Mummy, Daddy is on his knees

Alexa took a glance at Hardin seated next to her in the car when he didn’t make any attempt to step out of the car.

Today, her older brother had summoned her to the Sterling’s ancestral home for an urgent meeting, and she had taken advantage of that opportunity to introduce Hardin to her family.

Except that the latter was feeling nervous about this meeting.

Hardin knew that he had to face his girl’s family sooner than later. He wasn’t scared of meeting them but rather be was scared that they might look down on him because of the huge gap between their status.

Or worse they might shoo him away from Alexa which he wouldn’t be able to bear.

Alexa’s hand fell on his palm fisted on his lap. She gave it a soft reassuring squeeze.

“Trust me. Everything will be fine. My brother might seem tough but he is actually soft hearted on the inside and my dad isn’t much of a trouble either”

Hardin released a deep breath, he casted her a glance.

“And your mum? There’s still enough time to reconsider your decision”

Alexa’s brows creased at the direction his words were heading to.

“What do you mean by that Hardin?”

“There’s still plenty of time to choose one of those wealthy heirs from reputable families-

She placed a finger over his lips to stop him from spilling more words than necessary.

The fact that she had chosen him out of those wealthy arrogant guys said a lot and nothing was going to change her decision.

“I chose you Hardin. And like I said earlier, everything is going to be fine. Trust me on this one”

Hardin offered a smile, maybe he was just overthinking things.

What is the worst that could possibly happen?

***

The dining room was unusually quiet, everyone just gaped towards one direction where two souls sat.

Different questions lingered on their minds. It was totally odd for Alexa to come home with a man. The last time she did, everyone knew who that turned out to be.

When Alexa couldn’t bear the sneaky gazes any longer, she slammed her palm on the table which jerked them up.

Her bossy and arrogant nature didn’t change much while she was away from them.

“Sorry. I thought I spotted a fly”

She apologized with a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

Her eyes fell on her older brother who was so busy cutting an apple for no one else other than the blonde sitting across from her.

Damien cleared his throat to get back their attention.

“You sure did. However I called you here for a reason Alexa. Not because I felt sorry for how I punished you or anything, you totally deserved it and I’m not sorry about it.”

Alexa bit her bottom lips avoiding his intense stare. From Hardin’s little movement she could tell that he was confused as well.

Never had she mentioned the reason she was kicked out of her family for a year to Hardin.

“You don’t have to remind me of my misdeeds big bro. I already feel bad enough”

Damien settled his gaze on Hardin who was for some reasons avoiding his. He acted like he had committed a huge crime.

“Hardin, thanks for looking after my sister. She might be a pain in the butt, but sadly I still love her a lot no matter how stubborn or arrogant she can get”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Hardin hardly nodded, he tried to smile but it froze completely.

“Oh! he is the guard you talked about?”. Anita asked.

Alexa averted her gaze to Hardin only for him to pull his eyes off her.

A guard? Hardin was her guard? She had initially thought he was just a nosy fellow her brother had instructed to keep a close eye on her and report her suspicious activities.

There were a lot of things they’ve kept hidden from each other.

So everything was preplanned from the start, how she ended up at his grandma’s house as a tenant. That explained everything he had been hinting at all these while.

Whatever his role might be, it all didn’t matter but at least she deserved to know some things too.

“Mum, Dad, Damien, Grandfather, Grandmother, and some other persons too”

Olivia and Becky exchanged glances and simply shrugged their shoulders knowing fully well that they were the ‘other persons’ whom she didn’t mention.

“Meet Hardin. My boyfriend” She declared watching with pride as their eyes grew large in surprise.

There was a brief silence in the room until Anita was able to break it.

“Really? there’s actually someone who can tolerate your bad atti-

Aldrin placed a palm over her lips forcing her back to her seat. He snarled at Hardin who met his eyes.

Hardin gulped down hard, he wasn’t sure if this was a good sign or not. Their expression didn’t say much.

“And I mean it this time” Alexa added in a firm tone.

“Well good for you and everyone of us” Damien murmured.

He picked a slice of the apple which he had cut and fed Olivia.

A deep smile carved on Alexa’s lips, that was great news. If Damien agreed to it, then the rest won’t object to it.

“I’d like to speak with this Hardin guy all ALONE”

All eyes fell on Aldrin who just spoke.

***

Damien pulled the sheets over Olivia’s legs. He planted a kiss on her forehead and took a seat on the bed next to her.

“Are you still daydreaming about me? didn’t I assure you enough that no one else stands a chance against you?” He teased.

“You’re the last person to think about Damien. I was just wondering what exactly your dad would do or say to that poor guy. It’s not everyday Alexa brings a guy home”

Damien sighed deeply, he wasn’t the least bothered about all that. His dad couldn’t possibly do anything crazy.

He was just doing what most father does to a guy who had shown an interest in their daughter.

It was funny how he never got to experience that, Olivia had an understanding mum who never for once interrogated him.

“Stop worrying yourself over nothing. My dad is like the only pure soul left in this world. I’m very sure he is just being an overprotective father and also jealous that Alexa would leave his side one day to be with Hardin”

A sad gleam washed over Olivia’s face. If only her dad was alive. He would likely do the same. He loved her a lot when he was still alive.

If he were to be here, Damien would never have gotten her so easily like he did.

“Heyy.. don’t go back to that look. You look very ugly when you cry”

He took her into his arms stroking her back gently.

“Such a big cry baby you are. You need to get plenty of rest, we are to go over for your wedding dress fitting at noon”

***

Hardin accepted the glass Aldrin handed over to him.

“Thanks Mr Sterling”

Aldrin took one of the seat in his study, he took a sip out of his glass and sighed afterwards.

“Do you know why I wanted to speak to you in private?”

Hardin shook his head slowly, his heart thumped wildly. Was he about to ask him to stop seeing his daughter?.

If that was the case, he had no idea of what he might do to himself.

“No I don’t”

“Just like my son mentioned earlier, no matter how proud Alexa could be, we love her so much. The last time she had claimed to have a boyfriend, we figured out that he was a notorious criminal”

Hardin chuckled lightly, his intention was never to mock Aldrin or Alexa bit something about Aldrin’s words crackled him up.

“Pardon me. I was just-

“Forget it. I don’t have a problem with you Hardin. I respect the choices of my children so much. Alexa isn’t a kid anymore, she chose you and I hope you’re being serious with her”

Hardin placed his glass on the side table next to him.

“Of course. My grand mother knows about us. And she supported our relationship”

Aldrin took another sip out of his glass.

“And your parents?”

Aldrin didn’t miss the look that crossed Hardin’s eyes even if it only lasted for a second.

“My parents are late. they both died in a car accident when I was ten. my grandmother is the only family I have left”

Aldrin was saddened by the news, he stood up from his seat and approached Hardin.

“I don’t like discriminating people of different status son. And lastly, you don’t only have your grandmother. You have the whole Sterling’s as your family”

Hardin looked up to the older man in surprise, he had actually been having sleepless nights for nothing.

He jerked up to his feet with a large beam on his face.

“Mr Sterling-

Aldrin patted Hardin on his shoulder “I think we should get over with the formalities now son. You’re now family”

The door pushed open with a loud bang and in came Anita.

She suddenly rushed forward and pulled Hardin into a tight embrace startling the two.

“Thank you so much Hardin. I have always been worried that Alexa’s arrogance would make her single for a lifetime. I’m so glad that there’s someone who can actually tolerate her”

Hardin patted her back gently. He could only imagine what problems Alexa had caused for her family to think that he was a saviour.

In the last few weeks that she had spent at his home, he already got a taste of her attitude. Whether good or bad.

They accepted him into their family without a second doubt. Even though he was way below their status, they still chose to hand their beloved yet troublesome daughter to him.

How lucky.