"Mum, Dad, this is Brandon," Rachel said with a warm smile as she introduced her parents to Brandon, who was joining them for dinner.
"Brandon, these are my parents, Maria and Drake Ross."
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you both. Rachel has spoken highly of you," Brandon said with a genuine smile as he reached out to take Maria's hand.
"Well, we haven't heard much about you," Maria replied, serious.
"We'll change that tonight," Brandon replied, graciously kissing Maria's hand, unfazed by any tension in the air.
"Welcome to our home, young man," Rachel's father, Drake, said, extending a firm handshake to Brandon.
"Thank you, sir," Brandon replied, maintaining direct eye contact with Drake.
As they settled into the living room, Maria spoke up, "Dinner will be ready soon, so let's take this opportunity to get to know you better, Brandon."
"Of course, I'm open to any questions," Brandon replied politely, sporting a friendly smile.
Drake initiated, "Let's start with what you do."
"I'm a classical musician. I play the piano, violin, cello, and several other instruments," Brandon confidently shared.
"Impressive," Drake acknowledged, nodding in approval.
"Yes, Dad. He's truly amazing and incredibly talented," Rachel chimed in, hoping to gain some favor for Brandon.
Maria followed up, "So, where did the two of you meet?"
"We met at a popular restaurant in Westminster. Brandon was performing there, and when I saw him, it was love at first sight," Rachel explained, her face glowing with happiness.
"Love at first sight?" Drake scoffed, but Rachel held her ground.
"Yes, Dad. Love at first sight," Rachel responded with determination.
"Brandon," Drake called out, suddenly serious, "do you have any criminal records?"
Rachel wanted to jump to Brandon's defense, but she remained silent, unsure if he had any criminal history. However, she knew it wouldn't change her feelings for him if he did.
"No, sir," Brandon replied, causing Rachel to release a silent sigh of relief.
"Of course, he doesn't have any criminal records," Rachel interjected, addressing her dad, who seemed determined to find faults. But the next question her father asked left her speechless.
"Have you ever cheated on my daughter before?"
"Dad! Seriously?" Rachel exclaimed, shocked by the question.
"Let him answer, dear," Maria added, urging Brandon to respond.
"Absolutely not. I would never betray her trust," Brandon replied with indignation, his loyalty unquestionable.
"Brilliant!" Drake exclaimed with a smile, and Rachel thought the interrogation was over.
But then Drake unexpectedly called out, "George, you can come out now!"
All eyes turned toward the man in black as he entered the living room.
"Everyone, this is George, a private investigator I hired yesterday to learn more about Brandon, to ensure he's worthy of my daughter," Drake stated, shocking everyone in the room.
"Dad! Why would you do such a thing?"
"Don't you want to know what he found out about your boyfriend?" Drake asked his daughter, leaving her utterly speechless.
"George, go ahead and tell her," Drake continued.
"He was charged with rape twice," George, the private investigator, began, and Rachel's heart started racing.
"But those charges were dropped because I didn't do anything. Besides they were all in the past," Brandon stood up, feeling both frustrated and defensive.
"Dad, I can't believe you'd stoop so low just to humiliate my boyfriend," Rachel said to her dad, her eyes welling up with tears.
But Drake remained silent, his gaze fixed on George.
"George, please continue."
"On the 24th of this month, Brandon was seen kissing and hugging a girl outside T-Bridge Hotel Mainstone at 4:00 p.m. These pictures prove it," George revealed.
Rachel's heart sank as she took the pictures from George, desperately hoping they were fake, only to discover they were genuine.
Heartbroken, she felt as though all the air had been sucked out of the room.
"Babe, I can explain," Brandon pleaded, taking Rachel's hand in his. She looked at him silently, unable to find the words to respond.
"We'll save you the trouble," Drake declared firmly. "Security! Get this man out of my house."
"Sir, please let me explain. I..." Brandon tried to say, but the security guards firmly grabbed his arms.
"Drag him out of here," Drake ordered.
"Baby, please, just look at me. I can explain everything," Brandon implored as the security guards escorted him away.
"I can't believe this," Rachel whispered, her tears streaming down her face as she collapsed back onto the sofa.
"I know, darling. And we are so sorry," Maria said, sitting down next to her daughter, offering comfort and support.
Rachel's voice trembled as she spoke through her tears, "This changes nothing. I'm not getting married. Ever!" She said and immediately stomped out of the room.
"Rachel!" Her father called out, but she ignored him, retreating to her room, where she could process her emotions.
********
Later that night..
"Maybe we should tell her," Maria suggested.
"Absolutely not," Drake responded firmly.
"She has a right to know," Maria insisted.
"It would only burden her. I don't want that for her," Drake explained, concerned for their daughter.
"But at least she would understand the true reason why we're doing this. She would understand and not resent us," Maria countered.
"No, it's best she doesn't know," Drake maintained, thinking it was for Rachel's own good.
"But it isn't fair to her," Maria argued, wanting to be transparent with their daughter.
"I know, darling. But if we tell her, she'll feel the need to fix everything. The only way she can help us is by getting married. It's for the best she doesn't know," Drake explained, feeling torn.
"The Hills will be here tomorrow. Make sure everything is perfect," Drake changed the topic, knowing they had other pressing matters to attend to.
"Alright," Maria replied, preparing to make the necessary arrangements.
"Honey?" Drake called out softly.
"Yeah?"
"You know I love you," Drake reassured her, offering a comforting presence.
"I know," Maria replied.
*******
"Darling, can I come in?" Maria gently asked, knocking on Rachel's door.
"No, go away, Mum," Rachel responded, her voice filled with sadness. But Maria entered the room anyway.
"Oh, my poor baby. I know you must be hurting right now, but trust me, time fixes everything," Maria consoled, her heart aching for her daughter.
"I just can't believe he would do that to me. I loved him," Rachel expressed her pain.
"You deserve someone better in your life. Someone who will treat you like the queen you are," Maria reassured her, wanting to uplift Rachel's spirits.
"Who is he?" Rachel asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
"Who, my dear?" Maria replied, slightly confused.
"The person I'm betrothed to," Rachel clarified, her tone tinged with resignation.
"Well, do you remember the Hills?" Maria inquired.
"Yes, I do. They're yours and Dad's close friends," Rachel recalled.
"Well, they have an amazing son who currently handles his father's companies abroad," Maria revealed.
"So, this is some kind of arranged marriage," Rachel scoffed. "Does their son even know about this?"
"I'm sure he does," Maria replied confidently.
"And he's fine with it? Fine with marrying a complete stranger?" Rachel questioned, her skepticism evident.
"You two will grow to love each other, you'll see," Maria reassured, hoping to alleviate Rachel's worries.
"Mum, can you even hear yourself? You sound crazy. This isn't something out of a romance novel. This is my life," Rachel protested, feeling overwhelmed.
"I know, darling, and that's why we're doing this. We want what's best for you," Maria explained, her voice filled with motherly concern.
"I can't talk to you right now. I need some fresh air," Rachel declared, feeling the need to clear her mind.
Maria understood and respected Rachel's need for space. "Take your time, my love. We'll be here for you," she said, her love for her daughter shining through.
Rachel nodded silently, then walked out of the room, seeking solace outside.