~His Palace, His Family, My New Home~
It was only the second time I was meeting his parents, but the first after Raffy and I had officially gotten together. My stomach twisted in knots, but he seemed even more nervous than me—his usual confident self was suddenly quiet, lips pressed tight, shoulders tense.
I reached out, gently brushing back the strands of his hair, squeezing his hand.
"Hey," I whispered. "Relax. I'm here with you, okay?"
He didn't answer, just looked down at me with that boyish nervousness that made him seem so different from the Raffy I knew in hostel corridors.
When we reached the gates, I froze. This wasn't just a house. It was a palace—a sprawling villa that looked like it belonged to a billionaire. Tall white walls, an iron gate with gold designs, gardens stretching farther than my eyes could see. I thought, *yet he lives in a hostel?* He worked part-time jobs to earn money, always saying he had to handle things on his own. Why did he hide this?
Before I could say anything, he rang the bell. I instinctively dropped his hand, scared someone might see.
He turned sharply, staring at me, his jaw tightening.
"Sometimes it feels like you're not serious with me," he muttered.
"What? What rubbish!" I frowned as we stepped inside.
"Then why did you let go of my hand?" he asked, grabbing it again firmly.
I rolled my eyes, tugging my hand free. "What is this, Raffy? Are you craving puppy love right now?"
He glared at me, biting his lower lip.
"Shut up," I hissed, whispering as a guard opened the door. "Someone might see."
"I'm not scared. You are," he challenged.
"I'm not!"
"You are."
"No, I'm not!"
"Yes, you are."
We kept bickering in whispers until suddenly—
"Why are you two fighting?" a voice cut through.
His mother stood at the doorway, smiling warmly. I froze, then darted behind her like a child.
"Aunt, he's saying I'm mannerless!" I complained, pointing at Raffy.
His mother laughed, pulling me into her arms. "No, darling. You're not. He's just senseless sometimes."
"Mom!" Raffy groaned, rolling his eyes. "You were ill, remember?"
She chuckled. "Maybe I was."
"Mom!" he whined again, but she only hugged me tighter, walking me inside like I was her daughter.
The lounge was vast, filled with sunlight and expensive furniture, but what caught me was the way his mom's hand stayed on mine. As if I belonged here.
His father soon appeared, tall and dignified, but the moment he saw Raffy, his face lit up. He hugged him tightly, then turned to me, resting a hand on my shoulder. Warmth radiated from him, the kind of warmth I hadn't felt in years.
It struck me then: this was a family. A pure, complete family.
We all sat in the lounge. Raffy tried to act casual, but he was happy—shocked happy. He included me in every conversation, nudging me closer to him, asking me to sit beside him. His father's expression softened every time Raffy mentioned me.
For the first time, I saw Raffy laugh freely with his parents.
"Wateen," his mom said suddenly, "we've never seen a girl as innocent as you."
Before I could blush, Raffy yelled, "No she's not! She's just acting. You know what she does with me in hostel?"
"Raffy!" I gasped.
He leaned forward dramatically. "She steals my food, makes me do her assignments, and keeps bullying me. And worst of all—she never lets me hold her hand in public!"
"Aunt, Uncle, don't listen to him!" I said quickly. "You trust me, right?"
They laughed, nodding. "Of course, we trust you."
"That's not fair!" Raffy groaned. "At least one of you should take my side!"
We all burst into laughter.
Their energy amazed me—so amiable, so friendly, so frank. Not like stiff parents who set rules, but like best friends. They made me feel like I had always belonged there.
Soon, his mom stood. "Raffy, show her around the house. I'll prepare dinner."
His dad switched on the TV. Raffy grinned, immediately reaching for my hand again.
I snatched it away, smirking. "Oh, Mr. Complainer, weren't you just telling your parents how evil I am? Now suddenly you want to hold my hand?"
He laughed, caught me again, pressing my hand to his chest. "I was just joking."
"Uh-huh. Sure. I should file a complaint against you," I teased, poking his side.
He leaned close. "Go ahead. They'll still love you more than me."
I rolled my eyes, giggling as he dragged me into the hallway.
The house was breathtaking. Long corridors with marble floors, chandeliers glittering overhead. A lounge bigger than our entire hostel wing. Rooms upon rooms—guest rooms, study rooms, each more beautiful than the last. There was even a gym, a swimming pool in the backyard reflecting the sunset, and a rooftop garden with a view of the whole city.
"Do you live in a palace or what?" I whispered.
He smirked, "Would you like to be its queen?"
"Shut up," I said, shoving him lightly, though my cheeks burned.
Finally, we reached his room. He hesitated. "I haven't been here in two years. Everything must be changed."
He pushed the door open—and froze. Everything was exactly the same. Posters on the wall, trophies lined neatly, books stacked, and the bed perfectly made.
I gasped. "It's beautiful."
"This…" Raffy's voice cracked. "This will be your room too."
I squealed, jumping onto the bed, sprawling across it. "Mine now!"
"Hey!" he shouted, diving onto the bed, pinning me down. "Don't you dare deceive me!"
I laughed. "Never."
He stared for a moment, then locked the door, walking back slowly with that mischievous smirk I knew too well.
My heart raced as he lay beside me, arm circling my waist, pulling me close.
"Where do you want to go for our honeymoon?" he asked softly.
I brushed his hair back, smiling. "Wherever my honey wants."
He bit his lip. "Then let's just stay in the room."
I laughed, pushing his chest. "We're not married yet."
"Why? Don't you want me to quickly?" he teased, tightening his grip.
"Nope. I don't even want to marry you," I said stubbornly.
He leaned closer. "Then I'll kidnap you."
Just as his lips hovered near mine, a knock rattled the door. I shoved him off. "Someone's here!"
"The door is locked," he whispered, kissing my ear.
"Shut up and open it before they think wrong!" I hissed.
He groaned, unlocking the door. The maid peeked in. "Madam is calling you both."
Her eyes fell on me, lying on the bed. She smirked. "Are you two in love?"
Raffy grinned. "Wow, you guessed right."
"No we aren't!" I smacked him, blushing furiously.
The maid chuckled. "He never lets any girl enter his room. Not even Madam. But you—lying on his bed? Obvious enough."
I yelped, covering my face like I was crying. "It's not like that!"
Raffy waved her off. "You can go now."
When she left, he knelt beside me. "Isn't it good? I can do whatever I want in front of everyone now."
I pulled my hair dramatically, shouting, "Ahhhh!" and stormed to the dining room.
His parents were waiting at the table. I sat quickly, cheeks red. Raffy entered behind me, grinning.
As dinner began, he suddenly asked, "Why are you both so… changed?"
His parents looked at him. "We're not changed, Raffy. We've always loved you. You're our only hope to live."
Something inside me broke. My chest tightened. No one in my family had ever said words like these.
"Aunt… Uncle…" I whispered.
His mother smiled. "Why don't you call us Mom and Dad like Raffy?"
I froze.
"You know," his father added, "we always craved a daughter but never had one. And now look—we've got the most precious daughter."
Tears stung my eyes. I nodded slowly.
Raffy wiped them quickly, whispering in my ear, "Call them Mom and Dad—but never think of me as a brother. Otherwise…"
I burst out laughing, earning curious stares.
"You two look like a newlywed couple," his father chuckled.
Raffy smirked, squeezing my hand under the table. "What if I make that true?"
His mother gasped. "Really? You two love each other?"
"No!" I exclaimed. "He's just stupid."
"She's lying," Raffy said smugly.
I smacked him. "Behave!"
His father laughed. "Look, a wife scolding her husband already."
I blurted, "Dad, you too!"
Everyone froze. I gasped, covering my mouth.
Then his parents broke into laughter, Raffy grinned, and I—well, I felt something I'd never felt before.
This wasn't just Raffy's house. This was home. His family felt like mine. For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged, like I had a mother who loved me, a father who cared, and a place where Raffy wasn't just my love—he was my future.
And sitting there at that dinner table, it felt like I was already married, living in my in-laws' house, with Raffy by my side.
A gift. A godsend. Him. His family. A new beginning.
Author's Note:
Ahhh my heart is still fluttering after writing this chapter 🥺✨ What did you feel reading it? Did it make you smile, cry, or secretly wish you were sitting at that dinner table too? Tell me all your thoughts—I love reading your guesses, theories, and little reactions. They mean the world to me, and I'll be here to reply to each one with the same love you give me.
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