chapter-34: The Storm Family

Aria Anastasia
The mansion was decorated beautifully, and the homely feeling I got as I stepped in helped me calm my nerves down.
As we reached the living room, I saw a black-haired woman in her mid-forties sternly giving instructions to a servant. But as soon as her face landed on Zaiden and me, her lips curved up in a big smile.
��You guys are here. Welcome, you two,�� the woman exclaimed and rushed to give a hug to Zaiden. ��Even though I saw you a month ago, it feels like forever, my son.��
��I'm sorry I couldn't call you that often, Mom. How have you been?�� Zaiden replied.
There was no doubt that this woman was Zaiden and his brothers' mother, Brisa Storm. Just as expected, she was as warm and kind as Kael.
��Never been better, dear.�� She pulled apart from the hug and turned her attention to me. ��You must be Aria. I have heard a lot about you from Kael, and you won't believe me how many times I have wanted to meet you.��
��It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mrs. Storm,�� I said politely.
She pulled me in a brief hug and said in my ears, ��But he always said that Zaiden would bring you to me himself, and turns out it became true. He brought you to us as his girlfriend.��
��Mom,�� Zaiden hissed and pulled me away from her. I suppressed my laugh as I sensed that he was kinda embarrassed.
His mom ignored him and said to me, ��By the way, call me Brisa, honey.��
��I can now see why Zaiden is so kind-hearted. He gets that from both Kael and you,�� I told her.
Brisa seemed surprised. ��That's the first time I have been told that Zaiden is kind, and that makes me really happy.�� She looked at Zaiden with motherly affection and kissed his cheek.
I couldn't help but smile at the sweet scene.
��Now, can you tell me where are the others, Mom?�� Zaiden asked to divert the topic. After all, he didn't like being complimented. I wonder from whom he got that nature.
��Oh, they are in the backyard. We are having a barbecue party tonight. You know your dad and his ridiculous ideas.�� Brisa rolled her eyes. ��I hope you don't mind having to wait for the barbeque, Aria. Because I'm sure the boys are going to make charcoal out of it.��
I got a burning scent in the air, so I said, ��I think they are already onto making charcoal.��
��Oh, dear God.�� With that, Brisa rushed towards the opposite direction of the entrance.
��You want to look around the mansion before meeting all of them?�� Zaiden offered, and I nodded.
��I see you haven't even told your mom about making donations as Den,�� I said.
��If they knew, wouldn't they think that I'm too soft-hearted to become a Mafia leader?�� he replied, and I hummed in reply because it made sense.
��Is this where you lived when you were growing up?�� I asked out of curiosity when some of the childhood photos caught my attention.
��Well, for the most part, yes. However, I didn't get to give my brothers as much time I should have as their oldest brother,�� he stated with a hint of regret in his voice.
��But they still love you and are eager to meet you every month, aren't they?�� I responded. I have heard a lot about his brothers from him, so I knew that his brothers didn't hold any grudge against him and loved him very much.
Zaiden smiled and said, ��Yes, they do.��
His smile was contagious, I was also smiling when I saw a few years younger version of Zaiden with only brown hair. He emitted the same vibe as Zaiden��aloof and career-focused. He was talking over the phone about some shipments of products.
��That's Elian, my third brother,�� Zaiden whispered.
I nodded my head. I heard from Zaiden that Elian started his own electronics business this year. Must be tough for him.
Finally, Elian noticed us and waved our way. The two brothers exchanged a few words after Elian greeted the two of us warmly.
��You are his first girlfriend that he hasn't shown off to the media but has brought home,�� Elian said with a teasing look.
��As if I would show her off on the media so that other people can harm her.�� Zaiden scoffed.
��He cares about you so much. I can expect a wedding card soon, can't I?�� Elian teased, and I was completely red at the thought of Zaiden and my wedding card.
Within a few moments, I even designed a wedding card in my head.
��Hey, come.�� Zaiden tugged at my hand to snap me out of my thoughts.
Then we made our way to the backyard where I saw the four of his brothers standing together and laughing about something. Elian went and joined them in their conversations.
As I saw the five of them, for a moment I felt like I didn't belong here. But I was proven wrong as the five of them approached me.
��Zaiden, you going to introduce her yourself, or shall we ask her?�� said a black-haired boy who would be seventeen years old at most.
Zaiden cleared his throat and held my hand. ��Okay, so guys, this is the MD of my company, Aria Anastasia.��
��Is that it?�� said Clave who seemed the youngest among them and had blonde highlights.
��And also my girlfriend,�� Zaiden added. I could tell that he was feeling a little shy as his brothers were throwing him teasing looks.
��Oh, we can see that,�� they all said in a singsong voice, almost making me laugh.
��Whatever. I'm going to Lance,�� Zaiden groaned and marched off towards Lance whom I didn't notice at all. Lance was standing in a corner, listening to music with his earphones. I made a mental note to talk to him later.
After that, the five brothers all introduced themselves to me. They all seemed pretty friendly. No one would even guess that they were from a Mafia family and were trained to run the Mafia in a state.
��I have always been curious about what type of girls Zaiden was into. I guess he's into beautiful ones like you,�� said Talon, the one that asked Zaiden to introduce me. He was the sixth Storm brother.
��I think he likes me more for my strong personality,�� I responded.
��It does seem like it. You give off a really ethereal vibe. I would love to have you as a model of my painting,�� Eltan said. He was an artist and his own gallery at his age which was a huge accomplishment. Personally, I loved his long silky black hair.
��Then, have Zaiden kill you,�� Ryker, the fifth Storm brother, interrupted. Even though he was in the first year of university, he still seemed to be through that rebellious teenage phase because he seemed the one to oppose everything.
��I'm sure Eltan won't be the first one to die. It will be Talon,�� Clave said and laughed with others. He seemed to be the most loved one, after all, he was the youngest brother.
��Hey, I know better than to flirt with someone who can become my sister-in-law in the future,�� Talon opposed.
I chatted with those five brothers for quite some time before going over to Lance who was now alone as Zaiden was talking to his dad.
��Hey, why are you standing here alone?�� I asked as I stood beside him.
��I don't like talking very much,�� Lance replied.
��Something on your mind?�� I inquired as he seemed disturbed. I heard from Zaiden that his twin Lance was as close as Zaiden was with the others, so there was no way Lance was just standing here alone for no reason.
��I don't feel comfortable telling you yet,�� Lance replied.
��I hope someday you can,�� I said and flashed him a smile, which surprised him a little. ��That being said, is it a girl that has you distracted?��
��What? No.�� He made a disgusted face.
I grinned. ��May the one you love be a walking chatterbox.�� Even though Lance once abducted me and almost killed me, I didn't know why I had this strong urge to tease this quiet person out of his shell.
��Shut up.�� He shot me a glare.
I pursed my lips and asked, ��What kind of girls do you like?��
��Why?�� He narrowed his eyes at me, and I gave him a teasing look. ��No, you are not setting up a blind date for me.��
I pouted and said, ��Okay.��
��How did you agree so fast?�� He arched an eyebrow.
��Because I'm good.�� I flashed him a big tight-lipped smile.
��I find that hard to believe. Now I feel like you are going to set me up with random girls.�� Lance frowned.
��Are you guys talking about girls?�� Talon chimed in. ��Count me in.��
��Lance wants to go on a blind date,�� I simply said.
��I never said that,�� Lance opposed and I gave him a thumbs up.
The rest of the brothers along with Zaiden joined in the conversation as we all teased Lance and it turned into a conversation about what type of girl Lance would like.
The barbeque was ready soon enough as Kael finally decided to give up on making the barbeque on his own and let the chef handle it. I had a blast having dinner with the Storm family, although I wasn't at my best. In the next family gathering, if I was invited, I would have even more fun with them.
After dinner, Zaiden and I were on the terrace, talking to each other, while his family was in the living room.
��So, what is your impression of my brothers?�� Zaiden asked.
I gave it some thought and answered, ��I will go from ascending to descending order. First of all, Lance is quiet and serious, but he is fun to tease.�� I chuckled remembering how flustered Lance got by the end. ��Elian reminds me of you since he's career-focused, but he's a little chirpier than you. Eltan is creative and artistic. I feel really comfortable talking to him. Ryker is moody now, but over time, I can say that he will get mature and start to learn that sulking won't help the problem go away.��
��You think so? I have been pretty worried about him. He gets upset over little things,�� Zaiden mumbled.
��Don't worry. I'm sure he won't disappoint you all. He will run the Mafia just fine. He has that passion,�� I assured him, and he nodded his head. ��Talon is a bit flirty,�� I said for the sake of courtesy.
��No, you can say a lot, I won't mind,�� Zaiden added.
I chuckled and continued, ��Okay then. He's a big flirt, but he's at that age. He will do fine as well. He will be a great seducer.�� Zaiden laughed in between. ��And as for Clave, he's a sweetheart. He will make you all proud. In short, I love your family, Zaiden.��
��Wow, within such a short time, you have managed to discover all of my brothers' key characteristics.�� Zaiden was in awe.
��No, I still have a lot to know about them.��
��I'm sure you will do great.�� He kissed the top of my head and a smile automatically evolved on my face. ��By the way, what is your impression of me?��
I twitched my lips as a mischievous idea took over my mind. I kept a neutral face and said in a bored tone, ��Average.��
Zaiden removed that hand that was on my waist and let out in shock, ��What? Only average? Nothing else?��
��Yes, that's pretty much it.�� I shrugged.
��No outstanding remarks like I'm kind, hard-working, or bossy or hot or anything?��
I shook my head and simply said, ��None.��
��Aria, you have got to kidding me, right?��
I kept a straight face, trying my best to not laugh at his cute expressions. ��Oh, I think I heard Clave calling for us. Let's go.�� I hurried down the stairs before Zaiden could catch me.
I knew that this matter would bother Zaiden until he found out what my real impression of him was. Until then, I will have some fun making my boyfriend yearn for that answer.

The Secret Of My Boss
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