The deafening silence after they surrounded me, as if they had been waiting for someone's order, sent a chill down my spine. My chest tightened until I couldn't take normal breaths while my hands shook uncontrollably. I was frozen, and I couldn't even think anything. All I could feel was the weight of panic crushing my heart, making my vision blurred.
Frightened, I shut my eyes, as if they'd go away if I couldn't see them, and hoped Mr. Wolfe would come soon and save me. But, if they entered so easily, what were the chances of Mr. Wolfe being caught by them already?
"Guns down."
A loud voice echoed in the hall, making me open my eyes. Everyone obeyed the command in an instant, and a man who looked to be in his fifties entered along with a woman of the same age.
My body trembled at the aura they exuded, and somehow, the man resembled Mr. Wolfe. They both stood in front of me, examining me from top to toe.
"Who are you?" His tone was as commanding as Mr. Wolfe's.
"What's happening here?" Finally, I heard Mr. Wolfe's voice.
From the door that connected to the garden area, he entered. He was so calm, as if the people with guns were visible to only me.
My next instinct was to run towards him, as my mind already registered him as someone who'd protect me from danger. Quickly I held his hand, scared.
Mr. Wolfe held my shivering hand assuredly.
"Who is she?" The old man asked, keeping his gaze on our hands that held each other.
"Stop it, honey!" The woman finally spoke and walked towards us, looking at us affectionately. "At least, greet our son first."
After hearing her, the shivering of my body reduced. Finally, I got to see his family, and a wave of embarrassment hit me when I realized I was only in his t-shirt.
Mr. Wolfe smiled and hugged his mother, still holding my hand. She kissed both his cheeks and pulled herself out of the hug, saying, "It's so good to see you. I missed you, baby."
"Missed you too, Mom."
I tried to free my hand, but his grip only tightened, which left me nervous.
"And she is…?" She raised her eyebrows.
"Elira." Mr. Wolfe answered it for me. "A special person to me."
Even though my stomach did a twitch, the reality hit me. Of course! He couldn't introduce me as someone who signed a contract with him in exchange for money.
"Nice to meet you, ma'am."
I quickly bowed my head, showing my respect, but she pulled me into a hug, saying, "No need of such things, and you can call me Maria."
As if I'd dare to do that!
His father approached us, and he gave a look of pride at his son before patting his shoulder as if it had been their greeting of love. Then he looked at me, asking, "So, Ms. Elira! What's your full name?"
"It's Elira Yung, sir."
He narrowed his eyebrows, mumbling, "Yung?"
Then he looked at his son, posing multiple questions with his eyes, for which Mr. Wolfe only answered, "Yes! She's not from our circle…"
His father cut him off, seriously. "Then why did you drag her into our circle? What's going on between you two?"
"Nothing!" I stepped forward. "Nothing is going on! We have some sort of business relationship; that's it."
Mr. Wolfe glared at me for a moment before keeping his gaze on his parents. His parents looked at each other, probably wondering what business relationship a girl like me would have with Mr. Wolfe. That too, wearing his t-shirt.
Maria interrupted when her husband was about to question more on it. "Okay, let's all freshen up first. We'll meet again for breakfast."
She then walked to one of the rooms along with her husband. I turned to Mr. Wolfe, saying, "Mr. Wolfe! I think I should leave."
"You can't leave. She'll be expecting you at the breakfast."
"But…" I looked at my appearance.
"I'll have someone get clothes for you. Go and freshen up."
I nodded my head and then got ready after wearing the new dress Mr. Wolfe left for me on the bed. We four met for breakfast, and while they three talked about some things related to business, I kept quiet. By their words, I realized Mr. Wolfe's father's name was Benjamin Wolfe, who took care of everything until Mr. Wolfe came of legal age. They were enjoying their retirement and they returned to the country as they wanted to visit their son. Great time! They saw a girl wearing their son's t-shirt.
"Ms. Yung!" Sir Wolfe looked at me. "You said you had some business relationship with my son. What business?"
"Dad…" Mr. Wolfe tried to speak for me, but I interrupted him.
"Mr. Wolfe helped with my sister's treatment, so I… I act as his assistant and help him with basic things."
"A special person acting as an assistant?" Sir Wolfe scoffed.
Maria elbowed him, signaling him to stop asking anything more. Then again, I kept quiet, and after breakfast, Maria invited me to chat with her in the drawing room, which I couldn't refuse.
"You look beautiful." Maria said while focusing on her drawing.
I took a peek at the drawing of a beach, which was indeed amazing and beautiful, and then took a sip from my teacup.
Maria put her pencil down and crossed her arms, looking at me. "I gave you a compliment."
"Oh!" It was a surprise that the compliment was directed to me but not the drawing. "I thought you were complimenting your drawing… Thank you so much, ma'am."
A small smile appeared on her lips as she took her teacup near to her lips in the most elegant way. Everything of hers was elegant, unlike me. Her walk, dressing style, and even the way she held things.
"I told you to call me Maria."
"I don't think I can…" I politely refused. "You are Mr. Wolfe's mother. I dare not…"
"Do you love my son?"
I nearly choked on my tea after hearing her. "What? No!"
I didn't think about my tone when I gave her my answer, and I only hoped it didn't come out as a rude reply.
"Then is my son in love with you?"
I shook my head as negatively as I could. "Like I said, Madam Wolfe, it's just a pure business relationship…"
She interrupted me. "My son never introduces his business partners or clients as someone special to him, so you better be careful."
A lump formed in my throat, and a strange sensation left my body in the cold.
"No… it's…"
"Forget it. Tell me about your family."
We then had a normal chat about my family, her recent trip to Europe, and many other pointless things that I didn't expect I'd share with Mr. Wolfe's mother. Unlike him and his father, she was quite approachable, friendly, and easy to talk to.
She then showed me their photo album, which left me smiling after seeing Mr. Wolfe's childhood pictures. He looked so cute and innocent, making me feel like if he met his older version, he'd scare himself to death.
"It seems you covered the majority of the world." I said after looking at their album, which was covered with many places.
"Mostly because of business. What about you?"
"I didn't go to many places, but I'd love to visit."
"You should."
We then again talked about various things until Mr. Wolfe's voice interrupted us, and we both turned our heads in unison to look at him, leaning against the door.
"It seems you guys are busy."
"Keiran!" His mother smiled. "Come, baby. Join us."
"Sorry, Mom! Elira should leave. She needs to visit her sister today."
I didn't promise Mira about it, but according to Matthew's plan, I had to lie to Mr. Wolfe that I promised to visit her and I needed to buy clothes and books for her. The purpose of our plan was destroyed and the lie remained.
Maria then hugged me, saying, "I loved your company. I'd love to see you and talk to you again."
"I loved talking to you too. See you again."
We then bid adieu, and during our drive to the hospital, I couldn't help but smile, remembering Mr. Wolfe's childhood pictures and his mother's sweet words.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing." I shrugged my shoulders. "You looked cute."
"What did you say?" He looked at me in disbelief.
"In your childhood pictures." I smiled at him. "And also, I love your mother. She's so sweet."
He didn't reply and kept quiet. Then the drive fell silent, and after we reached the hospital, he said, "There's an upcoming business meeting, and we have to go somewhere else."
"To where?"
A gentle smile appeared on his lips as he looked into my eyes, and his answer shocked me.
"To Paris."