Taking A Chance On Love || m.t.

五 The Next Level

I looked through the car window at the surprisingly normal house in front of me, unsure whether I wanted to cry or throw up. As Mark pulled into the driveway, I could see curtains fluttering as if someone was peeking through. After he parked the car, I quickly reached for Mark's hand and lightly squeezed it. Turning to me, I saw him flash me an adorable smile, but I was way too nervous to bask in his affection.

"I'm not sure I can do this, Mark. I know this is an important step but I'm terrified I'll mess up or disappoint," I told him shakily.

He laughed gently as he tucked a stray curl behind my ear.

"There's practically no way you can disappoint or mess up. I've told my parents all about you, and they can't wait to meet you," he said.

"You sure you aren't just saying that to make me feel better? If anything, you had it easy. My parents have practically adopted you at this point," I said as my anxiety continued to mount.

Mark's meeting with my parents was one I wished desperately to have, because after my dad pretended to be tough for all of 2 seconds, he immediately accepted Mark. My parents only worried about me dating a celebrity, but Mark being the charismatic charmer managed to both take responsibility and ease my parents' concerns to the point that they ignored me for the rest of the day and kept talking to only him.

I pouted at the memory, wishing it was that easy for me.

"I think you're forgetting that time your dad took me into his office to talk. He won't allow me to tell you what was said but let's just say...your dad can be quite terrifying," Mark said as he shuddered slightly. "But trust me, my parents already like you, you have nothing to worry about."

"Yeah, but you're obviously biased toward me so what if their expectations are too high?" I asked worriedly, picking at my bracelet.

"That won't happen, I know it. I know how my parents are, and I know they're gonna like you just as much as I do, if not more. My mom, for one, has been nagging me to bring you over for weeks cause she wants, and I quote, 'to see the girl who makes my son giggle at his phone like a little girl'," he said as he air quoted his mom comically.

I laughed, a little of the anxiety ebbing away as I imagined Mark giggling at his phone whenever I texted him.

"I know you're doing this to make me stop overthinking, so thanks. I do feel a little better," I said with a smile as he placed a kiss on my forehead.

"We've got this, and I'll be right here the whole time," Mark said sweetly before getting out of the car. Coming back around, he opened my side of the door and held out his hand for me to take as I got out of the car. Once I was out, he wrapped an arm around my waist and we walked to the door, where his parents were standing.

Somehow, Mark's parents were exactly as I'd imagined them to be after everything he'd told me about them. His father Raymond was of average height, slightly graying hair, and light laugh lines around his twinkling eyes, reminding me of my own dad, who was a total teddy bear around those he loved. Immediately, I felt calm in front of him. I then looked over at his mother Dorine, who was a petite lady with a very proper bearing, yet her eyes also seemed soft and kind, disarming me almost immediately. I was inwardly surprised at how Mark's parents reminded me of my own, but I kept my expression polite out of respect.

As we got closer, Mark let go of me to hug his parents, and they immediately enveloped him in their arms, smiling even as they gently scolded him for taking so long to come home. He laughed gently as he then beckoned me to come closer.

"Mom, Dad, this is my girlfriend Essie," he said as he took my hand in his and gave me a reassuring squeeze.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Tuan. It's nice to meet you," I said nervously as I reached out to shake their hands.