Chapter 72

They all thanked me after I handed them the drinks. Arden was seated on one of the smaller couches while his parents had occupied the larger one. Though they weren't seated closely together, there was a margin between them which I assumed enabled them to move freely. 

I had been about to go and occupy the other vacant seat when Arden held me by my wrist and gently pulled me towards him. And when I realized what he intended to have me do my eyes widened slightly and I turned towards his parents. They chuckled as they looked at us all lovingly.

" Go ahead dear, don't mind us, " his dad said. And because I did not want to make things any more awkward, I ended up seated on Arden's laps, holding the smoothie tightly in my hand and busying myself by taking a sip. His mom's name was Nadia and his dad was Anton. They said I ought to feel free to call them either by their names or maybe, with time, mom and dad. 

I wasn't ever gonna do that, the names would do. 

I have my doubts as to whether the hand Arden had around my waist had been a conscious move. Whether he had placed it there purposely or whether it had been out of pure instincts. The latter seemed more fitting. He'd lightly press his fingers into my skin, fix my ponytail and once, he even kissed my neck. His mom wanted to know the events leading up to our marriage, I had been practicing them over and over in my head for the past few days and was certain that I could pull off the act. We both took turns explaining, we had stuck with the original story, the same one he had told Dahlia and Miguel. The true one, only this time we fixed some added details into the tale. I told them how he had pursued me non-stop. With his romantic gestures and complements. The diners we had had and the trips we had made . As far as they knew, we had been together for the last six months and married for three of them. 

They bought it the same way everyone else did. His mom listened keenly, looking at us with even keener eyes. And they had so many questions, a ton of them. Lucky for me, Arden would always come to my rescue whenever he felt I was stuck. Putting his special skills to use. 

" You must return home soon, I'll throw you a nice little party to announce your marriage!" his mom excitedly said. Placing her wine glass on the table and clasping her hands together. The most eager smile on her lovely features. My lios parted and I turned to Arden. 

" Define little, " Anton commented, clearly aware of his wife's extravagant ways. And they stared talking about the plans. The freaking plans. 

When she said home she meant Russia. Did they really expect me to fly all the way to Russia to meet all her friends and introduce myself as the wife to his son?!

The answer is yes,she did. She asked us when we'd be free to go. I had just told them I worked at the restaurant as a chef, a fact that had amused them greatly. They were happy that there son hadn't married one of those idle girls that just stayed at home all day doing nothing. And they were also glad that the restaurant had prestige at least. I wondered what they would have done had they learnt of my actual situation. If they had met me while I still worked at the convenience store, what would their reactions have been?

" Ummm, " Arden reached back and started scratching his neck lightly. Clearly a little confused as to what he would say. 

" I don't think that's necessary, " was what he went with. His mom opposed. Even used the, ' If you love me you'll do this' card. 

I was screaming inside. 

His dad also thought it was a nice idea, that it would be helpful to prove to everyone that their son had truly wed. Everything was happening too fast. 

" You're almost done with work here, just a few more days. You can visit us in a couple of weeks, stay there for a few days...who knows? Perhaps Layla might be enchanted by the place and decide to settle there permanently. That is your home son, it always has been. " Anton firmly stated. 

My throat grew dry and I drunk up whatever remained of my smoothie. Then I turned to Arden and found his eyes on mine. 

" We'll think about it, right baby?" he asked and I slowly nodded. Then he leaned into my ear as if he were giving me a private complement and said, " Don't worry, I won't let it get that far, " I needed the validation, it made me feel much better. Smiling, I lightly placed my hand on his neck and forced myself to calm down. 

I was about to ask excuse myself so that I could warm up the food I had made and set the table for lunch when Gabriel appeared. Hands tucked into his pants pockets, a pair of sunglasses on the necklace of his soft grey shirt with the first buttons undone. A concealed look of anger on his face, shielded by a forced smile. 

Once he turned to Arden and I, then he instantly looked away and focused on his parents. Nadia basically jumped from her seat when she saw him, walking on her high heels to where he was and hugging him tightly, she said something in Russian that sounded like an affectionate scolding. Then she rubbed her hands up and down his back. And I watched his Gabriel closed his eyes as he hugged her back. And he answered in the same language, saying something that mad her burst out laughing. 

" Arrogant bastard!" Arden said with a smile on his own face. 

It was clear that his parents considered Gabriel one of their own, his father looked at him with the same look a father gave his son, and he was sincere when he confessed just how much they had missed him. That he was half the reason they had decided to come there. 

" You're growing bald, " he told Anton. His eyes on the aged male's hair and a grimace on his face. 

" Don't you dare start with me boy!" was the strict warning he got. Offered in a voice laced with humor. 

" Auntie, I think this one is going through a midlife crisis, " He turned to Nadia and said. Stepping out of the way when Anton tried to reach for him. I immediately stood, knowing that I wasn't helping the situation, sitting on Arden's laps like I was. They greeted each other for a shirt while longer and I finally got the chance to excuse myself.

I didn't tell them what I was going to do because I didn't want Nadia to volunteer her help, that would mean being stuck with her in the kitchen. Gabriel sat and they commenced some conversation, but he threw me this chilly glance that showed just how unhappy he was. I hadn't even done anything, but he was clearly already picturing the worst in his head. I made my way to the kitchen. Taking out everything from the fridge and placing it on the counter, ready for heating. 

It was a nice casserole and some spiced fried rice that I had learnt to make while at the restaurant. Carl had shown me and I had quickly mastered the recipe and decided to try it out. I placed the rice in the microwave first, then I took a trey and went to pick the used glasses from that living room. I found them still talking.

" This one's a keeper son, " Anton told Arden. Then he turned to Gabriel and asked when he'd settle down as well. 

I had already picked the glasses but I dallied there a bit longer, wanting to hear his response.

" We weren't all built for that, I feel sorry for the ladies of course but they'll just have to bear with the situation, "

I didn't like that response.

" Don't tell me you're still going around sleeping with random women Gaby!" Nadia scolded, saying something about the tabloids. I had heard enough. I didn't need a reminder of who he was, of who he was going to go back to after I had left and we put an end to whatever was going on between us. And I didn't want to think about how deep I had gotten. 

It wasn't a crush, deep down I knew it wasn't .

I returned to the kitchen, quickly washed the glasses and placed them back, took out some clean plates and cutlery for lunch as well as some napkins. I was about to check whether there was any juice in the fridge when Gabriel walked in. I hadn't known he was going to appear and his presence startled me. 

" God!" I exclaimed with a hand on my heart, he turned towards the living room, then back to me and placed a finger on his lips, silently telling me to keep quiet.

Then he lifted his brows to inquire if I understood. I nodded. And before I knew what was happening, he had me pinned to the counter, one hand on my nape and the other wrapped around my back.