But at the same time, it’s Yuna’s mom. Although Yuna’s stubborn enough to do what she wants, and I’m certain she isn’t going to let her mom tell her who to date, that doesn’t mean I want to upset her mother by ignoring an invitation for dinner. Given how much Yuna cares about her family, being rude to her mom might be enough of a reason for her to reconsider dating me.
So I’ll just suck it up and meet her mother for what’s guaranteed to be the most uncomfortable dinner ever. “Sure.”
“Excellent. Please come to Angelina at the Aylster Hotel by seven.”
“I’ll be there.”
I hang up, then go to the closet to see what I’m going to wear. I want to impress upon her that I’m successful and I don’t need to own a huge conglomerate to be a good match for Yuna.
I pick out a deep navy Brioni suit that I’ve only worn twice. It makes my eyes look blue-gray, and it should be good enough for Lady Min. A silk burgundy tie will go well with it. I hesitate over cologne. After a moment, I decide on just a dash of it. Then some wax in my hair to slick it back.
There. I look good enough to sell heaters in Havana. And I’m as ready as I can be for this dinner.
I head out. Rush-hour traffic is a nightmare, but I manage to arrive at the restaurant on time. The slinkily dressed hostess takes me to the same table from Saturday. Surprisingly, the entire place is empty. Weird.
Lady Min’s already seated. She’s impeccably dressed in a jade-green dress, her makeup flawless. Her skin’s still amazingly smooth, and diamonds twinkle from her ears, throat and fingers. I can see where Yuna got her fashion sensibilities.
Yuna’s mom’s eyes remain coolly assessing as she smiles at me. “Good evening. Please have a seat.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting for long.”
“No. I was enjoying the view. Los Angeles is beautiful.” She gestures at the slim menu. “Would you like to order something to drink?”
Why does her suggestion sound like a prelude to battle? “No, thank you.” I doubt the restaurant would poison my wine, but I should have all my faculties sharp and ready.
“It’s all right. I had the entire place reserved, and they’re going to serve as much as we want.”
She had every table at Angelina reserved? What the hell’s going on here? And why is she so eager to pump me full of alcohol?
“I’m all right,” I say.
“Very well, then.” She takes something out of her purse and slides it across the table.
I glance down and note it’s a thin white envelope. It should be innocuous, except it looks as dangerous as a pissed-off scorpion.
“What’s this?” I ask.
“Just some compensation for you leaving my daughter.” Yuna’s mom speaks like a queen bestowing a favor on a peasant.
What the fuck? Yuna talked about her family paying off an old boyfriend to make him go away, but I never imagined it would happen to me. It’s beyond insulting. It’s infuriating!
I want to throw the damn envelope in Lady Min’s face along with a few four-letter words, but I maintain control. Barely.
She’s Yuna’s mother. Don’t lose your temper. Don’t lose your temper…
I inhale a few times to calm myself. It doesn’t work very well.
“I’m sure you understand,” Lady Min says.
“I’d like for you to understand that I’m not leaving her.” I say it as evenly as I can.
She raises an eyebrow, then lifts a hand. The woman who asked me about seafood allergies on Saturday steps forward and places another envelope on the table. A large, thick one with a metal clasp.
“Inside is the deed to a four-bedroom penthouse in Manhattan. It’s quite lovely,” Yuna’s mom says. “You can keep the money and the real estate if you’ll break things off with my daughter.”
I manage to swallow a response just in time. A fucking penthouse in New York City? She’s that desperate to get rid of me?
I can’t decide if I should be insulted or flattered that she’s placed such a price on my leaving Yuna. At least Yuna won’t be sad she’s only worth two hundred K. But I need to make things clear to the woman in front of me.