The room stayed quiet.
Tiana could feel Dare's hand still holding hers.
Not because he was trying to show his father anything.
Because he knew.
He knew she wasn't comfortable.
And somehow, that made her even more determined not to look weak.
Dare's father slowly walked down the stairs.
His eyes never left her.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"So this is Tiana."
Dare answered before she could.
"Yes."
His father looked at him.
"I asked her."
The small correction made the room colder.
Tiana swallowed quietly.
"I'm Tiana, sir."
A pause.
"And what exactly do you do?"
The question sounded simple.
But somehow, it felt like an interview.
Tiana held his gaze.
"I'm still building myself."
His father's expression barely changed.
"Building?"
"Yes."
She nodded.
"I believe everyone starts somewhere."
The silence that followed felt heavier.
Dare's mother watched her carefully, but she didn't interrupt.
His father leaned slightly against the staircase.
"And what does that mean exactly?"
Tiana took a small breath.
"It means I'm working towards something. I may not have everything figured out yet, but I know I'm not standing still."
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Dare looked at her.
There was something in his eyes.
Pride.
Not because she impressed his father.
But because she stayed true to herself.
His father finally looked away.
"Interesting."
The way he said it made Tiana unsure if it was a compliment or a warning.
Dare noticed immediately.
"Dad."
His father looked at him.
"What?"
"You don't have to make this difficult."
A faint smile appeared on his father's face.
"I'm asking questions."
"No."
Dare's voice remained calm.
"You're testing her."
The room went silent again.
Tiana looked at Dare.
She had never seen him speak to his father like that.
Not with anger.
With confidence.
His father studied his son for a few seconds.
Then he looked back at Tiana.
"Come. Let's eat."
And somehow…
That was more frightening than an argument.
Because Tiana knew this was only the beginning.