Faux Vows, True Desires

"Stefan, are your folks retired?" Fiona casually asked, but in reality, she just wanted to get some information about her prospective in-laws to be prepared for the meeting between both sets of parents. Lucy and Stefan had already signed the marriage papers, but they still hadn't met Stefan's folks, which was not cool at all. They needed to sit down and hash out the wedding.

"My dad's retired, and my mom's never had a job. Dad's now at home tending to his flower field, selling the blooms to florists for some pocket money now and then. Mum's still the same, hanging out with her friends, shopping, traveling and all that jazz. All in all, they're having a blast in their golden years."

Fiona got the picture.

"Your dad's in the flower biz."

"You could say that. But he's always been a flower buff, and now that he's retired, he has all the time in the world to tend to his flower field."

"We have a ton of fruit trees and fields at our place too."

Fiona got the drift. She figured Stefan's folks were country folk like them. In her view, only farmers would engage in cultivating fields.

After getting the scoop on Stefan's family, Fiona nudged Stefan to get back to the cafe and lend Lucinda a hand.

"Mom, I'll head to the cafe now."

"Alright."

With his mother-in-law's watchful eyes on him, Stefan left their rented abode.

Once downstairs, he whipped out his phone and gave Ike a ring.

"What do you want?" Ike answered, sounding a bit miffed.

Stefan chuckled, "Come on Ike, we've known each other for eleven years. Just because I'm wooing your sister doesn't mean you have to give me the cold shoulder." "You've got the nerve to bring up how long we've known each other. You sly dog, you've had your eye on my sister for ages. How old was Lucy when you fell for her? Thirteen!" "I didn't confess my feelings to Lucy back then."

Ike was miffed and quickly retorted, "Whatever. Just thinking about it gets my goat. If you've got something to say, spit it out. I've got stuff to do."

"Dinner's on me tonight. Same place, Ascend Hotel."

"No way, I'd just end up third-wheeling you lovebirds. I can't stomach that."

had a good

Ike grunted in response.

"Mom's here."

or my

be Ike's mom. He definitely got the better end

feeling pretty

What's

his mother's arrival, but he figured

to meet the folks, even though Stefan had shown them the marriage papers, his parents were still a bit sceptical. His mom was probably

guess

was just playing along with you, but then you crafty fox turned it into something

we've known each other for eleven years and I'm pretty awesome, so

you're awesome. Does your mom know how

president of Ascend Global. Whether it

was as confident as he

drop by

he'd blow a gasket if

called Eric and asked him to prepare dinner for Lucinda's mom according to the lunch

here, don't you think you should inform your folks to

"I'll discuss it with Lucinda first before making any decisions. Mainly because I don't want to freak out

mom thought his family

and they ended the

when he can't spin anymore yarns, the

his true identity. And he couldn't keep up the charade

Stefan took a moment to arrange for someone

out as many of the customers had finished their coffee and settled the bill. When Stefan returned to the

asked after clearing

her to take a