Sofia had been dreading this day for weeks, yet it also filled her with a strange kind of excitement. After everything she and Christ had been through to be together, the next logical step was to share their joy with their families. While Sofia had firmly refused to involve the Tang family—her disdain for them clear and unshakable—she agreed to meet the Roy family, knowing how much they meant to Christ.

On the day of the meeting, Christ and Sofia set off for the Roy mansion, both nervous and excited. As they were driving, Sofia's phone rang. Seeing Julie's name flash on the screen, she picked up with a sigh.

"Where are you, Sofia?" Julie's voice was sharp, with a hint of worry. "You've been acting so mysterious all day. Don't tell me you're doing something reckless!"

Sofia chuckled. "Relax, Julie. Christ and I are on our way to the Roy mansion. We're sharing our big news with his family."

There was a pause before Julie exclaimed, "Wait, what? And you didn't invite me? I'm coming over!"

"Julie, you don't have to—" Sofia started, but Julie had already hung up.

Christ smirked as he glanced at her. "Julie really can't sit still, can she?"

Sofia shook her head, smiling. "She's my best friend. I wouldn't have her any other way."

---

When they arrived at the Roy mansion, the sight of the grand estate took Sofia's breath away, though she kept her nerves hidden behind her usual calm exterior. The Roy family had already gathered, their welcoming smiles easing some of her tension. Christ's parents, elder siblings, and even his younger brother, Fallion, who had recently recovered from a long illness, were all present.

Sofia was warmly greeted by Christ's parents, who expressed their happiness for their son. They made her feel at ease almost immediately, their warmth genuine and their interest in her sincere.

"Christ couldn't have chosen better," his mother said with a smile as she held Sofia's hand. "Welcome to the family, Sofia."

Christ's father nodded in agreement, his pride evident as he looked at his son. "You've always had a sharp mind, Christ, but it seems you've outdone yourself this time."

Sofia blushed under their praise, her usually composed demeanor faltering slightly. Christ, standing by her side, couldn't hide his smug grin.

Fallion, Christ's younger brother, was the last to approach her. He had a charming smile and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "So, you're the one who finally managed to tie down my brother," he said, extending a hand.

Sofia laughed, shaking his hand. "He wasn't that hard to catch. I just had to let him think he caught me first."

Fallion grinned. "I like you already."

The lunch was a joyous affair. The Roy family made Sofia feel completely at home, their acceptance of her warming her heart. Christ sat beside her the entire time, his hand occasionally brushing hers under the table as a quiet reassurance of his love.

After lunch, most of the family members excused themselves, leaving only Christ, Sofia, Fallion, and Julie, who had arrived halfway through the meal, much to Sofia's amusement.

Julie, however, was not in the best of moods. The moment she laid eyes on Fallion, something seemed to spark—a clash of energies that neither of them seemed to understand.

"You're Fallion, right?" Julie said, eyeing him critically. "Christ told me you've been sick. You don't look sick to me."

Fallion raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "And you must be Julie. Sofia's loud, overly opinionated best friend, I presume?"

Julie's eyes narrowed. "Excuse me? At least I don't go around looking like a pompous jerk!"

"Pompous?" Fallion scoffed. "Big word for someone who probably can't spell it."

Sofia covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, while Christ pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Julie, Fallion," Sofia said, her tone calm but amused. "Do I need to separate you two?"

"He started it!" Julie exclaimed, crossing her arms.

"I merely pointed out the obvious," Fallion said with an innocent shrug, though his eyes sparkled with mischief.

Julie glared at him. "You think you're so clever, don't you?"

"I don't think, I know," Fallion retorted, smirking.

Christ leaned toward Sofia, whispering, "I don't know whether to be annoyed or amused. Are they always like this?"

Sofia smiled knowingly. "This is their first meeting, Christ. I think we're witnessing the beginning of something."

Julie and Fallion's banter continued, neither willing to back down. But beneath the biting remarks and exaggerated eye rolls, there was an undeniable spark, something neither of them seemed to realize but was obvious to everyone else in the room.

At one point, Julie stood abruptly, pointing a finger at Fallion. "You're insufferable!"

Fallion stood too, towering over her but grinning like a cat that had just caught a mouse. "And you're loud, but I don't hold it against you."

"You—!" Julie sputtered, but Sofia quickly intervened, standing between them.

"Alright, that's enough, you two," Sofia said, her tone firm but laced with amusement. "We came here to celebrate, not to referee whatever this is."

Julie huffed, sitting back down with a dramatic flair. Fallion followed suit, still smirking.

As the tension eased, the four of them settled into a more relaxed conversation. Fallion and Julie, despite their initial clash, couldn't seem to stop teasing each other, their banter softening into something almost playful.

Sofia leaned into Christ, her voice low. "They'll be fine. Give them time."

Christ looked at her, his possessiveness giving way to a soft smile. "You're always so calm. How do you manage that?"

Sofia shrugged, her mischief returning. "Maybe because I've spent so much time calming you down."

Christ chuckled, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Fair enough."

As the afternoon turned to evening, Julie and Fallion's bickering subsided, replaced by a tentative truce. They still exchanged barbs, but there was a subtle shift in their dynamic—an undercurrent of curiosity that neither of them would admit to.

When it was time to leave, Julie turned to Fallion, her expression unreadable. "You're not as bad as I thought," she admitted reluctantly.

Fallion smirked. "And you're slightly less annoying than I expected. Slightly."

Julie rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips.

As Christ and Sofia walked back to their car, Christ glanced back at the mansion. "Do you think they'll kill each other the next time they meet?"

Sofia laughed. "No. They'll probably just argue until they realize they like each other."

Christ shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. "Let's hope you're right."

As they drove away, Sofia reached for his hand, her heart full. She had found a home in Christ's family, and despite the chaos Julie and Fallion had caused, she couldn't help but feel that everything was exactly as it should be.