or go back home.

"Ms this way, please"

She turned sharply as she heard a voice and saw it was Nick. She didn't know his name but she knew he was like a kind of messenger or assistant to Lesley and Ms Vin. He might have asked him to come pick her but she only got the message a few minutes ago. How did he find her that fast?

Now she doesn't have time to go back or think because she's left with only an option which is to follow Nick. She didn't say anything. She gently followed Nick hoping she won't regret it.