What Love Is

Speak love

"So..I wanted to ask"Caesar's sleepy voice echoed in my ear.
"You don't have the time to ask any questions Mr Banks , my parents will be here any minute from now"I tried to get him up from bed.
"..so I wanted to ask"He pulled me back down , and I knew there and then he wouldn't let me go till I answered the question.
"Yes darling"I said through gritted teeth.
Mom and dad blatantly called last night and asked to see both Caesar and I in the freaking morning!.
"You won't get mad if my parents came over for breakfast  one of these days right?"
"Of course not"I shook my head.
"Good! , Cause they'll be here in 10minutes"He smiled , finally getting up on his own free will.
"Wait what?! , Caesar what are you smiling about?"I gasped.
"You'll see. Relax sweetheart , I'm gonna freshen up"He leans in giving me a quick kiss before heading into the bathroom.
I gawk at his retrieving form.
Is he crazy?!..my parents and his parents under the same roof? When mine haven't even agreed to this relationship?
...Aye, he's crazy.

***
"You look familiar"My dad keenly stares at Caesar after their brief handshake.
Caesar simply smirks to that. I glance at him.
He definitely knows something I don't.

"Please have a seat "He gestures to the living hall.
"Thank you "My mom keeps on a straight face .
"Do you want anything before we talk? "Caesar politely asks.
"I want to know what you want with my daughter young man"My dad's tone heightens.
I gulp.

Took him long..I thought he'd skip pleasantries..
Not now.

"I deeply care for Kayla Sir "Caesar answered.
"Well I just don't understand why a handsome and wealthy fellow like yourself would be in love with a regular girl who can barely fend for herself..."
"Mom!"I sputtered.
Is that what she really thought of me?.
"Excuse me ma'am but Kayla here is much more(he took my hand).. than that"
"She certainly is"Susie came in from the hallway.
" We know our daughter better than you strangers could!"Dad growled.
"Oh you do?"I dropped a tear.
"Kayla , watch it" my mom scowled.
Caesar tightened his hold on my hand.
"I love your daughter for who she is ,and I do intend to marry her"He speaks boldly , his voice surprisingly calm.
"I don't believe you"my dad sneered.
"Susie dear , I couldn't find your bracelet in the backseat either— George?"Mr James shocked state slightly left us all curious.
"Jam..James?..Banks? Is that you? Oh my good friend?!."My dad stuttered , running over to James with open arms , the man unhesitatingly did same.
I turned to Caesar confusedly , he  chuckled.
"Hold on..."He whispered .
"....I thought you'd never come back here"
They seemed to have forgotten our existence.
"Well you know me , I wanted to expand the company and I thought of coming back home with the family but we do  travel once in a while "James  replied
"Ah , knowing you , I'm sure you mean a lot James"My dad laughed .
"You got that right"James winked.
"why didn't you try to find me after so many years..."
"Oh George , I definitely tried , but your number from high school didn't go through and I heard you moved so I really didn't know what else to do , my wife can testify to that."James affectionately pulled Susie to his side.
"Wait..."My dad seemed to finally realize the real case at hand , looking at James ,then back to Caesar , spotting their resemblance. I definitely began to understand how this friendship of theirs could help Caesar and I .
"...Yes George , Caesar is my son , and I'm glad , oh you have no idea how pleased I am that he's somehow managed to bring back my dear friend to me"James nodded.
"Kayla , is a smart girl George , she's actually got a brilliant personality which I'm sure comes from you if  I clearly remember how smart you were back in college."
" James! , don't embarrass me"My dad laughed out loud.
I blinked profusely ,  switching my gaze to my mom who was seemingly in a hushed conversation with Susie ,a smile on her face.

What's happening??

"Babe?"I tugged Caesar's arm.
"Hm?.."He looked down at me , a smug smile on his face.
"Pinch me please.."I mumbled , glancing at James hugging my dad once more before introducing him to Susie , my dad did same with Mom.
"I could kiss you slow instead.. that'd certainly be productive on both sides"He sheepishly grinned.
"Did you know ?"I ignored the tingling feeling that came with his statement.
"I only found out from my mom last week during my business trip , She prompted me about a 'George Wills' who seemed to be mentioned occasionally by father. I simply hoped it was the same man when I realized how advantageous this could be for us sweetie"He gazed at me , casually tugging a lock of my curly hair behind my ear. I smiled , touching him , I giggled when he wiggled his eyebrows just to calm me down.
"Look at them , so delightful aye?"Susie chuckled.
My mom and dad both switched their gazes on us.
"My friend , please do give them a chance , I know my son well enough , he hasn't been this willingly vulnerable.."
"Father—"
"Caesar I'm trying to make a point here."James cut him off and I hid a smile , glancing at Caesar's uneasy state.
"He's been dissolved in work since I handed over to him , and he's not a man easily distracted but I saw a change the day he came back home to talk to me , he was worried , ..and it was just because Kayla didn't pick up his calls ,George , I was stunned , my own son getting worked up over a woman"
"That's when we decided to meet her , to make sure she wasn't one of those opportunists ..she mesmerized us with her passion for success , her beauty ,  her novels, drawings , business ideas and her genuineness..we knew she wasn't just a regular girl"Susie said the last words staring at my mom , she looked down.
"...I was just being cautious , Kayla is still very naive"Dad muttered.
"But I guess , we've always thought of her that way , she's obviously more than that"Mom surprisingly stated , stretching out to grasp my dad's hand.
"George , how about we give them a chance"She added.
"...."My dad stared at I and Caesar's linked hands , he sighed.
"I suppose you're right , we've always underestimated her , she can take care of herself enough"
I gasped , registering the information.
"You want me to marry him??"I slurred out in shock.
"Is it just me or that didn't come out right?"Caesar chuckled , quietly muttering to me.
"I want you to be happy , I never really liked you being distant and always lost in your world of thoughts..and I did listen to everything you said that day about Caesar...I hope he's what you've been waiting for"My dad gave me a genuine smile .
Another tear dropped.
"I hope you're hungry , I have a dining hall of breakfast varieties awaiting you"Caesar broke the silence.
"I'm starving darling , we had to skip breakfast if I wanted your dad here on time "Susie took to her heels , leading the way.
My mom nodded , following her.
"Don't tell me you're still a slow eater"My dad smirked patting James shoulder as he followed mom's pace.
"It's a die hard habit , can't help it"James said in between laughs.
I pulled Caesar to the side .
"I didn't cook breakfast and I sure know you can barely—"
"Hey hey..relax , I ordered a breakfast feast when you were busily showering. I wasn't planning on killing our family with my incredible cooking skills"He shrugged.
"..."I hugged him out of the  blue.
He laughed softly , securing my neck.
I couldn't control the tears that snaked down my cheeks , I felt Caesar tense in mild confusion.
"Sweetheart ,  what is it?.."
"You're here"I sobbed.
"I am...and I'm not leaving anytime soon , we've waited long enough for this.."He assured me.
"You know what this is?"I sniffed , hearing a burst of laughter coming from the dining hall.
"...amuse me.."He chuckled.
"It's breakfast calling out to me"I joked.
"...well ...this is love but you could say that too"He barked a soft laugh , arms circling around my waist . I sniffed in his cologne for the thousandth time. It was a regular habit to  reassure me that all of this wasn't  an incredible dream.

Or you could just get pinched.
You really need to sh..

Fine fine , I'll shut up now..