CHAPTER 11

As the car slowed, Jeremy was bursting with excitement at the prospect of meeting Kate's family, having dinner with them and staying at their home for Christmas. His heartbeat was faster than a greased lightning as the car entered the two wrought-iron gates, passed by grounds with the sculptured rose garden and hedges and marble statues. The car finally stopped in front of a massive mansion supported by elegant columns.

He opened the door and stepped outside. His gaze was fixed on the nobility of the place. As he is going to stay in this mansion for Christmas, the driver gave his case and drove off. Seeing no person to ask, he walked the steps that lead to the porch and paused briefly at the door just long enough to see a small brass plague posted near the door that read, "The Reed."

He knocked on the door and instantly someone opened it. It was one of the maids of the house. Unlike the typical maids of rich and famous, she was in her casual wear. The Reed family treated their household helpers as part of the family. They are not just mere workers for them but people whom they have lived with.

He was led into a massive foyer centerpiece by a grand double staircase. A light paneled library beckoned on his left while some kind of music room with a grand piano opened to the right. Directly ahead lay a huge, sun-filled open room and beyond that, he saw the sparkling garden wherein a large angelic fountain stood at the center.

He then heard footsteps running down the stairs, a familiar sound when they were staying at the Monaco Suite during their Boracay adventure. It was Kate. She was in Caspian striped short sleeve top matched with light jeans short. She was exceptionally lovely as usual. He couldn't help himself but stare at the gorgeousness in front of him.

"You're early," she said while approaching him.

He stood up and said, "Should I go back then?" Trying to smoothen the conversation. He was actually trying to calm himself. He felt like he was a young boy facing a large crowd for the first time on a stage. He was so restless. It's his first time to stay in a different house. Surely, he was used to staying in a hotel, a resort and other commercial suites but to stay in a house of another family is atypical case for him. It was a certain policy by his deceased father. No matter what the situation or time is, they should sleep at home or book in a hotel but never to sleep in another's house. However, this time, for him, is a special case. Not because of Kate but more so, the invitation of her parents.

"No. It's okay." She gave an indifferent shrug, "Mom and dad are at the garden but my sister is out." They sat down. "Mom, Dad, he's here!" she yelled. Kate was both excited and at the same nervous. She is confident that they would love him. What is not to like in him? He is good-looking, talented, intelligent and well mannered.

Coming from the back of the house into the great room, a middle-aged looking couple appeared. "Hello!" They said.

Jeremy stood up again and greeted, "Good afternoon Ma'am, sir!"

"Please take a seat," Mr. Reed said. Jeremy sat next to Kate, where he was while Mr. and Mrs. Reed sat at the opposite couch. Mrs. Reed was staring at him. He looks familiar. She knew that he had already seen him somewhere which she was not sure where. She tried to recall where she had seen him. Then she remembered.

"Are you not the young singer whose name is JM?" Mrs. Reed asked

.

"Yes ma'am but my real name is Jeremy."

Mrs. Reed looked at Kate and said, "Kate, you didn't tell us that Jeremy and JM are the same person."

"Ma, you didn't ask about his work." She explained. She really intended not to tell them. She wanted to surprise them. She knew that the moment they will see him, they would be able to recognize him at once especially her sister.

"Anyway, Kate here has told us about your adventure." Mr. Reed said. Kate had narrated to them their Boracay expedition. She recounted the many activities they did, places that they have visited, and the people that they have met.

"I hope they were all positive." Jeremy smiled. He wanted to leave a good mark with the parents of Kate. He was not used to meeting parents of women he likes. Moreover, he doesn't have experience in staying at their houses.

"Don't worry! It was all praise!" Mrs. Reed clarified.

Suddenly, someone knocked and opened the door. They heard a voice, "I'm home." It was Emily, the younger sister of Kate. She has just finished her afternoon work out. Filled with sweat, she entered the great room. However, when she saw Jeremy, she ran back and went upstairs saying, "OH… MY… GOD! Oh my God! Oh my God!"

When they noticed that she ran up, Kate explained to Jeremy that she's a big fan of him and like their parents, she didn't know that Jeremy is the singer JM whom she greatly adores. They were laughing badly at Emily that their laughter reached the ears of Emily.

"It's not funny!" Emily yelled.

After which, Kate excused herself and Jeremy to show the room where he'll be staying. They stood up and she led him to one of the rooms next to the music room.

"So where's your room." Jeremy asked when they reached one of the guestrooms.

She sat on the bed and said, "one of the rooms upstairs."

"How many rooms do you have in this enormous mansion?" He placed his case near the cabinet.

"It's not enormous. It's just a simple home." She clarified.

"Yeah right! So how many?"

"10 including the maids room." She stood up and walked toward the door. Before she went out, "so take a rest and… I almost forgot, we will go to the church this evening for the Christmas Vigil Mass, would you like to join us?" She asked.

"Yeah! Why not?" He opened his case.

"Since it's still early, you could fix your things and take a rest. If you need anything just text me or ask any maids if you see one."

"Why? Where will you go?"

"Back to my room. I'm just wrapping some gifts."

"Would you like me to help you?" He offered.

"No thanks. You're unpacking."

"I could do it later." He stood up.

"Besides, you're off-limits to my room, Mr. Grimaldi!" She ordered.

He laughed. "Why's that? I'm just offering a help." He sat at the bed.

"I can manage. Just unpack. I'll ask the maid to make you something to eat okay? See you later!" She went out and closed the door.

He stood up and continued unpacking his case from his toiletries to his shirts and pants. When he was finished, he called Sophie to remind her about his instructions particularly the gifts. He checked if they have found those items in the list. He was relieve that everything went as planned. Fortunately, the packages are all ready. They are just waiting for the driver who had drove him.

After his call, someone knocked at the door. He smiled thinking that it was Kate. When the door opened, it was her sister, Emily. She was still star-struck upon seeing Jeremy. She was just standing in front of the door and could talk.

"Yes?" Jeremy asked.

"Hello! Sorry about my rudeness earlier. By the way, the snacks are ready, would you like to join us?" She mumbled due her shyness.

"Sure."

He followed her out of the room toward the garden. Mr. and Mrs. Reed were comfortably seated next to each other when they came. They joined them but before Emily could sit, Mrs. Reed asked, "Where's Kate?"

"I believe she's doing something in her room." Jeremy answered.

Looking at Emily, "Call your sister as well." Mrs. Reed instructed. Emily complained but did as she was asked.

When she reached Kate's room, she immediately opened the door. Kate was sitting on her bed just finished wrapping the last gift. Emily grumbled, "Why didn't you tell me that your guest was Jm? I was embarrassed." She sat next to Kate in her bed.

"Could you knock first? His name is Jeremy and besides, why be embarrassed?"

"He's adored by millions of fans and I'm one of them. You know that." She smiled.

Kate laughed. "Aren't you happy that he's here?"

"Of course I am. Moreover… How did you know him?"

Kate narrated to her everything from the Seoul experience, to the university night until the Boracay adventure. Emily was attentive listening but is obviously jealous of Kate. When Kate was finished, Emily asked, "Is he your boyfriend now?"

Kate didn't answer. She couldn't. She knew that they're not yet official but the way they treated each other, they're as if in a relationship especially after the Boracay trip.

"Is he your boyfriend or not?" Emily reiterated.

"I guess not… officially?" Kate's eyes strolled from the door to the window.

"I see. Did he already kiss you?"

"That's private. Why are you here anyway?" Kate tried to change the topic.

"They're having snacks at the garden area and they asked me to call for you."

Kate stood up and said, "Let's go then."

When they were all gathered at the small table in the garden. Out of the blue, "How did you meet our daughter?" Mr. Reed asked while they were having snacks at the garden.

Kate started answering the question and Jeremy supplanted some details as she narrated the story. Every now and then Mr. and Mrs. Reed looked at each other as both Kate and Jeremy tell them the details. When they were done, "Why do you look at each other that way?" Kate asked.

"What?" Mrs. Reed asked while holding the hands of Mr. Reed.

"It's something different."

"We just remember our own love story."

"Can you tell us your love story, Mr. and Mrs. Reed?" Jeremy begged.

"No please." Emily said softly and sarcastically but they told it otherwise. They narrated the time when they met each other, the courtship that Mr. Reed did and of course one of the most memorable days, the proposal that happened.

"You really remembered it by heart." Jeremy remarked.

"Of course!" Mr. Reed said proudly.

"We heard it hundred times since we were still young." Kate said.

"Not only a hundred, a thousand even." Emily added.

"By the way JM." Mrs. Reed said.

"It's Jeremy, Ma." Kate corrected.

"Jeremy I mean, we'll be going to the church this evening for the Christmas Vigil Mass, would you like to join us?" Mrs. Reed offered.

"Yes Ma'am. Actually, Kate told me about it when I was unpacking." Jeremy replied.

"That's good then. We hope you enjoy your stay here. If you need anything just inform us." Mr. Reed said.

"I will sir. Thank you again for the invitation!"

They enjoyed the rest of the afternoon listening to the Boracay adventure of Kate and Jeremy from the perspective view of Jeremy this time. They also asked him about his life being an artist, a singer and a celebrity: his inspirations, fears and some unexpected things that happened to him while he was having a concert.

Jeremy was ecstatic that his wish was granted that is to be with Kate again. Not only was he with her but also met her family and have an opportunity to stay at their massive mansion. He could not ask for anything else.