David had been talking about his family for weeks, and now the day had finally come. Amya was about to meet the people who had raised the man she loved. She was both excited and nervous as they pulled up to the grand entrance of David's magnificent mega-mansion. The house was even more breathtaking in person, with its elegant architecture and beautifully landscaped gardens.
David squeezed her hand reassuringly as they walked up to the front door. "Don't worry, my love. They are going to adore you just as much as I do," he said with a warm smile.
The door opened, revealing David's mother, who greeted them with a gracious smile. "Welcome, Amya. We've heard so much about you," she said, ushering them inside.
As they entered, Amya couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated by the luxurious interior. She took a deep breath, reminding herself to stay composed. David's mother led them to the dining room, where the family was already gathered for dinner.
David's father, a tall, distinguished man with a warm demeanor, stood up to greet them. "Ah, you must be Amya. It's a pleasure to finally meet you," he said, shaking her hand firmly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, sir," replied Amya, feeling a bit more at ease.
They all sat down at the beautifully set table, and the dinner conversation flowed smoothly. David's parents asked Amya about her background, her interests, and her career. They seemed genuinely interested in getting to know her, which made her feel more comfortable.
"So, Amya, how did you and David meet?" asked David's mother, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"We met at P.M.E.C. I started working as David's personal assistant, and over time, we got to know each other better and developed a strong bond," replied Amya, smiling at David.
"That's wonderful. It must be challenging working together and being in a relationship. How do you manage to keep the balance?" asked David's father.
"We make sure to communicate openly and support each other, both professionally and personally. It's not always easy, but we make it work," said Amya, glancing at David, who nodded in agreement.
"David has always been very dedicated to his work. It's good to see that he has found someone who understands and supports him," said David's mother, her tone warm but with an undertone that Amya couldn't quite place.
"Thank you, Ma'am. I feel very fortunate to have found him," replied Amya, trying to read between the lines of her tone.
"What about your family, Amya? Do you have any siblings?" asked David's father.
"No, it's just my mother and me. We are very close," replied Amya.
"That's nice. It's important to have a strong bond with your family," said David's father.
"Yes, it is. My mother has been very supportive throughout my life," said Amya, her voice filled with affection.
"David mentioned that your mother is a lawyer. That must be quite an inspiring career to grow up around," said David's mother.
"It is. She has always been very passionate about her work, and she inspires me every day," replied Amya.
"Speaking of inspiration, David mentioned that you have a lot of creative ideas for the company. What kind of projects are you working on?" asked David's father.
"Well, we've been working on some new media initiatives that aim to engage a younger audience. It's been exciting to see our ideas come to life and make an impact," said Amya enthusiastically.
"That's impressive. David has always had a keen eye for talent, and it seems he found that in you," said David's mother, her smile enigmatic.
"Thank you, Ma'am. I appreciate your kind words," replied Amya, feeling the pressure of her gaze.
After dinner, David's mother suggested that she and Amya have a private conversation on the patio. "Amya, would you like to join me on the patio for some fresh air?" she asked, standing up from the table.
"Sure, I'd love to," replied Amya, following her outside.
It was a cool evening, but Amya was feeling a little sweaty, not because of the weather or the stunning surroundings, but because she was sitting right next to David's mother. Despite being in her early fifties, she looked youthful and radiant, and Amya couldn't help but admire her beauty.
"There is no need to feel shy or uncomfortable, my dear. You should relax and enjoy this evening and also my company, because I can assure you that I won't bite. So relax," said David's mother, taking a sip from her wine glass and flashing a beautiful smile at Amya.
"Thank you, Ma'am," replied Amya, taking a sip from her own wine glass and trying to relax.
"Well, to tell you the honest truth, my dear, I have been very eager to meet you. Ever since David started mentioning you, I have always wondered what kind of girl you are that was able to capture my David's attention. Because many have tried but still failed to win him over," said David's mother, looking at Amya intently.
Amya didn't know how to feel about what she said. She had also wondered why David fell in love with her. Although he strongly assured her that it was not because of her beauty but because of her charisma, boldness, kindness, courage, and sweet innocence. These are the traits that he said captured his attention the most. But she couldn't help but feel a bit insecure. After all, she was not from a powerful, rich aristocratic family, and she didn't think of herself as particularly successful. She always wondered why.
"Now that I think about it, you kind of look like someone I have seen before," remarked David's mother, after a long while of watching Amya lost in her thoughts. The remark brought Amya out of her thoughts, and she asked, "Oh really?"
"Yes... well, she was actually an old acquaintance of mine from the past, and you kind of... have some resemblance to her," said David's mother, looking at Amya intently.
Amya didn't know how to respond and felt a bit uncomfortable under her scrutinizing gaze. The atmosphere turned a little tense, and she began to feel sweaty again.
But all of a sudden, a melodious laugh echoed around the patio. David's mother's laughter was so unexpected that it confused Amya and made her feel even more tense until she said, "Oh my dear Amya. You should relax, my dear. Besides, she is just a person from the past. I don't know why you look so tense. You know what... you and I should hang out sometime so that we get to know each other better. So that you don't have to be so guarded around me. So, what do you say? Is... it a date?"
"Yes! Of course, it's a date, Ma'am! I would be honored to spend some time with you," replied Amya enthusiastically, feeling relieved that the tension in the atmosphere disappeared and happy that David's mother was willing to accept her.
"That's good. I have a feeling that we are going to get along just fine, Amya," said David's mother, giving Amya a beautiful smile. Amya smiled back, unaware of the mischievous glint in her eyes.
As the evening progressed, Amya couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She knew that this was just the beginning of her journey with David's family, and she would have to navigate their complex dynamics with caution.