​Nico

​I stepped out of the car the exact moment I heard my Korean name, and my mother rushed toward me, hugging me so tightly it felt as if her entire life depended on it.

​The air was squeezed right out of my lungs from the force of her embrace, making it hard to breathe at first.

But the initial shock quickly melted away, and I raised my hands, wrapping them around her small frame to hold her back just as tightly. It had been so long since I last saw her, and I deeply understood why she was so overwhelmed to see me again.

​"You stupid boy," she scolded, giving my forearm a sharp, loving slap as she pulled back to look at me. "Look at you! You have grown so thin. Do they not feed you over there? Are you even eating a single proper meal? What is going on there? I need to speak with your manager and ask about your wellbeing.’’

’’I am fine, mother,’’ ​I chuckled lightly at her classic motherly fussing, but my attention quickly drifted back to the Maybach as the doors began to click open.

​My mother turned around to face Sophia and Alaric, who were now stepping out of the car.

I felt her comforting warmth leave my side as she immediately rushed toward Sophia, eagerly taking her hands. "You must be Sophia, right? The one who was always in those pictures with Seo-jun?" she asked, the excitement in her voice skyrocketing. ’’Oh my goodness, this is you in flesh!’’

​Sophia nodded, offering a polite smile. "Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Park."

​My mother waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, please! Drop the ’Mrs.’ and just call me Annie."

​"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Annie," Sophia said, which only made my mother’s smile stretch even wider.

​I could practically see the gears turning in her head at that exact moment, already calculating how many grandbabies she was going to plan for us.

​Then, my mother shifted her focus from Sophia to Alaric.

Alaric just stood there, his eyes wide and completely frozen. He kept shooting panicked glances toward me every other second, his expression practically screaming for a lifeline.

​Was he asking for help? I honestly had no idea, especially since he had stubbornly refused to speak a single word to me during the ride.

​"You!" my mother gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth the moment her eyes locked onto Alaric’s face.

​Oh, crap, I thought. The only people who truly knew about my long-standing obsession with Alaric were my mother and my uncle, Anderson Park.

​"You are that racer Seo-jun loves watching!" my mother said excitedly, clapping her hands together like a thrilled teenager. "Alaric de Villier, right?’’

​"Yes, ma’am," he responded. My heart gave a sudden, heavy swell just hearing his voice after so many long hours of the silent treatment. "It’s an absolute pleasure to meet you. You look beautiful."

​My mother giggled, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "Aigoo," she muttered, completely charmed as Alaric gracefully leaned down to kiss the back of her hand. "Thank you."

​"No problem at all. Anything for a beautiful lady."

​Smooth. So he could be a charming, smooth talker with my mother while completely freezing me out? I almost scoffed out loud at the sheer audacity, but I forced myself to hold it in.

​"Welcome, both of you. I know you must have had a long, exhausting journey since our estate is quite far out in the countryside, which is why I already had everything prepared for your arrival," my mother said. But as her eyes flicked between them, her tone shifted slightly—not with sadness, but with a sharp undertone of disappointment. "Though, Seo-jun didn’t mention that he was bringing a second guest..." She quickly masked it, turning sweetly to Alaric. "But don’t you worry at all, I will have the maids clear out a beautiful room for you."

​She had completely misunderstood, assuming Alaric was just a random friend I brought along. She had absolutely no idea about the massive bomb I was about to drop on this family.

​I moved a step closer, opening my mouth to explain exactly who Alaric was to me, but before I could get a word out, she grabbed both of their hands and started leading them inside—completely forgetting about her dear son whom she supposedly missed so greatly.

​It can wait, I thought, letting out a quiet sigh. I would tell her the truth later. Right now, it was time to face the rest of the family.

​I clenched my fists so tightly my knuckles turned white as I climbed the stone steps toward the traditional Japanese estate. By all accounts, my heart was supposed to be pounding like crazy, but I forced my expression to remain blank.

​I wasn’t that helpless child anymore.

​"Everyone! Seo-jun is here!" my mother announced loudly, her voice echoing through the massive, modern genkan as we entered the main living space.

The house was a stunning blend of sleek modern architecture and minimalist Japanese design, featuring wide sliding shoji screens and polished timber floors. "And he didn’t come alone! He brought his girlfriend and a friend!"

​The sheer excitement in her voice was so booming that it instantly turned every single head in the room. You would think there were a hundred people in there from the noise she made, but it was just my internal sarcasm speaking.

In reality, there were only ten relatives seated around the low tables, while a formidable figure sat rigidly at the head of the room.

​My grandfather. He was dressed immaculately in a formal, traditional dark kimono, sitting with an iron posture.

As I walked into his line of sight, I could instantly feel the heavy, oppressive weight of his gaze boring into me, silently calculating and judging my presence.

I wondered if he would drop dead once he founds out who Alaric was to me.

I couldn’t wait.