Long Overdue

[ngm_parents]

Luíz Adriano Alencar da Silva was visiting New York City once again. It had been a long time since his last visit, but this visit was a bit more personal than business. He hadn't seen his son in awhile, and there were things he needed to look into about his son. Particularly this woman he had been dating.

The flight in had been long, and though he was greeted warmly by his son, he was getting too old to spring right into action after a flight. Luíz begged off meeting Stephanie until he was more presentable.

Before a quick nap and exercises in the hotel's gym, Luíz used his pull and influence to get a nice, quiet table for three at Eleven Madison Park. He sent the time for Marcelo and his girlfriend to meet him and got ready.

He tried to be a little early, so he could watch how his son and his girlfriend interacted as they approached. Over two years with one woman was certainly a record for his son. That he had not proposed marriage was slightly worrying to the Brazilian father considering the last relationship before Marcelo left for the States. For now, Luíz needed to meet and learn.

Then he would start asking questions.

Comments

[ngm_parents]

Luíz glanced from Marcelo to Stephanie back to his son. He read Stephanie's mild tone as curiosity, but he knew with women it was always something more.

Well, he hadn't intended to cause problems, but if his son hadn't told his long-standing girlfriend about Helena, Marcelo deserved it. As it was, he was going to leave the explanations about who she was to Marcelo.

"She said she was coming to New York to check grad schools and had some business to attend to for her job. She graduated from college and is working for one of our competitors, I think."

[vesper_verde]

"Oh." Fudeu a tabaca de chola! This was not good news. Thankfully, he could cling to the small hope New York City was a very big place. There was a chance they would not remotely run into each other.

Marcelo rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh. Yes. Helena was the last relationship I had before leaving Brazil."

Anymore explanation might ruin the meal with all those courses left to go. "I can tell you about her when we get home?"

[pyroprincess]

Stephanie's expression changed smoothly, like slipping on masks. "Of course." She smiled. "We have a dinner to attend to." She sipped her wine again and smiled sweetly. She had said to him that she didn't want to know about previous relationships, but that was under the assumption that they were minor ones. Perhaps this one was too, though she doubted it. She'd certainly be talking about it with him when they got home.

[ngm_parents]

He shook his head slightly and tried real hard not to chuckle. He did not want to be his son later. Instead, Luíz focused on finishing up this course of the meal.

"After we get done eating, I think I'll go back to the hotel. I'm not completely over this jetlag."

[vesper_verde]

Marcelo didn't completely trust the change in demeanor, but he was going to tentatively hope it was for the best. He reached for her hand.

"I'm still very much yours, querida." He wasn't sure if he was trying to reassure her or himself. He looked over at his father.

"You can take as much time to get over your jetlag as you need, papai."

[pyroprincess]

"Perhaps tomorrow we can have a lunch together?" Stephanie asked, downright brightly. It wasn't Luiz's fault, after all, and she really did want to make a good impression on his father. One never knew when such things would come in handy, and in any case, he was the father of the man she loved. Whom she was rather annoyed with right now, but that was neither here nor there. "I can take you to Bistro Provencal." The restaurant that she and Brooke had bought and refurbished. It was turning out quite promisingly, with a wonderful chef who had a dynamic take on the French provinces.

[ngm_parents]

"That sounds lovely, Stephanie. Some rest and then lunch with a very pretty woman will set everything to rights for me, I think." He grinned despite knowing his son was headed into a heap of trouble. If the boy never had to come back from mistakes, he was never going to learn from it.

"It will get me ready for the day after where Marcelinho and I roll up our shirtsleeves and get up to our elbows into Veridian Dynamics' American branch."

[vesper_verde]

Marcelo quietly and smoothly drew his unwanted hand back. His reassurances hadn't helped either one of them. He frowned for the briefest moment before putting on a facade of congenial nonchalance. Though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

He nodded obediently at his father's plans. He wasn't sure, but he thought he had been momentarily cut out of the conversation. It did give him time to finish up his course at least.

Even if he was not remotely hungry anymore with what he assumed would be a bad conversation for him at home.