Herman had been off on a business trip for a few days, and it seemed like he was busier than ever. The calls and texts from him had noticeably slowed down. Anastasia tried calling him, but there was no answer. Over the past couple of days, she couldn''t shake off a feeling of unease, like a storm was brewing that she couldn''t quite pinpoint. Since Herman wasn''t picking up, she figured he was swamped with work and decided to check on her daughter Pattie''s schoolwork instead.


    ---


    Meanwhile, Monica left Anastasia''s ce and headed back to her beauty salon. As soon as she walked in, the receptionist said, "Monica, there''s ady waiting for you in the lounge upstairs."


    "Ady?" Monica asked, puzzled. "Is it my mom trying to set me up again?"


    The receptionist shook her head. "No, it''s not her."


    "Alright, I''ll go see who it is," Monica replied, heading up to the lounge. Inside, she found Ashley and rissa sittingfortably. Monica had never met them before and greeted them with a polite but curious smile. "Hi, I''m Monica, the owner of this salon. How can I help you?"


    rissa turned around, her face lighting up. She stood up with a warm smile. "You must be Monica! I''ve seen your pictures on my son Jason''s Facebook. I''m his mom, rissa."


    rissa had done her homework, thanks to Hank from the precinct. She knew about Monica''s salon and decided to drop by for a chat. Before Monica arrived, rissa had already taken a good look at the salon''s history and was impressed. She admired Monica for running such a sessful business at a young age, thinking that Monica was quite the catch-certainly a better match for Jason than Alisa.


    Hearing she was Jason''s mother, Monica was taken aback but quicklyposed herself, warmly weing rissa. "Oh, I''m so sorry to have kept you waiting! Let me get you a fresh cup of coffee." With that, Monica signaled to her staff to bring rissa a new cup of coffee and some fresh fruit. She specifically asked, "Bring the freshest imported fruits we have."


    Monica''s hospitality made rissa even more pleased. She could tell that Monica still had feelings for Jason; otherwise, why would she be so weing? Once the coffee and fruit arrived, Monica eagerly continued, "Please, have a seat. Do you often get spa treatments? Your skin looks amazing! Feel free toe by anytime for free treatments. We''d love to have you as often as you like."


    rissa was all smiles. "That sounds wonderful, thank you, Monica. I''ve been wanting to meet you for a while now. Jason mentioned he wanted to bring you home over Christmas so we could meet you. We were really looking forward to it." Monica felt a twinge of awkwardness. "Well, Mrs. Ledford, Jason and I have broken up."


    "I know, Jason told me," rissa replied. "But Monica, I can see my son still has feelings for you. He doesn''t care for Alisa. And you like Jason too, don''t you? Don''t let someone else ruin what you two have."


    Monica was confused. "But aren''t they getting married on Valentine''s Day?"


    rissa scoffed, "Married? That''ll never happen. I''d never let Alisa into our family. Jason only helps out the Brown family because of a promise he made to a colleague who passed away."


    Hearing that there was no wedding, Monica was taken aback. She could''ve sworn she heard something about it. Maybe the date wasn''t for a wedding after all?


    "I know a bit about that," Monica admitted, rubbing her neck. "Jason is a stand-up guy."


    "Please," rissa frowned. "He''s just being naive. The Brown family is like a bunch of leeches, trying to milk my son for all he''s worth."


    rissa''s frustration was evident, and Monica could see the Brown family was trying to cling to Jason, but she didn''t want to get involved.


    rissa then took Monica''s hand, speaking earnestly, "Listen, sweetheart, get back together with Jason. I promise you won''t regret it. When you two get married, I''ll move back to the countryside and give you both space." Monica was speechless. Marriage? Already?


    "Mrs. Ledford, it''s not just up to me..." Monica began, feeling a bit overwhelmed.


    rissa interrupted, "Actually, it kind of is. If you don''t want to lose Jason, take a step forward. I know my son-he''s loyal to a fault and takes his promises seriously. If you don''t give him a nudge, he''ll stay stuck."


    rissa continued sincerely, "I''ll be honest with you. Alisa''s a divorcee with a kid. Jason has a bright future ahead of him. Why would I let him marry someone like that? Especially with the Brown family expecting him to y daddy to someone else''s child and be a son to her parents."