DINNER [3]: 30-DAYS CHALLENGE

After having dinner, they were all seated in the living room having a serious conversation.

"I am sure, you both are aware of the fact that this sudden relationship does not yet convince me," Henry said, with his hands crossed on his knees.

"Dad, don't you trust me?" Olivia asked, sounding offended by his words.

"I trust you, but I don't trust the story behind this relationship," Henry answered with a straight face.

"I agree that they took a wrong approach concerning this matter but what had to happen has happened. There is not much we can do about it; the church already recognizes their relationship as a couple." Evelyn said to Henry.

"I know, but since she had to take such a big decision without informing us, she would have to bear my distrust for the time being," Henry said as Olivia sighed in acceptance.

"We only know a few things about him and that is not enough for me to be sure that he is the right person for our daughter." Henry continued.

"Dad, I know I have wronged you by not informing you about what I did. But you always said you wanted me to be happy and I am, I am happy with Jason." She said, grabbing hold of Jason's hand in hers.

"I am not against your happiness, Olivia. But the only way I can finally accept this is if I am convinced that it is the right decision." Henry said as he looked straight into Jason's eyes.

"And the only option left is for Jason to move into the house with us, that way I can be sure of the person I am handing my daughter over to," Henry added his condition which triggered a smile on Evelyn's face.

"That's a brilliant idea, we will get to know more about our son-in-law and I'm sure you will be convinced as time goes by," Evelyn said to her husband, very happy that he was finally giving them a chance.

Evelyn realized that if being with Jason made her daughter happy then all she could do was support them as long as this was what Olivia truly wanted. Even if she was a little hurt by the fact that she had missed her own daughter's first-ever marriage, it didn't matter to her anymore because she had other plans of giving them a real wedding.

"Within thirty days, you have to convince me that you can take good care of my daughter and be worthy of being called the son-in-law of this family. That's if you accept to live with us for the time being." Henry stated all his attention on Jason.

"I accept your condition and will be more than happy to prove myself worthy of your daughter." Jason finally spoke after a while of being quiet.

"Very good," Henry said to him as he had a more relaxed look on his face.

"We will be expecting you the day after tomorrow, unfailingly." Henry continued.

"Sure," Jason answered shortly, letting out a sigh, inwardly.

After what seemed to be like an hour, it was time for Jason to leave. Olivia offered to see him out of the mansion for a more important reason – fulfilling her part of the deal.

"First, I want to thank you for what you're doing for me, you don't know how much I appreciate you accepting all of this when you barely even know me." She thanked him and then stretched out a paper to him.

"I want to fulfill my part of the deal, here is your money." She handed over a cheque to him.

"I would have brought it in cash but I don't want to raise suspicions." She added.

"Thanks, nice doing business with you," Jason said as the edge of his lips formed a shallow smirk while staring at the cheque.

"My pleasure, we will talk later on, I have to go now. Goodnight." She said as she walked past him and went back into the mansion.

Jason brought out his phone from his pocket then he dialed a number.

"Hey, man. How did the dinner go, who's at the hospital this time?" Ryan asked jokingly, raising his voice over the phone.

"Where are you and why is it so noisy over there?" Jason asked, ignoring Ryan's question.

"I am at Zux's, I got bored sitting at home. So, I decided to go for a drink and fortunately there is a small party going on here. Lucky me." Ryan said over the phone, still raising his voice for Jason to hear him clearly.

"Just come and pick me up, thanks," Jason said before abruptly ending the call.

"Ugh… he ruins the fun every time," Ryan said, dipping his phone back into his pocket.

"I'm so sorry, ladies. See you in a bit, I have to go now." He added as he left the small gathering of some pretty-looking ladies.

He gave the bartender a tip and then he left to go and pick up Jason from the Smith's mansion.

Ryan arrived at the mansion not too long after he left the bar, Jason got in and the car drove immediately.

"So, how did it go this time? Were you guys able to convince Mr. Smith?" Ryan asked while driving.

"Not yet, he still suspects something is wrong about what we told him," Jason answered, resting his elbow on the car and his knuckles under his cheek.

"Haha…. What a smart man, no wonder his company booms with success." Ryan laughed as he made a remarkable comment.

"He wants me to move in with them for a month, like a testing period so that he can be sure his daughter is with the right person before he can finally be convinced," Jason explained further.

"Move in with them. Oh, wow…. You sure are a lucky guy, I mean who wouldn't wish to live in such a luxurious house. I literally wish we could swap identities right now." Ryan said jokingly.

"Haha…. How funny." Jason said sarcastically.

"So, when exactly is the 30 days challenge starting?" Ryan asked.

"The day after tomorrow," Jason answered, using his free hand to push his hair to the back.

"You say what?" Ryan said a little louder as he pressed on the brakes.

"You heard me clearly." Jason reminded.

"This means you're going to be leaving the apartment the day after tomorrow?" Ryan asked.

"Yes, why do you seem affected? You should be happy to hear that I'm leaving, at least you won't put up with my attitude any longer." Jason said, secretly smiling.

"Yeah, you're right. I am happy and since I'm happy, why don't we go for a drink to celebrate this good news." Ryan said, faking a smile.

"Sure." Jason's voice echoed in his ears.

They stopped by at the bar and had a couple of drinks while Jason narrated other things that happened at the dinner, including the cheque given to him by Olivia.