Mission Love - Chasing Mr. Right ✓

Twenty- two

Recap: I met Roy Family.

"Namaste- uh.."

Shoot! How should I address them? Uncle, Aunty? No it'll be too much.

"Uh.. Mr. and Mrs. Roy," I stammered, pressing my hands together in a gesture that felt both formal and clumsy.

Mr. Roy chuckled, patting my head lightly. "Oh, no need to be so formal! Come, let's have dinner," he said warmly, easing some of my nerves. Still, I couldn't help glancing at Mrs. Roy, who hadn't said a word yet. Gulp!

As we stepped into the grand house, Ryan placed a hand lightly on my back, guiding me inside. The space was breathtaking—gleaming marble floors, intricate wooden carvings, and a chandelier so massive it looked like it belonged in a palace. The faint scent of jasmine mingled with the overwhelming aura of wealth.

"You okay?" Ryan whispered, his breath tickling my ear.

"Define okay," I muttered, forcing a tight-lipped smile.

The dining area could've been ripped straight out of a luxury catalog. A pristine tablecloth, embroidered napkins, and enough food to feed a small army were arranged with almost intimidating precision.

I sent a silent prayer to the universe. Because, this wasn't just dinner—it was a battlefield.

Mr. and Mrs. Roy took their seats across from us, their smiles polite but reserved. Mrs. Roy darted sharp glances between Ryan and me, her gaze like a scalpel dissecting us.
Piece by piece.

"So, Aisha," she began, her voice sweet but edged with steel. "Ryan hasn't told us much about you. What do you do?"

I felt Ryan shift beside me, his knee brushing mine under the table.
A signal? A warning?

"I, uh, I work-"

"She's an intern at my company," Ryan cut in smoothly, leaning back like this was the easiest conversation in the world.

His father nodded, looking pleased. "That's good to hear. I must say, Ryan doesn't usually bring people home. This is...different."

"Well, Aisha is different," Ryan said, casually sipping his water.

Heat crawled up my face.
Seriously? That's your compliment? Couldn't you try harder?

His father chuckled, amused, but Mrs. Roy wasn't so easily distracted. Her sharp gaze locked onto mine.

"And how are you finding Ryan?" she asked.

I froze. Finding him as a what?
As a boss? As a person?
As a potential... whatever this was?

"He's...great," I managed, plastering on what I hoped was a convincing smile.

Her silence stretched uncomfortably long before she dropped the bomb.
"Do you live together?"

The question hit me like a sucker punch. I choked on my water, spluttering violently. Oh shit!
Crap! crap!

"No! Um, no, we're not... on that level," I stammered, my cheeks burning.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ryan's fork paused mid-air, his lips twitching as if suppressing a smirk. Was he enjoying this?
Of course, he was.

"That's fine," Mrs. Roy continued smoothly, her tone like a knife wrapped in silk. "You can still take care of him, right?"

My brain screeched to a halt.