Chapter Twenty-One

Confused, Sharlene glanced behind her to see that Evelyn was fuming.

How she did not hear their screaming was unbeknownst to her, but a little voice whispered in her mind.

'It is because of Nicholas Ross.'

She blushed crimson red.

She remembered the way he had looked at her. It was so smoldering and enthralling. His stare felt as if he was seeing all of her. It felt intimate, but she had mainly blushed.

With deep black hair that reached the top of his ears and smoldering grey eyes that turned silver underneath the light, he was gorgeous. With high cheekbones, a fine and perfectly shaped nose, and kissable full lips, Nicholas Ross was the word handsome itself. But she had not allowed her eyes to wander lower than his strong neck because she was too shy.

Lost in her thought, Sharlene did not realize that her mother had dragged her through the door and down the hallway toward the elevator.

'Oh no, was she daydreaming?'

With her hands on her flaming checks, she wanted to bury her head in the ground.

Clarice raised an eyebrow at her odd action but only shook her head. Glancing at her mother stewing in her anger, she obediently followed her orders by pressing the last floor on the control pad.

"Who does she think she is...?"

Her words lost in colorful profanities, she impatiently tapped her foot. Clarice grew curious.

"Sounds to me like you two knew each for a long time. Care to spill the tea, Mom?"

Sending her signature icy glare in her direction, Helena huffed.

"Let's just say we are not seeing eye to eye at this specific moment."

Humming, Clarice planned to drill every bit of information from her mother when they reach home.

Once more, she glanced at Sharlene, who was silent.

Like Helena, she was mumbling incoherent words. With a loud ting, the elevator made its presence known.

"Finally. I can no longer remain in this irritating building."

Mumbling, Helena had reached her limit. Shaking her head, Clarice was as eager as she was. The text from Travis issuing her presence pronto. However, before they could enter the elevator, they heard a shout.

"Wait!"

Imagine their surprise when they saw Nicholas rushing down the hallway towards them. Helena frowned. Clarice hummed, and Sharlene? Well, she blushed.

That was because Nick's muscular hand had grabbed hers as soon as he arrived in front of them.

Gently, he held onto her wrist, causing her mother's and sister's footsteps to falter. Raising an eyebrow, Helena swiftly turned to face him.

"I have already stated my point with your mother, son. My daughter will not marry you."

She calmly spoke, her earlier anger an illusion.

It was a determined decision, Nicholas realized the stubborn woman in front of him had made, but he did not like it. Deep inside, as he became lost in Sharlene's green eyes, Nicholas felt not honor-bound but compelled towards the girl. The feelings were confusing but felt right.

He felt a spark of affection lit in his heart when he laid eyes on Sharlene. And it was not infatuation nor lust but a genuine interest in getting to know someone.

He wanted to know Sharlene Cunning-ham as a person. Her likes, dislikes, wants, and dreams. He felt a raging connection with her. Something he had never felt before.

He did not know why, but he was curious. Jumping into a relationship with Sharlene--the mother of his child did not sound bad. However, he couldn't deny it was daunting and a little scary, as it was unplanned, but he was willing to take a risk for the first time.

Clearing his throat, he spoke. It was more words than he ever did with his family or acquaintances, and it was impromptu but came from the heart.

"I understand how you feel, Mrs. Cunning-ham, but I promise taking responsibility for my unborn child will not be duty-bound. I will be honest with you. I will not immediately take a likening or fall in love with your daughter now but I promise to make our relationship work not only for the baby but for her as an individual. I will not do anything to make you, your family, or Sharlene feel inferior to our family. I will treat her with respect, kindness, and, if our feelings blossom to something more, with love."

His chest felt tight as he held his breath in anticipation. Never had Nicholas felt so nervous in his entire life, not even when he should have been.

Sharlene was astonished by his words, her heart palpating like drums in her chest while a giant blush stained her cheeks.

'What a gentleman.'

She gushed inside her mind. And his hand was soft and warm even though it was slightly sweaty.

Unlike her, Helena was not convinced.

"Marriage is a serious matter, son. You cannot just jump into it without an anchor. I will not allow anyone to disrespect my daughter, so your words better be honest."

"I..."

Closing, then opening his eyes, as he slowly let go of blushing Sharlene's hands; Nicholas cleared his throat.

"I understand, Mrs. Cunning-ham, and that is why I will make it a goal to get to know your daughter more."

Testing the waters of the young man's genuine interest, Helena inquired.

"And how are you to accomplish that?"

"To ask her out on dates and take her to interesting places, if she does not mind."

At this point, Helena was astonished. She only hummed in response. Clarice was shocked, but a small smile graced her lips. In her mind, she expressed her sentiments.

'No wonder Sherlene sabotaged her father to try trapping this man. He is a keeper, a true gentleman, a man who would make a perfect husband for my sister. A wonderful son and brother-in-law. Oh, my.'

Hiding a noticeable smile, Helena shrugged as she spoke curtly. Despite feeling convinced, she was not ready to give up her daughter to a stranger.

"Then I see no reason to stop you, but only after you stick to your word will I allow my daughter to marry you. Don't think getting my approval will be easy. I want to see action for those words you promise. I hope you take care of her."

Releasing the breath he did not realize he was holding, Nicholas spotted a boyish grin that took Sharlene's breath away.

"I promise to take care of her."

Helena faced red-faced Sharlene. Her eyes were like stars as she looked up at the young man.

'It appeared she has already fallen for him. Is that what they call love at first sight? But action and effort are needed for a relationship to remain stable.'

Sighing, she fully turned to face Nicholas.

"If you ever hurt my daughter, I will not hesitate to hurt you, Mr. Ross."

The definite threat told Nicholas that she begrudgingly accepted.

Nicholas' face brightened though he felt a little shaken by her threat. There is always a first time for everything.

"Please, you can call me Nick, Mrs. Cunning-ham."

"I'll only start calling you that if you keep your promise, Mr. Ross."

Scoffing, Helena turned around, but before she could take another step, Evelyn came rushing down the hallway and pulled her into her arms with a squeal.

"You are so childish, Helena! I knew you'd come around when you saw my son's true nature!"

Huffing, Helena pushed her away.

"We are both childish, but I am staying true to my words. I will keep an eye on him until he keeps his promise. Don't think I am doing this for our brittle friendship."

"Oh, fiddlesticks. Your words don't hurt me."

Evelyn dismissed her ill chatter while turning in Sharlene's direction.

"I hope by then the decision whether you will marry my son will be made, deary?"

"Yes."

Blushing, she shyly bowed to shield her eyes from Nicholas's smoldering gaze.

"Then it is settled! To succeed is to fail. If my son tries any hippy-hoppy, I will deal with him. I can't wait!"

Excitedly exclaiming, Evelyn clapped like a seal.

Helena quickly shooed her away when she attempted to hug her once again.

"No, not until Sharlene's Grandparents agree."

Groaning, she passed a hand down her face.

Evelyn playfully glared in Helena's direction.

'It seemed the argument earlier had been a childish banter after all', Sharlene thought, 'for they were back to being friends. How odd.'

"I completely forgot about those old folks of yours."

"What about yours, Eve? They should also be present. Our families are old fashion. Even if Sharlene wants to marry your son and vice versa, the decision falls on them. Well, except on certain occasions we will not speak of."

Nodding her head, Evelyn sighed in disappointment.

"I know."

"Why don't we gather the family together? Grandmother and Grandfather will be able to meet the entire Ross family, Mom."

Sharlene suggested as her heart burst with glee, for her grandparents were the ones she loved the most.

Nicholas felt a sense of similarity between Evelyn and Sharlene as he watched them animatedly talk and laugh about her suggestion.

They looked like they would get along just fine. A bit too fine.

It seemed his mother had finally found her perfect daughter-in-law since Riana was never interested in dressing up and being overly dramatic with his mother.

"That sounds wonderful."

Clarice inputted, as she too smiled at meeting her grandparents once again. It was also the perfect excuse to leave work for a few more days.

"Friday this week?"

Evelyn questioned, but Helena shook her head.

"Too soon? They are always stingy about traveling last minute. We need to give them a heads up."

"Mrs. Cunning-ham is right. Why not in a month? By that time, Sharlene and I will be more than acquainted. I will also bring them here on my private plane, so their trip will be faster, safer, and less crowded."

Nicholas offered, and Sharlene giddily nodded with a gorgeous smile that caused his heart to skip two beats.

Helena was a little reluctant, but with Evelyn listing the different safety measures her family would take, she finally agreed.

With the plans approved, they walked down the hallway.

When they reached the lobby, he asked Sharlene for her number to contact her in the future and vice versa.

It was an awkward encounter.

No one would have expected him to meet his future wife in a hospital during a business meeting.

Sharlene was blushing as red as a tomato, and he was nervous. Two people innocent of the emotion called love and word, relationship.

However, Nick had successfully gotten Sharlene's number and asked her out on a date on Friday. It was the beginning of something strange but beautiful.