Page 36 of Love Delayed
“She had to go. She had a client call about a missing button or broken zipper. Anyhow, she asked me to tell you to call her after your meeting,” my mom explained with a nonchalant wave in the air.
“Okay, now do you have a moment to tell me why you dislike Eliana all of a sudden?” I asked.
“What? Where do you get that from? I don’t dislike her. I don’t like her attitude at times and how she oversteps sometimes.”
“Overstep? How?”
“I don’t know, with adding her idea for vegan menu items or asking why she can’t sit in on a meeting. Y’all aren’t married yet, and she is talking like a wife, not a fiancée. When we were trying to discuss wedding ideas, every idea her mom and I said got shut down and frowned upon. I’m just slowly watching her change from the impressive, smart, ambitious, and humble person I met a couple of years ago. It’s like when you proposed to her, her personality has been a bit snooty,” she expressed.
I didn’t dispute it because I noticed some subtle changes too, and her actions the last few nights have been out of the norm. “I get it, but cut her some slack. She is adjusting to the changes we’re both experiencing right now. A lot is about to happen with us combining finances and business. I don’t think she meant any harm. She just wants to be in the know, mom and I wouldn’t mind if she learned the hospitality side. After all she is going to be my wife. If she can help me out around here, I’d be grateful.”
“Well, you don’t have to rush into full disclosure about the hotels. She will be your financial priority, and that is for sure. Pump your breaks with access to the hotel’s finances. What goes into your personal account is y’all business, but what goes into our LLC is our family business.”
“Of course, but as an owner, that may change after we get married,” I returned. If me and my wife could work side by side, that would be a dream for me.
“Ummmm, will you be becoming a part owner of her wedding gown boutique?” she asked, and I paused before answering.
“Well, no, but I’m sure I might be one day, if it comes to that. I mean, that’s her thang, not mine.”
“And this hotel is our thang, not hers. Now, your tech store is all yours. You own that solely, and may share that with your wife, but this here belongs to our family, and your offspring. I suggest you get that prenuptial agreement drawn up before you and your bride exchange vows,” she said standing.
“No, Eli and I don’t need a prenup, ma, that’s not the woman I’m marrying.”
She paused in her tracks. “Marcus, don’t be a fool. We didn’t raise a foolish man, so take my advice. Just know if things go left, and you don’t make it till death do you two parts, she won’t walk away empty-handed. You aren’t broke, and she will not have access to the family’s wealth,” she said and leaned in an kissed me on the top of my head, like a mother would. “Think about it, because I’m starting to get a bad feeling about this one.”
“That’s because she’s not Zamora,” I disputed, and my mom didn’t back down.
“No, that’s not true. I’ve just known Zamora for a very long time, and her personality and character has been consistent. She is genuinely a great woman, but I want my son happy with his choice, not mine. I’d never ill advise you son, even if you were marrying Zamora.”
“But if it was ZeeZee, would we be having this conversation?”
“Considering our history with Zamora, no, but if it resembled the vibes that I get from Eliana, yes,” she said, and before I could respond, Zamora approached.
Chapter Eighteen
Zamora
After serving Eliana her requested salad, which consisted of a bowl of veggies, nuts, cranberries, sliced avocados, and two choices of dressing––spicy lemon olive oil and creamy balsamic, I went up to the penthouse to change into something more casual. After I dropped the new menu design over to the printing company, I would head to my business to prepare for the baby shower and personal dinner I had on my calendar for the next day.
When I returned to the lobby, I headed for the dining room and was pleased to see Marcus and his mother had not left yet. I hurried over because I wanted Marcus to come up and see the penthouse, and since Mrs. Colman was still there, she could join us.
“Hey, you two,” I said when I approached.
“Zamora, I was just about to head home. As always, the food was amazing, my dear. I miss your visits and you blessing our Diaz cookouts and get-togethers with your cooking skills.”
“Me too, Mrs. Coleman. Maybe I’ll join you guys again soon. That’s if it’s okay with Marcus?” I added, not wanting to make things awkward for him and his soon-to-be wife, who I assumed had already left since she was no longer sitting at the table with them.
Pointing to himself, he replied, “Me? You don’t need my permission.”
“No, she doesn’t,” his mother chimed in. “But I must be going. I hope to see you again soon, Zamora. Later, Marc. And think about what I said, son,” she told him and left, leaving Marcus and me standing in the dining room.
“Sounds like you’re in trouble,” I said while watching his mother sashay towards the front lobby and exit the hotel.
“Nah, just Mom being her protective self,” he said, pushing the chair underneath the table. He grabbed his cell phone from the table and looked in my direction. “Aren’t you about to head out? Do you need my credit card to pay the printer for the menus?” he asked, reaching for his wallet in his back pocket.
I held up my hand. “No, not yet. I’ll need it later when it’s time to pick them up. However, I wanted you to come up and check out my pad. I’ve made some changes and wanted you to check it out. Do you have time?”
He glanced at his watch. “Yeah, I have a few minutes. Let’s go check it out.”