Made With Love ✔

Chapter 28: Leila's Welcoming Party

3 weeks later...

Lance's POV:

"Cupcake, what if-"

"They will adore you, Lance, stop worrying and get in the car. The plane will be here to pick us up in an hour and we still have to go through security." Vanessa cut me off. I knew I was worrying too much, but can you blame a guy, I'm going to be meeting almost everyone in her maternal family. First impressions always give me the jitters.

An hour flew by and before we knew it, we were sitting on the plane. I hadn't flown in a plane for more than 2 hours, so I was a bit concerned to be in it for 5. Vanessa was looking out of the window, thrilled at the prospect of flying. 

    "Lance, you have been on a plane before right?" She asked, taking my hand in hers. 

  "I have, I'm just not a fan of flying," I answered truthfully.   

"Oh, Lance. Don't worry, nothing is going to happen. You will have me to keep you company. We can watch a movie or read all these magazines and books!" Her eyes lighting up with excitement. I chuckled at her child-like elation. 

  "I see you two have settled in. We will be departing in a few minutes, Miss Wellington. Would you and your guest like something to drink before we take off?" Florence, one of the flight attendants asked, directing her question to Vanessa. 

    "Florence, please just call me Vanessa. And this here is my..um-"

   "Friend, Lance Fields." I helped her out, shaking the woman's outstretched hand. 

  "Ah. Well, Ms. Vanessa and Lance, please let me know if you need anything." 

Once she was out of earshot, I turned to Vaness who looked defeated. 

"Cupcake, you okay?"  

  "Lance, I should probably tell you more about myself. I don't want you walking into something blindly. My father is-"

   "Vaness, I know who your father is. Mr. Wellington of Wellington Enterprises. And you are the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Wellington, heir to the entire Empire. It doesn't change a thing between us. I lo-like you for you, not because of who your family is." I told her, looking into her eyes that could make any man fall to their knees. 

    "But how? Every guy wants me for the empire." She looked surprised like no one has ever told her these things. 

    "Sorry, Cupcake. Not this one." I told her, pulling her close to me and just when I was about to kiss her, the plane angled itself, the inertia keeping us apart. She giggled at the expression on my face. Oh, she wanted to giggle, did she? 

    The plane righted itself and Florence came out with two flukes of the bubbly stuff.

      "Don't worry, Vanessa. I know you don't drink. It's sparkling apple cider. Figured you two should celebrate. Our flight time is 4 hours. Have fun, you two!" She told us, placing the flukes on the table. 

    "So you've never tasted alcohol? Wow. That is amazing for a college student." 

Vanessa's POV:

      I giggled, at his look of awe and surprise. I gave him a fluke and took one myself. 

   "Sparkling apple cider is a great substitute at occasions. To meeting my maternal family and hopefully surviving." I toasted, clinking the flukes.

   "And being an amazing woman." He added, making me blush.

  We drank the rest of the cider and then I took him on a tour of the plane. Before we knew it, we were about to land in LA.

     "See, that wasn't so bad!" I told him, as the plane began its descent.

       "Only because I was distracted by you." He chuckled, intertwining his hand with mine.

       We landed, thanked Florence and Capt. Jack, collected our luggage and went to a waiting van. I saw that our driver for the wedding was Hank, a close childhood friend.

      " I haven't seen you in so long, Hanky!" I said as I hugged him.
     "Well, now I'm your father's, right-hand man. Didn't I say not call me that? Come on, your father is waiting at the venue." Hank replied, putting our bags in and hopping in the driver's seat.

       "So who's this man?"

        "He's my friend and roommate, Hanky this is Lance Fields. Lance, Hank my ex-bodyguard." I introduced them.

     We arrived at the Welcome Party and we were greeted by my parents and my Aunt Victoria. 

     "Who is that fine hunk of a man you have there?" Aunt Victoria whispered in my ear when she hugged me. I pulled away and the hidden smile on Lance's face told me he had heard. 

   "Lance Fields, Vanessa's friend and her plus one. Nice to meet you." He greeted her, hand outstretched. My Aunt ignored the hand and went straight for the hug. He looked surprised by pleased. 

    The same thing happened with every lady he met at the Welcome Party. The men all just shook his head and looked at my father in surprise. Some even when up to him and had a whispered conversation. 

     Throughout the night, we had fun, drinking, eating, and dancing with my family. Lance seemed to get along well with them. As the night came to a close, we headed up to our room, 876. 

     When we pushed open the door, it revealed a suite with two bedrooms, a kitchen, and dining table. Our rooms were already set up, our suitcases on the racks. After taking all of that in, I called out to Lance, 

  "I'm going to turn in for the night. Good night, Lance." 

He poked his head through my doorway, 

    "Sleep well, Cupcake." 

Lance's POV:

     As I laid in bed, I thought of the mixed reactions I received today. The ladies all seemed happy to see Vanessa with someone, but the men were whispering about and offered me a stiff greeting. I don't recall doing anything to offend them. Hmm, I wonder if it has something to do with her father.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Hey guys!

What could the men all be whispering about?

 Is there something brewing beneath the surface?

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Next Update: August 27th

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