Billionaires Under The Mistletoe

Chapter 4: Meeting With The Family

[DAPHNE]

Today's the day the biggest performance of my life will kick off. No matter how perfect the technical details for our lie have been set, I'm still tensed. I do a mental recap.

Rent a car? Check.

Luggage, packed and ready to be loaded? Check.

Fake boyfriend? Check.

But what about my nerves? Will I be able to pull up this facade in front of my family? Will they believe Zach and I are together? I should've picked someone less hot than Zach; a guy more in my league. They're going to catch me the moment I appear at the door.

Why did I do this? This whole idea is crazy. I should just call it off.

No. No, Daphne, just stop panicking and calm down. Still, even with all the details of my fake relationship already planned out, I still feel uneasy.

“We should go over the details one last time, “ I suggested.

“Relax, we've got this settled, Boss. Remember we've rehearsed this over a million times?

“You need to stop calling me Boss. Imagine how my family will react when they hear that.”

“Well, I can tell them it's because of how bossy you are,” he said with a wink.

“I'm not bossy,” I protested.

Still feeling uneasy, I handed Zach the paper where I have written details about my family while I kept his, reading it over one more time. But he folded it into his pocket.

“You need to take this seriously. I don't want them suspecting anything off.”

Zach leaned closer, our nose almost touching and I almost lost my breath. “You have nothing to worry about with me. I have this covered, okay?”

I nodded, gulping down the lump in my throat, shifting my face a bit before he notices the crimson on my cheeks.

“Okay, noted. Just read it one more time please.”

“Aye, aye boss.”

I rolled my eyes, utterly exhausted for another exchange.

Twenty minutes later, we were already on the road, me driving and Peaches at the back seat.

“Holding the wheel that tightly, you might likely break it before we get to your parent's. We won't want to have an accident before the two week contract ends, would we?” Zach teased.

I chuckled, feeling my tension dissipate. I barely know Zach but he has a way of making me feel better.

Finally, we pulled over in front of my parent's house. The area looked as perfect as a Christmas dream or a nightmare, depending on how one feels about the holidays. Our neighbors and my parents, I guess, are responsible for the decoration.

There's no tree or shrub without a hint of Christmas lights and the lawn was scattered with sparkly elves that shone neon lights. Although it's not fully dark, the light emanating from the decoration is blinding and it makes me wonder how bright it'd be when it’s very dark. I guess mum went overboard knowing her daughters are bringing their fiance and boyfriend, respectively. Here goes nothing.

Zach helped with our luggage while I held peaches and we were both standing in front of the house door. I turned to Zach.

“Ready for this?”

“Let's do this.”

My gloved finger had barely touched the bell button when the door swung open revealing mum, dad and Nicki already gathered at the threshold. If Zach was a real boyfriend, and not one paid to indulge in my scheme, I'd have been dying of shame at their eagerness.

“Awwww,” mum said. And I know it's not because of how hot Zach is, but at the joy of bringing a boyfriend home after my last relationship with Ryker years ago.

Nicki on the other hand, stared at Zach, jaw dropped and I felt like I won. Aha! In your face, Nicki! This isn't the boring regular guy you expected I'd bring home, but your dream man.

“Hi everyone,” I greeted as we got in. “Mum, Dad, this is Zach.” I snaked my arm around Zach's arm facing him. “Zach, this is my mum, dad and… sister.” I couldn't contain my joy seeing Nicki's surprised expression. I guess this holiday isn't going to be bad afterall.

“Zach, it's so good to see you. How was your trip? Hope you're not feeling stressed out?” Mum kept rattling Zach with questions, though I don't blame her, it's the excitement.

“Mum..” I drawled. “At least let us get settled in first,” I said, letting Peaches run to her little crib.

Dad placed an arm on mum's shoulder. “Leah, let the kids get settled in, there's enough time for bonding.”

“So we'll head upstairs and be right back,” I said.

“Great. Dinner is almost ready. You two should go freshen up and come downstairs for dinner whenever you're ready. But don't take too long,” She said her last words in a melodic tone.

“I've made Mac and cheese and it needs to come out of the oven soon.”

Then Zach gave her the perfect son-in-law response. “Can't wait to taste it, Mrs Parker. I've been told your cooking is the best in the entire estate.”

He's worth every single penny.

Mum blushed, shoving it off like it's nothing. “Oh come on, it's nothing. And please call me Leah.”

“I will.” Zach replied.

With that, mum scurried back to the kitchen, looking more happy than I've seen her in years.

I turned to Zach leading him to my room. “This way please.”

As we got to the top of the stairs, my heart almost stopped as I'm face to face with Damon, standing, looking deep into my eyes.

“D-damon?” I stuttered. “Didn't expect to see you here so soon.”

“We got here last night,” he said.

My mind immediately went straight to the bed. “And the little bed in Nicki's room?”

“We made provisions. Another one has been ordered before we came in, so..”

The tension was thick and I was trying everything I could not to sound awkward. Because I was already lost looking into his deep blue eyes and unlike me, I was speechless to continue the conversation.

Zach cleared his throat behind me and s**t. I have completely forgotten he was here. I came back to my senses instantly.

“Zach, this is Damon, my sister's fiance. Damon, meet Zach, my boyfriend.”

I saw the look on Damon's face and I couldn't quite place what was going through his mind. He stretched out his hand to Zach, offering a firm handshake before heading downstairs. I just hope this arrangement is quite convincing.

As we got into my room, I turned to Zach. “What do you think? Did they look suspicious?”

Zach chuckled. “Relax Daphne. We've only interacted with everyone in less than five minutes. It's not enough time to suspect anything.”

“Good. I loved the way you handled my mum. Nicely done.”

“Hey, come on. I also have a mum too, you know? So I can easily handle these. But your sister doesn't seem to warm up to me.”

Nicki was just surprised. I do an evil laugh in my head. Yes. Surprised that her dream man has materialized to be my boyfriend.

“She'd eventually,” I lied. “Let's head downstairs for dinner?”

[DAMON]

Seeing Daphne introduce this guy as her boyfriend made my chest tightened. Call it jealousy, you're right. But she never mentioned anything about seeing someone new that day I was at her office. Is this a way to get back at me? Because if it is, it's working.

Leah placed the huge plate of Mac and cheese with grilled chicken on the table dragging me back to my surroundings. Not long, I heard footsteps from the stairs, accompanied with soft chuckle. Seeing Daphne and Zach happy together only made me feel the urge to leave this dinner table, but I can't. I don't want Leah to feel bad.

As usual, the dinner went on smoothly until Leah opened the floor for a conversation with Zach. I didn't bother to pay attention because it didn't matter to me. What I was more interested in knowing is getting answers: if Daphne still harboured those feelings for me or what we shared is nothing but a history.

Nicki tried to be sweet and caring, even offering to feed me from her plate sometimes. But the need for the answers I crave was too strong. And that was when the perfect opportunity came.

“I'll go get the salt,” Daphne said as she stood up to leave.

This is it. “Excuse me, I forgot to bring the wine I reserved for dinner.”

“Wow, what a perfect timing,” Charles commented. “What's a meal without a wine?”

I ignored the faint voices of Leah scolding her husband over his love for wine.

I closed the kitchen door behind me, seeing Daphne trying to refill the salt container. I walked quietly and placed both of my hands at the sides of the counter, her between.

I could sense the stiffness in her shoulder as if she recognized I'm the one. “Daphne,” I whispered. “You still haven't changed. It's been twelve years and someone can sneak behind you without you knowing.”

She slowly turned to me, her eyes widening and this time, there was no escape because she's in between my stretched arms.

“What are you doing this close?” She whispered with gritted teeth. “What if someone walks in and sees us like this?”

“Then the worse happens.” I said, shrugging. “Besides, everyone is too invested in your ‘boyfriend’ to leave the table.”

She tried to remove my hand, breaking free from where I'd pinned her. “Let me go.”

“I won't. Not until you tell me the truth. Do you still love me?”

“Damon, I said, let me go.”

I slowly leaned my face closer to hers, expecting a reaction, like a push or a kick. But none came. Was I right? Did.. she still have feelings for me?

Just when I was about to push my face further to hers to taste her lips, the door swung open causing I and Daphne turning our heads immediately to the door.