Chapter 2
1419 Words
"Vionne, Mom is inviting us to join them for dinner tomorrow night," Alex said to his girlfriend as he reached for her hand and gently stroked it.
"S-sure," she replied, feeling shy. She hadn't met her boyfriend's parents yet because she had only just accepted Alex's proposal today. She often turned him down whenever he invited her to meet his parents. Besides, she didn't know if they approved of their relationship. She had only seen or heard of these scenarios in TV dramas. Often, poor girls who had rich boyfriends were pitied in stories and belittled by the guy's mother. This was one of Vionne's fears.
"Hey, don't worry. Mom is the sweetest mother you will ever meet. Besides, I am here. I love you, Vionne," he said, squeezing her hand.
Her cheeks flushed at her boyfriend's words. She thought, perhaps, to prove how much she loved him, she needed to face his parents as well. Whatever their treatment of her would be, she would accept it.
The two returned to the office happily, smiles on their faces. Happiness and anticipation were evident as they were now officially a couple.
"Oh, my child, may God bless you. How's your work? Are you not having a hard time?" his mother asked.
"Mom, my work is going well, and I'm okay. How's Dad?" she asked her mother as she kissed her cheeks and placed her bag on the rattan chair.
Vionne came from a poor family, which was why she worked hard to finish her studies. It was fortunate that she was an only child, so her loving parents managed to support her in some way.
But her father got sick and became paralyzed. He needed maintenance medicine and her mother fed him when it was time to eat.
Vionne was grateful that she was immediately accepted as an intern in the Vice-President's office and stayed there for a year. It just so happened that when she graduated from college, the former secretary suddenly resigned, and the VP requested her to take over.
At first, Vionne was hesitant, especially when she talked to her boss. Alex was dominant and strict when it came to work. She had never seen him smile.
Because of her curiosity, she would often be caught staring at him.
"What are you staring at? Did you get my instructions?" he snapped at her.
"Yes, Sir! Is there more you want me to do, sir?" she innocently asked.
"Why? If I ask you something, will you really do it?"
"Yes sir, anything with regards to my work." Vionne confidently replied.
"Sure it is," he quickly responded.
Vionne didn't know if she was imagining it, but she thought she saw him smile briefly.
Vionne couldn't remember ever liking her boss. Because of his serious demeanor and quiet nature, she never even thought about it. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Alex smile. She didn't realize her face had turned bright red.
"Your face is so red, are you imagining something? Was it me?" he teased.
"Y-Yes..ah! No sir," Vionne nervously replied, then quickly turned and left, leaving her boss laughing.
That's where it all started.
"Vionne, coffee please," Alex ordered her.
"Right away, sir," she immediately responded and obeyed, heading to the pantry room.
But for some unexplainable reason, Vionne was distracted from her work that day.
"What is this?" Alex asked in the pantry room.
"Why, sir?" she asked, surprised, as she had just placed down the glass.
"Do we have a sugarcane plantation in the pantry room?" he asked, approaching her with a cup of overly sweetened coffee.
Vionne understood what he meant, but what she didn't understand was the strange pounding of her heart.
"Vionne? Vionne? Hey!" he called out to her.
That day, it was as if her dormant fantasy had awakened. Vionne blushed as she felt the man's breath on her face.
Since then, she often imagined what it would feel like if her boss kissed her, how warm his embrace would be, and what it would feel like if they became a couple. So when he confessed his feelings to her and asked permission to court her, she immediately agreed.
Vionne secretly took advantage of the opportunity to answer her questions in her mind.
At first, she pretended not to like the secret advantage her boss took of her whenever they were alone in the office during lunch breaks.
Vionne paid no attention to the rumors about her growing relationship with Alex. Nevertheless, she still valued her honor and dignity. That was her mother’s advice in winning the man and his family over if she wanted to marry her wealthy suitor.
Now, Vionne was excited to meet his parents for the first time and finally set foot in the Mondragon mansion. She deliberately and carefully planned everything. She showed Alex an innocent and disciplined young lady to make him proud in front of his parents, hoping they would like her. She hoped they would get married soon.
Vionne smiled to herself, knowing that with a little patience, she would lift her parents out of poverty and they would live in a decent home.
The next day, Vionne prepared a simple blouse and flat shoes. She didn't want to look too classy in front of her boyfriend's parents. According to the dramas she watched, often when poor protagonists tried to act high-class, they were ridiculed even more. Well, she wanted to be different. Nervous but brave, Vionne faced Alex's mother for the first time.
"Hello dear, I knew Alex had good taste in choosing a partner," she greeted Vionne with a big smile.
"Good evening, I'm Vionne Evangelista," she greeted Mrs. Mondragon.
"I know dear, Alex never fails to brag about you every day, so it feels like I know you very well," she said, glancing at her son.
"Mom, don't exaggerate. She is just–" Alex was about to say something but stopped when his mother cleared her throat.
Alex understood and let his mother take over the conversation until they reached the dining room.
Vionne was curious but decided not to ask any questions.
"Oh, I forgot to mention. Dad is in a coma, he is in his room, and don't worry, he is surely fine," Alex explained, seeming to look for the Chairman of their company.
Vionne was truly surprised but chose not to ask and just nodded while Mrs. Mondragon looked at her.
"Well, hija, you know, I've been waiting for this day. Finally, you are an official couple now. Let's consider this dinner a celebration," Mrs. Mondragon said, handing over the wine glass, and the two followed suit.
"Cheers!" Alex said, and Vionne didn't hesitate to drink the wine.
After dinner, they spent a few more minutes on the veranda, and as expected, Alex's mother was the one to ask.
"Alex, son. When are you planning to get married? Leave it to me, hmmm?" she asked, looking warmly at Vionne.
"Mom, the sooner, the better. Right, Babe?" he said, putting his arm around his girlfriend.
Vionne secretly rejoiced as everything seemed to be falling into place.
"Yes," she shyly replied.
"Alex, it's late. Hija, would you mind staying here tonight? After all, you and Alex will get married soon, rather than going home this late," Mrs. Mondragon suggested.
"Your parents would understand, as a mother, it's not good for you to go home at this hour," she added.
"Sure, it's okay, they understand," she explained, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"I'll prepare the guest room. I'll leave you two here," she said and left them alone on the veranda.
Vionne's smile disappeared when she found out she would be sleeping in the guest room. Alex noticed and hugged her.
"Hey, you look disappointed," Alex said, but she ignored it.
"No, I'm just happy. I finally met your Mom, at least."
"No, from now on, she is your Mom too. Is that clear?"
"Well, it seems like it," she shrugged, and they both laughed.
"How can you be this naughty huh, I can't wait to–"
"I'm not afraid," Vionne interrupted her boyfriend and kissed him on the lips.
"Oh, really?" The two teased each other until they reached Alex's room without realizing it.
In truth, Mrs. Mondragon did not prepare a guest room; instead, she locked all the doors to the guest room.
"Hey, this is my room. Do you want to come inside?" Alex asked.
Vionne's heart beat faster, and she hesitated.
"I...it's...okay..." she stammered.
- Writer
