After the Business Trip

Chapter 18

A/N:  Here is another chapter and I hope you enjoy it. 

Ae POV

I know that this is the first time that I've spent time at Pete's house, but I already feel like this is home. This is the exact kind of feeling that I used to have when I was living with my grandmother. Pete's mother shows her love for Pete and me in everything that she does. It has been several years since I have felt something like this, and I don't want to lose it. This is what I've always wished that I could have with my parents, but I have given up on that idea years ago. I know that it had upset my grandmother, but there wasn't anything that I could do about it. My parents were too worried about other things to think about what was happening to their son.

I sigh and look out the window. It has been so many years since I've thought about my parents this much. Being with Pete and wanting my parent's approval has stirred up these feelings again. Even though I thought that I had dealt with this, it is clear that I still have lingering issues about this. Well, who wouldn't?

I glance around the beautiful garden. My grandmother would have loved to have something like this. Even this little sunroom makes you feel like you are right in the middle of everything. Technically, it is but you can enjoy the view without the bugs and the weather bothering you.

However, it doesn't seem to help me clear my mind of my worries about my parents. No. That seems to stick regardless of what I try.

As Pete walks into the room, he chimes, "So, this is where you have been hiding out. I have been looking all over for you. I guess I should have started with the garden first."

I glance over at him as he sits down in the chair next to me. "Sorry. I was trying to think about a few things."

Pete reaches over and gently caresses my arm. "You still worrying about what your parents are going to say?"

I turn my focus back out to the gorgeous flowers and the garden, as I nod my head. "Yes. I keep trying to play the conversation through in my mind and see if there is a way for them to not be against us, but I'm not having much luck."

"Hey, you don't know that they will be against us. You haven't even talked with them yet, so don't start to worry over something that hasn't happened yet."

Oh, I know what he is trying to do, but there is one thing that I do know about my parents and that is that want everything to look the best, so it doesn't impact their business. When I was younger, my parents would actually take me to social events along with my grandmother. However, my grandmother put her foot down when she realized that my parents were only doing it to make everyone think that we were one big happy family.

I still remember the argument that my parents and grandmother had that night when we got home. I may not have been that old, but that particular event has always been stuck in my memory.

*** Flashback ***

My grandmother stands in the middle of her living room and scowls at my parents. "You only did this for show! You never once took your son with you because you wanted to be with him for a bit! Do you have any idea how hard it was to not explode back there? My own son and daughter-in-law using their own son for some sick kind of benefit for their business! I didn't raise you to act like this!!"

My father shakes his head and leans forward, as he growls, "We love our son! We didn't do this for some show!"

My mother nods her head. "Yes. We love him."