Chapter 26: CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: DINNER DATE

"That's just the reality; some things are better left alone than taken care of."

My hands began to move, halting on his chest. He gazed at me, waiting for the next move. 

"I totally understand you." I let out a smile, leaning closer to him. 

His lips suddenly seemed moisturized, strawberry at the very least, and were pulling my senses to it. His hands sitting pretty on my waistline sent jolts of electricity up my spine. I wanted him so suddenly. 

He lowered his head, his lips barely touching mine while his breath worked magic on my neck. 

"Maybe I can understand you too." He whispered in my ear. 

"Maybe," I nibbled on his lips. 

He lowered his head further, about to kiss me when something began to vibrate in my trousers. 

"A minute." I giggled, drawing my phone out of my pockets. 

I put it on the receiver, waiting for the person on the other end to speak up. 

"Artemis Darling." Mother's voice creeped out of the phone. 

"Mother, How are you doing today.? 

"I'm good, darling. Just wanted to be sure about your whereabouts in case you need us to contact a driver or skip tonight's dinner."

"There's no need for that, Mother. I'm not far away from home. I'll be there by dinner; I promise."

"Oh, can you invite Alexander over for dinner?" She asked. 

"He'll be there."

She squealed. "That's good to know." The connection cut off. 

He stared at me, and I stared back. The kiss wasn't going to happen again if that's what's on his mind. 

"My mom said I should invite you over for dinner." I romanced his chest. 

"I have no plans for tonight, so I'll take that as a dinner date." He bit my ear slightly.

"Stop it," I said playfully. 

We had barely had a conversation when we figured it was dark. Alexander had changed into something more befitting and corporate than his singlet and pair of Louis pants. 

I and Alexander arrived at my house an hour later. He had asked several questions about how he looked and if he was fit to be my boyfriend in the eyes of my parents. 

"You're perfect," I assured him before we left the car. 

"Prince of Height." Mom had called as she swept him into her warm embrace. "Glad you could join us tonight for dinner."

"I'm so glad to be here, Madam." He flashed her a smile, bringing up a designer bag from his hands. "This is for you, Mademoiselle."

"This is beautiful." Mom replied, her hands holding onto the latest fashion collection of Chanel products. 

"Mr. Mercedes, I'm so welcomed to be here." Alexander left to meet my father, who was so happy to see him. 

"It's nice to see you after all those years in homeroom." My father chuckled. 

To think my father had taught Alexander when he was a child was the one thing next to believable for me. It all began to look like a setup in my eyes…

"Just kidding." They laughed hard, taking themselves in for a bro hug. 

I wouldn't have been able to recover if my dad actually thought Alexander. It would look like the matchmaker performance they've ever worked on. 

"Sit down; dinner's ready." Mom reached out to us as she arranged the dishes on the table with the help of Catherine. 

We all got seated round the dining table, about to savor the nutritious meal that had been brought in. 

"It's such a pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Mercedes. I've heard quite a lot about you from your daughter Artemis. You're wonderful parents; I applaud you for that.". Alexander said.

"It's nothing. We've always just done what we thought was best in the long run and tried to fix our mistakes along the way." Dad responded.

"It's surprising to see Artemis getting along with a man nowadays. You must be the perfect person for her to make such a choice." Mom teased. 

"Mom!" I giggled. 

"It's nice to see you together, actually. You'd make a pretty good couple." Dad suggested. 

"Who knows, maybe you and Artemis would one day seal in your relationship and make it official on the court." 

"Thank you, Mrs. Mercedes."

"Merci." 

It felt really nice seeing Alexander and my parents move along so well. He wasn't as complex as Jamie, who would have said more than what needed to be said or done something unimaginable with touches of silence. 

Maybe I needed a man in my life after all. Alexander could definitely be that man. He cared for orphans just like I did and also made sure everyone around him was feeling refreshed and okay. 

He is a symbol of joy in my life, and I can't deny it.

"Dad, Mom, I have a confession to make." I let out.

"Did you smash a glass cup again in our absence?" Mom said worriedly. 

"The company didn't go bankrupt, did it?" Dad questioned almost immediately. 

"None of that." I reached out to Alexander, holding his hand. "I and the Prince of Heights, Alexander, here are in a relationship."

"We are?" Alexander's eyes widened as he gazed at me. 

"We are." I let out a smile. 

"That's beautiful. You guys make quite the couple, don't you think, Honey?

"Yeah, they do." My father responded. 

Catherine rushed in from the living room, halting the conversation we were having. She bent forward, whispering something into Mom's ears. 

"Let her in."

"Okay, ma'am." Catherine ran back, her breath seizing with every step. 

"Hello everyone, I'm home." A feminine voice crawled in from the living room. 

"Come on in." Mom let out a smile, her eyes fixed on the door behind her. 

A young lady strode in. She was dressed in one of the Mercedes Cocktail gowns and had one of the beads passed down to the offspring’s of the Mercedes. 

My curiosity became too much to keep in. "Who are you?"

"I almost forgot to introduce myself. My name is Bella Mercedes."