Harvey Manor.


    When Adrian received a call from his mother, M, he was both surprised and ted. He had been worried about the incident where he identally upset his mom, causing her to faint. To avoid any punishment, he had been staying at his friend Giselle''s house. He wanted to ask his dad about it, but feared that it might lead to more trouble.


    His guilt kept him from calling his mom to check on her, so he was relieved when she reached out to him first. Her calling him must have meant she wasn''t angry anymore, right?


    Adrian eagerly answered, "Mom! It''s been so long since you called. I''ve missed you so much."


    Hearing her son''s cheerful voice, M felt a flutter of emotion, as if it had been ages since theyst spoke.


    "Adrian," she said softly, unsure of what to say next.


    Adrian filled the silence with a stream of words expressing how much he missed her, finally asking cautiously, "Mom, are you feeling better?"


    "I''m fine," M replied, her voice taking on a more neutral tone as she understood what he was referring to.


    Adrian breathed a sigh of relief, his spirits lifting further. "So, Mom, what''s up?"


    M took a deep breath. "Do you remember the great-aunt I told you about?"


    She had often talked about making peace with her estranged aunt and introducing her son to her, hoping for a reconciliation. Adrian should remember her from those stories.


    After a brief pause, Adrian responded confidently, "I remember. Why, what''s going on, Mom?"


    "I''m nning for us to have dinner with her tomorrow. Would you like that?" Adrian''s excitement bubbled over, "Is it going to be your cooking, Mom? It''s been ages since I tasted your dishes. I want some spicy chicken..."


    He went on to list a number of spicy dishes. M hesitated before declining, "I''m really busy right now and pressed for time, so we''ll eat out this time. I promise I''ll cook for you soon."


    Adrian, unused to his mother refusing him, felt a twinge of annoyance. He was about to protest but then recalled her recent fainting spell, which filled him with a sense of guilt. Reluctantly, he agreed.


    "Okay, but promise you''ll cook for me next time."


    M felt relieved at his agreement, "I''ll pick you up from home tomorrow."


    Adrian was about to agree when he remembered he was staying at Giselle''s. His mom wasn''t fond of Giselle yet, and telling her would only upset her. What a hassle.


    He quickly said, "Mom, just send me the address. I''lle with Dad tomorrow." He naturally assumed his dad would be included in the dinner ns, as was customary in the past. M frowned. Her aunt didn''t get along with Lysander, and his presence would surely ruin the meal. Besides, she didn''t want to see him herself.


    "I''ll pick you up. Your dad''s busy and won''t be joining us."


    Adrian was taken aback but didn''t think much of it. He certainly didn''t want his mom picking him up from Giselle''s, so he quickly countered, "Mom, just send me the address. I''ll have the driver take me there. It''ste. Goodnight, Mom!"


    Without waiting for her response, he hung up. M, ustomed to the Montgomery family''s tendency to end calls abruptly, simply sent the address without further thought.


    If he didn''t want her to pick him up, it was no skin off her back. Less hassle.


    ...


    Back at Harvey Manor.


    "Your mom asked you to dinner?"


    In the bedroom, Giselle sat on the carpet, ying a video game with Adrian. She


    asked casually about the phone call.