Chapter 14: Chapter 14

"IT was nice to finally meet you, Adam."

My mother told Adam. We were already at the dining table.

Adam and I were sitting beside each other while Mom was in front of us. Dad, as usual, was at the head of the table.

"Same here, Ma'am." Adam politely answered.

I was satisfied with how my mother welcomed Adam. She seemed pleased when Adam handed her a bouquet of roses earlier. Adam had surely made an effort for tonight. He even prepared an engagement ring for me.

My father, on the other hand, looked formal and intimidating in his seat. But that was a normal expression coming from him. He wasn't really a warm person. He doesn't easily open up to people.

"Claire mentioned that you two are already planning to get married," my father spoke. He was looking intently at Adam. "I hope you do it soon. My daughter is already pregnant and we don't want rumors to spread around."

I cleared my throat and sipped on my water. "You're right, Dad. We're already planning to get married next month. I know it was too rushed so we both decided to do a simple celebration instead. We were only planning to invite a few people."

"Will that be okay with you, Claire?" Mom asked me. "A simple ceremony?"

I smiled at her. "Yeah. What's important is that Adam and I got married."

Adam looked at me and smiled. I returned his smile.

"Don't worry, Ma'am, Sir. I intend to plan a lavish wedding for Claire after our baby is born. She deserves it after all." Adam said to my parents.

"Very well, then," Dad said, his face looking satisfied with Adam's answer. "If that's what you really want. You two are already of age to decide on your own."

"Drop the Ma'am and Sir, Adam. That's too formal. Just call us by our names." Mom said, smiling at Adam.

I sipped on my water. The dinner was going on smoothly. Thanks to Adam. He was such a smooth talker.

I didn't expect my mother would easily fall for his charms.

"So… Adam, what do you do in life?"

I stopped eating after hearing Dad's question.

"Dad, Adam's a—"

"I owned several bars and restaurants across the city, Henry. I also have my own travel agency."

I turned to Adam. I didn't know if this are true or if he was just saying this to impress my parents. He already owned several bars and restaurants? But he said he was only a co-owner of a certain bar here in the metro.

"I can assure you that I can provide for Claire and our child," Adam continued. "And if you're worried for Claire, I'm willing to sign a prenup agreement."

My lips parted. "That won't be necessary, Adam," I argued.

"Claire's right," Mom agreed with me. "There's no need for a prenuptial agreement, Henry."

Adam and I survived that dinner peacefully.

"Try this, Adam," Mom said after placing a teacup on the coffee table. After dinner, Mom invited us for biscuits and tea. Dad already went to his room to get rest. He needed to get up early for his therapy tomorrow.

"I baked this one."

"Thanks, Laura." Adam smiled as he picked up a chocolate cookie on the platter. “This is good.”

“Oh, thank you. I’m glad you liked it.” Mom smiled as she gracefully took a sip of her tea. “Baking is one of my hobbies.”

"By the way, you still haven't told us how you two met," Mom said after placing her cup of tea on the table. Mom looked at Adam, who was sitting beside me. "You see, Adam. This daughter of mine was very secretive. We had no idea that she was already in a relationship. Imagine my shock when I discovered she was pregnant."

I bit my lower lip. "I'm sorry again about that, Mom."

My mother turned her head to me and smiled. "Stop apologizing. Everything's settled now, Claire. Just tell me how and where you and Adam met. You said you've been in a relationship for a year now."

Damn. Adam and I didn't prepare for this. But I need to make a quick lie right now. I couldn't tell my mother I met Adam in a bar.

"I first saw Claire in a restaurant," Adam answered.

I turned to him. Restaurant? Oh. He's making his own story, I see.

"The first time I saw her, she already got my attention. I wanted to approach her but she wasn't alone that night. But then the next day, I didn't expect that I would see her again. That time, she was already alone. I didn't waste any chance and immediately talked to her." Adam smiled. "The rest is history, Laura."

“Which restaurant is that?” my mother asked.

I looked at Adam with a slight concern on my face. He didn’t know what my favorite restaurant was.

“Oh.” Adam chuckled. “I later found out from her that it was her favorite Italian restaurant.”

I tried to hide my amazement at the story Adam told my mother. He could be a writer, huh? I was impressed by how he could easily come up with a story like that.

I turned to my mother, who looked quite convinced by Adam's story.

"Yeah. That's how we met, Mom." I muttered, agreeing with what Adam said.

My mother smiled. "I couldn't believe this is another case of love at first sight. And you, Adam, remind me so much of Claire's father. He said he also fell in love with me the moment he laid eyes on me."

I felt Adam's hand on mine. "Claire is a wonderful woman. I not only fell in love with her beauty but her dedication to everything that she does."

I turned my head to Adam and found him looking at me. Adam raised my hand and placed a kiss on it. Then he smiled at me.

At that moment, I didn't know why I felt something strange inside my chest.