Leap OF Fate novel Chapter 48

The atmosphere inside the car was ‌light for the rest of their journey. Justin still could not believe that the formidable-looking Conrad was where Serene got her personality from.

His warm eyes would shine like hers when he smiled. He had an infectious laughter. Like Serene, he put everyone at ease easily.

The wild beating of Justin’s heart has calmed down significantly because of Conrad’s deadpan jokes. He had not laughed so much in such a long time.

After a while, their car ascended a hill with two almost identical houses at its peak. Both were facing the ocean. As Conrad’s car approached the house, Justin saw a petite middle-aged woman waiting by the door. By the looks of it, she’s Serene’s mother. She had a thin frame like Serene. Mother and child looked almost identical save for the eyes that Serene got from Conrad.

Justin felt his heart kicking his ribcage of the middle-aged woman who stood with back straight as an arrow and her chin thrust up in the air. She looked in the gate's direction they just entered. She must be Serene’s mother, he thought.

Justin cannot help but swallow at her severe aura she’s emitting. People say that his presence makes the atmosphere cold, he did not understand what people meant by that. But now, seeing this woman made him understand the feeling. A trickle of cold sweat rolled down his spine at the mere sight of her.

Conrad parked the car horizontally towards the entrance. Serene bolted out of the door first, then waited for him. She pulled his arm immediately when he got out of the car and dragged her towards the woman who stood waiting for them.

She looked him up from head to toe, then settled on his eyes. There was no expression in them making him feel more flustered. His breathing became heavier and his heart was beating in his throat.

“Mom, this is my boyfriend, Justin.” Serene introduced him, flashing her mother her adorable smile. “Justin, this is my mom, Carol Ellis.”

“It’s my pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Ellis,” Justin politely extended his hand. To his surprise, the woman before her gave her a warm hug instead of shaking his extended hand. After the brief but tight embrace, she held him at arm's length, her eyes surveying his face.

“Shen, where did you get such a good-looking man?” she gave Serene a toothy smile then winked at her.

“Mom!” Serene sounded irritated and embarrassed by what her mother just said.

“Come on in. Leave your luggage to your Dad,” she said, beckoning them to follow her inside.

As soon as they got inside, the smell of freshly cooked food tickled their noses. It’s almost dinnertime, and they have had no food since lunch.

Carol directed them to the dinner table. The small banquet in front of them took Justin by surprise. Are there more people joining them for the meal? Justin counted the number of covers on the table. Seeing that there were only three covers dumbfounded him.

He swallowed at the sheer amount of food before him. His girlfriend, meanwhile, unabashedly salivated before taking the seat beside him.

Conrad joined them shortly after they took their seats. He sat beside his wife at the round table.

“Mom, why do we have so much food? Not that I’m complaining,” Serene asked.

“This is the first time you brought a boyfriend home, of course we want to give him a hearty meal,” Carol said her high-pitched voice reflected her excitement.

Justin could not believe what he just heard. He’s the first one Serene brought home to her parents? He looked at her with furrowed brows. She just smiled at him, then her eyes looked at the chili crab in front of her. She wet her lips twice with her tongue and smacked her lips together.

“What are you waiting for? Eat. Eat” Carol enthusiastically encouraged them. “Justin, Dear, don’t be shy. Eat up,” she said lovingly scooping up rice and placing it on Justin’s empty plate.

“Thank you, Madame,” he said, smiling politely.

“Don’t be a stranger, Justin. Call me Mom,” Carol smiled at him.

He felt warmth in his heart. Both her parents accepted him wholeheartedly. His first impressions of them were the exact opposite of how they really were. Conrad looked tough and imposing but was actually a gentle giant. Carol, meanwhile, looked very severe and hard to please but was actually such an endearing person.

Serene reached out for the chili crab she’s been salivating on from the time they entered the dining room.

“Shen, stay away from the crustaceans and shellfish for now,” Conrad told off Serene, whose hand stopped mid-air. “For sure, you’d have lunch with the Lewis’ tomorrow and you’d be having crustaceans and shellfish there. You can’t have too much of those even when you have your medicine.”

Serene’s mouth almost reached the ground from pouting but she heeded her father’s words‌. She reached for the salmon sashimi and dipped it in her soy sauce.

The conversation over the dinner table was lively. The Ellis’ laughed openly. They seem to compete whose laugh could fill the room. Conrad won this contest, no questions asked.

After the dinner, they had tea. Justin noticed that there were no helpers around to clear the table or bring the tea. All of these were done by Serene and her parents. They moved like a well oiled gear.

After the tea, the two went upstairs. Once again, Serene’s parents acted opposite of his prediction. He had already prepared himself that they’d be sleeping in separate rooms during their stay but to his surprise, all their luggage were brought in the same room.

He cannot help but hug Serene’s waist as soon as the door behind them closed. They’ve been sharing a room together for quite a time now, he found it close to impossible to sleep without her beside him. He’s so happy her parents allowed him to share a room with their daughter.

He gave Serene a quick peck on the lips before he surveyed her room with his eyes. The walls were filled with framed paintings which he surmised were all her work. He felt his chest swell with pride from the talent his partner has.

His eyes landed on the queen-sized bed by the window. In a swift motion, he carried her to the bed, placing her in the middle then he laid down beside her. Both looked at the ceiling. He took her hand and placed it by his heart.

Serene felt his heart beating through her palm. “Thank you for bringing me here,” he said looking at her eyes. “I’ve never felt overwhelmed by so much affection. I’m happy to finally meet your family. And I am honored to know that I am the first one you brought home.”

He shifted his head so he could look her straight to the eyes, “Promise me, I’d be the only one you’d bring home.”

Serene kissed the hand she had been holding and met the bright orbs that looked at her, “I promise.”