Chapter 91 First Meeting with His Parent
Quinn's POV
"Mom, you're not asleep yet?" Grayson asked his mother. He also seemed surprised by his mother's presence.
Mrs. Talon looked me up and down and then stared into my eyes. "I'm here, which means I'm not asleep," she replied.
Oh, it looked like this meeting wasn't going to go well. I mean, not because I was thinking badly of her, but because Mrs. Talon's tone and gaze were completely unfriendly. It was as if she was judging me, and it seemed like the score she gave me wasn't very good.
"We were thinking of meeting you this morning," said Grayson. He then put his arm around my waist. "But since you're here now, let me introduce the beautiful woman next to me, Quinn Blair Roux."
I extended my hand. "Good evening, Mrs. Talon, I'm Quinn."
Mrs. Talon didn't shake my hand. Instead, she folded her arms. "Who are you?"
I didn't have time to answer before Grayson interrupted. "She's my girlfriend."
Although Mrs. Talon was very calm, I could clearly see her eyes widened.
I wanted to scold Grayson for answering immediately instead of explaining slowly. But it was too late. Now Mrs. Talon knew, and she didn't seem to like it.
"Is it true that you're my son’s girlfriend?"
This time I answered. "Yes, I'm Grayson's girlfriend. We're dating."
"Since when?"
"Six months ago," Grayson replied.
"Six months ago, but you only decided to bring her home now?"
"If Quinn hadn't asked me to visit you, I wouldn't have brought her here."
"Grayson," I called softly, intending to remind him not to escalate the situation.
"Don't lie, Grayson. I know when you're lying," Mrs. Talon said probingly.
"I'm not lying," Grayson protested.
"Then let her answer my questions and you just be quiet."
I pulled Grayson's arm. "Your mother is right," I whispered.
I didn't blame Mrs. Talon for being suspicious. Grayson was too hasty, even though his tone sounded convincing.
But on the other hand, I was also grateful that Grayson was willing to help me answer. Because if I answered, I would tell the truth, and that might get me kicked out right now.
I mean, who would believe that we love each other when we've been dating for less than an hour? Besides, not everyone knows what we've been through before finally deciding to become lovers.
"Okay, say you're my son's girlfriend. Why are you dating him? What are your intentions?"
"Mom!"
"No, it's okay, Grayson. Your mother is just asking and she just wants to know," I said, calming Grayson down.
At that moment, Grayson was breathing heavily with his hands clenched tightly. But luckily, he was willing to obey.
In the end, I dared to look at Mrs. Talon more boldly. I thought, if Grayson was defending me, then I couldn't ruin this moment.
"Come on, answer me. I can't wait any longer. It's cold here," she urged.
"Then let's go inside and talk," replied Grayson.
Mrs. Talon played with her fingers on her arm. "Not until I know the answer. How long we stay out here depends on her."
Okay, it's time. I took a deep breath.
"I'm dating Grayson because I love him. My goal is to give him my love and accompany him every day," I replied in one breath.
"Not because you need him?"
"Yes, that's also true. Because we need each other," I replied firmly.
"You mean Grayson needs your love and you need his money. Is that right?"
"Ma, you're going too far!"
This time I couldn't warn Grayson not to speak. My grip on his arm also slipped.
I didn't have high expectations or even dream of being accepted at this first meeting. But I also didn't expect to hear something like that.
"I don't mean to accuse you. I'm just guessing because I don't know what business the Roux family is in. Or maybe they don't have a business. So that's why I think you need my son for his money."
I don't know, but I feel like those words really meant what they said. That Mrs. Talon really wanted to say that I was using our relationship to get money from her son.
But that's not what happened. At first, maybe we were using each other, but as time went on, I mean now, my reasons changed. I no longer needed Grayson's money, but I needed his love and protection.
What I mean by needing each other is that I can't go through my days without Grayson, and vice versa. It's not a barter between love and money. It's not like that.
"If you don't want me to misunderstand, then just tell me what your family business is. Or if you want to convince me more, you can mention the annual profits and how much of a stake you have in it."
I really don't have an answer to this question.
Never mind the business, my family isn't even intact. My father disappeared and my mother followed soon after. Only Dylan and I are left, with no inheritance, no wealth to show off.
So if I answer, the answer is nothing. And if I say that, I definitely won't be allowed in. I might also be forced to give up Grayson right now.
I... what should I do? I don't want to leave Grayson. I can't.
"Quinn has answered the two questions you wanted, ma. For the next question, we'll discuss it inside."
Mrs. Talon glanced at me. "I woke up and came here because I heard your noisy voices. So at least I got the answers I wanted."
I reached out my hand again, intending to apologize. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Talon—"
Grayson shook his head. "You're not wrong. As far as I remember when I still lived here, all the rooms were soundproof. So it's impossible for her to hear any noise from outside. Especially since we weren't that loud."
I quickly squeezed Grayson's hand to stop him from talking, not to go against his mother.
But Grayson didn't seem to hear me. He pulled me past his mother instead.
"It's cold here. Quinn will be cold. If you don't want to come in because I brought Quinn in, then it's fine. You can stay there as long as you want, ma."