Darren's intention to meet Chloe yesterday was to tell her something significant. Ah, It's not just substantial but essential.
His parents visited Beverly Hills. Suddenly. And everything was a mess because of Leonel's shameless appearance! Even when Chloe got into her car, that self-centered man followed her. Darren couldn't hold back anymore from confronting Leonel.
He could only grumble throughout the journey of taking Chloe back to the cafe and forgetting that there was something significant he wanted to convey.
That morning, Darren headed down to the dining table to participate in the morning activities as usual - having breakfast with his parents. It was a short-lived but customary routine for Darren at the dining table every time they came.
It also meant that Darren had to be prepared for his parents' questions about his relationship with Chloe.
After the events of last night, Darren became even more cautious and worried that his relationship with Chloe would deteriorate. Leonel's presence made him feel sidelined. Adding to his already foul mood, Chloe disliked Leonel's fact.
However, Those worries couldn't be easily dismissed.
"Morning, Doctor Darren," greeted his father teasingly as Darren emerged from behind his bedroom stairs. Although not too big in Beverly Hills, Darren rented a comfortable house to rest in. The plan was well thought out in case Chloe decided to live in Beverly Hills. It included the woman's dream to reopen her branch.
It meant that Darren also had to have a comfortable place for them in the future, right? Instead of renting an apartment or boarding house close to his workplace in one of the well-known private hospitals in Beverly Hills.
"Morning, Pa," replied Darren as he pulled the chair at the dining table and sat down. He ignored his father's greeting and the man's face in front of him.
Meanwhile, he waited for the food to be served. He observed every inch of the dining table. Darren's father chuckled when he noticed the sour expression on Darren's face.
"Why is Papa laughing?" asked Darren, making sure of the meaning behind his father's laughter.
"No! I find it strange to see the expression on your face," the man replied to Darren.
"Papa is exaggerating by calling me Doctor Darren. I am your child, not a patient-and-doctor relationship!" grumbled Darren again to his father, who nodded slowly.
"Okay, I was just joking," the middle-aged man concluded as Darren prepared to eat.
Also, Darren stayed silent and did not talk much because he worried his parents would question his relationship with Chloe. He was also afraid that his parents would discuss other things besides his relationship with Chloe.
Not long after, a middle-aged woman approached Darren and his father, who were already sitting at the dining table, ready to have breakfast.
"Good morning, everyone. Why didn't you wait for me for breakfast?" the woman asked Darren and her husband beside her.
"Of course, we were waiting for you for breakfast, but we were waiting while having breakfast not to take too much time," interrupted Darren's father, making Darren chuckle. The married couple always managed to come up with cheesy jokes when they were at home.
"You're always annoying," the woman retorted to Darren's father. Meanwhile, Darren could only shake his head slightly, observing his parents' behavior.
Although deep down, he was worried that his parents would question him about his relationship with Chloe. He hoped they would forget the purpose of their visit to Beverly Hills.
"I'm not annoying, but I want to lighten the mood this morning. Would you want Darren to go to work with a tense atmosphere and be unfocused when he arrives at the hospital?" Darren's father asked again. The man always had many reasons to win arguments.
"Isn't that right, Darren?" he added, looking at Darren, who nodded silently and did not speak up.
"You always find reasons to win," Darren's mother grumbled, observing her husband's behavior as he chuckled and successfully made her frown again.
"I think that's what keeps you both going strong. After all, Dad is the kind of man who is humorous and faithful," Darren replied to his parents, and then his father put on a smug face in front of his wife and child.
"Just because you got support, typical!" the woman next to him retorted. Meanwhile, Darren's father laughed gleefully.
"Oh, Darren, how's your work been at the hospital lately?" his mother asked him, and Darren struggled to swallow the remaining food in his mouth. He was worried that once his mother started talking, she would discuss his relationship with Chloe.
"Thank God; everything is going smoothly and well, Mom!" Darren replied but didn't continue the conversation because he feared his mother would prolong the questioning. Giving short answers to his parents' questions was what he would do now.
"That's good to hear. Oh, by the way, when will you introduce Chloe to us? Is your relationship serious enough for marriage?" his mother asked him again.
Thump!
Darren's heart seemed to stop beating at that moment. He had thought his mother would ask about that, and quickly he gulped water next to his food. For some reason, his parents' gaze didn't give him much opportunity to dodge.
What should he say? Think, Darren! Think!!!
"I am serious about Chloe, Mom! But both of us haven't had the right time to meet you because of our busy work schedules," Darren came up with an excuse for his parents.
"So when are you planning to introduce Chloe to us? Isn't work not full-time for an entire week?" his mother asked again, making the man fall silent momentarily. There was a perplexed furrow on his forehead. He also started to sense that something was off with Darren. But to protect his son's feelings, he tried to suppress all the thoughts swirling in his mind.
"As soon as possible, I will bring Chloe to the house and introduce her to you!" Darren stated firmly. Meanwhile, his father nodded quietly.
"Alright then,"
"But if Chloe doesn't intend to be serious with you," his mother said. Her eyes immediately locked on Darren, who appeared calm. "We agreed to match you with what we've planned, right?" Darren's mother said to her husband.
He arranged marriage again. Darren felt like screaming, but he couldn't possibly do that, especially in front of his mother. So all he could do was remain silent. He couldn't agree and fulfill his mother's request, especially since he truly loved Chloe.
All he wanted was Chloe. Armed with his determination, even though it seemed contradictory, Darren spoke up. "What do you mean, Mom? I can't just leave Chloe like that because I truly love her," Darren asserted to his parents.
You see, Darren's family was asking him to get married soon and introduce Chloe to them. It made Darren face a slight dilemma, especially when he realized Leonel was back in their lives, especially Chloe's. Not only did Leonel return to Chloe's life, but she still seemed hesitant. What if Leonel caused Chloe's doubts?
"Yes, the options we're giving you are only two: introduce Chloe soon or accept the arranged marriage we've planned," Darren's mother replied.
"How can Darren choose the woman we match him with? He also has a choice, but don't worry, Mom and Dad, Darren will introduce Chloe to you soon!" Darren emphasized to his parents, who nodded, listening to what their son said. The question from Darren's parents left him a little confused because he couldn't possibly accept the arranged marriage set up by his family.
"Mama just wants you to get married soon, Darren," his mother said, patting her son's shoulder. "Don't overthink about the arranged marriage Mama mentioned earlier."
Darren nodded quietly, smiling to assure his mother that there was nothing to worry about. However, his thoughts were completely different. Darren's mind was in turmoil, torn between following his parents' wishes or quickly introducing Chloe's story to them.
After a moment of silence, Darren decided to hurry back to work and bid farewell to his parents. He also wanted to discuss this matter with Chloe later.
"Well then, I'll go to work now, Pa, Ma!" Darren said as he kissed both of his parents' hands.
"Remember, don't forget to bring Chloe here and introduce her to us!" Darren's mother reiterated. Meanwhile, he nodded quietly without uttering a word.
***
Before heading to the office, Darren told Chloe to meet at a restaurant near where they both worked. He did this because he wanted to discuss what his parents had discussed earlier in the morning. On the other hand, Darren didn't want to be forced into an arranged marriage, as he had already chosen Chloe to be his future wife. However, along the way, Darren needed clarification. He couldn't push Chloe to meet his parents shortly if she wasn't ready. Moreover, Chloe was a strong and hard-to-understand woman.
Nevertheless, Darren understood why Chloe was so stubborn. Her past wasn't easy.
Finally, Darren reached into the flat object in his pocket and scrolled through Chloe's name to send her a message.
"Hey, I'm heading to my place. Can I drop you off at the cafe? Let's have breakfast first. What do you want?"
Send.
Darren anxiously waited for Chloe's response, worrying she might reject his offer this morning. Chloe always brought her car when going to the cafe. It was rare for her to accept a helping hand in the form of a ride.
But Darren didn't let it bother him. He chose to wait for Chloe in front of her house so she couldn't refuse his offer this morning.
Tring!
"Okay, I'll wait for you at home."
Seeing Chloe's message, Darren's face broke into a faint smile. He didn't need to return to her house because he had been waiting for Chloe in front of her house all along. Quickly, he replied to Chloe's message.
"I'm already outside!"
Send.
Chloe, getting herself ready as neatly as possible, was startled when she read Darren's reply. She couldn't believe that he had come to her house so quickly.
"Is this guy crazy? How could he come to my house this fast?" Chloe muttered to herself. Meanwhile, she had just finished preparing herself in front of the mirror and had yet to prepare breakfast.
Even though he knew Tia would have prepared what he liked: whole wheat bread with buttercream filling and a glass of low-fat milk.
He had to hurry so that nothing was left behind, and Darren didn't wait long before he ensured nothing was left behind.
Darren was still waiting for Chloe's arrival in his car, hoping she would come as soon as possible because he wanted to take his girlfriend out for breakfast first. He knew that Chloe probably wouldn't have breakfast since he had arrived earlier.
After a while, Chloe finally emerged from behind the door of her house, locking it before walking towards Darren's car.
"Am I too early to pick you up?" Darren asked Chloe. Meanwhile, he quickly sat beside Darren and let out a slow sigh.
"Of course, you're very early. You know that you came after I finished getting ready! And you didn't even wait for my answer!" Chloe replied, gasping for breath after reaching Darren in the car.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to pick you up so abruptly like this!" Darren said, chuckling as he saw the annoyed expression on the face of the woman he loved. Meanwhile, Chloe fixed her hair in the car's mirror.
"It's okay! But why did you suddenly ask me to go together? It's not like you," Chloe said, raising the question to Darren.
Several times Darren had invited her to go together, but it always ended with Chloe refusing. Not because she didn't want to but because she knew it could be troublesome for the former doctor who cared for her. She didn't want to be a burden to Darren.
"I just want us to go together," Darren explained to Chloe. Seeing Chloe's current demeanor, he couldn't impose his will on her. It was what made him confused as well.
"Oh really? What made you suddenly want us to have breakfast together? Aren't you afraid of being late if you have to drop me off first?" Chloe asked Darren, shaking her head.
"Of course not! Now we must find a place to eat because you probably haven't had breakfast yet!" Darren told Chloe.
"Oh! No need to go through all that trouble. I can have breakfast on my own. Luckily, Tia prepared a packed meal for me! If we have breakfast together, it will only slow you down from getting to the hospital, Darren!" Chloe retorted to Darren, who ignored the woman's complaints. He chose to drive the car toward a restaurant instead.
Once they arrived at the restaurant, Chloe and Darren sat at a strategically located table near the entrance and exit. It would make it easier for them to leave after eating, as they had to pay first before ordering.
Chloe felt a little puzzled by Darren's behavior. Unlike usual, he never asked her to go to their respective activities together. The Darren she knew was the type of person who would never be late when going to the hospital to attend to his patients.
Darren raised his hand to call the waiter and order food before quickly heading to the cashier to pay.
Darren was puzzled. Where should he start talking about this with Chloe? His parents were pressing to introduce Chloe to them, and Darren was worried that she would refuse and give reasons that would disappoint him.
"Why are you just silent?" Chloe asked again, confused by Darren's behavior. Usually, he would stay quiet whenever Leonel was around them.
"Oh no, I'm just confused about which menu we should order right now," Darren made an excuse.
"In that case, let me choose," Chloe said, taking over the order menu from Darren's hand, who shifted his gaze towards her.
After ordering all the food they wanted, Darren returned from the cashier and found his seat facing Chloe. He took a deep breath. It was the beginning of expressing his intentions to bring Chloe here.
"I want to ask you something," Darren said, taking a slow breath. It was the start of opening up about his intentions in bringing Chloe here.
"What do you want to ask? Is there something you're hiding? Be honest, Darren. I'm listening," Chloe replied with a thin smile.
"Are you serious about this relationship with me? Considering that my parents are eager to meet you," Darren said to Chloe, who widened her eyes.
"Are you joking?" Chloe repeated the question.
"No! I'm serious. I just wanted to ask about your seriousness regarding our relationship, especially with Leonel's presence, which also makes me feel uneasy," Darren confessed honestly to Chloe.
"I'm serious about this relationship, and it has nothing to do with Leonel!" Chloe countered Darren at that moment.
"Then, when will we meet my parents?" Darren asked again.
Chloe fell silent.
"They want to meet you, Darren."
There was a momentary pause before Darren sighed deeply.
"Or... are you not serious about me?"