Trapped

Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen:

Meeting the family.

—

My hands were shaking as I read Warren’s text saying that he’d arrived at our residence. And the moment I heard our doorbell rang, I quivered and was immobilized in my place.

Maybe because this was my first time doing something like this that I could feel the world on my shoulders. I remembered what my mother told me earlier, and I kept replaying it in my mind. Hopefully, to embody it.

“Just be yourself later, cupcake. The way you feel comfortable around him, show that to all of us. Eventually everyone will open up their hearts knowing that you are happy with him.”

My mother’s words had comforted me in a way that had given me courage. Even though there was still a lingering anxiousness inside me, I took note of her advice. I began walking towards their direction even before anyone could notice that I had stopped in my tracks.

Our butler had opened the door and I could almost not see Warren by the amount of bouquets of flowers that he was holding. Noticing his discomfort, our butler reached for the other bouquets in his hands so we can now clearly see him.

He wore something casual, just like I had instructed him to do. He suggested that he would wear a tuxedo and I immediately disapproved as I told him that he’s going to spend a day in our mansion. It would really be uncomfortable for him if he had decided to wear a tuxedo. Good thing, he had informed me beforehand, or else he would really feel out of place.

Warren flashed me a smile and I returned the smile as I walked toward him. He offered me a bouquet of sunflowers then said a quick hello. I reached for the bouquet and he immediately greeted my family who was eyeing him the whole time. He might be very nervous right now. But when the smile never left his face and there was no hint of discomfort in him, I began to wonder that I might be the only one who was beyond nervous.

“Uhh, this is Warren.” I motioned my hands to Warren. “Warren, this is my family.” Then motioned my hands to them.

Warren walked over to where my mother was standing then offered her the bouquet of tulips in his hands to my mother. She accepted it with a smile on her face as they both introduced themselves to one another. The next one was my father, there were no hints of intimidation coming from Warren. Instead he was really honored as both of them shook hands and my father smiled at him as he had introduced himself.

When he reached my sister, Warren took the other bouquet of peonies from our butler then offered it to Maxwell. She was smiling from ear to ear as she caught sight of the flowers that he gave him. My sister even boldly held a thumbs up to my direction even though Warren just right in front of her. Both of them laughed and my mother joined. My laughter came out awkwardly as I stared at them with pure perplexity.

Warren also offered a bouquet of roses to my grandmother when he had reached her. Even though there were a lot of wrinkles showing in my grandma’s face, the upward motion on the corner of her lips made me smile, I felt relieved.

Well, I think everything is going well?

I think I spoke too soon when I noticed how my granddad tightened his hold when Warren and him were shaking hands. However, Warren didn’t wince nor show that he was in pain. Okay, so it was a good thing to tell him beforehand on what he should expect from my grandfather. For a moment, I was afraid that despite granddad’s age he would end up tackling Warren on the floor and giving him a hard punch.

“You don’t have flowers for us men?” He asked Warren, teasing him a bit as he released a laugh. His voice was deep and intimidating, if I was Warren, I could be shuddering in fear now.

Well, Warren Callahan is different. I knew him for only six months but I do believe that this situation only drives him to show my grandfather that he is a good guy.

In reality, he really is. 

And I was hoping that my family would see that.

Warren laughed then reached for the paper bag that was in the hands of our butler. I didn’t notice it until now that he had taken it from him. He offered it to my granddad and spoke. “I bought some liquor. Chandria told me that you love that brand.” He uttered with much politeness.

Granddad peeked inside the paper bag then a smile smothered on his lips as he caught sight of his most favorite brand of liquor in his grasp.

.

.

.

After lunch, my mother and grandma decided to tour Warren inside our mansion. Well, not everything since it might take them hours to fully finish, but only the necessary parts on our house.

Since my grandfather is the founder of the Luciano Corporation, there were lots of things and appliances that were developed by their company. My granddad, who was popularly known as Viktor Luciano, owns a company that rises in the artificial intelligence industry. Luciano Corporation offers diverse services for humans to use. His most popular invention was ‘Athena’. An artificial intelligence voice assistant for all mankind. It helps people to easily navigate through their gadgets by listening to voice commands, as well as doing tasks such as asking Athena to call for a specific person in your contacts.

Athena now doesn’t only focus on gadgets but as well us the system in our household. The moment we called for her even though we didn't have our gadgets near us; she would still respond to us since granddad built it for a wider convenience. Other than that, most of our doors in this mansion were voice activated and handprint activated. So it would be really hard for robbery to happen in our mansion. Not unless some sick psycho would force us or worse, would implicate our hands so they can use it to open doors.

I shrug the thought away as I could feel the chills surging inside my body.

A shriek came out of my mouth when Maxwell tapped me on the back causing everyone to look at me.

I released an awkward laugh, “Uhh, there was a bug. Please continue.” I uttered as I hid beside my sister.

“What’s with you? You’re so dense today.” She muttered.

I glanced at her and she was eyeing me carefully, of course she was concerned.

I heaved out a deep sigh, “I don’t know. Hours have passed but I’m still nervous about this whole thing.”

She laughed, “Loosen up, Chandy. Look around you, I feel like everyone is having a great time. You should too. Stop worrying too much.” Maxwell placed her hand over mine, gently caressing the top of my hand. And her actions immediately comforted me.

I smiled at her, “Thank you, Maxy.”

Maxwell snickered, “I think you should head over to mom and granny. I think they’re showing your baby pictures to Warren.”

My eyes instantly widened at her words, and I almost shouted.

Oh my gosh! My mother kept a naked baby picture of me up until now. She told me it was some part of a tradition that I would never understand.

I ran to their direction as I heard Maxwell’s laugh grew louder. The moment I reached where Warren was standing, I immediately grabbed the photo album in his hands. He was momentarily shocked as well as granny and mom but they were aware why I did it and let out a small laugh.

“How about we show him the garden. What do you think mom and granny?”

They both laughed at me and when I averted my gaze to Warren he still had confused expressions to my sudden actions.

Oh, thank heavens!