Bumping Accident | Englot

Chapter 17

Engfa's POV

In two hours, I'll be meeting Charlotte's dad, and I feel like I might have a heart attack from nerves. I mean, is it customary to meet the parents before going on a date? She didn't even offer any advice on what to do. I've never met anyone's parents before. I can't help but think back to Wednesday when I woke up and she wasn't there, but finding that she had made something for me in the kitchen made me so happy.

Charlotte's been through a lot, and I want to take things slow to ensure she's comfortable with everything. I've never really had a girlfriend before, so this will be new for me. Right now, I'm standing in front of my closet, contemplating what to wear. After what feels like ages of searching, I settle on grey tailored pants and a white short-sleeved printed t-shirt. It's not too cold outside, so a t-shirt should suffice.

I think about picking up something for Olivia and Charlotte's mom on the way over, so I hurry to get ready to ensure I have enough time. I'm not really into makeup, so I quickly fix myself up. I'm unsure about what shoes to wear. Meeting the parents of someone you like is hard. Most of my shoes are vans, so I settle on the checkered ones. I grab my car keys and head out the door. I'll take the Audi; I don't feel like driving the Porsche today.

My first stop is the mall to find something for Olivia. I'm not sure what a toddler likes, but I think I'll get her one of those big dog plush sleep pillows since Charlotte mentioned she wants a dog. For her mom, I'll settle on flowers. I would get something for her dad too, but since I've never met him, I'm not sure what he likes. I quickly grab everything and pay. Before I know it, I've reached Charlotte's house. I sit in my car for about ten minutes, giving myself a pep talk before mustering the courage to go in.

I grab everything and take about ten deep breaths before making my way to her door. I knock and wait. Charlotte's mom opens the door, which helps me relax a little bit.

"Hey Engfa, how are you? Please, come in," she says, gesturing for me to enter.

"Hi Kathy, I'm doing well, thank you," I reply, and she gives me a quick hug.

"I got you flowers. I wasn't sure what you like, so I got you lilies," I gesture to the flowers.

"Oh, sweetie, you didn't have to. Come on, let's go sit down," she says, leading me to the living room.

As soon as I walk in, a body crashes into me.

"P'fva p'fva, I missed you," Olivia says.

"Hey, sweetheart, I missed you too. You've gotten taller since the last time I saw you," I say, picking her up, which causes her to start giggling.

"Look at what I got you," I show her the toy, which makes her jump out of my arms, take the toy, and go sit on the couch.

"Fa, you didn't have to. You're spoiling her," Charlotte says as she walks toward me.

"Oh, I wanted to. She is the sweetest girl, and this definitely does not count as spoiling," I say before Charlotte can respond.

Before I know it, a man clears his throat, and I turn around to see him. We're about the same height; he's just slightly taller, and he looks much bigger. Charlotte forgot to mention that her dad is like Hulk 2.0.

"You must be Ms. Waraha," he says. My heart is pounding in my chest right now.

"Yes, nice to meet you, Mr. Austin," I say, holding my hand out for him to shake. He grabs it, and I swear he's squeezing way harder than he should.

"Dad, let her go," Charlotte mumbles next to me.

"These flowers look amazing," Charlotte's mom says as she walks in with the flowers in a vase, causing her dad to let go of my hand.

Is it too late to go back?

"I see that you're bribing everyone. You should know that the innocent act won't work on me," he says as he sits down.

"Dad, stop," Charlotte says. I'm literally about to have a heart attack.

"Sit down," he gestures toward the couch, and I quickly take a seat. Olivia moves to my lap and starts playing with her toys.

"Do you have a house?" he questions.

"Yes, I do. It's close to the mall," I answer.

"What about a car?"

"Yes, I have two cars."

"What kind of cars?" Why does that even matter? Is he trying to rob me or something?

"An Audi and a Porsche," I answer.

"Mmm, so a rich kid, I see," he says.

"What do you do?" he asks. This is starting to feel like a job interview. All I keep telling myself is don't stutter.

Olivia is just humming to herself, playing, not even caring that I might die soon. At least she's living her childhood and having fun.

"Dad, stop, at least let us have dinner first," Charlotte glares at him and says.

"Honey, I'm just asking her questions so I can get to know her better," he says.

"Yeah, get to know where and how to kill me. Maybe I should have said my goodbyes before coming here," I think to myself.

"I don't really have a specific thing that I do. I own a club, so I'm usually there," I answer.

"The club that's near here?" he questions.

"Yes, sir."

"No wonder it's so loud all the time. We can never have a quiet time," he says.

"Well, sorry about that. I'll have a talk with my manager."

"Oh, honey, no need. David is just joking," Charlotte's mom says, nudging her husband.

Charlotte's mom and dad start whispering, which makes me nervous. Charlotte slowly comes and sits down next to me. She kisses Olivia on the head and turns toward me.

"Don't let him scare you. He's just overprotective."

"Are you sure, cute eyes? Because it looks like he's going to kill me," I say. She hits my shoulder and starts laughing. I don't know why she's finding this funny. I'm basically shaking in my shoes.

"You'll be fine, sweetheart, and if it makes you feel better, I'll save you if he tries to kill you."

"That totally makes me feel better," I say sarcastically. She quickly turns around, looks at her parents, then looks back towards me and kisses my cheek, which makes me slightly less nervous.

"Alright, I'm gonna go check on dinner. Charlotte, can you come help me, please?" Kathy asks.

Oh god, no, why are they leaving us alone? Please say no, please say no.

"Yeah, sure," Charlotte says, and I literally feel like I've died and come back to life. She takes Olivia from my lap. I look at her frowning, and she just smiles at me and mouths that I'll be fine. No, I won't. Why did I agree to this?

"Be nice, Dad," she says and leaves.

Well, thank you for at least warning him. Now I can die in peace thinking that you at least tried. They leave, and the room is silent. He's staring at me, and I'm trying to avoid his gaze.

"So, why don't we go to the backyard to talk," he says, drawing out the word in a way that makes me extremely nervous.

"Umm, why can't we talk here?" I ask, immediately regretting it because of the way he's glaring at me.

"When I ask you to do something, Ms. Waraha, please don't question it."

"Yes, sir, sorry," I feel like I'm in the military.

"Get up and follow me," he adds, and I just nod. I am going to die today. The day has finally come.