I didn't respond. What was there to say? The limo pulled up to the front of the mansion, and I felt my stomach twist. Two sleek cars were parked out front—both probably worth more than my entire life.
The driver opened the door, and my mom stepped out like she owned the place. I followed, hesitating as I stared up at the mansion.
The front door opened, and a man stepped out. He was tall, probably in his late 40s, with neatly combed hair and a tailored suit that screamed money. Beside him was a boy about my age, dressed casually in ripped jeans and a hoodie. His hands were stuffed in his pockets, and he looked as bored as I felt.
"There they are!" my mom said, her voice suddenly bright and cheerful. "Lila, meet Richard, my fiancé. And that's his son, Andrew."
Richard smiled warmly. "It's nice to finally meet you, Lila."
I nodded stiffly. "Hi."
Andrew barely glanced at me, muttering, "Hey," before looking away.
This was going to be a nightmare. I could already feel it.
I couldn't stop staring at the walls, they were lined with paintings that looked expensive enough to feed a family for a year.
I walked behind my mom as she followed Richard, her heels clicking against the floor. Andrew trailed behind us, his hands still stuffed in his pockets, his head down like he couldn't care less.
"This is the living room," Richard said, gesturing grandly as we entered a space bigger than our entire apartment. "Feel free to make yourself comfortable here anytime."
I stared at the massive couches, the fireplace, the towering windows that stretched to the ceiling. Comfortable? I didn't even know how to exist in a place like this.
Richard turned to me, his smile still plastered on his face. "Lila, I hope you'll feel at home here soon. We're excited to have you."
I forced a smile, but my stomach was doing flips. "Thanks."
"Dinner will be served shortly," he added, glancing at his watch. "But first, let's go to the dining room. I'll have the staff bring some drinks."
Staff? Drinks? This man was on a whole different level. Oh boy, my days of poverty are over!!
As we walked, Andrew finally spoke up. "Do we really need to do this whole welcome tour thing?"
His voice was low, almost a mumble, but Richard shot him a sharp look. "It's important for Lila to feel comfortable here, Andrew."
Caleb shrugged, his eyes flicking toward me for the first time. "She doesn't look comfortable."
I raised an eyebrow, but didn't respond. He wasn't wrong.
"Andrew," Richard cautioned. "Enough."
Andrew rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath as we entered the dining room.
The table was enormous, surrounded by chairs that looked like they belonged in a palace. My mom sat down without hesitation, her movements smooth and practiced, like she'd been living this life for years. Who knows how long she has been visiting him?
I hesitated, standing awkwardly until Richard gestured for me to sit.
"Lila, you're part of the family now," he said warmly. "Please, sit."
I slid into a chair, glancing at Andrew, who had slouched into the seat across from me. He was staring at his phone, clearly uninterested in whatever was happening.
"So, Lila," Richard began, his voice polite. "Tell me about yourself. What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing?"
I froze. What was I supposed to say? I didn't have hobbies. I didn't enjoy anything. Surviving didn't count as a hobby, did it?
"Uh…" I started, my voice awkward. "I like drawing, I guess."
Richard smiled. "That's wonderful! Maybe you can show us some of your work sometime."
I nodded, though the idea of showing anyone my drawings made me want to crawl under the table.
Andrew snorted, finally looking up. "Drawing? That's cool, I guess."
His tone was flat, but there was something in his expression that I couldn't read.
"Lila is going to become a doctor, drawing is just a way for her to calm herself sometimes" Mom chipped in wearing a fake smile.
Before I could say anything, a maid entered the room, carrying a tray with glasses of juice. She placed them on the table, and Richard smiled.
"Thank you, Maria," he said, his voice kind.
I took a glass, my hands shaking slightly. My mom was chatting with Richard, her voice light and cheerful, like she didn't have a care in the world. I watched her, trying to figure out how she could be so comfortable here.
"Lila."
I looked up, startled to see Andrew staring at me.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice quiet, almost hesitant.
I blinked, caught off guard. "Yeah. I'm fine."
He nodded, but his eyes lingered on me for a moment longer before he looked away.
Richard leaned back in his chair, still wearing that loving smile.
"Andrew," he said suddenly, turning to his son. "Why don't you give Lila a tour of the house? Show her around, especially the backyard. I think she'd like the pool and the barbecue area."
Andrew looked up from his phone, his face blank. "You're kidding, right?"