Xavier sighed as he drove his mother, Regina, back to the mansion. He couldn't help but feel frustrated with her sudden appearance at the diner. He had wanted to have a private conversation with Ariel, and his mother's presence had only made things more complicated.

"Mom, why did you have to come to the diner?" Xavier asked, his voice tinged with annoyance. "I was in the middle of talking to Ariel, and now things are even more complicated."

Regina smiled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, Xavier, I just wanted to see how things were progressing with Ariel. I thought it would be a good opportunity for us to get...