68.

-HER-

After the classes, Jake is already waiting for me. He drives me home as usual.

“I’ll miss you,” He groans after we reach the turning on the lane to my house. “Same,” I let him kiss me. I don’t have classes anymore this year. This means that I wouldn’t be able to see him much but we definitely have plans for holidays.

After we are done kissing, he still doesn’t let me go.

“I found something in my room after you left. I think this might belong to you,” He says with a smirk. It has my eyebrows coming together to look at him in confusion. When he pulls out a familiar bottle of contraceptive pills from his pocket that Brooke had handed me a couple of days ago, I turn the deepest shade of red.

“That’s not mine,” I grumble, lowering my gaze out of embarrassment. He chuckles deeply before suggesting, “You can keep it. We might need it soon,”

I am completely flushed as I get out of his car and walk home. Mom asks me how the whole thing went while I am aware of dad listening to me closely behind his newspaper. It feels like it has been years since I had been in my bedroom.

I freshen up before heading downstairs to dinner. It’s time for dad to grill me with questions. I answer him upright with newfound confidence. Although deep down, I couldn’t help but imagine and worry about how I am going to break the news to them.

After dinner, I am back in my room, talking to Jake. It’s turning more of a habit to fall asleep to his soothing voice. The next couple of days, I am at home, pacing and thinking how to tell them. I am very nervous about it but I know that I’d have to tell them about him.

After another couple of days, I am finally able to gather enough courage to tell them. While we are having dinner and discussing plans for the holiday, I decide to slip it in.

“I want to invite someone over this year,” I declare.

“Yes, sure! Who is it by the way?” Mom is cheerful as always. Meanwhile, everyone’s eyes are already directed on me, waiting for my response. I take a deep breath before I finally tell them.

“Mom, it’s a guy… er we’re-“

“Boyfriend?” Dad’s the one to interrupt me. I nod at him and his eyes grow very pensive at me. The twins are watching me with interest.

“That’d be amazing, sweetie! Tell us more about him!” It’s mom who finally breaks the gravelling silence. This turns out to be the longest dinner of my life. I first tell them the basic things about him. Then I am asked how I met him. I have to modify this information a bit but they looked convinced and interested to meet him after listening to me.

Dad’s mostly silent throughout and listening carefully. His eyes are set on me for the most part too.

“Was he at this camp where you went last week?” It’s the first time he speaks after my grand revelation.

“Yes,” I answer. His eyes harden a bit more before I am asked other mundane questions about him.

By the end of the dinner, it’s been decided to invite him the coming weekend. I’d be seeing him for the first time since Monday then. The twins and mom seem genuinely happy for me and excited to meet Jake. Although, dad is cold. I know that he’d be a bit judgmental towards him but I know that he’s like this because he has always been overly concerned for me.

After dinner when I go to my bedroom, I call Jake the first thing. After I tell him, he sounds excited too but I know that it’s because he’d be seeing me again.

Finally, Saturday rolls in. I have walked on eggshells the past days, making sure that I don’t do anything to put dad off. He has been keeping an eye on me also. My anxiety levels are high by the afternoon.

I help mum and Agatha in the kitchen as a distraction and also to be on dad’s good side. My heart leaps off my chest when I finally hear the familiar sound of his car pull over our driveway. When the doorbell rings, it’s dad who goes to answer it.

I hear some murmur at the door before Jake finally walks into the house. His face instantly lights up with a smile as soon as his eyes find me. Dad introduces him to everyone before they settle down to talk in the living room.

Mom makes the effort to break the tension in the air. She truly puts everyone at ease. Agnus seems to have connected to Jake right away, given that they’re just a few years apart and have the same interest in law and administration.

It’s Agnus who has the most of the conversation with Jake while dad listens to them patiently. Slowly, everyone gets comfortable around him before lunch is served.

“So, what are you going to do next?” Dad asks Jake. We are sitting side by side. I am aware of how he has one of his legs pressed against mine.

“I’ll take over the family business,” Jake answers.

“What’s it about?” Dad continues with his questions but Jake answers them without missing a beat, “We have several businesses. Real estate, construction, a chain of gourmet restaurants in the south, textiles and a small trading company,”

“Which one would be you taking over?”

“Hopefully the trading one. I have been interested in it forever,” Jake informs.

“Don’t you think my daughter is a bit young= for you?” He grumbles. At this, my mother intervenes, “Their difference is just like ours. He’s always been overly caring for his youngest daughter,” Mom admits out loud. At this, dad grumbles something under their breath and the lunch continues.

After lunch, the men decide to step outside the house to talk, leaving us girls inside.

“He’s a nice guy. Your dad likes him but he wouldn’t openly admit it,” Mum assures me as we watch them from inside the house.

“Yeah, mom’s right. Before you know it, dad will be taking him out to play golf,” Agatha assures us. After they’re done talking among themselves, they finally step inside the house again. Agnus has requested him to stay over dinner as well so Jake and I get to spend some time together in our room.

“What were you talking about?” I ask as soon as we are in my bedroom. He grins at me before pulling me in his lap and showering me with kisses. “Nothing that serious,” He answers me dismissively.

We spend some time alone in my room before we finally decide to go downstairs again. The dinner goes smoothly as well. Dad is more talkative now - which seems to be a good sign. After dinner when it’s finally time for him to leave, dad surprises everyone by asking Jake, “Are you free next week?”

“Yes, sir,” Jake answers.

“Do you play golf?” My heart leaps at dad’s question.

“No, but I’d like to try,”

“Then we’re meeting next week again, Jake,” Dad says with a small smile. After that, I’m considering getting my eyes and ears checked.

**...
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