Chapter 19: Meeting the Parents
Jake ended up staying at my parents‘ house.
During dinner, my mom was completely charmed by him, constantly putting food on his plate: “Jake, eat more!”
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
I didn’t move. My mom glared at me and went to answer it, then froze in the
doorway.
I got up and nearly couldn’t tear my eyes away from what I saw.
Outside stood Alex in a perfectly tailored designer suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and slim waist. He wore gold–rimmed glasses and carried a huge
bouquet of flowers. He looked like he’d stepped straight out of a movie poster- the visual impact was stunning.
“You must be Mrs. Wilson. I’m Alex, Autumn’s boyfriend.”
“You look so young, Mrs. Wilson! If Autumn hadn’t told me beforehand, I would have thought she had an older sister.”
He politely handed the flowers to my mom, his beautiful eyes crinkling with his smile: “I hope you don’t mind my unexpected visit. Autumn didn’t want me to come, but when I heard it was your birthday, I wanted to wish you a happy
birthday in person.”
“May I come in?”
My mom’s face flushed, and she stuttered: “Of course, come in! Oh my, you didn’t need to bring anything!”
Alex placed his gifts by the door, smiling: “Nothing expensive, just a small token.” My mom immediately set a place for Alex at the table. He smiled as he sat down across from Jake and took my hand in front of him.
To be fair, Jake was handsome too, but I’d been looking at his face for over twenty years–he couldn’t possibly have the same impact as the newly–arrived Alex. My mom couldn’t take her eyes off Alex, especially after he “casually” mentioned owning his own company with nine–figure annual profits, and that his family’s conglomerate had long since gone public. Her smile was so wide it nearly reached
1/2
the back of her head.
Jake’s knuckles turned white around his chopsticks, his smile completely gone. By the end of the meal, Alex had my mom completely wrapped around his finger. She never mentioned breaking up with Alex to be with Jake again.
Even my dad kept nodding approvingly.
After dinner, both men went to the kitchen to wash dishes, competing to impress. My mom pulled me aside, her tone much softer: “I didn’t realize my daughter had such good taste. No wonder you’re not interested in Jake–you’ve found yourself
such an amazing boyfriend!”
I gave her a sideways look: “So you’re not forcing me to be with Jake anymore?”
My mom sniffed: “I’m not stupid. I wanted you with Jake before because he has good prospects, and I knew you liked him. But now there’s Alex, and he says you’re his first love. A man’s first love is special.”
She sighed: “Jake is great too, but he’s had girlfriends before–he even brought
one home. In comparison, Alex is better.”
When Alex was preparing to leave that evening, he suddenly exclaimed, “Oh!” My mom looked concerned: “What’s wrong, Alex?”
Alex showed her his phone with a rueful smile: “There are no vacant hotel rooms
nearby. Don’t worry, Mrs. Wilson, I’ll find something further away.”
“Hotel? Nonsense!” My mom grabbed his wrist. “Stay here with us. We have a
spare room.”
She didn’t forget to add to Jake: “Jake, I won’t be keeping you tonight. Your place is
nearby.”
Jake’s face turned pale, his fists clenched.
“Fine.”
