Fated

18. Accept??

                                                                                 Christian POV

I came home after work. Mom was in the living room. I greeted her and sat beside her. "How was your day?" She asks me.

"Dull. To be honest. Same routine. Attend meeting, review files, sign new contract. Same." I say honestly. Although, I like doing work, there are times, when it can be dull and slow.

"Can relate to it. So, how was the plan for the new development project?"

"It's going good. I had meeting with the shareholders. They are hopeful."

"That's nice to hear. Here, the file, I have already read it."

"Okay." I take file from her hand. I opened to read the file. There were some changes in the plan.

"Who wrote these changes, that to with the pencil?" I ask mom.

"Oh that. Jane. She helped me."

"She did."

"Yes. So, what do you think about the changes, she wrote?" Mom inquires.

"They are not that bad. I will read it and then I will decide, whether they are helpful or not."

"That's completely understandable. So, how is things going on lately?"

"What do you mean by that?'

"I mean, how are things between you and my daughter-in-law?" Mom inquires eagerly.

"Mom. We are still awkward with each other. We need time to adjust, to get comfortable with each other. You know, what I am trying to say."

"I know, what you are trying to tell. If you want to understand each other, you have to spend time with each other, for that. If you want to know her, communicate with her." She advice me. It was right advice, if I don't spend time with her, I won't be able to understand her. Her point of views on things and life.

"By the way, where is she?"

"Sleeping. Her cramps. They worsen."

"I see." I says. "Mom, can I ask you something?" She nods her head.

"Did you and dad really accepted Jane as your daughter-in-law?" I ask. 

Mom looks at me, "What do you think?" 

"You guys did accept her as your daughter-in-law." I state the fact. "Didn't you?" I sound confused.

"We haven't accepted her 100%, just like you, we also need time. You can tell 50%, after the wedding, when we came home your dad and I talked about it. I could sense she has always treated us nicely, respected us genuinely. The remaining 50% depends on you two. Whether you accept each other or not?"

"What does that mean?" I ask her. What does she mean 50% depends on us?

"The most important thing for parents are their child's happiness." She speak, "If my child is happy with his partner, I will be more than delighted." 

"You mean to say, if Jane and I are happy with each other, you and dad will accept..."

"Will accept her fully as our daughter-in-law." She completes it.

"Do you think it will happen?" I ask her. She just smiles at me and nod her head. For some reason, she seems confident. As if she knows it will happen. As if it's meant to happen. "You seem confident for some reason." 

"I don't know. It's up to the both of you." She says with a smile. Does mom really think we can? Can we? 

"Okay. I will go and freshen up." I excused myself and went to my room. When I entered my room, I find Jane sleeping on my pillow. She was sleeping peacefully. She looked cute, while sleeping, for some weird reason. I slowly, without making any noise (not to wake her up), went to bathroom.

After changing into my casual wear, I came out, she was still sleeping. I sat on the sofa, began to read the changes she made on the file. Unbelievable. I was impressed by the changes. If we apply the changes, the new restaurant, that we are developing, will definitely be hit. I didn't know, that she can understand business. Impressive. For a mere secretary, she knows about the business.

I look at her. Jane, you really are suspicious. From the day I got to know you.

                                                                              Jane's POV

I don't know, for how long I slept. Probably 2-3 hours. I had the best sleep or nap. I opened my eyes, I sat on the bed, stretching my hands, upwards. I blinked my eyes, once, twice, thrice. It took me moment to be finally awake and come to my senses. I am not alone in the room. He is also in the room. And, now, he is watching me, with great amusement in his eyes. I was taken a back by his presence. Why he is here? Did his work completed early? I was questioning myself. Where as, Christian was staring at me.

Am I looking like a joker? Why he is staring at me like this? Don't look at him. Just act normal. I slid the blanket, and got out from the bed. I feel sky under his gaze. I cover my eyes, with my hand, due to embarrassment. Old habit, when ever, I am embarrass, my hand, automatically or subconsciously, cover my eyes and my fingers rubs my forehead, to soothe me. I walk towards the bathroom. I have to cross him, before going to bathroom.

"Did you slept well?" He asks, when I was about to cross me and walk.

I was standing, while he was sitting, on the same line. Our faces were looking at different direction.

"Hmmm." I replied. Without looking at him.

"I think you slept very peacefully on my pillow." He says, emphasizing the word 'my'.

I look at the bed. Damn, I slept on his pillow. "I didn't mean to. I just..." What to say? I don't have any reason.

"Does my pillow makes you sleep peacefully?" He asks with a playful smirk, which he's trying to hide but fails.

Goodness. He's teasing me. "I don't know." I say and dash to washroom.

After freshen up, I came out. Christian was still sitting there, reading file on his hand. I should not disturb him, I quietly left the room.

I came downstairs, mom was in the kitchen. I decided to help her in making dinner. Even though, they have many house helpers, it feels great to see her cook for the family. It brings happiness to her. When her loved once appreciate the food she cook. She told me once.

We cooked dinner together. It was fun. Mom told me the likes and dislikes of Christian and everyone in the family. She is trying to help me understand them, by telling about them, you know, their likes and dislikes, the thing they love to do and also the things they hate. Helping me to adjust in my new life.

We prepared dinner and set the table. Dad and Christian join us. We have dinner, together.

Christian and I came to room, after dinner. We sat on the day, busy in our phone. When conversation with mom reminds me. I put my phone aside. "Christian, I need to talk to you." I say. I sound serious.

"What happen?" He asks. His eyes still on his phone.

"Today, mom talk to me. About..." I pause. "About our relation." I say. "About us."

"She talked with me, also." He says. 

"I don't know what to tell her." I say honestly, "It's complicated."

"For now, let's pretend happily." He says. 

"Are you serious?" I ask him. I'm concerned over here while he's carefree.

"Let nature take it's course."

"Huh."

"Let's go with the flow." He says. 

"Go with the flow?" I repeat.

"Let's take our time" He advice. "to accept each other." 

"Accept each other?" I repeat. "Are you really thinking about our relation?" I ask him. Is he literally taking this marriage seriously? 

"You know, in Evans family, no couple has ever gotten divorce." He reminds me, "I'm bound to oblige it. No matter what."

"What about Emma and you?" It blurts out, naturally. Damn. Jane. Why did you took her name? Hope, he doesn't get angry. Please.

"Sleep." He says and lie down.