The car rolled down a long, winding road, past row after row of luxury vehicles parked in front of the sprawling estate. Finally, it stopped before a stately colonial house, standing proudly in front of the newer, sprawling structures that had sprouted around it. The house was a striking contrast to the modern developments encroaching on its grounds with its white-painted brick gleamed in the soft glow of the evening, framed by bold black shutters and tall, rectangular windows. A steep, gabled roof rose sharply above, crowned with dormers that seemed to reach for the sky. The broad front porch, supported by evenly spaced columns, spanned the entire width of the house, exuding a sense of timeless elegance.
While the colonial home remained the heart of the estate, its surroundings had shifted. To either side, sleek, glass-walled extensions, high-rise wings, and expansive courtyards sprawled out: evidence of the family's growing need for space. These modern additions had clearly been designed to complement the old world charm of the house but they could never quite overshadow its imposing presence.
The manicured lawn stretched toward a path leading up to the front steps, but there was no mistaking that the colonial house was the centerpiece of the property, even as its borders were reshaped by progress. As they approached, the front door swung open, its smooth motion almost anticipatory. A poised figure appeared in the doorway, their smile a perfect mix of warmth and refined charm, ready to usher them into a world where history and luxury intertwined seamlessly.
Ren's father was exactly as described; broad-shouldered, cheerful-eyed, his grin as welcoming as the scent of home-cooked food spilling from inside. "Ren!" he boomed, pulling his son into a hearty hug before turning to Noelle. "And you must be the famous Noelle! We've heard so much about you."
Noelle flushed, bowing slightly as she smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Ong."
"None of that Mr. nonsense — Uncle is fine," he said warmly. "Come in, come in. Dinner's almost ready!"
Ren's mother emerged from the kitchen then, a neat bun, crisp blouse, the kind of woman whose presence filled the room even when she didn't speak. Her expression was composed but not unkind as her eyes swept over Noelle.
"So you're Noelle."
"Yes, ma'am," Noelle said quickly, nerves tightening her voice.
Mrs. Ong nodded slowly. "Welcome. Please, make yourself comfortable."
Ren leaned close, whispering with a smile, "That's her version of a hug."
Noelle bit back a laugh, and to her surprise, Mrs. Ong's lips twitched just slightly as if she'd heard.
When dinner was finally served, they all sat at the large oak dining table, the clink of silverware filling the space between quiet questions and soft laughter. Noelle found herself surprisingly at ease with his dad cracking jokes, Ren teasing his mom about her strict portion control, and his mom simply observing, a soft smile curving her lips as she silently judged Ren's overly familiar antics.
"Is there anything you're allergic to, Noelle?" his mom asked gently, her tone just shy of being overbearing.
"No, nothing," Noelle replied with a smile, relieved. "I'm pretty easygoing when it comes to food."
Dinner was a lively spread of home-cooked dishes consisting of fragrant soup, stir-fried pork, grilled fish and an unfamiliar bowl of bright green pods. Noelle eyed the strange, fuzzy peapods curiously.
They looked harmless enough, though a little… hairy.
Not wanting to appear rude, she picked one up with her chopsticks and popped it straight into her mouth. The texture was unexpected, soft on the outside, oddly fuzzy on her tongue. Her expression froze for a second as she tried to chew with dignity, unsure if she was doing it right.
Across the table, Mrs. Ong noticed. Without a word, she picked up a pod, gave it a light squeeze and the peas inside popped neatly into her bowl. She ate them calmly, glancing up just long enough for Noelle to catch on.
Realisation dawned on Noelle... and so did the mortification.
Ren, completely oblivious, was happily eating. "Oh! This one's my favourite — edamame!" he said cheerfully, grabbing another handful.
Noelle shot him a look that could curdle milk. "Is it now," she muttered under her breath, forcing a polite smile as she copied Mrs. Ong's method and squeezed the peas out.
Ren's father laughed good-naturedly at her expression. "First time, ah?"
She nodded sheepishly, and even Mrs. Ong's lips twitched with the faintest hint of amusement. The small mishap seemed to melt the last of the tension at the table and by the time dessert came around, everyone was laughing more freely, the earlier stiffness replaced by an easy, genuine warmth.
Noelle answered carefully, her tone respectful but honest. To her surprise, Mrs. Ong's sharp gaze softened bit by bit, especially when Noelle mentioned her part-time tutoring job and how she helped her mother manage the household when she's back at home on weekends.
At one point, Mr. Ong laughed so hard at one of Ren's teasing remarks that he nearly spilled his soup and even Mrs. Ong couldn't suppress a faint smile.
When the plates were cleared, Ren's father disappeared to make tea, leaving Noelle and Mrs. Ong momentarily alone.
"You care for him," Mrs. Ong said simply, it was not a question, but a statement.
Noelle nodded. "Very much, ma'am."
Mrs. Ong's eyes softened, just for a moment. "He's a good boy, though he doesn't always show it the right way. You both are still young, so make sure you put your focus on your studies."
Noelle blinked, touched by the quiet wisdom beneath the words. "I'll remember that."
Ren appeared again then, cheerful and a little flushed from helping his dad with the tea. When he saw the two women sitting together: one serene, the other visibly relieved, he exhaled in exaggerated relief. "You're both still alive. That's a good sign."
His mother shot him a look that could cut glass, but Noelle burst out laughing, tension melting away.
By the time they stepped out of the Ong household, the evening air felt almost liberating. Noelle exhaled deeply the moment they reached the car, pressing a hand to her chest. "I can finally breathe again," she muttered, half laughing.
Ren chuckled as he opened the car door for her. "You did great," he said, eyes still bright from amusement. "Even my mom smiled. That's a record."
"She twitched," Noelle corrected, sliding into the seat. "That doesn't count."
Ren grinned, starting the engine. "Still counts. She didn't even scold me for taking too much rice this time."
The ride back was quiet in the most comfortable way. Noelle laughed softly, resting her head against his shoulder as city lights flickering past.
"You have a lovely family, Ren."
"Yeah," he said, his tone warm and full of affection. "And you fit right in."
When they finally pulled up in front of Noelle's building, Ren leaned back, hesitating for a beat before saying, "So… can I stay over tonight?"