Chapter 80 Meeting the Parents
Regina cleared her throat, avoiding Douglas' eyes, and finally said, "It's okay."
She had slept for a whole day and night. Although she was still feeling weak, she didn't want to stay in bed any longer.
She threw off the covers, got up, and stretched.
"The day after tomorrow is the holiday," Douglas said, looking at her. "What are your plans for Christmas? Coming home with me or got other plans?"
He added, "You can travel or just chill if you want."
Regina had agreed to meet Douglas' parents a while back, but he was worried she might've changed her mind, so he asked again.
"Nicole messaged me yesterday, asking if I'd go home with you for Christmas," he said. Nicole mentioned their family was eager to meet her.
Regina hadn't thought much about it and agreed. "Since your family knows about me, it'd be rude not to go."
Douglas felt relieved, thinking, 'Meeting the parents is a big step, right?'
Despite being decisive in business, Douglas was cautious in his relationship with Regina.
Regina had already asked Nicole about her family's preferences and bought gifts for everyone.
Douglas saw Regina in the living room, carefully labeling the gifts.
Noticing Douglas nearby, Regina walked over with two gift boxes. "These are for you."
"I get gifts too?" he asked, surprised.
Regina listened to him, feeling a bit puzzled. "How can you not have any?"
Douglas took the two gift boxes and began opening them one by one.
The first box contained a dark-patterned business tie. Since he often wore formal attire, Regina had personally visited several stores to choose this tie. Although it looked quite similar to the ones he usually wore, it was clear she had put in effort.
The second box held a pen—a custom-made one, with a gold-etched "D" on the barrel.
She had been preparing this Christmas gift for twenty days.
"Gifts…
"I really like them
"I like it very much," Douglas said, interrupting her before she could downplay the gift's value.
His simple words filled Regina with joy.
After organizing the gifts for an hour, Regina checked her phone. No unread messages. Changing her number had been a hassle, but her phone was much quieter now.
On Christmas Day, Regina went home with Douglas. Sitting in the passenger seat, she noticed his phone vibrating nonstop for twenty minutes.
Messages in the Semona family group chat had already hit the hundreds. Douglas usually muted these notifications, but today, he kept them on, worried they might say something strange since he was bringing Regina home.
Regina looked at Douglas curiously. "Your phone keeps buzzing. Something important?"
"No," Douglas said, giving her a heads-up. "My family's big and can be noisy. You okay with that?"
She paused, then said, "No problem."
As Regina responded to him, she couldn't help but recall her past Christmases. Since Melissa's remarriage, Regina had always celebrated the holidays with her grandmother.
Over the years, their small household lacked other family members, making the house feel a bit lonely. Regina had grown accustomed to and even enjoyed the quiet, but now, with Douglas in her life, she found herself curious about what a lively household might look like.
Douglas' home was a grand estate nestled in the best part of Normon City. In winter, delicate snowflakes drifted down, and the tree branches were dusted with silver frost, creating a picturesque scene.
At that moment, the spacious living room was bustling with people. The Semona family was indeed large—Leo had two sons and a daughter, and his children had followed suit, so the family had expanded considerably. Whenever they gathered, it was always a lively affair.
Right now, the elders were huddled together, discussing the details of Douglas and Regina's wedding, while the younger crowd was gathered around Nicole, chatting animatedly.
"Nicole, got any inside info?"
"Your last message was so cryptic."
"Why did Douglas suddenly decide to get married? Didn't he say he wasn't getting married before?"
"Who said that?" Nicole denied. "He wasn't against marriage; he just hadn't met the right person."
"So, did that mean his current wife was the one he had been waiting for?"
"Who is Douglas' wife anyway? He's kept it so secretive. They've been married for two months, and we haven't heard a thing."
"This is complicated. Just wait a bit longer. You've waited two months; can't you wait another twenty minutes?" Nicole said, glancing at her phone. "They said they'll be here in about twenty minutes."
As Nicole said, twenty minutes later, Douglas drove into the Semona family estate.
When the car stopped, Regina sat inside, her mind wandering—a habit when she was nervous.
Douglas leaned over slightly. "If you don't want to go in now, we can turn back."
Regina found his suggestion both exasperating and amusing. "You mean, after coming all the way here, I can still back out?"
She felt it would be rude, especially in a family like the Semona family, which valued manners highly.
"If you don't want to go, we won't go."
'Isn't he being too indulgent?' she thought.
Regina shook her head. "If I did that, your family would be unhappy. They'd think I'm rude, and it would reflect poorly on you."
After all, she was now his wife, and they were a family.
Douglas tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. "No matter what happens, I'll handle it. Don't worry about others. Just do what makes you happy and comfortable."
