Victor’s mom. I freshen up a bit, put on a new pair of underwear and reapply some make up. Rob is waiting for me in the lobby and drives me to the restaurant where Lucia is waiting for me.
Once I’m inside, the hostess walks me over to the table where Lucia is already seated with a cocktail in hand. I square my shoulders preparing myself for battle just in case, giving her the most genuine smile I can muster as I take my seat across from her.
“Hello, Mrs. Garza. Thank you for inviting me to lunch.”
“Hello, Elizabeth. Thank you for agreeing to this.”
“You’re welcome.” The waitress comes and takes my drink order. I want to stay clear headed so I order a soda. Not the most sophisticated choice, I know, but I really don’t care. Once the waitress is gone, Lucia speaks.
“As you know, I’ve been managing Victor since his career began. I know my son and I know that he cares for you. I just hope that you understand any issues I have with your relationship are purely out of concern for my son’s future.”
I can hear just a hint of animosity in her voice. Instinctively, I put my defenses in place. “Of course, I understand how you must feel, but I was under the impression that Victor’s future as a singer is limited.”
She snickers at me. “Yes, well, why is that Elizabeth? Why would a young man who’s at the prime of his career just decide one day that he doesn’t want to do it anymore? Why would he give it all up, the women, the fame, the money?”
I control the urge to roll my eyes. “So you think that I’ve somehow managed to convince him to retire?”
She tilts her head. “Haven’t you?”
“No, ma’am, I haven’t. Victor’s been talking about retiring since I met him. It’s what he wants and that has nothing to do with me. He’s tired, he wants to settle down and set up a recording studio with Alex.”
She sucks her teeth and rolls her eyes at the mention of Alex’s name. “Alex has always tried to lead Victor astray but not until he met you has he actually acted on it.”
I sigh, not knowing what else to say. This conversation is disintegrating quickly and I need to do something before we battle it out here in public. “Look, Mrs. Garza, I don’t want to fight with you. I love your son, and I’ll support whatever he wants. If he wants to record ten more albums or do nothing at all, I’ll support him. I would never try to stop him from doing something that makes him happy.” The waitress comes back with my drink and I hope that maybe her interruption will be enough for us both to calm down. Once the waitress is gone, Lucia speaks again.
“If you want to do what’s right for Victor, Elizabeth, you would leave him alone.”
I shake my head. “I won’t do that! I love him.”
She smirks at me. “Just like you loved Brian?”
I can feel the heat rising, filling me with anger. “Brian? What does he have to do with any of this? That relationship ended years ago.”
“I’m prepared to make it worth your while. I will write you a personal check for two million dollars if you leave tonight and leave my son alone.”
My eyes nearly bug out of my head. “Are you crazy? I don’t want your money! My God, this is your son you’re talking about. How could his career be more important to you than his happiness?” I push my chair out, preparing to leave.
“I have worked too hard to take my son to the top. I will not let some little gold digging whore take it all away from him.”
I want to get up and smack the shit out of this lady but I have more respect for myself than that. “I’m sorry that’s how you feel about me. You couldn’t be more wrong.”
“This was a one time offer, Elizabeth. If you leave now, I will not offer you the money again.”
“My answer will never change.” I get up and leave as quickly as I can, nothing but anger coursing through my veins.
I exit the restaurant and find Rob waiting in the car. I jump in the backseat before he has a chance to get out and open the door for me.
“That was fast,” he says.
“Don’t Rob. That woman is the devil.”
“I’m sorry, Elle. I’ll get you back to Victor in no