[117] a
Darren’s intention to meet Chloe yesterday was to tell her something significant. Ah, It’s not just substantial but essential.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
His parents visited Beverly Hills. Suddenly. And everything was a mess because of Leonel’s shameless appearance! Even when Chloe got into her car, that self-centered man followed her. Darren couldn’t hold back anymore from confronting Leonel.
He could only grumble throughout the journey of taking Chloe back to the cafe and forgetting that there was something significant he wanted to convey.
That morning, Darren headed down to the dining table to participate in the morning activities as usual – having breakfast with his parents. It was a short-lived but customary routine for Darren at the dining table every time they came.
It also meant that Darren had to be prepared for his parents’ questions about his relationship with Chloe.
After the events of last night, Darren became even more cautious and worried that his relationship with Chloe would deteriorate. Leonel’s presence made him feel sidelined. Adding to his already foul mood, Chloe disliked Leonel’s fact.
However, Those worries couldn’t be easily dismissed.
“Morning, Doctor Darren,” greeted his father teasingly as Darren emerged from behind his bedroom stairs. Although not too big in Beverly Hills, Darren rented a comfortable house to rest in. The plan was well thought out in case Chloe decided to live in Beverly Hills. It included the woman’s dream to reopen her branch.
It meant that Darren also had to have a comfortable place for them in the future, right? Instead of renting an apartment or boarding house close to his workplace in one of the well-known private hospitals in Beverly Hills.
“Morning, Pa,” replied Darren as he pulled the chair at the dining table and sat down. He ignored his father’s greeting and the man’s face in front of him.
Meanwhile, he waited for the food to be served. He observed every inch of the dining table. Darren’s father chuckled when he noticed the sour expression on Darren’s face.
“Why is Papa laughing?” asked Darren, making sure of the meaning behind his father’s laughter.
“No! I find it strange to see the expression on your face,” the man replied to Darren.
“Papa is exaggerating by calling me Doctor Darren. I am your child, not a patient-and-doctor relationship!” grumbled Darren again to his father, who nodded slowly.
“Okay, I was just joking,” the middle-aged man concluded as Darren prepared to eat.
Also, Darren stayed silent and did not talk much because he worried his parents would question his relationship with Chloe. He was also afraid that his parents would discuss other things besides his relationship with Chloe.
Not long after, a middle-aged woman approached Darren and his father, who were already sitting at the dining table, ready to have breakfast.
“Good morning, everyone. Why didn’t you wait for me for breakfast?” the woman asked Darren and her husband beside her.
“Of course, we were waiting for you for breakfast, but we were waiting while having breakfast not to take too much time,” interrupted Darren’s father, making Darren chuckle. The married couple always managed to come up with cheesy jokes when they were at home.
“You’re always annoying,” the woman retorted to Darren’s father. Meanwhile, Darren could only shake his head slightly, observing his parents’ behavior.
Although deep down, he was worried that his parents would question him about his relationship with Chloe. He hoped they would forget the purpose of their visit to Beverly Hills.
“I’m not annoying, but I want to lighten the mood this morning. Would you want Darren to go to work with a tense atmosphere and be unfocused when he arrives at the hospital?” Darren’s father asked again. The man always had many reasons to win arguments.
“Isn’t that right, Darren?” he added, looking at Darren, who nodded silently and did not speak up.
“You always find reasons to win,” Darren’s mother grumbled, observing her husband’s behavior as he chuckled and successfully made her frown again.
“I think that’s what keeps you both going strong. After all, Dad is the kind of man who is humorous and faithful,” Darren replied to his parents, and then his father put on a smug face in front of his wife and child.
“Just because you got support, typical!” the woman next to him retorted. Meanwhile, Darren’s father laughed gleefully.
“Oh, Darren, how’s your work been at the hospital lately?” his mother asked him, and Darren struggled to swallow the remaining food in his mouth. He was worried that once his mother started talking, she would discuss his relationship with Chloe.
“Thank God; everything is going smoothly and well, Mom!” Darren replied but didn’t continue the conversation because he feared his mother would prolong the questioning. Giving short answers to his parents’ questions was what he would do now.
“That’s good to hear. Oh, by the way, when will you introduce Chloe to us? Is your relationship serious enough for marriage?” his mother asked him again.
Thump!
Darren’s heart seemed to stop beating at that moment. He had thought his mother would ask about that, and quickly he gulped water next to his food. For some reason, his parents’ gaze didn’t give him much opportunity to dodge.
What should he say? Think, Darren! Think!!!
“I am serious about Chloe, Mom! But both of us haven’t had the right time to meet you because of our busy work schedules,” Darren came up with an excuse for his parents.
“So when are you planning to introduce Chloe to us? Isn’t work not full-time for an entire week?” his mother asked again, making the man fall silent momentarily. There was a perplexed furrow on his forehead. He also started to sense that something was off with Darren. But to protect his son’s feelings, he tried to suppress all the thoughts swirling in his mind.
“As soon as possible, I will bring Chloe to the house and introduce her to you!” Darren stated firmly. Meanwhile, his father nodded quietly.
“Alright then,”
“But if Chloe doesn’t intend to be serious with you,” his mother said. Her eyes immediately locked on Darren, who appeared calm. “We agreed to match you with what we’ve planned, right?” Darren’s mother said to her husband.
He arranged marriage again. Darren felt like screaming, but he couldn’t possibly do that, especially in front of his mother. So all he could do was remain silent. He couldn’t agree and fulfill his mother’s request, especially since he truly loved Chloe.
All he wanted was Chloe. Armed with his determination, even though it seemed contradictory, Darren spoke up. “What do you mean, Mom? I can’t just leave Chloe like that because I truly love her,” Darren asserted to his parents.
You see, Darren’s family was asking him to get married soon and introduce Chloe to them. It made Darren face a slight dilemma, especially when he realized Leonel was back in their lives, especially Chloe’s. Not only did Leonel return to Chloe’s life, but she still seemed hesitant. What if Leonel caused Chloe’s doubts?
“Yes, the options we’re giving you are only two: introduce Chloe soon or accept the arranged marriage we’ve planned,” Darren’s mother replied.