The chic upscale restaurant was the definition of elegance. There were dimly lit chandeliers casting a golden glow, soft piano music humming in the background, and neatly dressed waiters gliding between tables like silent messengers.
Tommy Mackenzie tapped his fingers against the white linen tablecloth, his other hand resting on Evie Andrew's. He could feel the tension in her grip, her nails slightly digging into his palm. He winced slightly but didn't try to pull out of her hold. He knew it wasn't intentional in any way.
"Are you sure she's coming?" Evie asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Her hands were even getting sweaty. That's how nervous she was.
"Yes," Tommy reassured her, kissing her temple. "Don't worry. She likes to make an entrance."
Evie exhaled, nodding. She was trying to appear calm by doing a deep breathing technique, but Tommy could feel a slight tremor in her fingers. Evie leaned into Tommy, smelling his comforting cologne and momentarily enjoying the buttery texture of his Givenchy shirt.
A distinct clicking of heels echoed across the room, and the couple looked up. It was Allison Mackenzie, making her way to their table. She was finally here after making them wait in painful suspense. The matriarch of the Mackenzie family approached with effortless grace, exuding the kind of confidence that only came with money and power. Her blonde hair was expertly styled, and she was draped in an expensive black dress that screamed sophistication. She gracefully pushed up her ostentatious sunglasses into her hair.
"There you are, my darling!" Allison's voice was warm, and her words were directed at only her son.
Her sharp eyes were scanning Evie with thinly veiled disapproval. Tommy rose from his seat, embracing his mother. His face was stretched with a wide smile that made it clear he was equally glad to see her.
"Mum, it's so good to see you!" He commented, after pulling back from the hug to kiss her cheeks twice.
Allison patted his back and turned her full attention to Evie. Evie struggled to keep her facial expression pleasant because it was obvious that Allison was assessing her. Allison stared at Evie's curly brunette hair, which had turned a bit frizzy in the heat of the day, to the cute minidress Evie thought was playful and fitting for the weather. It took all of Evie's strength not to adjust the hem of her dress when Allison's gaze lingered there. Her toes curled unconsciously when those disapproving eyes landed on her baby pink platforms.
"Who's this?" Allison asked sharply after her scrutiny. It seemed she had found Evie lacking. Evie started to stand, offering a sunny yet polite smile, but Allison sat down before she could greet her. It was a subtle rude power move that took Evie by surprise.
Tommy cleared his throat and wrapped his arm around Evie when she sat down. "This is Evie—"
His mother cut him off with a dismissive wave of her hand. Her gold bangles clattered with the movement.
"Don't tell me you brought one of your floozies to dinner." Evie's cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Their red colour would have rivaled that of a ripened tomato.
Tommy groaned. "Mum, please don't call her that. She's not a floozy."
Allison scoffed loudly and arched a perfectly sculpted brow. "Then who is she, Tommy? You made it sound like this was a dinner for just the two of us, and now you're here with some girl I've never met before. What am I supposed to think?"
Tommy took a deep breath. He had anticipated resistance, but this was worse than he expected. His mother was acting like she had already declared Evie to be her mortal enemy.
"Mum," he said firmly. "Like I was saying, this is Evie Andrew—and we're engaged."
Allison's face froze in stupefied shock. Maybe her botox contributed to how steely her features got when only her eyes widened. "You… you're what?"
She gasped in outrage.
"We're engaged," Tommy repeated, his voice unwavering. Allison's gaze dropped to Evie's left hand, and her breath hitched as she spotted the gleaming diamond ring. She seemed to be a moment away from hyperventilating.
She reached out abruptly, grabbing Evie's hand with a grip that was far too tight. "Is this some kind of joke?" Allison hissed, her voice sharper than a knife. "This is a Mackenzie diamond, Tommy!"
Tommy's jaw clenched. "Yes, Mum, I'm aware." Allison's fingers tightened even further around Evie's hand. "It's worth millions of dollars, and it doesn't belong on the finger of a nobody."
Evie winced, the pained reaction both from the grip and the hurtful words. "Ow—"
Tommy noticed the uncomfortable hold and reprimanded his mother. "Come on, Mum. That's tight enough!" Allison suddenly let go, sending Evie's hand crashing into the bucket of champagne on the table.
The bucket tipped over almost in slow motion until the bottle tumbled over. The ice filling the bucket followed suit. A loud shatter rang through the restaurant as the items hit the floor. Evie's breath hitched. Her hands trembled as she pulled them back onto her lap, staring at the mess now spreading across the tablecloth and the floor.
Allison Mackenzie dabbed her lips with a napkin, looking entirely unfazed by the commotion she had played a part in causing. When she was done, she took her sweet time in getting up, adjusted her designer bag into the crook of her elbow, and stepped away from the table. Her sunglasses were fitted back over her eyes, shielding the couple from her cutting glare.
Tommy had a look of disappointment on his face, "Mum..."
Allison shook her head in a curt refusal to hear his plea. She didn't bother giving Evie another glance as she walked away from the table, her parting as sensational as her entrance. The message was clear.
She did not approve of this engagement. And she never would.