Author pov
At Mariano mansion the atmosphere was peaceful, the TV playing morning news softly, maids moving around quietly, and Jay sitting comfortably between her mom and dad, eating grapes like aa little princess. Celina, meanwhile, sat stiffly ---- legs crossed, fingers twisting together nervously.
Jasfer sharp eyes caught it immediately.
He coughed once.
Loud.
Purposefully.
Jasfer : " Celina... Do you want to say something.? "
Celina froze.
Her throat dried instantly.
Jeana : " Celi.... What's going on? "
Celina opened her mouth.
Close it.
Opened again.
Nothing came out.
She was literally sweating.
Suddenly ----
Jay popped her head up like a mischief fairy.
Jay : " Dad, I want max bro as my brother-in-law. "
Celina : " Whattt! "
Her eyes widened so much she almost fainted.
Jasfer : "... Celina. Who is he? Don't be afraid. Say it clearly. "
Celina swallowed hard.
Her hands were shaking.
She looked at Jay with "you are dead"eyes.
But Jay smiled innocently.
Munching grapes.
Finally... Celina exhaled deeply.
Celina : " Dad... Mom... It's Maxwell Watson. "
Silence.
Literally silence.
Even the maid stopped walking.
Jasfer & jeana : " Max?! "
Jay (nodding happily like a bobblehead) :
"Mm-hmm! Max bro! "
Celina : " For six years.... We've been together... Secretly. "
Jeans : " Six.... Years.?! "
Jasfer almost fell from sofa.
Jasfer : " You both kept it hidden for six years ? "
Celina burst into tears.
She covered her face.
Jay immediately slid to her and wrapped her arms around her big sister.
Jay : " Cece, don't cry... I'm with you. "
Jeana hugged Celina.
Jasfer stood there in shook but slowly melted seeing Celina sobbing.
Jasfer ( softening) :" Celina... Why didn't you tell us? "
Celina sniffed.
Wiping tears.
Celina : " I didn't know how you'd react... Dad, Max is a good man. He loves me. And I love him. "
Jeana nodded, holding her hand.
Jay hugged Celina tightly.
Jasfer finally sighed deeply.
Jasfer : " We can make it official. "
Celina froze.
Her tears stopped.
Celina : " R - Really.? "
Jasfer smiled warmly.
Jasfer : " If my daughter loves him, that's enough. "
Celina hugged her parents, crying and laughing at the same time.
Celina looked at Jay suspiciously.
Celina : " And you.... How did you know? "
Jay blinked.
Jay : " Mmmm.... I heard you crying yesterday night. And you were talking to someone on the video call. I peeked.... And saw Max bro. I told mom and dad everything today morning"
Celina : " You.... You sneaky little..... "
Jay ran behind jeana.
Jay : " Mooommmyyyy she's gonna kill meeee! "
Everyone laughed.
The whole mansion filled with warmth again.
At Watson mansion
While the Mariano family was still in shock and hugging.
On the other side world... In London, UK....
Max Watson was standing in front of his parents.
His palms sweaty.
Heart beating fast.
Throat tight.
He had made his decision.
It was time to tell them.
Keizer sat on the sofa reading business files.
Serina was sipping tea quietly.
Max inhaled deeply.
Max : " Dad.. Mom... I need to tell you something. "
Keizer immediately lifted his brows.
Keizer: " What happened? You look like you're going to a war. "
Serina softly smiled.
"Tell us, Max. "
Max close his eyes for a second.
Then:
Max : " I'm in love. "
Both parents froze.
Serina nearly dropped her cup.
Keizer blinked.... Again... Again.
Keizer : " Huhh!? "
Max : " For six years.... I've loved the same woman. "
Serina widened her eyes.
Keizer leaned forward with full attention.
Serina : " Six years?! Without telling us?! "
Max nodded silently.
Keizer crossed his arms.
Keizer : " Who is she? "
Max inhaled.
Max : " Celina Mariano
CEO of celpex industries in NYC
Daughter of jasfer Mariano and jeana Mariano.
She has a little sister. "
Serina looked at keizer.
Keizer looked at serina.
Then both looked at Max.
And Max stood there thinking.
"They are going to kill me for hiding it for six years. ".
But instead....
Serina smiled softly.
Serina : " A CEO. Independent. Strong. Successful. "
Keizer : " You are really like me... Choosing strong woman. "
Max's ears turned red.
Max : " So.... You agree? "
Serina walked up to him and hugged him.
Serina : " If she loves you and you loves her.....then yes, we agree. "
Keizer placed a hand on his shoulder.
Keizer : " Make it official, son. "
Max felt his heart burst with relief.
His eyes even watered slightly.... But he wiped it fast because "big CEO man " Can't cry in front of his parents.
The two sides.... Same time
At the Mariano mansion, Celina was crying in jeana's arms while Jay held her tightly.
Jasfer was giving her approval.
At the Watson mansion, Max was hugged by serina as keizer proudly told him to make it official.
Neither family knew....
That soon.....
They were going to become one.
And the moment Jay and keifer meet again.
Everything will change.
To be continued...