Chapter 634: Meeting the Parents
Hotel.
They'd just finished a wild session.
Douglas, all sweaty and grinning, panted, "Damn, babe, you were on fire. Even with the baby bump, you're still a knockout."
Saffron, leaning against him, smirked, "You're such a pain. I told you to take it easy, but you went all beast mode. What if something happens to the baby?"
"Relax, our kid's tough. He'll be fine."
"How do you know it's a boy? Am I just a baby-making machine to you?" Saffron pouted, pretending to be mad.
"Nah, doesn't matter if it's a boy or girl," Douglas said, though deep down, he was all about having a son. Family rules and all that—daughters didn't get much of the pie.
That's why he hadn't put a ring on Saffron yet. He was thinking of hedging his bets with another woman, just in case Saffron had a girl. If she did, he'd swap her out.
Saffron knew his game but played dumb. She wanted a son too, to snag a piece of the Phillips family fortune. She'd been eating all the "boy-conceiving" foods and even saw a fortune teller who said she was having a boy.
"Honey, who's better in bed, me or Juniper?" Saffron asked, batting her eyelashes.
Douglas's face darkened, "Why bring her up? Total mood killer."
"Just tell me."
Douglas had dated Juniper for three years, but they'd only ever hugged and kissed. Admitting that would be too embarrassing, so he lied.
"Of course, you're better. She's like a dead fish in bed," he scoffed.
"Really? But she goes to bars and picks up guys. Doesn't seem so boring."
"She's just faking it, acting all high and mighty," Douglas regretted not forcing himself on Juniper, believing her lies.
"Juniper faked it for three years? Unlike me, I'm an open book. By the way, she's bringing her boyfriend to meet Dad tomorrow night. Wonder what he's like."
"Just some gigolo she hired," Douglas sneered.
"You've met him?"
"Yeah, last time. He was a total wimp. I scared him off with a few words. Useless," Douglas lied.
"So she really paid for a guy? That's sad."
"Sad? You're too nice. She's not worth it."
"Dad's gonna flip."
"Totally. We'll just sit back and enjoy the show," Douglas thought, 'Juniper, you humiliated me; now it's your turn.'
"I feel bad for Juniper. I'm really worried about her," Saffron said, but inside, she hoped Juniper would suffer, maybe even die.
The next evening.
At the hotel entrance.
Juniper, looking stunning, asked, "You almost here?"
"Fifteen more minutes."
"Cool, no rush. I'll go in and wait. Room 8, don't get lost," Juniper hung up, fixing her hair in the mirror.
She felt weirdly nervous. It was just an act, but it felt like she was really bringing her boyfriend to meet her parents.
Juniper sneered, 'Whatever, they weren't really her parents.' She strolled into the private room.
"Juniper, why are you here alone? Where's your future hubby? Chickened out?" Saffron asked, all smug.
"Scared to show his face, huh?" Douglas added with a sneer.
These two jerks, she hated them the moment they opened their mouths.
Juniper took her sweet time sitting down, "Sorry to burst your bubble, but my boyfriend's on his way."
"Late to meet the folks? No respect. Did you dig him out of a dumpster?" Aaron snapped.
"We said 7 o'clock, and it's not even seven yet. How's he late?" Juniper shot back.
Elara chimed in, "Anyone with manners shows up early for a first meet with the parents. Does that need to be taught? Your boyfriend's so inconsiderate."
"Not stealing someone else's husband is basic decency. Why don't you know that?" Juniper retorted.
"You..."
"Don't talk to Elara like that. I've always said your boyfriend's no good. A guy who can't even be on time, what's the point?" Aaron fumed.
"Dad, don't scold Juniper. Even if she made a bad choice, she's still a victim," Saffron said, playing innocent.
"Saffron, zip it. Every time you talk, I wanna gag you."
"Juniper, stop bullying Saffron!" Douglas jumped in. Damn, Juniper looked stunning tonight, so gorgeous it made his heart skip. She never dressed like this when she was with him. Was it another guy who brought out her femininity?
Douglas was pissed. He swore he'd get Juniper in bed at least once.
"She deserves it. If she kept her mouth shut, there'd be no problem. Annoying," Juniper pouted.
"Your reaction's over the top. Has that guy corrupted you? Moving in with him without a word? From your behavior, it's clear he's no good."
Juniper smiled calmly, "Sorry to disappoint, but my boyfriend's amazing. A thousand times better than some scumbags. Meeting him made me realize I was eating crap before. But even so, some people are fighting over it. I feel sorry for them."
"Juniper!" Aaron slammed the table, almost having a stroke.
"Juniper, I get you're mad at me. I've always tried not to provoke you. Why do you keep saying such hurtful things? I'm pregnant. Are you trying to make me miscarry?" Saffron accused.
Douglas immediately glared, "That's right. I hadn't thought of it before. Juniper, you're so cruel, trying to kill our baby."
"Enough with the drama. Do you have a persecution complex? I'm in a sweet relationship right now, too busy to harm you. Don't bother me," Juniper said sarcastically.
"Juniper!" Just as Aaron was about to hit her.
A distinguished figure pushed the door open.
Aaron's raised hand froze mid-air, shocked, "Mr. Eilish?"
"Darling, you're here," Juniper smiled sweetly, walked up to Anthony, and wrapped her arm around his, resting her head on his shoulder. She proudly said, "Let me introduce my boyfriend, Anthony."