5 CHAPTER 5: MEET THE PARENTS

Michelle's POV

I did not speak again after he said that because I was struck by shame. After we ate, I immediately said goodbye to him but he insisted on taking me home so, in the end, I allowed him. We just kept quiet inside the car until we got home.

When I got out of the car, I thought he was leaving, but I panicked when he also went out.

"What? Do you plan to watch me until I get inside the house?" I said sarcastically.

"No. I will take you inside" my eyes widened at what he said.

"Damn! Are you fucking kidding me? What the hell are you thinking? You have no obligation to do that! My parents are strict. They will jump to a conclusion when they see you. I can't give a good alibi why I did not go home last night when you are still around. so, no, Mister! Go home and mind your own business!" I said and used myself to barricade the gate.

"That's my point! I will explain to them what happened!" And he went straight to our open gate, completely passing me.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" This is my first time introducing a guy to my parents and I don't even know that guy! Knowing my parents, they'll be hysterical. They even got mad and overreacted when they found out I was partying behind their backs.

What if they found out that I slept with a man's house because I was too drunk to go home?

"Hey Michelle, don't be nervous as if I am going to ask your parents for your hand." I was automatically taken aback by what he said. I gawked and rolled my eyes. This guy is pissing the hell out of me!

"Tsk! Whatever works! Don't blame me when you come out here with lashes!" I warned him and went straight into the house.

I was walking nervously through the hallway when I noticed that two pairs of eyes were looking at me. I have instinctively bitten my lips.

"Mom! Dad! "Good morning," I said awkwardly.

"Where have you been, young lady?" My Dad's forehead wrinkled when he asked me, but I haven't answered my Dad yet when my Mom also asked.

"Who's that guy behind you?" She raised an eyebrow while asking me. They seemed to snap upon seeing him, so I nervously pulled him in front of them and showed him to my parents.

"Umm... dad... mom ... he is..." Shit... what's his name? I forgot to ask. I'm doomed!

"I'm Alexander Villamonte, a pleasure to meet you." He said when he realized that we hadn't introduced our names to each other, so he was still basically a stranger. Damn! What a situation I got myself into! It's trouble.

"Follow me!" Dad said, with full authority. We quietly followed them to the living room.

Xander and I sat side by side while Mom and Dad were sitting across from us. I just played with my hands due to nervousness. Why do I have this feeling as if I am introducing a boyfriend?

"Mrs. Santos, Mr. Santos. Please have mercy if Michelle didn't come home last night. She was drunk, so I took her to my condo because I didn't know her house. By the way, we just got to know each other last night., but rest assured that I did nothing wrong to her." I held my breath while looking at my palms. Shit! I'm doomed! I'm so screwed!

This guy is a jerk!I know my dad will scold me and for sure, he will push me to work for our company. We agreed that if I did something silly, I would obey him. Damn! I think there's no getting away from this situation.

"You're brave, Alexander. I like it!" I gasped when my mom said that. What the hell? She even smiled at Alexander.

"Thanks, Mrs. Santos. I just want to clear things out. I don't want you to think badly of Michelle." I don't know why my face is getting hot. If only I could sew this man's mouth shut so I could stop him from blabbering all kinds of cringe-worthy stuff.

"Nah! Do you know that you are the only man who came here to the house and was formally introduced by Mich? I'm glad my daughter's friend is a gentleman, " Mom smiled again.

"FYI, MOM! "He's not my friend," I said, but my mouth immediately shut when Dad and Mom both looked at me.

"Excuse me, Ma'am/Sir, I'll have to go! I just dropped by to tell you that " Xander stood up, so I stood up too.

"I'll just take him to the gate"

We were both walking our way out when Dad spoke.

"Be back, young lady. I want to talk to you!" He said it in an extremely serious tone.

"O-kay Dad!" I said, but inside my mind, I already said a few cusses. I know what Dad is going to say and I can no longer reason a way out of it.

***

Black's POV

"Black I'm so dead! I can't escape anymore!!!!!" Mich complained. She is here in my room this early morning just to complain.

"What happened?" I asked confusedly because I haven't heard any explanation since she came in. She just rants and voices out how her life is doomed.

"Dad ordered me to work in his company and damn! I don't have any right to refuse!" she said while sulking.

"What? That's just your problem? Reject it like what you do every time he offers you that, " I said while laughing.

"Dad and I have an agreement that if I do stupid things, I'll be working in our company!" She said this while pouting.

"Okay ... what's the stupid thing you've done this time?" I asked, but I was surprised when she suddenly threw a pillow at me.

"Hey! As if I'm always doing stupid things. " She defended

"Exactly!" I said teasingly

"Tsk! Whatever! I just slept with a guy, " she revealed, and that made my eyes pop.

"Y-you? WHAT THE FUCK?" I screamed in shock as my eyes widened while still looking at Mich.

"It is not what you think! I just slept in his room, that's it! " She explained while

"Okay!" I said while nodding. I know Mich is telling the truth. We're honest with each other.

"Black, can you help me with my problem?" It was obvious in her voice that she was begging, so I frowned at her.

"Let's work together in one company," she suggested with a hopeful smile.

"Say what?" I asked shockingly.

"I just thought that it's time for us to enter the real world, but don't worry, we'll handle our publishing house so it's easier.

I already called your dad and he agreed, " She said and flashed a smile. I rolled my eyes upon hearing her statement.

"Wow! Just wow! You already asked my dad for consent without consulting me! "

"I know you'll say yes!" She said this while smiling from ear to ear.

"Wow! Oh, Mich!You're unbelievable!" I said while laughing.

Anyway, I just want to ask something. Who was the man with you at the coffee shop last day? Why do you need to hide it from me? "I threw a pillow at her when I heard her last question.

"He's James. Roxanne's friend." Mich's mood changed automatically.

"You remember his name, so do you like him?" she asked curiously.

"He's a kind of gentleman," I replied, as I walked to the kitchen.

"Damn! "Gentleman is boring! " I heard her yell.

"Not him," I shouted back while smiling helplessly. I went back to the living room and it was her turn to throw a pillow.

"Don't tell me you like Roxanne's friend?" She asked with her usual expression.

"I'm interested," I simply answered.

"You mean you like him?" she asked as her eyes widened.

"I said I'm interested, Mich! can't comprehend? " I jokingly asked, and that made her roll her eyes. I laughed at her expression.

"Tss! You're in denial. Whatever! Anyway, it's a deal. You have 2 days to prepare. We will start work on Monday. See you there, boss, " She teasingly said.

"What the? On Monday right away? You got to be kidding me? " I said amusingly.

"I'm not kidding you, Black. So? I'm leaving, need to go somewhere! Just please wear something that is not seductive, alright! I want our employees to work well and not get distracted by you." She reminded me

"Any clothes seem seductive on me. Can't control those guys who can't resist my charm! " I confidently declared.

"Ahaha! So conceited, my dear best friend!" She said, then stormed out.

------

It was late afternoon when I decided to go out. I think I'm going somewhere to party. When I reached the Condo's main entrance to hail a cab, I saw a very familiar guy inside a car. When he saw me, he immediately went out of his car.

"Hi," he said with a shy smile.

"Umm! Hi? What are you doing here?" I asked him curiously.

"I just want to ask you out for lunch," he said. I frowned and looked at the clock. It was already 5 pm, so I looked back at him and shook my head.

"Lunch is already over 5 hours ago, James," I said.

"Yeah, I know. You mentioned that you rarely eat at home, I figured you might go out, so I waited for you to come out for lunch, but you didn't, so I waited again to have dinner with you. " I was taken aback by what he said.

"Why didn't you inform our security so I'd be aware that someone was waiting for me down here?" "He just smiled after hearing my statement.

"Shall we?" he asked and smiled again. I shrug. I can't understand this man.

I just got along with it since it's disrespectful if I refused after he waited for me for 5 freaking hours. Being a gentleman, he even opened the door for me.

While on the road, I couldn't help but ask.

"What are you up to, James?" I don't want to get confused with his actions. I just want to know his intention.

"I'm not up to anything black." he plainly said.

"I doubt that! Are you going to court me?" I asked him directly. I saw a small smile form on his face. I'm just being frank.

"I won't court someone I just met!" He answered with a smile still on his face.

"Oh, I get it! You want to get to know me before you court me?" I countered that it made him laugh.

"Are you not getting shy of the questions you ask? Because I don't. As much as possible, I don't want to make the atmosphere awkward and make you uncomfortable. " He said and looked at me for a moment and smiled before looking back at the road.

"Why would I? We are no longer children. Just answer me!" I say authoritatively.

"Honestly, I don't know the answer. You're pretty, but it never crossed my mind to woo you... No offense means, " he explained.

"No offense taken! We're cool, then. I don't do serious relationships, just a heads up." I said before he stopped the car.

"As you say," he got out first and opened the door for me. We were at a fast-food restaurant and I was stunned.

"Are you kidding me?" I ridiculously asked

"Nope. Not kidding. It is your first time here, I guess? I'll make sure it's memorable." He said and put his coat on me. He's now wearing his long sleeves.

"There you go! Better!" He said and tapped my shoulder before starting to walk.

I look at my reflection in his car. Better? I'm too covered, so how did it get better?

When I entered, he was lined up at the counter. After he ordered, I followed him.

"So, this is what you will feed me?" I asked in disbelief. I can't believe this guy.

"It tastes good. Wait, I'll just wash my hands. You should too." He said, "So I also went to the washroom after he came back..." The place is small and crowded and I don't think the comfort room will boost my appetite either.

While looking at my reflection, I raised my eyebrows.

"The hell with you, Black!" I said to myself before going back to James

"Eat!" He said this before eating with his bare hands.

"That's gross!" I said, but he smiled at me.

"No, it's not. Try it " He took the chicken on my plate and removed it from the stick, then returned it.

"Gosh! I can't believe I'm doing this!" I said with disbelief.

"You're just going to eat Black! It won't kill you." I just rolled my eyes at what he said and started eating.

After we ate, I looked at him because I felt like he was looking at me. I saw him smiling like a proud dad. I was surprised when he approached me and his thumb landed on my lips.

"Soysauce!" he said as he finished wiping my lips.

"Thank you," I said, smiling.

.

We ate and talked about some random kinds of stuff. I can say that this experience wasn’t so bad. The food tastes good and James is fun to be with.

-------

"Aren't you going to party somewhere?" He asked me as we walked towards the elevator in my condo.

"Not anymore! I feel like I smell fishy" He laughed at what I said.

"Ahaha at least you enjoyed it." I just smiled and went inside the elevator.

"See you again," he said.

"Yeah! I'll wash your coat before giving it back to you." I answered

"okay" He smiled and waved at me.

"The elevator was slowly closing but it suddenly opened again and a human face appeared. A being that I do not want to see as much as possible.

When Daze entered, I still saw James behind him. I smiled at him once again before the elevator closed.

"Sometimes, I want to curse this elevator because I always see you here," I said.

"Well! For me, it's a sign, " He said while smirking

"Sign?" I asked him curiously.

"Sign to court you, Violet," he confidently said.

"Fuck ---- I mean, Damn you Daze!" I said annoyingly

"Woah! You remember my name, huh?" He said, looking amazed.

"Well! How can I forget such an asshole like you?" I said before I stepped out of the elevator.

I realized that he also got out of the elevator and followed me, so I faced him.

"Wrong move, baby!" he said while smiling. because we were so close to each other that I could even feel his breath on my face.

An idea came to my mind. I pulled him closer until we were inches apart. I want to see his face looking dumb and surprised.

"Stop following me, Daze!" I whispered. But my teasing made him smile even more.

My eyes widened as he slowly closed the gap between us. I knew he was going to kiss me, so I closed my eyes and started to curse him in my mind. This will be the third time he has kissed me without my freaking consent! But before it happened, someone called his name.

"Daze?" A woman behind me said

"Stop assuming Violet! " Daze whispered to me and walked away with that annoying smirk on his face.

"Sorry, your plan backfired" He even said it before completely leaving.

I was standing there and left dumbfounded.

Did I just lose to him? I ask myself unconsciously.