Chapter 92: Chapter 92
Ryan has recently informed his parents that she is in a romantic relationship with one of her roommates from the boarding house, Slyvester. Despite being happy with the news, Ryan's parents were worried about their daughter living with her boyfriend under the same roof. They requested to meet with Slyvester to discuss the situation and set some ground rules. As concerned parents, they want what's best for their daughter.
In response, Slyvester's parents also wanted to meet Ryan, so they arranged a joint meeting. Although neither couple is married yet, they are committed to their relationship.
Ryan is working on a thesis report with classmates when her friend Emily told her that her phone was vibrating. Ryan checks her phone and finds that Slyvester has texted her.
[Ryan!]
[Where are you?]
[I'm so hungry~]
[Are you busy?]
[I'm at the boarding house]
[Why haven't you come home yet? T^T]
[My Ryan ~]
[Hey]
Ryan smiled at her boyfriend's short but sweet messages. So, she typed a reply.
[I'm working on a thesis with Emily] -sent.
No matter how fun it is to be in a relationship, Ryan should prioritise her studies. She felt a little guilty that he and Slyvester hadn't been able to date in the past few days, mainly because they could not easily date in the boarding house. Aside from Kyle, Vincent, and Chaylen, Terban joined the “Anti-Slyvester’s Faction”, which aims to ruin the two’s date.
[Awww. I miss you~] replied Slyvester to his girlfriend.
Ryan leaned back in her chair and continued typing. Her classmates glanced at her momentarily, laughing because of her appearance. They exchanged glances as if saying: ‘Look at this lady; she’s really in love.’
[Just be patient. I'm going home] -sent.
[Yey!] – Slyvester’s reply.
[Tomorrow I will meet your parents. I'm nervous!] – Slyvester’s reply.
[Why? You've seen them before.]
[Of course, that was different from now. You will introduce me as your boyfriend.]
[Mom and Dad are kind. Do not worry. They will not eat you alive. ^^]
[Even so, T^T. How about you? Aren't you nervous to see my parents?]
[Hmm, I am a little nervous too] Ryan answered as her knees trembled under the table.
[Mom and I think the same. But Dad? Hmmm~ How can I explain? Ah! He's like Terban.]
Ryan stopped. If Slyvester’s father is like Terban, then there’s enough reason for Ryan to feel damn nervous. It was a nightmare when Ryan first met Terban after many years.
[Terban is even worse than Dad, LOLXD] Slyvester added as if encouraging Ryan.
[Let's do our best T^T Wait, Slyvester, my friends are staring at me. I need to help them.]
[Ah, okay, my love. See you soon~ Awavyou]
[Awavyou too.]
[Hey, Ryan! Wait!]
[Hmmm?]
[I want to bring something for your parents for tomorrow. Do they have a favourite?]
Favourite? Ryan looked up. She thought carefully about what her parents are passionate about nowadays. When she recalled one thing, she typed it.
" Ryan, did you write this?" asked one of her classmates.
In a rush, Ryan sent the reply without double-checking. Then she put her phone inside her pocket.
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Ryan’s POV
Today, our parents are meeting for the first time, and I feel a constant pounding in my chest even though I didn't have coffee this morning. Slyvester and I are dressed in casual outfits we bought together to prepare for this meeting. We're all seated at a long table in a private room at an Italian restaurant, and the waiter has just served our orders. Slyvester and I exchange glances as we sit across from each other with the table in between. Our parents are seated facing each other, smiling and making small talk.
I can't help but feel nervous about the whole situation and compare it to the movies I watch. I try to remain composed, calculating my every move, even down to my swallowing, breathing, and blinking.
“You are beautiful, just as Slyvester had told me,” Slyvester’s mother complimented me. I notice that Slyvester and his mother share a striking resemblance, except for the shape of his face, which he inherited from his father.
I nervously responded, "Thank you," while fidgeting with my hands in my lap. Slyvester's mother asked, "Who else will he inherit from?" We all chuckled at the question.
Feeling grateful, I smiled at her.
Slyvester's father recognised my parents and remarked, "You are familiar to me. Did you attend the Jayhill Hotel on the anniversary of the Galko company?"
My father quickly recalled, "Ah, yes! I remember now. You are Mr Hudson, the owner of the Ixumi Corporation. Mr Gilbhey introduced us to each other."
'Jayhill? Mr Gilbhey? Does he mean Chaylen’s father?
So, Slyvester’s dad was at the party!
Oh god, I ate a lot during that time!’
I hope he didn’t see me acting like a hungry pig.
"Oh wow! You and Dad have met! This is amazing; it's like fate," Slyvester chimed in during our conversation. I'm always impressed by his courage, which is why he never loses friends, no matter where he goes.
My parents looked at Slyvester, smiling awkwardly. Perhaps they could remember when he wore women's clothes to help me lie. Upon receiving their forced smile, Slyvester cleared his throat.
"Ahem."
He then picked up the pitcher of cold water from the table.
"I noticed that your glass is empty," he said, looking at my father's cup. Suddenly, Slyvester spoke with a British accent. "Wud yu layka gulas of watah?" he offered with a smile.
I was shocked and embarrassed. ‘What is he doing? This is so embarrassing!’
Despite his silliness, Slyvester still managed to look cute while smiling at my parents. They looked at each other in shock, unsure how to react to his odd behaviour.
“What are you doing?” Sylvester's father sternly reprimanded him, his tone questioning his actions.
Feeling the weight of his mistake, Sylvester stuttered in response, “J-Just asking them if they want water(?).”
The embarrassment on his face was palpable. He fumbled with the jug he held, dropping it to the table with a loud clatter. Sitting straight, he looked at his father and the others in the room as if hoping to make amends.
Meanwhile, I discreetly reached into my bag to retrieve my cell phone. Without drawing attention to other people, I quickly composed a text message and gestured for Sylvester to look under the table.
["What was that?!"] to which he eagerly responded by explaining…
[“I was only imitating Peppa Pig. You told me before that your parents like Peppa Pig. And I just wanted to make them smile.”]
I looked at him again with bewildered eyes. Then I decided to check our message history. That's when I noticed our old messages yesterday. When Slyvester asked me what my parents' favourite was, instead of typing, Peppermint tea, I replied, Peppa Pig!
I won't tell Slyvester right now. I'll wait for the next opportunity. I looked away from him and pretended not to know. Our parents discussed things related to their business and acquaintances, which I couldn't understand. Eventually, the conversation shifted to the main topic of the meeting.
"How did you meet my son?" asked Slyvester's father, addressing me. I noticed Slyvester almost jumping out of his chair, perhaps feeling flustered. His mouth opened as if he was about to answer, but I didn't want to rely on him since the question was directed towards me.
"In the boarding house," I replied. "We both live there, along with four others." Slyvester lowered his hands in an X gesture. I knew he was worried about this, but it's better to be upfront. In my experience, hiding things doesn't help.
Sylvester's mom blinked rapidly and asked, "So you're staying under the same roof? In the boarding house? But there are six of you?" Sylvester seemed uneasy about the situation, but it's better to be upfront about everything. In my experience, hiding things only makes matters worse.
I spoke up boldly, even though my knees shook under the table. "Yes, we are all staying in the same boarding house."
Sylvester's mom was surprised. "How did that happen? I thought the boarding house was for boys only?"
“A-About that…” Sylvester stammered in response as if realising he forgot to mention something important.
"I was supposed to be transferred to the women's boarding house, but there was a mistake in the management's list, and I ended up in the men's," I clarified to the concerned family.
His mother nodded in understanding, but I could see the worry in her eyes. "Well, these things happen," she said, trying to ease the tension.
Suddenly, Slyvester's father slammed his fist on the table and yelled, "YOU LET YOUR DAUGHTER LIVE WITH MEN!?" The plates shook, and the forks clattered for a moment.
My parents looked at each other, knowing they were not at fault but still bearing the blame for the mistake. Slyvester tried to explain, but his father cut him off, continuing to shout, "A SHAME! WHAT IF OTHERS FIND OUT THAT MY SON IS LIVING UNDER THE SAME ROOF WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND?" His face was red with anger.
Giselle's warning about Slyvester's father flashed in my mind at that moment.
‘It looks like he doesn’t like me at all.’