ar door for me, display of chivalry that remained very much alive. I took his hand, and together we made our way to the porch. He greeted my parents with politeness and then released my hand
Til fesch our bags, just a moment,” he said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze before walking away.
Turning to my mother, I noticed a aly grin spreading across her face, while my father looked rather puzzled by her amuarment. He Maned in and whispered to her, “What did I miss?” “Norting much, you robot Mom replied with a playful eye tail
Fåler, I had planced to take you out for a round of golf, but my wife seems to
to have other plans,” Dad remarked, crossing his arms playfully,
“Next time, I’ll make sure to fit you both into my schedule, ser quipped, earning a rare smile from my father–a fear I hadn’t witnessed often
Or we could simply have sandwiches for lunch and prepare dinner together later,” Mon proposed, shaking her head at us. Mom loved his stulled pasta so much, that she and Alec made plan to make it for lunch today and this time my mom wouldmark down the recipe but there seems to be a change of plans.
“That world for me,” Dad decided
“Then sandwiches it is.” Aler confirmed
had
And so, we sled for andwiches as our lunch are before the indeparted for their galling outing Although I had been given the opportunity to join them, i politely declined Li participated in this father–daughter polling tradition for years, not because I enjoyed it, but because I didn’t want Dad to be alone. Now, Alec could take my place for a while, and I would spend the time with my mother, lazing in our humor, reading, and sipping on bellinis-
“You’ve fully get chance, haven’t you? Moss humed casting a knowing glance my way, smug sick playing on her lips.
“What makes you say Bu
Toquined, realizing that i still hadn’t called her to adult she was righ
boy big lau The way you look at him now,
the hand–holding the smiles, the subtle touches–it’s all there,” Mom replied, her sugress unmistakable.
“I’s not blond, and I am your mother, after all I can tell when you’re happy, and this man makes you the happiest,” she added, her gaze filled with pride and warmth
“Tine. You were right. All I had to do was give him a proper chance,” I conceded, a small smile forming on my lips at saw the pride gleaming in her eyes. Yes, she didn’t utter a word about Being right
Lassume he irrats you like process the Malsenal,
“More like a pallens,” Drospected.
“I’m so happy to you, Lana. Especially with the mole pounded, you’re on the right path, my love,” she said, reaching for my hand and planting a soft kiss on IL
Thad just finished a game of golf with my father–in–law, Mr. Jordan. It wasn’t my first time on the golf course, but I couldn’t claim to be a professional by any means, Gall had never been my aport of choice, bir Lunderstood its significance to Mr. Jordan, and out of respect, I gave it my best effort. Contrary to what Alana lud said about her father’s lack of emotion, I found Str. jordan to be a decem poll partner. He might not have worn his heart on his sleeve, but he displayed enough personality in make our game enjoyable. After all, there had to be more to him than met the egr, considering the fact that Mas. Joudan, his wife, was one of the sweetest and most losing women I had ever met.
we walked back to the car, Mr. Jodan decided to berak the ice with a question. So, I’ve heard from Alana that you work for some sort of management fam,” he said, his curiosity apparent. Alana had mentionedher father’s curiosity, especially when I declined in work for him but she was bound by NDAs the left many details our sould explain them myself.
“Indeed, “Treplied
“Why zero being so magde uhout The Inquired blomily, Nadiracinesunat catching me off prand
wishld be more open about it, but there are uict confidentiality policies in plan. I’vimainly due to the CEO’s personal life becoming a tabloid mess a w rato, ” 1 explained, allowing a fabricated story to ship out. Another lie to maintain, another prises who would eventually need in hear the truth when the time was richt
Tur Mana knows what you do? Mr. Jordanraised an eyebrow
“she does, and she’s even signed a non–disclosure agreement understand the conce
( the concent, sit, let the vagueness won’t be indefinite. The CEO is in the process of tying up some locue ands to keep uspesanal de out of the media speclight, Treasured him, baresing his contemplation.
“Tunderstand the need for privacy Fraised my daughter to value that as well. I just needed to ensure there wasn’t anything unusual happening,” Mr. (sedan responded without hesitation He tied me with a steach gaze and added. “And to ensure that you wealthy’t bring any danger into my daughter’s life”
would do amthing to harm Lana, si, “Treplied sincerely.
Mr. Jordan halted by the car, postponing the unlocking process, and scrutinized me closely, I remained composed, fining to let panic overtake me as Alana’s father continued his thorough
“You genuinely love her, don’t you?” There was a lace of builderment in his eyes.
“I do, I always have.“1 admitted proudly. Thus was one thing I would never lie about–1 loved Alana with all my heart, and was unashamed to admit it.
“Why didn’t you pursue her are? What would you have done it she had married that Derrick fellow?” Mr. Jordan inquired, stuching me intently. I knew he had purposely said his name wering andthat made me smile
dear. My law
love her so deeply that he happiness has always been my priority. Whether or not I was with her, I wanted her to be happy, I explained, it was a truth I held de
“Danjell made a mess of things, and was given the opportunity to finally step up,” added with a shig fordan’s lipcurled into a smile as he pressed my words “Well, I hope you’ll keep your end of the contract, and you’d better not hurt my daughter,” he said as he unlocked the car and began loading his golf clubs into the back
IL
Then let’s be on our way I believe you have some cooking plans with my wife,” he retired, his brow fungsightly. “And you’d better not disappoint her
[ certainly won’t,” Tconfirmed, feeling a sense of accomplishment for having warmed points with both my mother and father–in–law
love for her WAS
When we attired back at the house, we found our wives lounging in hammocks, enjoying their drinks and engrossed in their books, Alana glanced in my direction, arching an eye. E subtly gave her a thumbs–up, and a radiant smile spread across her face
Thiello, bovi. How was golfingTM“Nima, whom I had the privilege of addressing by her first name, asked as she removed her sunglasses
“diceat 1 beat hun many times.” Mr Jordan murked and aned in no plant a loving kiss on swie’s cheek
In my defense, I don’t have years of experience, “I protested walking over to help an out of her hammock.
„eucules, excuses,” Mr. Jordan playfully dismissed my prote
sne, Alara takes after her father when it comes so their competitiveness,” Nina chimed in enstandable.” I decided now compielending the dynamics of their competitive spirit.
(we’Emert in the kitchen in an boji?” Alana suggested.
hala derlated with a grin as she got up.
„how was pool, inally?” Alana inquired as we strolled away together.
“Gamat Weplayed, we clutied, and the Labout it. I don’t think he has much to complain about, teplied, shrugging
“Thou je dotted. That will be a bi–weekly thing, and then it will turn into a weekly thing.” Alana chuckled with a hint of villaing in her laughte “How do I say hi to that nun?” I sighed, knowing full well that declining such an alter was simply not an option
“Tàu đưa 1. Why do you think i got married? So I can pawn off any husba
my place while I ait back and sip bellinis and mosas.” Emuttered soth moch drapali as we entered out on for the night
Klaar yus just figured that on? Alana quipped as she startedio vodo the straps of hat diesa, clearly taming me.
pri prady no pazakona pia ad in the kichen, Alana playfully dered, tossing a towel in my direction.
in Than star with this prope,” Latpied.
ve ar still pang lo less you around, and put ways thr
“I might seed to bend an eppointment with my oplakatnak gai retarted, earning a pillow being that in my direct, by het Laughin
(her, this time grising a pill
letaren thent. While Hery weiniteurlyald, Temalt help beat huge that Alana aiuli wouldbe jest assentent la nuit later yeain.
edile states to fuller patents alpping white on the path, eating contented aniles that suggested a deep love
bina spotted us and kissed her lessband’s dark befoer roning Diskle to jedn ion, Son, we began preparing dinner together, alal just as Alana had predicted, I found myself beling goodly
Chister 44
bossed around despite being the one in charge of the recipe. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed teaching them how to make the dish, and we had an even better time savoring the delicious, meal we had prepared together. To say I was pleased with the acceptance and warmth of Alana’s family would be a big understatement.
