Chapter 206 Mom and Dad Arrived
The following day, Dorian emerged from his room with dark circles under his eyes. The family of four was already awake and gathered around the breakfast table.
Madison noticed him and quickly invited him to breakfast. Matthew, feeling full from the night before, was in a good mood. Dorian, however, was tired and yawning as he headed to the bathroom to freshen up. He had hoped to avoid trouble by ignoring the group messages, but to his disappointment, his father called in the middle of the night. His parents announced they were coming to Horizon City that day; their tickets were already booked.
Originally, Grandpa Sterling and Grandma wanted to join them, but considering their age, they were persuaded against it. His father said they would come over to meet with them, and then all together, they would return to Suncrest Heights.
Dorian was still figuring out how to tell Madison and Matthew, his son-in-law with amnesia, about the upcoming meeting with his mother-in-law. He knew it could be tough to face them afterward. As he brushed his teeth, he sighed heavily, thinking about the pressures of family obligations.
Two little heads peeked around the doorframe, murmuring to each other, wondering why this strange uncle was sleeping at their home.
"Brother, why is this uncle sleeping at our house?" Hannah whispered, glancing at Dorian. The night before, this uncle had played with them after dinner, and it seemed perfectly normal. But now, something felt oddly off.
By the time Dorian finished in the bathroom and hung up his towel, the two younger ones hurried back to the breakfast table.
Seeing them leave the table mid-meal to play, Madison sternly said, "Quentin, Hannah, you can't leave the table while eating. You can play once you're done, okay?"
"Okay, Mom," the two replied, now well-behaved.
Dorian sat down with Matthew and the kids, who were nearly finished eating. Madison had already had her meal, but there was still plenty of food left on the platter, more than she expected. Dorian ate everything quickly and even burped, not caring about his manners, which made Quentin and Hannah laugh.
"That's so funny," Hannah said loud.
Dorian was thrilled to hear his name called out by her. Her adorable voice was irresistible. He immediately picked up Hannah from her chair, held her high, and declared he would take them out to play.
When Madison heard the plan, she remembered they still needed to visit The Old Residence later to see Grandpa Sterling. Matthew hadn't been there in a long time, and if they didn't visit soon, Grandpa Sterling would start to worry.
"Bro, I doubt we can do it today. We've got to head back to The Old Residence," Madison said with a smile. She had already made plans with Matthew that morning and called Grandpa Sterling to let him know.
Dorian seemed hesitant before he spoke up, "I... have something to tell you."
"What's going on? What is it?" Madison asked casually as she continued to gather the dishes, not looking up to catch Dorian's expression. Matthew was helping out by wiping down the table.
"Just... Mom and Dad called last night. They bought plane tickets and are coming to Horizon City today," Dorian said carefully, watching Madison's reaction.
"What?" Madison froze in place, "They're coming so soon, and I... I'm just not ready..."
"Don't worry," Dorian quickly reassured her, "They are really easy-going people. They couldn't wait any longer to meet you; they've missed you for over twenty years."
Matthew walked up beside Madison, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. Madison looked at him with gratitude in her eyes. It wasn't that she didn't want to meet her parents; after so many years, she just needed some mental preparation. Perhaps only Matthew could understand the mix of anticipation and anxiety, which is why he decided for her, deep down.
Dorian was obviously thrilled; a night's worth of worry was resolved decisively by the CEO of JK Group.
"I'll go pick them up," Dorian said to Hannah while holding her, a hint of a grin on his lips. "I'll make a dinner reservation and send you guys the address. Your family of four can head straight there when it's time." Then he turned to Hannah, "Hannah, will you come later with Matthew's mom to meet Dorian and grandma and grandpa?"
"Where will that be?" Hannah asked with wide eyes blinking.
"They're flying in from Suncrest Heights, and Dorian will pick them up first," Dorian explained patiently to the adorable child.
"Okay," Hannah agreed sweetly.
Finally, they all set out together, with Matthew driving and the family of four comfortably seated in the car. Dorian mentioned he had taken a cab there and would take one back. Madison, sitting in the passenger seat, waved goodbye to him, "Bro, we're heading out first."
"Alright, Quentin and Hannah. See you tonight," Dorian said as he watched their car disappear at the end of the road before pocketing his hands and hailing a cab.
Once Dorian settled into the taxi, he looked up a highly-rated upscale restaurant and made a reservation for a private room. Then he called his parents, "Mom, Dad, are you at the airport?"
Mr. Sterling answered, "We're here, waiting to board. How's Madison?"
"Rest assured, I've booked a private room for dinner with their family of four tonight," Dorian replied proudly, to which Mr. Sterling offered a rare compliment, "Looks like you didn't mess things up."
Mrs. Sterling, overhearing and excited about meeting her granddaughter that evening, snatched the phone, "Dorian, really, we're having dinner with our daughter and her family tonight?"
Daughter was the pet name Mrs. Sterling used for Madison.
"Mom, not just her, but also her dashing husband—though not as much as me—your adorably cute granddaughter and your smart and handsome grandson are coming. Don't worry; you'll see them tonight."
"That's wonderful! Oh, why is this plane not boarding yet? Honey, go check on it," Mrs. Sterling said, already impatient and finding tasks for Mr. Sterling.
"Hello? Mom, are you listening? Hello? Dad?" Dorian could only hear rustling and occasional voices on the other end of the line as his parents talked to the airline staff. They seemed to have completely forgotten about him.
He hung up in resignation, knowing all too well this was typical.
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