"Stay in the car, this might take a while, but I'll be back as soon as possible. The car will be on, and the keys are in the ignition. If you need anything or get lonely, call me, or come inside" Kaiser warmly told the girl staring up at him. He leaned on the car door looking in on her as she made herself comfortable in the back seat.
"I'm not a child" Valentina couldn't help but grumble at the barrage of instructions coming at her, "Go deal with what you need to do and go get your actual child. I can entertain myself and if I get tired I'll just drive home."
"You can drive?" he asked her in surprise. Since she lived in the city, he assumed she didn't have a car or license.
"It's just like Mario Kart right?" Watching Kaiser's face crumple into a frown, Valentina laughed, and it sounded like tinkling bells.
"I'm kidding. Go inside Kaiser, there's nothing to worry about. I'm literally in the driveway of your parent's house. If you miss me that much then hurry back." She gave him a sly look and waved her hand at him.
He gently grabbed it and slowly brought it to his lips, kissing her slender fingers.
"As you wish my lady. I'll be back" He stared intently at her and was happy to see her face flush in embarrassment. Good.
He shut the door and pretended not to hear Valentina say "Shit. I really need to stop flirting with this man."
Smiling to himself, he opened the to his parents' house and paused to examine the chaos. As someone who had experienced one of Luca's tantrums before, he thought he knew what to expect but truly, his son had gone above and beyond this time.
There were torn pillows and feathers everywhere, a remote stuck in the wall, knocked-down paintings, and things pushed out of place. The usual elegant setting of his parents' house could not be found. Luca had truly gone all out. The culprit of all this was sitting quietly on the couch while gazing at the door.
Seeing that it was only Kaiser coming in, he turned his head away.
"Brother, I'm so glad you came! Your words were like magic. As soon as I told him about my sister-in-law, he immediately calmed down. Where is sister-in-law?"
Roman immediately ran towards him and Kaiser quickly kept him at arm's length.
"Don't touch me."
"Kaiser, what is this that we're hearing about a wife? You're dating?"
"Who is she? Why don't we know about her?"
"What family is she from?"
"How long has this been going on?"
At his parents' bombardment of questions, Kaiser sighed before answering blandly.
"Not yet. You don't know her. I didn't tell you. None of your business. Not long. Any other questions?"
Hearing his son's lackadaisical tone as he answered their questions, Percy Grayson felt his blood pressure rising. The marriage of his children was something that had been stressing him for a while. The first one- it was better not to talk about the first one. The youngest child was a playboy who had no prospects in sight. He had put all his hopes into his middle child, but Kaiser had been firmly resistant in engaging in any of the potential brides he and his wife had organized for him.
Although he had been troublesome when he was younger, once he returned with Luca, he was the epitome of stability. He had said he wanted to focus on stabilizing the company, but in the four years he had been the CEO, the Grayson corporation had risen to previously unseen heights. Although Kaiser already had a son, he was still unmarried. It was now time for him to settle down with someone appropriate for his status.
It would be one thing if it was a girl from a family of similar status, but if it was a commoner. Absolutely not! Seeing the way his son was hiding details about her, it seemed it was the latter.
"Roman Antonio Grayson!" Percy Grayson roared at his youngest son.
"Why is everyone saying my government name today? Am I a criminal? Do you not love me?" Roman complained. At his father's stern look, he stood at attention "Yes father!"
"Who is the woman your brother is consorting with? Since you're calling her sister-in-law, I'm sure you know who it is."
Roman looked between his father's angry face and Kaiser's calm face which had a slight smile. Since he knew his brother very well he knew that the calmer his face was and the brighter his smile, the more there was to fear. I'm sorry father, you're no longer the person I fear the most. The worst his father would do is hit him. On the other hand, his brothers' 64 stratagems of torture could not be beaten! The side he needed to be on was clear!
"I'm sorry father, I can't say anything about sister-in-law!" Roman quickly gave his response and went to hide behind Kaiser.
Hearing his response, Percy Grayson felt as if he would explode from anger.
"You unfilial sons, kneel down!" he pointed at the both of them.
"Kaiser, do you see what this woman is doing to you? We haven't even met her and yet she's already causing family strife and drama. Why don't you tell us about her so we can investigate her? We're doing this because we care about your well-being and want you to be safe." Adelia Grayson spoke in a softer tone and tried to mediate between the two men. She knew her husband had good intentions but had a harsh mouth while her son was a stubborn individual who had always done whatever he wanted regardless of punishment or consequences.
They rarely clashed, but the few times it had happened, both sides dug their feet in until it had almost fractured their relationship. such a relationship had only just begun to mend and now it seemed it would be rocky again.
Kaiser glanced at his mother. He was not deceived by her words in the slightest. Both of his parents were absolutely on the same page. One just used hard tactics while one used soft tactics.
"I'm going to say this once so you both listen very clearly. Do not look, do not touch, do not investigate her at all. When I am ready, I will make an introduction. If I catch you searching for any information about her or trying to spy on her, you will regret it. This is not a threat; it's a promise I will deliver. If you're so worried about your children's marriage so much, you might as well start with this playboy right here." Kaiser grabbed Roman's jacket and pushed him to the front.
"Brother! Don't sell me out!" Roman screamed.
Percy and Adelia Grayson exchanged a glance before sighing.
Percy walked away angrily and Adelia spoke again.
"Okay, fine we won't. But why don't you spend the night here? We haven't seen you and Luca in a while. Tomorrow morning I'll go to the market and personally make your favorite breakfast. If your…friend is in the car, she can spend the night as well."
"I just came to get Luca. Thank you for watching him. Goodnight to you all." Finished with what he had to say, Kaiser turned to Luca who had been sitting quietly during the whole drama and staring at the door.
"Luca let's go. Your favorite auntie is in the car-"
Deng deng deng deng.
Before Kaiser could even finish his sentence, Luca sprinted out the front door without even looking back.
Kaiser Grayson: "....."
Roman Grayson: "....."
Adelia Grayson: "....."
"Brother, why don't you drop me off as well?" as Roman tried to follow Kaiser out the door, his mother grabbed his ears and held on tight.
"Not so fast young man. You have some explaining to do."
"No wait, brother don't leave me here! Save me!"
Kaiser turned and gave him a kind smile that could rival a saint in its beauty, however, his words were vicious, "If you give up any information, you know what's waiting for you. Think carefully before you speak."
"Brother no. Please wait! Ahhhhhh!"
Roman's tortured scream was abruptly cut off as Kaiser slammed the front door.