"I’ve got a pair of bams, just waiting on a pong." Amelia gleely smiling at her other ’competitors’ at the table.

Josephine, Vivian, and Margaret surrounded her at the table. Josephine stares at the bricks intensively, not moving her eyes from table.

The table went silent as they await Josephine to play, but someone as to break the silence.

"Aiyoo, Josephine, you’re still not winning," Vivian teased, dropping a tile with a satisfied click. "Your luck today is terrible."

Josephine laughed lightly, waving her hand. "Come on, I’ll win this round. Amelia, the mahjong goddess is beside me now — she always brings me luck."

Amelia took a slow sip of her tea, her mind clearly elsewhere. The women noticed immediately.

"Amelia, darling, you’ve been quiet," Margaret said, leaning forward with concern. "Is everything alright with Silas? Did your son give you a new headache today?"

Amelia set her cup down with a soft sigh. "It’s Silas. I am still worried about my boy, he has everything a man could ever wish for what else is delaying him."

Magaret close to her pats her at the back. "Aigoo, you are still worried about him. Take it easy you know what we spent to keep this natural beauty."

Amelia exhales again. "He’s successful, powerful, handsome... and completely alone. I have not even smell a woman perfume on him. He is no different from a monk."

Vivian refill her tear cup as she continues. "The last time I visited was a complete shock to me, I wanted to catch him with a lady. But all I meet was an MBA graduate cooking for him. Oh God as my enemies decided to strike me, by making my son gay."

Josephine’s eyes widened. "Amelia! Watch what you say, your son is different from your husband. Have you heard anything from the detective Vivian gave you?"

"Nothing yet," Amelia admitted, voice laced with frustration. "Though I expected it, do you think any billionaire will allow himself to be investigated easily. I’m just tired and frustrated, silas wasn’t supposed to win the race."

They all burst into laugh at Amelia ’sperm’ joke. Vivian wipes the tears off her eyes and asked. "What about that...hmmm actress?"

Amelia shooks her head repeatedly. "She is still tied down with business. I need somebody to keep him company still the lady comes back into the country."

If by chance Silas’s mother finds out that Silas already had a companion. Probably she might be hospitalized.

Vivian leaned in, intrigued. "The actress? Diane?"

"Yes," Amelia confirmed. "She’s beautiful, talented, from a good family, and she’s been interested in Silas for years. She’s coming back to the city soon. I think she would be perfect for him."

Margaret nodded approvingly. "A strong, accomplished woman by his side would be good for him. That will only solidify his position and you have your grandchildren."

Amelia smiled faintly, but worry lingered in her eyes. "I just want him to be happy. But he’s so closed off. So controlling. Sometimes I wonder if I failed him as a mother."

Josephine reached over and squeezed her hand. "You did everything right. Boys like Silas... they’re complicated. Powerful men often are. But a good woman can soften even the hardest heart."

The women continued playing, the tiles clacking as gossip flowed.

"Have you met that youran after that time?" Vivian asked curiously.

"Nahh," Amelia said. "He had still not called me, I’m very sure Silas was the one that made him rethink his decisions. If you were there you will see how terrified he was, Silas eyes was more than enough to silence the boy. It was really terrible back then."

Josephine pats her hands in reassuring her. "Don’t worry your son is not a beast, maybe they had a little quarrel or something. Who knows?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The conversation shifted to their own children — Josephine complaining about her playboy son, Margaret bragging about her daughter’s recent promotion — but Amelia’s mind kept drifting back to Silas.

Later that evening, Amelia returned home to her luxurious residence. The moment she stepped into the living room, she saw Diane waiting gracefully on the sofa, legs crossed, looking every bit the stunning actress in a cream-colored dress.

"Mrs Vane! It’s so good to see you," Diane said warmly, standing up to embrace her.

"Diane, darling," Amelia replied, kissing both cheeks. "You look more beautiful every time I see you. How was the shoot?"

"Exhausting but successful," Diane said with a laugh as they sat down. A maid quietly served them wine. "But enough about me. You sounded urgent on the phone. Is everything okay with Silas?"

Amelia took a sip of wine and sighed deeply. "That’s exactly why I called you here. Silas is... stubborn. He has refused to settle down after you left, nothing as being heard from him. I visited him recently and found a strange young man living there. Cooking for him actually."

Diane’s perfectly shaped brows rose. "A man? Is Silas...?"

"I don’t know," Amelia said honestly. "But I’m tired of waiting. You’ve always been fond of him. And he needs someone like you — strong, successful, beautiful. Someone who can stand beside him, not behind him."

Diane smiled, a hint of genuine interest in her eyes. "I’ve always admired Silas. He’s brilliant. Intimidating, but brilliant. If he’d give me a chance, I’d take it in a heartbeat."

Amelia reached out and took Diane’s hand. "That’s why I want you two to meet properly. No pressure, but I think you’d be perfect together. He needs someone who understands his world. Someone who can challenge him without fearing."

Diane tilted her head, squeezed her hands. "Does he know you’re arranging this?"

"Not yet," Amelia admitted with a small laugh. "But I gave him an ultimatum. Either he brings someone suitable, or I choose for him. And I choose you, my dear."

Diane laughed shyly, touching the back of her neck." You are really since about this, maybe we should wait for some time."

"I’ve waited long enough," Amelia said firmly. "Silas is twenty eight. He needs a wife. He needs an heir. And I need grandchildren before I’m too old to spoil them."

They both laughed.

"What if he refuses?" Diane sipping her wine asked nervously.

"Then we make it impossible for him to refuse," Amelia replied with a determined glint in her eye. "I am planning on hosting a dinner party. Then invite both of you. Let nature take its course. But between us... I think you’re exactly what he needs."

Diane’s smile turned thoughtful. "I hope so. I’ve turned down many men waiting for someone like Silas. A real man."

Amelia raised her glass. "To new beginnings, then."

Diane clinked her glass against Amelia’s. "To new beginnings."

As they continued talking late into the evening — planning the surprise ’date’. To discussing Diane’s upcoming projects, and sharing stories about stubborn men — Amelia felt a small measure of hope return.

But in the back of her mind, the image of the frightened young man in Silas’s penthouse returned.

She would deal with that complication later.

For now, she had a mission: get her son married.

______

Leon had just gotten home when his phone rang. He smiled when he saw Sylvain’s name.

"Hey, bro! You won’t believe how good today was. Santiago is seriously the nicest guy I’ve met in forever. He bought me to new place and—"

"Leon," Sylvain cut in, he was restraining his voice so as not to sound harsh. "You need to stop seeing him."

Leon’s smile faded. "What? Why? He’s been nothing but kind to me. We just talk about books and normal stuff."

"Normal stuff?" Sylvain’s voice cracked. "You don’t know him, Leon. You can’t trust him. Please, just cancel whatever plans you have with him. For me."

Leon sat down on the couch, confused and hurt. "Sylvain... what’s going on? You’re scaring me. Is this about your boss again? Is he the one telling you to say this?"

Sylvain closed his eyes, fighting back more tears. "Just listen to me. Stay away from Santiago. He’s not who he seems. Promise me."

There was a long silence on the line.

"I... I already agreed to meet him next week," Leon said quietly. "He’s paying me well, and I enjoy talking to him. He makes me feel normal again."

"Leon, please," Sylvain begged, voice breaking. "I’m trying to protect you. You have no idea how dangerous this is."

Leon’s voice grew firmer, though it trembled. "You always say that. ’I’m protecting you.’ ’I’m handling it.’ But you never tell me anything. I’m not a child anymore, Sylvain. If you’re in trouble, let me help you for once."

Sylvain couldn’t hold back the sob. "You can’t help me with this. Just... stay away from him. Please."

Leon still refusing to back down. "Sylvain I refused to be lead by you again. I will do what I want."

Sylvain swallows hard and forced the tears down. "You have two choices. End whatever you have with Santiago or never call me again."

The call ended with Leon staring at his phone, hurt and confused. He opened the message from Santiago again and reread it.

"Had a great time today. Looking forward to next week. Stay safe."

Leon typed back quickly:

"Me too. Can’t wait. See you soon."