Chapter 15 Meeting Mr. Lincoln

Chapter 15 Meeting Mr. Lincoln
(SHANNICA'S P.O.V)

After few more minutes we finally arrived at our destination and a wide modern mansion amazed me. Woah, this is so much bigger that the mansion I used to live at the Holstein's residence.
My heart is beating so fast because of the nervousness I am feeling right now. Xander open the doors for me, and I thank him...
A group of men and women suddenly came out from the entrance and bowed to us.
"Welcome home, Sir Xander. Welcome, madame."

They all greeted in chorus that made me stunned.
They hella scared out of me.
One man came to Xander's side,
"Patrick, where's Dad?" Xander approach the guy.
"He's waiting for you two at the living room, Sir Xander."
"Alright, shall we go then?" Xander glance at me.
"Oh yeah, sure." I quickly respond.
I went closer at Xander's side and whisper something,
"Do they always do such greetings?" I asks.
He look at me unbelievably and then chuckle,
"I'm afraid to admit, yes they do." He said and continue to laugh silently.
Eeeh?! This family surely has an old-fashioned traditions. Gosh.
Okay phew...
Inhale, exhale.... You can do this Shannica. Show them your charm.. You're still capable to do this! Fighting!
The entrance door opened and the white aesthetic backgrounds and interior amazed me so much. Am I dreaming right now?
I take a deep breath, calm down Shannica. No matter what happen, just be yourself... You don't need to reach his Dad's expectations. Whether he will like you or not, it doesn't matter.... After this is just a one year contract.
I can feel my hands are already cold and it's starting to treamble. Dmn not now.
"Hey, are you okay? You're pale." I didn't notice that Xander is already looking at me. Sht, this guy is really good in observing people which I wish he's not.
"Y-Yes h-haha, I'm fine---" I wasn't able to finish my response when Xander held my hand without any warning and intertwine our fingers.
He look at me straight in the eyes and hold my hand even tightly.
"Relax... I'm just right here, my Dad won't bite." he stated and even lift my hand and kiss the back of my palm.
"H-H-Heyy.." I rebuke and was about to get my hand back, but he suddenly whisper in my ears something.
"Shh.. Just go with the flow, they're watching us." He whispers. Dang, I almost forgot, it's time for the show.
I started to fake a sweet smile and move closer to him,
"Let's go, love?"
He glance at me with a shock look. What? We should atleast have an endearment if we're really dating for months now.
We walk inside together and after few more steps, I already seen a man in late 50s sitting on a couch in the living room. He didn't even bother to stood up, and just watch us walking Towards his direction.
As we walk closer, he stare at me from head to toe, he looked at our hands, and then my face.
"It's been a while, Dad. I was really busy at work this past few weeks." Xander said in a welcoming tone.
His Dad just nod and then suddenly look at me.
I guld and hold on tightly to the flowers I'm holding,
"H-Hello, Mr. Lincoln. It's nice to finally meet you. My name is Shannica. I heard a lot about you from Xander, sir." I stated wearing a bright smile on my face.
But still, he did not utter any words.
"And oh, we've seen a flower shop all the way here and decided to brought you some, I hope you don't mind sir." I added and hand him the flowers I'm holding.
I glance at the flower and got stunned a bit, before he accepts it.
"Good health and healing for a dying man? Don't make me laugh." he finally said something but made me sad at the same time.
Dang, did I make a wrong move? Does he think that I'm insulting him? Nooo sir huhu.
He stood up and glance at us emotionless,
" Let's eat, I'm hungry." he commanded and starts walking.
I look at Xander, and he just smile.
What should I do?
We followed Mr. Lincoln, and Xander suddenly said something.
"Dad, you know that you're being rude in front of my girl right now, right?" he asks.
"Hey!" I whispered and use my elbow on him.
"Aw!" He hissed.
Oopss, my bad.
Mr. Lincoln stop walking and face us,
"I have the right to be rude, this is my residence after all. Am I right, Miss Shannica?"
I pinpoint myself, "Me? A-Ah yes sir, of course hehe."
We went to the dining area and I can't help to get amused again after seeing a lot of foods on the table. The whole 12 seater table is full of different type of foods. Woah.
Xander offer me a chair and I mouth him 'Thank you', and then I glance at Mr. Lincoln, to my surprise he is already staring at me. I got uncomfortable so I look away.
Geez he look so scary. I want to go home already!!!
The chef serve some wine as we starts eating,
"How are you, Dad? I heard Xenon went here the other day, did he behave well while he's around?" Xander asks while eating.
"Of course, my grandson never misbehaved unlike you when you were little." Mr Lincoln respond.
Well, I really do noticed that kid is quite mature for his age.
"When is your wedding again?" Mr. Lincoln asks.
"Next week." Xander answered.
"Exact date?", Mr. Lincoln ask and eye glance me.
"23 / 24" Xander and I both answered in chorus. Oh crap. Xander look at me with a 'You shouldn't have said anything' look.
Mr. Lincoln furrowed his forehead with looking at us suspiciously,
"It is 23 or 24?" he ask again. It's because 23 and 24 is Saturday and Sunday, and I'm sure Xander will prefer that our wedding will be held during weekends to avoid conflict of schedule.
"Ah hahaha! Sorry sir, Xander and I has been quite not sure about the date yet since I like it to be held on 23, and he likes it to be on 24. Right, love?" I lied. I tried to slice a piece of meat and put it on Xander's plate.
"H-Haha yes love, that's it." Xander replied.
"You two, since when did you start dating?" he asks.
"Five months ago, Dad." Xander answered.
"And Xenon never knew about her? Why?", Mr. Lincoln.
"We decided to keep our relationship hidden until we're already sure about how we really feel, Dad." Xander respond. Woah, this guy knows how to lie pretty smooth huh?
"And what will happen next after you two suddenly get married without Xenon knowing? Have you ever consider your son's feelings, Xander?", Mr. Lincoln started to raise his voice.
"He'll know later, Dad. I will introduce Shannica to him."
"Are you even listening to yourself, Xander? What will you tell him? That you'll be marrying this woman and she will become his mother? All of the sudden?!" he yelled.
Xander shook his head, "He'll get to used to it soon." he answered in a cold tone.
I look at Xander... Is there something wrong between him and his son?
Why does he sound so cold? Mr. Lincoln has a point, I'm sure the kid would be surprised, and I feel bad thinking about it.
"You."
I get back from my senses when Mr. Lincoln suddenly point me.
"Y-Yes sir?" I ask in shock.
"Xenon is the sole heir of Lincoln Group, Miss Shannica. Even if you'll bear Xander's child in the future, Xenon will always be first born and only one who has the right to inherent the whole company." He warned.
"Dad!" Xander tried to stop his Dad.
"If you ever mistreat my grandson in any possible way, I won't let it slide, Miss Shannica." he added as if he's telling me to back off before it's too late.
"Dad, stop! I can't understand why you are acting so rude right now." Xander is trying to take my side.
I sigh,
"Why would do that, Mr. Lincoln?" I questioned him that made him confused.
"Pardon?" Mr. Lincoln's forehead furrowed again.
Even Xander glance at me with what I just ask.
I take the courage and decided to speak,
"I love Xander, sir. And I have accepted everything about him before I step in to his life. Xenon is his son, and he loves him. So I will also try my best to love Xenon as much as I love Xander, sir." I said in a confident tone.
Xander and Mr. Lincoln both stare at me in shock,
" I do understand what I'm about to enter, Mr. Lincoln. I'm not just going to be a wife here, I'm aware that I am about to become a mother for a 7 year old kid. And I promised to myself that I would do my best to love him as my own." I added.
Although the 'I love Xander' part is a lie, there's one thing I'm sure about, I'm will never harm the kid. For what reason anyway?
I can feel the tense all over the dining area, so I bend down my head.
" I'm sorry if I sound rude or something, sir..." I apologized in a low tone.
" Shannica, right? What's your last name?" Mr Lincoln suddenly asks.
"Marquis, sir. Shannica Marquis." I answered.
"What you keep on calling me 'sir', Shannica?" Mr. Lincoln asks.
I lift my head and look at him confusedly, well, it's a sign of respect tho...
"My apologies, Mr. Lincol---",
"I'm about to become your father-in-law. You should be calling me 'Dad' already." he cut my words. And my eyes widened up after what he said.
Wait what? Does that mean....?
Mr. Lincoln chuckled and smile at me,
"Not bad, son."
"With that, I gave you two my blessing. Welcome to the family, darling." he added and started laughing.
I take a quick look at Xander, and see that he is also smiling... Is this real? Am I being accepted as Lincoln's daughter-in-law right now?
I smile and nod with teary-eyed. I know this is just an act, but it made me happy to be welcome by someone. Mr. Lincoln is such a kind hearted man, as well as Xander...
I can easily differentiate how I was treated by my mother-in-law before, compared to now. The right woman who could capture Xander heart soon is surely going to be one of the luckiest girl in the world.
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