The Vayne mansion looked like something straight out of a magazine—towering glass walls, delicate indoor plants, soft gold lighting. Dozens of Arion's relatives moved around like a well-organized army preparing for a royal visit.
The Vayne mansion had hosted political elites, foreign CEOs, and even a prince once.
But today?
It prepared for something far more dangerous:
Meeting the future in-laws.
Arion Vayne stood near the entrance in a crisp charcoal shirt, watching his family move around like they were preparing for a royal inspection.
His uncle checked the wine twice.
His grandmother argued over whether Lian should sit next to Arion or opposite him.
Farrah, his cousin, was plotting 37 different ways to embarrass him.
And his mother…
His mother was the problem.
Elegant, cold, impossible-to-please Eleanor Vayne folded her arms.
"Middle-class family or not, they should behave with dignity."
Arion's jaw tightened.
He didn't reply.
He knew arguing now would only fuel a fire.
But inside, he was already irritated.
Meanwhile, at the entrance space, Lian Veris stood frozen.
He could hear his heart pounding louder than the chatter of his own family behind him.
His mother straightened his shirt.
His father whispered encouragement.
His little sister checked his hair like she was prepping him for a beauty contest.
None of it calmed him.
The man Lian had met at the office, whose eyes made him forget what language he spoke for a second.
The man he would soon be engaged to.
And now, their families were meeting.
Together.
In one room.
No escape this time.
Inside the mansion
Arion's massive joint family was buzzing around him.
"Is he tall?"
"Is he polite?"
"Does he work with you?"
"Do you like him?"
Arion shot Farrah, his cousin, a warning look when she repeated the last question three times.
But his grandmother smiled knowingly.
"You've already met him, haven't you?"
A soft pause.
Arion shifted slightly.
"…Yes."
Before the interrogation could continue, the doorbell chimed.
Everything fell silent.
The Vayne staff opened the door, and both families stood face-to-face.
The Veris family—simple, warm, a little nervous.
The Vayne family—grand, polished, slightly intimidating.
Then both families suddenly burst into polite greetings, bowing, handshakes, smiles.
Except Arion and Lian just kept staring.
Farrah nudged Arion's shoulder.
Lian's sister whispered, "Bhai… breathe."
then Arion is relax himself while all are greeting each other.
But Eleanor Vayne's eyes scanned the Veris family like she was assessing clothing quality, upbringing, social ranking… everything. She smiled, but it wasn't warm.
"Welcome. I hope the traffic wasn't overwhelming for you."
Lian's mother, sweet as always, replied,
"Oh no! We took the bus! Very convenient!"
Arion closed his eyes for a second.
Farrah almost choked on her own laughter.
Eleanor's polite smile cracked for half a second.
Through the polite chaos, Arion and Lian faced each other.
Lian whispered,
"Hi… again."
Arion's voice softened.
"Nice to see you. You look…"
He hesitated.
"…nervous."
Lian glared lightly.
"Who wouldn't be?"
"Don't worry," Arion said quietly.
"I'm here."
That stupid line made Lian blush so hard he pretended to look at the floor tiles.
-------------Inside the Family Hall-------------------
Relatives filled the huge living room.
Arion's uncles admired Lian's father's modesty.
Lian's mother gushed over the mansion's décor.
Arion's grandmother held Lian's hand and whispered,
"Don't worry, dear. We don't bite."
Meanwhile, Arion watched Lian from the corner of his eye.
Lian looked overwhelmed but composed—answering questions, smiling politely, glowing slightly under the soft lights.
At one point, Farrah dragged Lian into a conversation:
"So… you two met earlier, right? At work?"
Lian's eyes widened.
Arion almost choked on his own breath.
"It was just—" Lian began.
"Professional," Arion finished quickly.
Both families noticed something in the tone.
Something not entirely "professional".
Something changed.
Then came the first real hit. Arion's aunt whispered just loud enough for everyone to hear:"Such simple clothes… The Veris family must be very humble."
Lian's mother smiled awkwardly.
His sister's face turned red.
Lian felt his stomach twist.
Before he could react, Arion stepped forward.
"Their clothes are elegant. And respectful."
His tone was sharp, a warning.
The room fell silent.
Lian looked up at him—surprised, grateful, a little emotional.
Eleanor narrowed her eyes.
Farrah whispered to her brother,
"Wow. Protective already?"
Arion elbowed her lightly.
Dinner: Two Worlds at One Table
Dinner seating became war.
The Vaynes wanted Lian far away so they could "observe his manners."
The Veris family wanted him near Arion for comfort.
Arion just wanted him close.
Eleanor said,
"Lian can sit here."
—pointing to the far end.
Farrah immediately countered,
"No, no! Engagement candidates sit with their partners."
Lian's sister whispered,
"Yes! Put Bhai next to the handsome rich guy!"
Arion coughed.
Lian nearly died on the spot.
In the end?
Grandmother Vayne ended the argument:
"Arion. Lian. Sit together. Everyone else, stop behaving like toddlers."
They obeyed instantly.
After dinner served Eleanor commented,
"Engagement arrangements can be quite… expensive. I hope your family is comfortable with that."
Lian's father replied proudly,
"We saved for Lian's future."
Arion clenched his jaw.
He hated the subtle insult.
He deliberately placed food on Lian's plate, saying quietly,
"Ignore her."
Lian whispered,
"I'll try. But your family is intense."
Arion smirked.
"Wait till you see them at festivals."
But the worst came when Eleanor asked Lian directly:
"Do you believe you can adjust to a family of our… stature?"
Lian froze.
Before he could answer, Arion snapped:
"Mom. Lian has more class than half the people you've invited to this house."
The entire table went silent.
Lian stared at him—eyes wide, heart pounding.
Eleanor stared at her son like he had committed a crime.
The Veris family didn't know whether to be proud or terrified.
After dinner, Lian escaped to the garden balcony.
Arion followed seconds later.
"Sorry about them," he said softly.
Lian exhaled.
"Your mom hates me."
"She hates everyone," Arion corrected.
"But that doesn't matter."
Lian frowned.
"It matters to me."
Arion stepped closer.
Close enough that Lian could smell his cologne—warm, crisp, expensive.
"I'll handle it," Arion said.
Firm.
Certain.
Protective.
Lian swallowed.
"Why?"
Arion looked down at him.
"Because you're going to be my partner. And I don't let anyone disrespect you."
Lian's ears turned pink.
"Arion…"
Arion smiled slightly.
"Relax. You're doing better than you think."
Lian hesitated.
"Do you think this engagement… will work?"
Arion leaned in just an inch.
"I'm sure of it."
Their eyes met, soft and lingering.
Inside, their families continued arguing over dessert.
Outside, something new blossomed between them.
Something warm.
Something dangerous.
Something promising.
✨ Bonus Scene: "Operation Future In-Laws"
Farrah Vayne's POV:
If anyone asks, I am calm.
Graceful.
A well-behaved lady of the Vayne family.
…Except I'm absolutely NOT.
Because today Arion's future husband is visiting, and I have been preparing like a detective in a crime movie.
Notebook in hand? ✔
Pen ready? ✔
Popcorn hidden behind the flower vase? ✔
Eyes locked on Arion like he's the main character in a telenovela? ✔✔✔
And when the Veris family stepped inside?
OMG.
They were adorable.
Especially Lian, who looked like a nervous bunny standing in a lion's palace.
A very cute bunny who has my iceberg-cousin wrapped around his finger.
I mean—did Arion actually smile?
Voluntarily???
Without anyone forcing him???
I nearly fainted.
Then my dear Aunt Eleanor started doing her usual "I am the queen of the universe" face.
Ugh, here she goes.
Eleanor: "Such simple clothes. How humble."
Lady, PLEASE.
Stop being the final boss villain of this family.
Lian looked like he wanted to disappear.
The poor thing is already shaking more than my phone on vibration mode.
But then—
OH THEN.
My cousin, my emotionally constipated, grumpy, cold-hearted CEO cousin…
Arion DEFENDED HIM.
Like a knight in a corporate fairy tale.
Arion: "Their clothes are elegant. And respectful."
I screamed internally.
THIS IS IT.
THIS IS LOVE.
LOVE IS HAPPENING.
SEND THE ENGAGEMENT RINGS.
CALL THE WEDDING PLANNER.
And when Eleanor attacked again, Arion shut her down so hard even I felt the heat.
Conclusion of the evening:
Lian is preciousArion is absolutely whippedEleanor needs therapyI need a front-row seat for the future drama
Lin Veris's POV:
Okay listen.
I thought today would be calm.
Normal.
Peaceful.
HAHAHAHAHAHA.
Nope.
Not even close.
Because the Vayne mansion is so big that I swear I walked 2000 steps before even reaching the living room. I should get paid for this cardio.
Also, the chandelier alone probably costs more than our entire neighborhood.
Like— hello??? Why is it glowing like the sun???
But the real highlight?
ARION VAYNE.
When he walked into the room, my jaw almost fell off.
Who looks like that?
Tall, cold, expensive-looking… like every CEO in every drama mixed into one.
No wonder Lian was sweating.
My poor big brother tried pretending he wasn't nervous, but I saw it.
His ears were red.
He kept fixing his hair.
He almost tripped on the marble floor and blamed the "gravity."
Then there's this Farrah girl—Arion's cousin.
She kept watching them like she was judging a cooking competition.
10 points for tension.
Minus 2 for blushing.
Bonus score for spicy eye contact.
Honestly? I like her.
But then THE MOTHER appeared.
Arion's mother.
Eleanor Vayne.
The moment she entered, the temperature dropped by 15 degrees.
She didn't smile—she evaluated us, like we were some discounted items at a supermarket.
Eleanor: "Engagement expenses can be… overwhelming for some families."
Lady, please.
We are middle-class, not endangered animals.
Relax before I hide the silverware.
Lian froze.
Mom awkwardly smiled.
Dad looked like he was having an internal meltdown.
I wanted to smack someone with a decorative vase.
But then…
Arion stepped in.
My man—sorry, my brother's man—shut his mother down like it was nothing.
Arion: "Mom, that's enough."
Arion: "Respect them."
Arion: "They're my future family."
HELLO???
Future WHAT???
Lian's face turned red from his neck to his ears.
I nearly exploded with excitement.
Then they went to the balcony.
Obviously, as a good sister, I followed them (from a totally respectable distance in the shadows).
And what I saw?
EMOTIONAL TENSION.
EYE CONTACT.
ALMOST-TOUCHING.
LOW VOICES.
SOFT MOMENTS.
Peak romantic drama energy.
At this point, in my head:
They're already married.