Chapter 531
Yvonne looked at me, confused. โMom, I still havenโt gotten any new clothes.โ
โWeโll do it next time. Tomorrow, letโs bring Grandpa William and Grandma along,โ I said hurriedly.
โAlright,โ Yvonne agreed. On the way home, she fiddled with the delicate little doll in her hands. Out of nowhere, she asked, โMom, that man from earlier looked a lot like Ryan. Are they family?โ
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, a pang of guilt hitting me as I glanced at her in the rearview mirror. โYeah, heโs Ryanโs uncle.โ
โOh, got it,โ Yvonne replied, satisfied with the answer, and dropped the subject.
That afternoon, I picked up my parents from the airport with Yvonne. On the drive back to the city, my mom told me that my dad had gotten a promotion. Heโd been up against some tough competition and never really believed heโd get it, but to our surprise, he did.
I put on a happy face, but inside, I was getting nervous. I couldnโt believe itโmy dad actually got promoted.
โWhat about you, Mom?โ I asked casually.
โIโm retiring next year,โ my mom said with a big smile. โNow Iโm just hoping your brother gets married soon so I can babysit his kids.โ
โMom, Aidenโs just getting started with his career. I doubt heโll be getting married anytime soon,โ I said, hoping that after working all her life, my mom could finally enjoy some freedom for herself.
โI actually hope he settles down and has kids sooner, just like you did. Yvonneโs already grown up, and youโre still young. Thatโs really nice,โ she replied.
My dad looked a bit worried. โI wonder how Aiden did when he visited his future mother-in-lawโs place this time.โ
โDonโt worry. He may not always be reliable, but when it comes to serious matters, he knows what heโs doing,โ my mom reassured him.
โVictoria, now that youโre working in Braylin too, you should give Aiden some advice. Teach him to be responsible and not play around when it comes to relationships,โ my mom said seriously.
Hearing that, I felt even more uneasy inside. If my parents ever found out I was even wilder than Aiden, would they eat their words?
โBy the way, Victoria, itโs been a while since you and Jared split up. Are you thinking about finding someone new?โ my mom asked. She had no clue about my private lifeโsince to them, Iโd always been the perfect daughter: sensible, independent, never giving them a reason to worry.
Yvonne jumped in before I could answer. โOf course! First Mom was with Nathan, and now sheโs with Ryan."
โYvonneโฆโ I shot her a warning look, my tone serious.
Yvonne stuck her tongue out playfully. โSorry, Mom. I thought this was something I could share with Grandpa William and Grandma.โ
My parents were completely stunned.
โAlready two boyfriends? That was fast!โ my mom blurted out, clearly in disbelief.
I just laughed. โMom, werenโt you the one who wanted me to find someone? Now that I did, youโre not happy about it?โ
That left my parents speechless. All they could do was remind me to be serious about relationships and not fool around.
My mom made dinner at home, and as night fell, the doorbell rang.
โItโs got to be my dad!โ Yvonne said confidently, running to open the door.
When she opened it, Nathan stood at the door, holding gifts and a basket of fruit. โItโs Nathan!โ Yvonne called out.
I quickly got up and walked over. Nathan looked a little rushed as he said, โVictoria, I brought some New Yearโs presents for you.โ
โWhoโs here?โ my parents came out of the kitchen and were a bit taken aback to see Nathan at the door. โHello, Uncle, Aunt. Iโm Nathan, Victoriaโs friend and collaborator,โ Nathan said, introducing himself.
I jumped in quickly, โYeah, Mom, I invested in his company, so weโre working together now.โ
โOh, you work together! Well, come on in and join us for dinner,โ my mom said warmly.
โCome on in,โ I said with a smile, taking the gifts from Nathan.
Nathan seemed a bit uneasy, clearly not expecting my parents to be there.
My dad came over to make coffee and started chatting with Nathan. When he realized Nathan was one of the owners of the hottest tech startup in town, his hands couldnโt help but tremble a little.
Chapter 532