As they walked side by side, Gwen didn't know what to say. Her heart was beating wildly. She took a sneaky glance to see Max's reaction but was disappointed when he showed none. She couldn't stop herself from admiring him.
Max noticed and said, "Is there something on my face?"
"N-no, nothing," she stammered.
"You know, you should really say it."
"W-what..?"
"It seems like you want to say something."
"Well, t-that… is.."
"Take your time," he said.
"This is my house," she said, pointing to a home with a beautiful garden. "I know the area well. Where do your relatives live? I can help with directions."
"Well, about that..."
"Wow, Gwen, who's this? Is he your boyfriend?" Gwen's mom interrupted, appearing at the door. Seeing Gwen with a boy was a huge surprise for her, as Gwen rarely brought friends home. She was delighted.
"Hello, ma'am," Max said respectfully.
"Hahaha, you sound like an old man. Just call me aunty."
"Okay, aunty."
"Mom..."
"What?"
"He isn't my boyfriend. He is…"
"Yeah, yeah, I know it's embarrassing to admit to your parents. I'm not against your relationship, okay?"
"Mom, it's really not like that."
"Whatever. Why don't you bring him in?" her mom said.
Feeling awkward, Max and Gwen entered the house.
"What would you like to have?" her mom asked.
"Just water, please."
"Sure," she said, heading to the kitchen.
"Sorry about my mom, she sometimes says crazy things," Gwen said awkwardly.
"No, it's okay," Max replied.
"Are you sure you two aren't love birds?" her mom asked from the kitchen.
"Mom..."
"Okay, fine. I won't tease you anymore. What's your name, kid?"
"My name is Max Draven. You can call me Max."
"Oh… so you are that Max. When she was a child, she always mentioned you. 'Max did this, Max did that. He's cool.' No wonder you two are so close. Gwen, why didn't you say anything? I'm angry with you," she said, pouting.
Max thought this mother-daughter pair was interesting.
"Mom... please..." Gwen pleaded.
After drinking water and chatting for a while, Max stood up. "It's time to go back home. I'll visit you again later," he said, standing at the door.
"I'm sorry, because of me you couldn't visit your relatives."
"Not really, I already visited them."
"What are you talking about?"
"Who else other than my future mother-in-law," he said, gesturing to Gwen's mom, who was watching them from the window.
"W-what…?" Gwen was going crazy after hearing that. Embarrassed and blushing furiously, she ran inside the house. She dashed to her bedroom and closed the door behind her, feeling overwhelmed.
"Does this mean he likes me? Ah... I can't take it anymore," she thought, rolling around on her bed, her mind racing with excitement and confusion.
Her mother, hearing the commotion, chuckled to herself. "Hahaha... young kids these days," she said, smiling.