Meeting His Parents

Belle was left alone and she had nothing to do except for her lessons.

It has been three days had passed and Mikhail still had not returned and she wondered if the man had met any mishap during it.

She maybe distant to the man but she's trying to accept him even so, every thing takes time.

Another day is about to proceed when the AI informed her about the visitors in front of the palace.

"Lady Belle, there are people in the lobby waiting for your grace." the AI spoke through the intercom.

"Who are they?" Belle had not expected anyone to visit today and she did not know the people in the lobby.

"It's master's father and mother..." the AI said.

"What?" Belle suddenly got up from her chair and rushed out from the room to meet Mikhail's parents.

Meanwhile, the two elders were sitting down the couch as they were waiting for their son to come up and greet them for their sudden visit.

They didn't know that Mikhail is currently back at their country.

The two people waited patiently for him to come but what greeted them was a beautiful Chinese woman.

She looked like fairy that has come out from a painting. Her beauty struck the two in awe as they gaped their mouths.

Belle looked at them with nervousness. She never thought that she'd meet his parents this way and also the time that he's away.

"May I know who you are?" Mikhail's father regained his composure than of his wife thus he asked the question first. There was no friendly greeting on him thus he straightly asked Belle. She did not seem to mind the lack of courtesy of his father because they were his parents and he respected them the most.

"I'm Belle Yang... Mikhail's wife..." she introduced herself reluctantly. She knew that it was their agreement when they will face his family that she will be introduced as his wife. His only wife.

Belle learned fast their language and she conversed with them like a native and it made Mikhail's mother feel elated. She did not care about a woman's background as long as she will stay faithful and love her son with all her life. Thus, learning their language is a plus for her.

"I'm Mikhail's mother.... Yasmin and this is my husband, Amir." Yasmin introduced themselves to Belle amicably and it eased Belle greatly.

"Nice meeting you... Ma'am..." as she did not know how to address her, she called her with such formalities.

"This silly child.... call me mother..." Yasmin smiled at her brightly. Amir on the other hand kept silent as he tried to study Belle.

"If you say so... Mother..." Belle agreed shyly. She's not used to kindness after all and she felt that Mikhail's mother is so kind.

"Dear... Where's Mikhail?" Yasmin asked as they have been waiting for him but he did not appeared yet.

"I don't know... He left three days ago..." Belle answered truthfully. Amir frowned upon hearing this. His son had the same habit as him and he tried not to involved women in terms of power dispute and internal wars. That's why, Yasmin remained pure and innocent lady until today. She's oblivious about the true power of the Khaled family until now.

"Don't worry. He will be back sooner. And it's a great timing... We can bond and get to know each other during this time." Yasmin continued to prattle on.

Belle smiled at the kind woman in front of her and silently prayed that she will not make any mistake during their stay.

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Mikhail had to visit his old friends and rekindle the forgotten friendships with a great amount of wealth.

He knew that some of these people were trying to overpower them and snatch the reins on them but he will not be a true Khaled if he did not know how to play the game they're playing.

Kristoff followed his friend's request and convened the members of their team at the palace. He had done it without alerting any of their enemies. He knew that Mikhail had to be prepared and had to toughen himself so that he could live a peaceful life but there were certain people that were too selfish and not allow him to.

Mikhail strode at the dark alleys to find someone particular and very important friend of his woman. He knew that he can help them now and come out from hiding thus it is the right time to bring the man out from this dark world.

By then, he spotted a familiar sillohuette of a man who had worn a baseball cap, a dark shirt and tattered jeans.

The man had been sitting in a corner while feeding a stray cat with bread.

The man rubbed it's head and the kitten purred with great satisfaction.

Mikhail squatted down to see the man's face and he seemed not to be disapppointed after seeing it.

The man looked at him with a great shock and he walke briskedly away from the place leaving the cat behind.

"Wait..." Mikhail called him and the man halted his steps. "I have a job for you..." Mikhail continued. The man turned around and looked at him with undescerned emotions but he still asked him.

"For how much?"

"Your freedom..." Mikhail fished out the pack of cigarettes from his pants and after he lighted it up.

He inhaled a moutful of smoke and he blew it before speaking.

"Come to the palace tomorrow and you will know... with that being said. He walked out from that dark alley and boarded his car then drove away.