"It's perfect, Maya..." he said, and I hummed, nodding my head. Picking up the spoon and diving into the food, I started eating too.

The table was filled with silence, knowing how Rhys got angry when I spoke while eating, making me aware of the unspoken rule of not talking while eating in this house.

The only sound of cutlery was making me nervous, but while Rhys's hand was sending warmth to my cold hands, it felt like he was unknowingly calming me.

I finished eating and looked at Rhys, who was also done, but still, both of us were sitting, accompanying his mom and dad, who were eating. Once they both were done, we finally got up.

Rhys took me along with him while following his parents, who sat on the sofa in the hall.

"So... this news will come. Are you sure about it?" his dad said, and I lowered my head. A sudden thought that now all knew came to my mind. I felt like I would faint when Rhys grabbed my waist and pulled me towards him, showing his dad.

"Hundred percent sure, Dad. I want her."

"What's your age, Maya?" his dad asked, looking at me, and I answered softly.

"Will be 21st this month."

"Oh, your birthday is coming..." his mom said excitedly, and I hummed, nodding my head. I couldn't understand how suddenly I was in this situation.

"Rhys..." I let out.

Rhys hummed, looking at me.

"What will I say to my mom and dad?" I said in a slow voice, and he looked away, his gaze meeting his parents again.

"Mom and Dad, I want your help..." he said.

And that's how suddenly, we all were standing in front of my house.

Yes, with his parents.

Taking small, trembling steps, I knocked on the door. The door was opened quickly.

Mom looked at me with widened eyes before letting out, "Maya, what is happening? The news is saying—" she was about to finish when Rhys's mom came to my side, and Mom was bewildered.

"Can we talk inside?" Rhys's dad said from behind us, and Mom quickly hummed, making way.

We all came inside. Mom held my hand and pulled me towards her. Rhys stared at my hand, which got separated from his for a few seconds before looking at Mom. Dad, Victor, and everyone were sitting there.

Victor... a sudden feeling of fear came over me.

Mom took me inside the kitchen with her while Dad quickly started adjusting the seats and everything for Rhys and his family to sit.

"Maya..." Mom looked at me while pouring the water into a glass.

"Is he really your boyfriend?" she asked, and I nodded, knowing there was no other way besides this.

"Why didn't you say it before? When he came to our house, what the hell with the sudden surprise? Do you think we wouldn't accept it or what?" She kept asking, and I was afraid that talking too much would be bad for me, so I decided to throw all that on Rhys.

"Mom, Rhys suddenly said it, and I didn't know about it..." I said softly.

She hummed, hugging me tightly.

"It's okay, baby. If he is your choice, we are happy," she said and gave me a squeeze on the shoulder. I nodded my head.

She handed me the glass of water and told me to take it to them.

I held the tray and started walking. Why the hell is my life suddenly going this way? Dad was talking with a polite smile on his face while I knew how excited he was internally to meet the one who was his idol.

Rhys's mom was looking at the interaction while talking to Rhys. I forwarded the tray to Rhys's dad, who picked a glass from it and patted my head softly. Then, I walked towards my dad, giving him water, then to Rhys's mom, who gave a small smile, and finally to Rhys, who took it, sending me a glare. I knew he had found out about Victor.

My mom came and sat beside Rhys's mom, who called her towards her. Rhys stood up and came towards me, holding my hand. He made me sit beside him on the right side of the sofa, in front of Victor.

"You didn't tell me you know him, Maya..." he asked in a slow, deep voice, and I gulped before letting out a small voice.

"I was scared you would get mad..."

"Oh, I am..." he said and glared at Victor, who was looking at us.

"Look at him once again, Maya, and I am killing him here..." he warned, and I quickly turned my gaze, looking just into his eyes.

"Maya..." Victor suddenly called, and I ignored it, but it caught the attention of our family.

"So, Victor, what are you studying?" Rhys's mom asked, and I closed my eyes, letting out an internal cry.

"Oh, he is studying the same subject as Maya. Both are in the same class. Rhys would have seen him there," Mom replied, and I opened my eyes, staring into Rhys's eyes, which kept getting darker.

"Rhys..." I whispered, and he hummed, turning his head. He grabbed my thigh and tightened his hold on it.

Victor's eyes remained on his hand on my thigh throughout the whole conversation, while my head remained lowered.

"Maya didn't tell me about this before," Mom said.

"Oh, we also got to know a few days back, but we didn't want to rush," Rhys's dad lied so smoothly, just like how Rhys had taught them.

"She is our Rhys's choice. Of course, we had to say yes, and seeing their bond, I am happy. She is perfect for my son," Rhys's mom said.

My mom chuckled along with Dad, who smiled, looking at both of us.

What is happening?

"I am glad you came here," Dad said, and Rhys's dad chuckled before saying,

"Don't see our family as some elite. We are just normal, whipped parents for our son."

"Yes, I can see it..." Dad said and let out a loud laugh. They seemed like some lost buddies, so close to each other.

"I like Maya..." Rhys's mom said suddenly, and I looked at her, widening my eyes. Where was this conversation going?

"I have no problem with their relationship. Let's see what the future holds for them, and I am glad it's Rhys. You know, I have always been concerned about Maya when she started going to college, but I don't think now there is any need to stress. She has Victor and Rhys now," Dad said.

"Yes, she has me, Uncle... only me," Rhys said suddenly, and Dad smiled, arching his eyebrow at me.

"Quite possessive, I see..."

I bit my lip and looked into Rhys's eyes, which were looking at me.

"Not quite possessive, Uncle, but totally obsessed. Your daughter has had my full attention from the day I saw her," he said, and everyone started laughing except Victor.

"I am happy..." Mom said while laughing.

And that's how i was trapped into a relationship which never existed...