Erin McAfee

I was in the midst of applying mascara when Zac called. My already cheerful mood instantly lightened up when I saw his name.

"Hello, Zachary." I greeted him in a cheerful tone.

"Hi, babe, good morning. I just got out of my apartment complex, I'll be there in 30 minutes." Zac said and I could imagine that he's grinning while driving.

"Alright, but are you sure though? You're coming with me?" I asked him for the nth time since yesterday.

"I am, Erin. I'm your boyfriend already so, its just right for your family to know that I am in a relationship with you. Besides, I'm tired of hiding already and I know you are too, so I believe it's high time for us to be out in the open, right?"

Yes, right and I've been dreaming about this since I was in high school!

I wanted to tell him that but of course I won't because it's still embarrassing even though he already knew that I've been crushing on him since I was a teen.

"Alright, since you've already made up your mind, who am I to stop you. Anyway, I have to get ready now, drive safe."

He just hummed silently and I hung up, then I resumed applying mascara on my other eye.

Today, I opted to wear a simple white cropped ruffled sleeves top with its matching white high waisted skirt. I lightly curled my blonde hair and accessorized with a pair of diamond earrings and the necklace that Zac gifted me. As for the shoes, I chose to wear my white Numero Ventuno slides. All in all, my look fits for our surprise anniversary party to our parents, which was a Yacht party.

Three of us, Tyra, Ylona, and I, bought the Yacht as our gift to our parents this year. Ylona overheard Mom and Dad talking about getting one so when she said it to us, we quickly decided to buy one as their anniversary gift this year.

What they knew was that we rented a villa by the beach but little did they know, the celebration will be in a boat. Ylona was the one in charge of the decoration while Tyra was for the food, me on the other hand was for the desserts and wine.

As for Zac being my date, I didn't tell anyone that I will be bringing a plus one because I wanted to surprise them. Also, if I have told them beforehand, both of my sisters will harass me with all the questions until I tell them who am I bringing. So, nuh-uh, let them be surprised today.

Anyway, speaking of Zachary, he texted me that he's already in the area so I quickly went out of my apartment to meet him downstairs.

As I was about to exit the building, his white Ferrari halted in front of me. With its roof opened, it revealed a very handsome guy I now called my boyfriend.

Once I hopped inside his car, I leaned on to him ro give him a kiss on his cheek but he quickly turned his face to me so I have kissed his lips.

I playfully rolled my eyes at him and commented, "cheeky."

He just chuckled and drove off towards the road.

"As always, you look beautiful, babe." He complimented me and I could feel my blush intensified.

"Thanks, you too, Zac. You look handsome, though I thought you'll wear shorts today, why wear pants? I mean you still look good though." I asked him because last night, when were on the phone, he asked me if it was alright to wear boat shorts today and of course I said yes.

"Oh that... I figured that since I'll be meeting your family today as your boyfriend, it's only right if I wear something formal and appropriate. That way, I have a good first impression to them." He answered and held my hand.

"Zac, they already know you. No need to do that, silly." I chuckled.

"Yup but today's different, babe. They'll meet me as their youngest daughter's boyfriend, not as the heir of NGC or Olivia's brother." He glanced sideways at me and I didn't fail to notice the nervous stance he has. Or was I only seeing things?

"Zac, don't tell me you're nervous?" I asked cautiously.

As soon as I asked him, he gulped and chuckled weirdly.

No way!

"Is it that obvious, Erin?" He asked as we parked outside a pastry store where I ordered today's desserts.

"Well, kinda." I answered before I opened the door and went out. He also got out of his car and followed me inside the store.

"Hi Ms. Erin, just in time, your orders are already packed." Sheila, a 19 year old girl and the daughter of the owner, said as soon as she saw me entered.

As she was handing me the two plastics of doughnuts and cupcakes, Zac was the one who took it from her. When she saw him, she immediately gasped and blushed.

Oh. I guess she's one of the girls who's crushing on him.

I chuckled quietly because she looks so cute when she blushed. I was busy admiring the cute blush she has on her face that I forgot to give hrr my credit card.

"Here." Zac handed her his credit card to pay for my orders.

"No, Zac. I'll pay for this. Geez." I quickly took my wallet but it was too late because Sheila already swiped his card on the card slot.

I huffed then I felt Zac's arm circled around my waist and pulled me towards him then kissed the side of my head.

"It's okay, Erin. No need to get grumpy." He grinned at me.

"Still, you know I don't like you paying for everything."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry." He said and took his credit card from Sheila.

As we got in his car, he placed the two bags at the back of the car, then, we went to our destination.

After an hour and a half of driving, we arrived at the villa. Everyone was already there as I saw all of the cars parked outside. Oh geez, we were late. But why didn't Tyra called me? Usually she's the one who calls whenever someone's late.

As I checked my phone, I saw 10 missed calls from her. Oh God, I left it in silent mode. Hahaha. Anyway, what's done is done also, it's better to arrive late today as I was bringing a surprise to them.

We were walking towards the front door when I heard Zac cleared his throat. I looked at him and I could see nervousness in him. I stopped at the porch and made him look at me.

"Zachary, stop being so nervous, okay. It's just my family, they knew you already so stop overthinking, okay." I tried to calm him down amd he smiled but it didn't reached his eyes.

I heaved a sigh and cupped his cheeks.

"Babe, stop thinking stuff." I said sweetly at him and his eyes widened when he heard that I called him babe.

Oh yeah, this was the first one I called him babe.

"I like you calling me babe." The nervousness in his eyes was quickly replaced by a smile.

"Then I'll be calling you that from now on." I wriggled his face a little and gave him a slow kiss to ease all the tension he has in meeting my family.

"Oh my fucking God, again?!" I heard Ylona's and stopped kissing Zac.

I immediately looked at the door and saw a very shocked Ylona, Tyra, and their husbands, Asher and Brad.

My eyes widened and I stuttered.

"I-I... We... Uhmm... What are you d-doing here? I mean I know you're supp---"

"Good morning, Tyra, Ylona, Asher, and Brad." Zac interrupted me and greeted them one by one.

"Zac? How... I mean, what are..."

"They've been dating secretly, Ty." Ylona interrupted Tyra's thought process.

"Oh." That was all Tyra just said while still trying to process everything.

"Come in, you two! It's about time you showed up. Mom and Dad were starting to ask questions as to why there's no food in the kitchen." Ylona spoke and took the plastic bags from Zac then handed it over to Brad.

"Babe, you know what to do with these. Tyra, snap out of it, get the children. Asher, tell the captain to get the yacht ready. And you two, go to the drawing room, Mom and Dad are there, greet them before the party starts so they won't get tongue tied like Tyra, when they see both of you liplocking, now go. Move everyone!!!" Ylona barked orders to us and I chuckled.

Classic Yna.

We all hummed in agreement to her and went to do our tasks.

I held Zac's hand and walked towards the drawing room.

"Are you alright now?" I asked him gently as we walked hand in hand.

"Kinda. I didn't expect it though."

"Me too, you know. Anyway, are you ready to meet them?" We halted by a huge door and asked him.

He nodded and smiled at me, but before I could open the door, I tiptoed and gave him a quick peck on the his lips.

"You'll be fine, Zachary." I assured him and he squeezed my hand gently.

When he's already okay, I opened the door and entered with him in tow.

"Mommy, Daddy." I called my parents who were busy playing chess with each other. They both looked at my way and smiled.

"At last, you're here, Erin." They walked towards me but halted when they saw Zac behind me.

"Oh, hi Zac." Mom greeted him while her face marred with confusion but still hugged him.

"Zachary, it's been a while." Dad briefly hugged him.

"Good morning, Rance and Desiree, happy anniversary." He handed the scotch he brought to Dad.

"Thank you, dear. Is Olivia and Jowee also here?" Mom asked both of us.

"They're not coming, mom." I answered, Mom then made an Oh with his lips.

I guess she was still confused to see Zac in here when she knew that this party is for us only.

I smiled at her and took both of their hands, mom and dad.

"Mom, dad, I want you to meet my boyfriend, Zachary North."

3, 2, 1...

"You're what?!"

"Huh?!"

They both said at the same time. I linked my arm to Zac and urged him to stand beside me.

He them extended his hands to shake my parent's hand. They both unknowingly or unconsciously took his hand for a shake. Which was very funny to me

"Good morning maam and sir, pleasure to meet you. I am Zachary North, Erin's boyfriend." He smiled at them.

My parent's looked at each other like they were asking each other if what they heard was true.

"This better be not a joke. Is this true?" Dad spoke first.

"Yes, dad. We've been dating secretly for months now. And we decided to tell it to you today." I explained and I kinda fidgeted because I couldn't read my dad's facial expression right now.

"Do Olivia and Jowee know? How about Anthony?" Mom's turn to ask.

"We haven't told them yet, maam." Zac answered politely.

I smiled because this was the first time I saw him so polite and uses maam and sir. Don't get me wrong, he is polite when he's talking to his Dad, but it is expected of him and today's different, if you know what I meant.

"Oh. Okay. Oh wait... Where are our manners. Sit down sit down." Mom offered us to sit and we gladly took it.

I held Zac's hand once we sat because I know and I can see it that he's still tensed especially that Dad had gone silent.

"How did this happen? I mean when did this started?" Mom asked again.

I was about to answer but Zac beat me to it.

"Actually maam, it first happened when I became Erin's date on the night of your company's anniversary. After that night, I tried to ask her multiple times to have dinner with me but she kept turning me down because according to her, it wasn't right as I am her best friend's brother. But then one day, after I came from London, I went to see her and surprisingly, she joined me in having breakfast, since then, we met often until she agreed to me that we're already dating. Only last week, she agreed to be my girlfriend." He briefly explained to my mother and for the nth time, my mom was stunned.

I knew that Zac would say that because I was the one who told him to that as I knew they would ask us. I didn't wnat them to know what happened between us because it's not always we should tell everything to our parents, right.

Anyway, while he's explaining it to them, my eyes were glued to Dad to see his expression but he never showed any. What is going on? Does he not like Zac?

This thought is making me nervous!

"Oh. But how did you manage to make this a secret? Especially from your two best friends?" Mom directed her question to me to which I smiled.

"We were careful mom. As I have mentioned before, we made this a secret because we wanted to get to know each other more. Yes, we knew each other already but as Olivia's friend and brother only. And honestly mom, we're happy that we kept this a secret as we had gotten known each other very well. Right, babe?" I looked at Zac and he gave me a genuine smile.

I knew it was because I called him babe in front of my parents.

"Oh. Well, that's good. Well, I wish you both happiness from now on." Mom, in a flick, became excited.

"Thank you, Ma'am." Zac thanked her and mom just waved her hand at him.

"Just call me Desiree again, Zachary." She said sternly to which Zac chuckled.

Then, we all looked at Dad who was still deep in thought.

He realized that we were waiting for his response so he just said, "let me think this through, first. I mean not that I don't like you, Zac, but given your reputation with women, I don't think---"

"Dad." I called him but Zac held my hand to tell me that he's okay with what Dad would say to him.

"I understand your worry, sir and I too would get skeptical to trust my daughter to a man who has the same reputation with me. But I assure you sir, I have good intentions with Erin. I know it's hard to believe my words right now but I swear I won't play with your daughter's heart and I'm willing to show it to you, maam and sir. Especially to you, Erin." He sincerely told mom and dad and when he looked at me woth those sincere eyes, my heart melted.

Oh my God.

Zac, you made me fall for you even more.

"And dad, I trust Zac. I know and I can feel that he's serious with me." I assured them also.

Dad just looked at us back and forth for a good 10 seconds and sighed.

"Fine, from what I can see, you both are serious with each other. Besides, there's nothing I can do more. Anyway, welcome to the family, Zac." Dad stood up and extended his hand to Zac to which the latter accepted.

"Thank you, sir."

Dad just chuckled, "Just Rance would suffice. No need for formalities."

"Thank you, Rance." He reiterated.

I on the other hand, hugged Dad.

"Now that everything's okay, let's start the party!!!"

We heard Tyra who's standing by the fireplace along with her husband, Asher and their son and daughter, and Brad and Ylona with their son.

I shook my head because they really are nosy.

"Since when are you there?" I asked them.

"Since mom welcomed Zac." Ylona answered.

"Ugh!!! Nosy people."

"Sure we are. Now let's go, we're behind the schedule." Tyra spoke. Then one by one, they went out of the drawing room until Zac and I was left inside.

I looked at him and he's grinning at them. I nudged him and he looked at me.

"Let's go?" He asked.

"How are you not irritated by it?" I asked him completely baffled because I knew very well he doesn't like being eavesdropped to.

"They're your family, Erin, they have the right to know." He said coolly and kissed me on my forehead.

"Whatever. Let's just go." I walked towards the door smiling with him in tow.

Ahh, what a nice day to party.

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