Claimed By The Ruthless Mafia novel Chapter 57

Ryder's POV.

At 9:00 a.m. on a lazy Sunday morning, my peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by the incessant ringing of my phone. I groggily reached for it, wondering who could possibly be disturbing me at this ungodly hour. To my delight, Bella stirred in my arms, her tiny meows adding a touch of charm to the waking chaos.

I carefully placed Bella on the pillow, ensuring her continued comfort, before reluctantly sitting up to answer the call. The screen displayed my mother's face, which meant it was likely to be something important. I swiped the answer button and, slipping my feet into slippers, made my way to the balcony, hoping to maintain some tranquility around Bella's sleeping form.

"Hey mum! What's up? Why did you have to call so early on a Sunday morning?" I questioned, attempting to sound both concerned and slightly annoyed.

"Ryder, I've sent some pictures of the daughters from reputable families to your number. Take a look and choose one of them. I'll set up a date for you," she commanded, her tone brooking no argument.

I sighed internally, not wanting to be part of any matchmaking endeavors. "Mum, I really don't want to meet any girl, and you know that," I protested, hoping she would understand my reluctance.

Her response was one of surprise and concern. "Are you alright, Ryder? Refusing to meet a girl? What's gotten into you? This isn't just an ordinary date. I want you to choose a girl and get married. You're turning 29, and it's time for you to settle down and start a family," she insisted, her determination evident in her voice.

"Mum, come on. I'm still too young to get married," I argued, trying to reason with her.

She played her trump card, appealing to my emotions. "Oh no, son. I'm getting older, and I want to see you settled down before time slips away. Please, consider my feelings," she pleaded, making it harder for me to resist.

Her concern was evident, and I could see her trying to read my face. "Is everything alright?" she probed gently.

With hesitation, I revealed the reason for my mother's call, "Yeah, my mom wanted me to meet some girls." I observed Bella's reaction closely, hoping for some indication of how she felt about it.

At first, her face showed a fleeting frown, betraying a hint of discomfort, but almost instantly, she masked her emotions, and her countenance became blank and unreadable. Her eyes, usually so expressive, turned cold and distant, making it difficult to gauge her true feelings. I tried to delve into her mysterious eyes, but they revealed nothing. She looked away, feigning interest in her phone, as if the topic was of no consequence to her.

Feeling a pang of hurt, I couldn't help but express my disappointment, "You don't want to ask me why my mum wanted me to meet those girls?" I yearned for her to show some concern, to exhibit a desire to understand my feelings.