Build And Break novel Chapter 38

Angela chuckled. How could she say no to that sweet face? And how could she not allow him to pat Steven when he deserved much more than just a little pat? "Alright. We'll go meet Steven. But first let's go brush your teeth and then you'll help me make toast for both of us."

"Good morning, ma'am."

To Angela's surprise, John greeted her at the concierge desk. She expected him to be with Steven. That's why she was waiting for the concierge to wrap up his call so he could call her a cab.

"Morning, John. Did Steven send you back here?"

"No, ma'am. I haven't left here yet. Mr. Morris decided to drive his own car today."

"Really?" Steven despised driving. That was yet another unusual action from Steven. He only drove himself when it was a confidential meeting, an emergency or it was a private matter.

Angela peered at Daniel who stood waving at the concierge and waiting patiently for him to end his call. The two had struck a solid friendship.

When Angela was sure her son wouldn't listen to a word she would say, she turned to the gracious chauffeur. "John, these last few days, did you maybe notice Steven being... not himself?"

John cleared his throat. "I'm not sure it is my place to answer that, ma'am."

"I don't really have anyone else to ask, John."

"Well, then." John beckoned Angela further away from the ears of others in the lobby. "Yesterday during his lunch break he told me to take him somewhere quiet. I took him to a park, we got coffee and he told me about Daniel's health. It was possibly the first time I've seen him that desperate and troubled. He wants to help him. Problem is he doesn't know how when there's so little he could do."

"Do you think that's why he's so... off?" Angela wondered.

"I don't think so, no. I think it triggered something."

Triggered something? Like what? She was his ex-wife. She knew him. But she couldn't think of any triggers Steven had. That man barely feared anything or let anything fright him.

"I thought you'd never come." The woman muttered with a straight face similar to his.

"Hello, mother." Steven managed.

For yet another moment, there was silence between them.

Steven's mother Marie sat back down in her seat, sipped of her aromatic tea. Her initial surprise had passed and she was calm again. "Why now, Steven? Why did you come to see me after twelve years?"

Steven paced a few steps. His nervousness was apparent. "I guess it was time I did."

"Why?"

He stopped before her with his eyes beginning to gleam with anger. The anger he had buried for too long. "Because evading you, evading my feelings towards you is taking a toll on my life and my decisions and my problems."