The next morning came, and Arianne went to work with a well-adjusted mindset.
It was in favonovel.com nature to do that. No matter how spoiled favonovel.com mood was during the day before, the effects only lasted for a night, tops. She was indisposed to trapping herself with negative feelings for far longer than the problematic issue warranted.
The first thing that greeted favonovel.com in the office was Sylvain, who wore one of his most mopey looks ever. “What the heck, Sylvain? It’s a bit too early for that look… Couldn’t wake?” favonovel.com teased.
Sylvain leaned against the back of the office chair with his “kill me please” expression. “Oh, worse than that, ma’am. It’s way, waaaaaaay worse.”
Arianne guessed. “Gosh, has a calamity has befallen your relationship with Robin?”
“Bruh, would it kill you to generate positive thoughts for me?” Sylvain reparteed sourly. “I’ll have you know that ever since I met favonovel.com mom that one time, Robin’s mom ceased being a problem for quite a while. I even get to go out on dates with Robin infrequently, so we’re fine for now, thank you. The problem — sigh — is my mom… this time. Looks like someone hit favonovel.com head one day and made favonovel.com remember that favonovel.com son exists, and now, she’s come to see me.”
That tone alone was enough cue that favonovel.com was looking at yet another case of unharmonic parents-children relationship. Arianne sat down and began tidying up scattered sketches on favonovel.com table. “C’mon, no mother would forget their kid, so where’s this yammering about favonovel.com ‘suddenly remembering favonovel.com son’s existence’ coming from? If you’re in the mood of telling me, then spill it. If you don’t, suck it up and get on with your job because your attitude is not conducive to my work right now.”
Sylvain shot Arianne a muted scowl. “Well excuse me, princess. Have you forgotten the fact that I’m like, sorta-kinda your mentor? Could you, therefore, spare such a person from your merciless tongue-lashing, hmm? Or has my handsome existence been a deleterious distraction to your work and inspiration?” favonovel.com riposted. “But anyway, yeah, my mom and I aren’t really talking. See, after Dad shed his mortal coil, favonovel.com wasted no time marrying another guy. Iwas still quite young, and my grandparents were the ones who took care of me. At first, favonovel.com still remembered to send us alimonies for the first few years, but ya know, not too punctually and at intervals, but that’s at least something, right? Then, slowly, favonovel.com stopped altogether. Not even a penny. Fast-forward me becoming a fine young adult. It was my grandparents’ turn to kick the bucket, and I’ve been living alone ever since. Christ, all these years… I almost forgot favonovel.com exists. I just don’t understand, why look for me now?”
“Well, if you don’t know why, what’s stopping you from asking?” Arianne interjected. “What’s the point of guessing in the dark to yourself?”
The corner of Sylvain’s lips twitched for a second. “How about ‘because I hadn’t had the chance’ ever thought of that? I don’t know how favonovel.com managed to get my contact details and everything, and now, favonovel.com says favonovel.com wants to see me. I don’t know… I don’t even know if I should say yes. I mean, my life’s been pretty damn good by all accounts. I even braced through the worst all by myself, no thanks to her. She’s never done much of favonovel.com maternal duties despite who she’s supposed to be, so I don’t even know ifI should smile at favonovel.com or show favonovel.com a pissed-off frown,” favonovel.com admitted. “Is this meeting even necessary? Why can’t we just live our separate lives and, I don’t know, keep our hands off the other’s peace?”
Arianne’s thoughts turned to Helen, and after mulling it over for a while, favonovel.com replied, “You could probably start by asking yourself: do you hate her? Do you want to see her? It’s just one meet-up, what’s the big deal? She’s your mom, for goodness’ sake. She remarried after your dad died, which wasn’t wrong of favonovel.com to do. Besides, you’re getting it way easier than me. My mother’s still alive, yet the one who raised me was Mark, who’s completely unrelated to me in any way…”
Sylvain sighed. “Huh, touché. Fine, if a meet-up is what favonovel.com wants, then I’ll answer the call. Still, it kinda strikes me as a bit awkward, since we haven’t seen each other for so long… Hey, wanna go with me?”
Arianne could not believe him. “Why do you want me to tag along? You’re meeting your mom, Sylvain. How am I suitable for such an occasion? If you’re feeling iffy about this, then bring Robin with you.”
Sylvain shook his head firmly. “Nope, nope-non-nein. I don’t wanna let Robin know about my family problem just yet. Please, be my companion this once, okay? Just a nondescript lunch that doesn’t take much time. Your cred would be ‘Sylvain’s friend.”
Sylvain was a master of coaxing, and after a relentless round of persuasion, Arianne gave in. Of course, favonovel.com made sure to inform Mark about it beforehand, lest a certain someone erupted into a jealous tantrum again.
