"Eekk!" Iris almost yelled as a slap landed on her butt as she was busy rummaging through clothes in her closet. She turned around and was engulfed with Eric's huge chest, She felt herself melting into him as he crushed her little body and kissed her neck.

"What are you doing?" He said letting go and laying on her bed, she ran to the door locking it and gesturing him to lower his voice.

"What?" He asked. "Kaden is home. So is dad. But they both are downstairs watching the match" Eric said nothing but extending his hand for her. He pulled her softly over him as she took his hand. "Someone looks happy," She said playing with the buttons of his shirt, "And you are wearing a formal attire" He nodded.

"I had to go meet some people" she rose her eyebrows. "Umm. Kaden doesn't like you" She whispered which made him laugh.

"Nobody likes me baby" She looked at him, "I do" He hummed sitting up and wrapping his hands around her waist, "Do you care at all? that they don't want me to be with you?" She questions really irritated him as he flopped back on the bed putting his hand behind his head.

He knew she hated it when he did that, "What? so you think I will leave just because they want me to?" She gave a sigh sleeping on his chest. The sudden beeping of his phone distracted their peaceful mind.

Iris sighs sleeping next to him as he answers it.

"Hm? Fine" He said getting up, "I'll come to pick you up tomorrow ya, Night babe," He said pecking her lips before opening the windows and jumping out, Iris gave him a narrow eye "Pick me up for what? I don't have class" She whispered and the sudden knock on her door made her bones jump.

"Mommy?" She asked as she opened the door and her mom leaned on the door frame.

"Hm? How many times has he visited you through that window?" Iris felt her heartbeat rise, "Uh- Once?" She said," So often then" Her mom stated coming in and closing the windows. "How did you know?" Iris asked.

"I just came home honey, saw him jump out the window from outside" Iris closed her eyes hiding her face.

"No boy allowed here at night, am I clear?" Iris groaned in embarrassment.

"Now, tell me why you and Kaden aren't talking, I have never seen you guys sleep so early when he is visiting", Iris gave her pout, "He doesn't like Eric"

"oh, so they have met" Her mother received a nod. She walked to and door and looked back.

"Ask him if he is free tomorrow, for dinner"

Iris watched in disbelief as her mother closed the door and flopped back on her bed. The next day she busied herself with her own work, She was happy. Until that evening at least.

It was awkward when he walked in considering her mother and father had a big fight just fifteen minutes ago while Kaden spoke on dad's side making her mom even angrier, "Welcome Eric, Sorry for the uncivilized welcome my husband and Kaden gave you" Eric chuckled as Iris stood near the Kitchen, "No problem Miss. Good evening to you" Her mother smiled putting her hand behind his back and guiding him to the living room where her father and Kaden sat watching T.V

Her mother cleared her throat but they did not bat an eye.

"We have a guest" She announced standing in front of the two and they sight standing up.

"The dinner is ready, shall we?" She said walking into the dining room with Eric as Iris kept all the plates in their respective places.

"So, what did you study?" Her mother asked to which Kaden snickered, "Um-Drugs?" He said. Her hand smacked him on his head and looked at Eric who was actually enjoying the dinner.

He had become used to people treating him badly, but this dinner amused him.

"Actually, I was in management and finance" He replied.

"Oh, You were interested in money since childhood" Her father commented having his soup. "Yes sir, I was, And it helped me become someone who cannot be taken for granted today"

The table fell silent, "Are you gonna make my sister's life as bad as You made many families?" Eric leaned back.

"If that's your definition of me, then I don't think I should defend myself, Because it won't change your dumb thoughts" Iris gulped closing her eyes and giving a long sight.

"How dare you call him dumb," Her father said. "I didn't call him dumb, I said he had dumb thoughts-" Her father cut him, "But you indirectly called him dumb. And he is my nephew. Which means you insulted ME"

Eric clenched his jaw. "That a shitty way of connecting dots that I did not create"

"That's a shitty way of treating people you are serving you dinner" Kaden added and Iris looked out the window and annoyance.

" Technically it's Her Mother who served me dinner, in a civilized way, which I don't think to know the meaning of" Kaden blinked raising his eyebrows.

"You are getting on my nerves," her father said. "I haven't given you a single reason to offend me. Apart from a huge mistake of not protecting your daughter once. I had tried my best to appeal to you. "

"Yes but a criminal is always gonna be a criminal," Kaden said.

"If your father is already under the barrel of a gun you have to try and protect him. Don't you? " Her father laughed.

"You are such a rude man" Eric nodded. "So is your nephew".

"I am not rude I am honest" Just as he finished his sentence Iris slowly stood up from the table. The three men and her mother watching in silence as she walked to the front door.

The four people heard the door close and they looked at each other.

"Great, you three made her cry," Her mother said standing up.

Eric stood up with the others walking to the door but Her father stopped him. "I think I should handle this" Eric rose his brow as her father walked out.

Eric stood at the opened door and watched her father run after his daughter who was walking along the side of the road. He could faintly see her pull her hand to her cheeks and rub her finger on her eyes.

"Well, shit" Kanden whispered.

"Thanks for making her night bad," He said and Eric stared at him. They both seemed to have a staredown and finally, Kanden let his eyes down, "Fine, I am sorry" He murmured walking in.

"Iris! Honey" She heard her father calling as she looked back. His arms wrapped around her back pulling her into a hug and rubbing her back to warm it up in the cold night.

"Hey, We were just messing with him, honey." She sniffed wrapping her arms around him.

"I am so sorry." He said making her give out a hiccup. she sniffed as he turned her around and walked slowly towards the house.

"When you will be a mother and have a child then you will understand how a father feels if his daughter is with a man. Just like your mother understands me" Iris wiped another set of tears that fell down her cheeks.

"You don't like him, And I understand that." He chuckled hugging her tightly and she gave him a muffled whine, "You will crush me" She said making him pull away. "Iris, I don't trust him. But We, we will make it work. Of course, I wouldn't like you dating a boy like him. Hell, I wouldn't like you dating a guy from Harvard who has had the best grades because I am a dad. I-Its hard for me."

" I love you, I wouldn't hold you from things. We were just messing with him to see how much he takes it in. " She sniffed as they walked inside where everyone sat watching T.V with ice cream bowls in their hands.

"Wow, so we are skipping the meal?" Her dad asked patting Iris on her back and guiding her into the living room. She gave him a pout and stood near the couch when Eric stretched his hand out.

She rubbed her nose taking it and sitting next to him. He passed his ice cream to him and she took it instantly putting a spoonful in her mouth.

"Let's just play, after all that shit. I am tired. " Kaden said bringing the controllers.

"See you tomorrow?" Eric said kissing her cheek. His hand fingers brushed over her cheeks, she nodded. "Smile?" She smiled looking away, "Don't take stuff so seriously.Ya?" she nodded and he kissed her other cheek.

"I love you" He whispered. Iris grabbed his sleeve tight before letting her hands slid down. "I know" He winked before walking to his car and waving once before driving away.