Sylvain seemed very calm. He was well aware of Mrs. Cox’s disapproval of him. She had even scolded him on the phone once. He never expected to be sitting with her.
He ordered a few extra nachos from the food truck seller. “Would you like something to drink, Mrs. Cox?”
Mrs. Cox felt that he was being too calm and couldn’t help taking a few extra looks at him. “Mineral water will do. I’m not used to anything else.”
After completing the order, Sylvain smiled. “Mrs. Cox, please, speak your mind.”
“What’s your relationship with my daughter?” Mrs. Cox asked with a straight look on her face.
Robin was close to tears. “Mom, how could you ask such a question? How did you find me? Can’t I have a personal life? Must you get involved with everyone I talk to? Let’s go home, okay?”
Mrs. Cox ignored Robin and stared squarely at Sylvain, waiting for his reply.
Sylvain paused thoughtfully and said, “We used to date, but we’re friends now. However, I’m hoping for us to get back together someday. I understand that you don’t approve of me, but that’s not important.”
His answer surprised Robin. Since she couldn’t escape, she was forced to surrender herself to God’s will. If worse comes to worst, they’d simply have a huge row.
Mrs. Cox surveyed Sylvain for a while, her eyes overflowing with disapproval. “Men with pierced ears look like street hooligans. Is this normal for you fashion designers? Look at your clothes; you’re from a completely different world than Robin. If you’re simply here for fun, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
Sylvain looked at Robin. “Everything about her attracts me. If you’re worried that this is only a fleeting interest, I’ll be frank with you. It’s been so long, but my feelings for her haven’t changed. They’re just as strong as ever. You should know how long it has been. If you’re not certain, you could start your calculations from the day you called me to yell at me.”
Mrs. Cox felt embarrassed. That phone call was a result of her momentary loss of self-control. She would never have yelled at a stranger whom she’d never met. It was a pure moment of rage after a huge quarrel with Robin. “Do you resent me?”
Sylvain shrugged. “No. You’re older than I am, so why would I? We’re all reasonable, decent people. Honestly though, Robin isn’t a kid anymore. You shouldn’t be too strict with her, Mrs. Cox. You’ll suffocate her that way.”
It was bad enough that her own daughter felt that way. Now that an outsider had pointed it out too, Mrs. Cox couldn’t help feeling a little irritated. “What do you mean ‘too strict’? I’m her mother. I’m doing this for her own good! You two are incompatible. I’ve also introduced a potential husband to her. We’ve just met at our house. I think it’s time for you two to end it.”
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