Chapter 915: Chapter 915 Seal
Excitement swirled inside Carrie, but so did nerves.
She imagined her mother’s probing questions, her father’s stern gaze.
Would they approve of Ross? Would they see what she saw in him?
Or would they only see the headlines, the fame, the controversies surrounding his name?
Carrie turned on her side and hugged her pillow tightly.
For the first time in her life, she felt like she was stepping into a future of her own choosing.
Terrifying, yes—but exhilarating too.
This weekend would change everything.
***
The days slipped by faster than Carrie expected, and before she knew it, the weekend had arrived.
From the moment she woke up that morning, her stomach was full of butterflies.
She had spent hours deciding what to wear, only to change her outfit three times before settling on something simple yet elegant.
It wasn’t just any date—it was the day Ross would meet her parents.
The house was alive with energy. Pots clattered, the oven hummed, and the rich aroma of spices and simmering dishes filled every corner of the kitchen.
Carrie moved quickly, sleeves rolled up, carefully slicing vegetables with the precision of someone determined not to let even a single detail go wrong.
Her father leaned against the doorway, arms folded as he watched the table fill up with plates.
"Are you sure your boyfriend can eat all of this, Carrie? Honestly, it looks like you’re preparing to feed ten people."
Carrie didn’t look up from her chopping, her brows slightly furrowed in concentration.
"It doesn’t matter, Dad. As long as he likes everything, that’s more than fine with me."
Her father raised a brow, amused at her seriousness.
Her mother, standing by the stove, caught his eye, and the two exchanged a knowing look.
It was easy to see—the love bug had bitten their daughter hard.
The way Carrie had been smiling to herself lately, the way she hummed little tunes while folding laundry, the way she blushed whenever her phone buzzed... it was written all over her.
Her mother shook her head fondly.
"Look at her," she whispered, half to herself. "So focused. I remember being like that."
Her father chuckled. "We’ve been there before, haven’t we? Done all this and more."
"Mm," her mother agreed softly, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Love really is one of the strongest feelings in the world. That’s why we’ll help her. No point in teasing too much. This is a big day for her."
They stepped in without another word, joining Carrie in the preparations.
Her mother stirred pots and tasted sauces, while her father moved chairs around the dining table and set out extra dishes.
Carrie noticed, her heart warming at their silent support.
"Thank you," she murmured, her voice almost breaking from the lump in her throat.
Her mother touched her shoulder gently. "That’s what family’s for."
Despite their reassurance, Carrie couldn’t calm her nerves.
Every tick of the clock made her chest tighten.
She found herself glancing at her phone every few minutes, checking the time, waiting for Ross’s message saying he was on his way.
Would her parents approve of him?
Would they see the Ross she saw—the man who made her laugh, who listened to her, who made her feel like the only girl in the world?
Or would they only see the headlines, the scandals, the fact that he already had wives?
Her knife slowed on the cutting board as those thoughts weighed on her. She wasn’t naïve.
She knew the truth about Ross.
But she also knew how he made her feel—cherished, chosen, loved.
That was something she couldn’t let go of, no matter what her parents might say.
Her father noticed her hesitation. "Nervous?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Carrie bit her lip and nodded, finally setting the knife down. "A little. Maybe a lot."
Her parents smiled knowingly. Her mother gave her hand a squeeze. "That just means it’s real."
The words eased her heart, if only a little. She drew in a breath and forced a smile.
Soon, very soon, Ross would walk through their door, and everything would change.
Everyone in the house was buzzing with excitement, but nothing could have prepared Carrie’s parents for the moment Ross arrived.
When the door opened, Carrie’s father was the first to react.
His eyes widened, and his jaw almost dropped.
"Oh my God... tell me this isn’t true, Carrie," he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of shock and disbelief.
The look on his handsome face was almost comical, and Carrie stifled a giggle behind her hand, though her cheeks burned red.
Her mother, ever composed, quickly stepped in.
"Don’t be like that, dear. He’s our guest," she said smoothly, masking her surprise with polite grace.
She walked forward, extending a hand toward Ross. "Please, come in, Mr. Oakley."
Ross inclined his head slightly, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Ross. Just Ross. We’re family now, after all," he said confidently.
His voice was calm, charming, and carried the quiet authority of someone used to commanding attention without raising his tone.
As he stepped inside, Ross’s eyes briefly wandered—politely, of course—but he couldn’t help noticing Carrie’s mother.
She was striking, radiating effortless beauty, the kind of elegance that came from confidence rather than effort.
Her posture, her smile, the soft shimmer in her eyes—it all drew his attention for a fleeting moment.
It seems my girlfriend’s mom is also quite the beauty, he thought silently, filing the observation away.
Ross refocused instantly. Tonight, Carrie was the priority.
He approached her with a gentle smile, taking her hand briefly before letting go.
"You look even more beautiful today more tjan ever," he whispered just enough for her to hear, making her cheeks flush.
Carrie’s mother cleared her throat lightly, and Ross turned to give her a polite nod.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for welcoming me into your home."
Her father, though still wide-eyed, stepped forward with a tentative smile.
He still hasn’t gotten over the identity of his daughter’s boyfriend.