Matt led Lucy into one of the private rooms of the restaurant. He pulled out a chair for her to sit before sitting across her.
''I'm sorry for making you do this for me even though we barely know each other. I couldn't just find anyone to do this for me except you. Forgive my manners.''
Lucy smiled. ''You helped me, so is only nature I help you too. I just didn't think it would be in this manner, but it's not bad. I get to eat in a luxurious restaurant for the first time.'' Lucy picked the glass of water on the table to drink.
''Before my parents come, there is something you must know. This is my parents' restaurant.'' Matt said and Lucy choked on the water and coughed.
"Why are you so surprised?" Matt chuckled.
She looked at him surprised but kept quiet, giving him the chance to continue what he was saying.
''They want me to quit my job at Janice and take over the family business and before you ask further, William is my cousin too and I enjoy working at Janice.''
Lucy nodded and chuckled dryly, ''I wouldn't have known you're from an old money tree.'' She had a funny expression on her face and her hands quivered when she tried to put the glass of water on the table.
''Old money?'' Matt asked, quite confused by her statement.
''Yeah, I mean. Who would have thought you were this filthy rich? I couldn't have imagined it, if you didn't tell me.'' Lucy explained.
''I turn to be low key about my personal life. Things can get a little chaotic when people find out who I really am.''
Lucy nodded, agreeing with him. ''I can see that. But why did you ask me to do this? There are other girls in the company and you're quite handsome. I didn't think you would ask someone like me to do this for you. I was quite flustered when you first asked me. I even thought you were messing with me.''
''There are a lot of ladies who will readily accept my offer but none is as genuine as you. You look genuine. You and your friend, of course.''
''Natalie?''
''Yes. I watched the interview tape and you two stood out. But, I was more concerned about you. You didn't even study anything related to this work. Your tenacity is quite refreshing.''
''I see.'' Lucy smiled.
''So, I should tell you basic things about myself. So you won't be lost when my parents ask you anything about us.''
''Sure, go ahead!''
''Well, you already know my name. I am 27 years old and I completed State C university and you are my first girlfriend.''
''Your first girlfriend? What did you do with your life all these years? I'm 25 but I've dated about 3 guys…'' Lucy pursed her lips and flushed.
She realised she had said too much and turned her face away.
''I was an honorary student and spent all my days studying computers.''
''We call people like you a nerd.''
''Yes, a nerd. So Lucy, tell me about yourself.''
''There is really nothing interesting about me. You must have seen my profile from the Human Resource department, right?''
''No, I didn't see it. I was tempted to but I wanted to hear it from you.''
''Okay. So, I completed a local University and majored in Biological Sciences but I decided to join Janice because of the pay. I needed to find a job to avoid my parents from marrying me off.''
''Okay, when my parents arrive, they are likely to ask us about how we met and those stuff.''
''You can take care of that. I tend to speak a lot of nonsense when I get anxious.''
''Don't worry, I am with you all the way.''
The door opened as they were chatting and Mr. And Mrs. Matinson entered. Lucy stood up with Matt as they got to the table. Mr. Matinson sat down with his wife and looked at Lucy.
''Hi, good evening Mr. and Mrs. Matinson, I am Lucy Lawson.''
Matt smiled and held Lucy's hand when he noticed she was shaking. He decided to do the introduction himself. ''Dad, mom, meet Lucy, my girlfriend.''
''Lucy?'' Mrs. Matinson's frowned turned into a smile as he spoke. ''It's good to finally meet you.''
'It's good to see you too.''
Mr. Matinson looked at Lucy and asked. 'Where do you work? Which family are you from? What do your parents do?''
''Honey, we're here to eat. Don't scare the girl away. Is not easy for Matt to allow us to meet his girlfriend. Do you want him to think we're here to bully his girlfriend?'' Mrs. Matinson stopped her husband.
Two waiters arrived with a trolley of assorted dishes and put them on the table.
''I work at Janice with Matt and my parents are retired professors at B University. I am from City B but I live with my parents at the Retired Professors Estates at Benipark'' Lucy decided to answer the man's questions. She was proud of her parents.
''Your parents were teachers?'' he asked again.
''Father, you are making Lucy uncomfortable'' Matt said.
''Yes, sir. My father is late but, I have two mothers.'' Lucy smiled at Matt and spoke.
''Two mothers? I don't understand.'' Mrs. Matinson asked and Matt looked at Lucy curiously.
''My father married two women and I am the daughter of the second wife but my two mothers took care of me and I am proud of them.''
''Mom, dad, let's eat first!'' Matt changed the topic.
''Where did you meet Matt?'' Mr. Matinson asked.
''Dad? I didn't bring Lucy here for her to be interrogated like a criminal. She is my girlfriend.'' Matt said.
Unlike him and his mother, his father was stricter and liked to ask a lot of questions which usually turned people off.
Anyone who didn't know him would think he was a bully and he didn't want Lucy to feel bullied because of him.
Lucy touched Matt's hand and shook her head to stop him from arguing with his father. ''I met Matt on the first day I went for my interview at Janice. He is quiet attentive and trust-worthy which drew me closer to him. I like him after seeing how he handled emergencies.''
''Well, Matt is very quick in reacting to emergencies.'' His mother spoke proudly.
''Yes. You should have seen him then. He looked so handsome and I couldn't help liking him...''
''I like her!'' Mr. Matinson suddenly spoke and the table turned silent.
''Dad, you do?''
''Trust me, I know an opportunist when I see one. You were honest in your answers and didn't hide behind my son. You are someone who has your own opinion and will always speak her mind.''
''You read me out, just like that?'' Lucy asked.
''Yes. I can read people just by listening to them.''
Matt watched his parents bond with Lucy quickly over the meal. He looked at them chat happily as they ate.
....
Benipark Estates.
Matt pulled over outside the storey building apartments and turned to Lucy. He noticed her smiling and asked, ''why are you smiling?''
''You looked surprised to see me bonding with your parents. You had this strange look on your face throughout the dinner time.''
''Well, I was...''
''Don't be. If there is anything I'm good at, then, is getting people to like me. I mean I am likable, right?''
''I could tell that for sure. You are indeed likable.''
Lucy pointed at the estates saying. ''I'm home.''
''Thanks a lot for tonight. I am grateful.''
''I got to enjoy food from Shining Star. Tonight was my first time there, and their food didn't disappoint.''
''Tell me anytime you want to eat there, I will send you.''
Lucy shook her head. ''That would be taking advantage of you. That is not what I do. I should go in before my mothers' come down and pulled you inside for a wedding ceremony.''
'What?''
Lucy pointed her hand at one of the building lights. ''Look at the building there, third floor, third house. Do you see the two figures hiding by the curtain?''
''Yes.'' Matt looked at the direction and could indeed see two figures standing behind the curtains.
''That's my first and second mother looking at us. If you don't want to be forced into a marriage ceremony with me, then, this is your queue to leave.''
''Is it that serious?''
'Trust me, after going on arranged dates for 6 months straight with no break, I can tell you for sure. Those two keep telling me to get married before I hit thirty. Sometimes, I feel that they think men are as cheap as groceries.''
''Okay.''
''So, I will see you at work tomorrow.'' Lucy picked her bag and got out of the car.
''Okay. Good night!'' Matt drove away after watching Lucy go inside.
As soon as Lucy entered the house, the two middle aged women hurried over to her and she said to them.
''Let's talk tomorrow. I'm tired ladies!''
The two women looked at each other and watched Lucy go to her room. They sighed and shook their heads and went to their rooms.