Saturday came faster than I wanted it to. I am so nervous about meeting Mr. Federico later today. I have just finished praying Asr; I made sure to make a lot of duas for tonight to go well.

"Babe, you need to take a chill pill. Everything is going to be fine tonight. I am sure Ethan's dad is going to love you," Khloe says while sitting on my bed.

"I wish I could calm down, but right now, that is going to be very difficult. I can't even remember where I kept the outfit I chose for tonight," I say searching through my luggage and my closet.

"You won't find them there because you kept them in my closet. I never thought I would see this day. "

"That's correct, but I forgot, and what exactly do you mean?" I say walking over to her room to get my clothes

"I mean, I never thought I would see the day you would meet the father of the man you are dating. The fact that you are dating is so surreal and, to top it off, Ethan is the guy you are dating. Never in my whole life did I see that coming. "

"I know, right? Who would have thought I'd ever like Ethan, let alone date him?" Sometimes I feel like it's a dream. I don't know if to say if it's a bad or good one, but it feels like a dream. "

"It's a good dream because I've seen you on your happiest days since you started dating Ethan."

"You feel so," I say, smiling, actually surprised at that fact.

"I know that, and I am happy for you."

"Thank you."

"You are welcome."

Khloe helps me with my makeup and ties my turban. It's funny how Khloe, who hardly ties a turban, knows how to tie it better than I do. She did simple makeup for me. I am wearing a silk tile green wrap dress with ruffles at the bottom and a white scarf for my turban. I picked out a pair of silver sandals, diamond stud earrings with a couple of silver bracelets and a small black bag to finish my look. I hope I look presentable enough for Ethan's dad to approve of our relationship.

Ethan just picked me up a few minutes ago, and my hands haven't stopped shaking the entire ride. I am deep in my thoughts when I feel something warm touch my hands.

"Adina, I know I shouldn't be touching you, but I had to so you could calm down," Ethan says, placing his warm hands around my trembling ones. They stop shaking once the warmth from his hands fills me up. It amazes me how such a small thing can cause such a significant effect on me.

"Everything is going to be fine, trust me," Ethan says, staring into my dark brown eyes with those beautiful grey eyes of his.

"I do, let's go," I say, taking a deep breath before walking out of the car.

Ethan and I step out of the car and walk to the front door of this beautiful mansion he has brought us to. He parked his car in the front yard. There are beautiful flowers all around, and a water fountain in the middle. I wonder why we did not go to the same house we had his sisters birthday party. Maybe that was his grandparents' house because they were present during the party. The front door opens, revealing a lady who I would guess is a maid due to her attire. She appeared to be a few years my senior.

"Good evening Ethan, everyone is waiting for you in the living room," The young lady says with a soft smile on her face.

"Thank you, Alice," Ethan says, stepping into the house with me following behind him.

The foyer is a beauty, with white adorning all the walls, and a crystal chandelier in the middle. There are two stairways with black bannisters leading up. Ethan walks towards the left and stops at the entrance of the living room. The living room is painted white with cream couches, and there are three people seated already, but I only recognise one person.

"Hey son," Mr. Federico says, smiling while walking up to Ethan and pulls him into a hug.

"Hello Dad," Ethan says, smiling while hugging his dad back.

"I'm delighted to see you, son; it's been a long time since we last met."

"Dad, we saw a few weeks ago. I don't believe it's been that long. "

"It has been long for me."

"Whatever, dad, and I would like you to meet my girlfriend, Adina," Ethan says, and my heart starts beating 10 times faster than it should, for two reasons. Ethan just called me his girlfriend, and also said it to his dad. I am mentally screaming right now. I can't believe he just called me his girlfriend to his dad. This feels so amazing. Oh, my God. I am overwhelmed with joy right now.

"Good evening Mr Federico," I say praying hard he approves of our relationship.

"How are you doing dear, and please drop the formalities, you are family now," Mr Federico says with a soft smile.

"Am doing good and you."

"I am also doing well because both of you are here," Mr. Federico says and someone clears their throat from the couch. A beautiful dark-skinned lady who looks to be around 5'7 feet tall, has pitch black eyes, black straight hair and the body of a model. She walks up to where we are standing with a man who looks like the male version of her.

"Adina meet my stepmom and her son," Ethan says not as excited as he was about introducing his dad. Stepmom. I did not know Ethan had a stepmom. This finally explains why I never see his both parents together. They must be divorced. I would never have guessed it, but it explains a lot now.

"Hello Dear, I am Patricia, and this is my son, Austin," The lady says, putting her hand forward for a handshake.

"Hi, I am so honoured to be in your house," I say, shaking her hand.

"The pleasure is all mine," She says, with a fake smile plastered all over her face.

"If we are done saying hello, please could we all move to the dining table? Dinner is served," Mr. Federico says, and we all walk towards the dining area.

We were seated for dinner, and I must say that the dining room was also stunning. Once we start eating, Patricia speaks up.

"So, Adina, if you don't mind me asking, how do you and Ethan know each other?"

"We go to the same university," I answered politely.

"Oh, that's nice; where do you come from?"

"I am from Nigeria."

"How old are you?"

"I am 20 years old."

"Can you tell me what your father and mother do for a living?"

"Both my parents are entrepreneurs."

"That's good and what types of businesses do they both deal with."

"My dad has a chain of hotels around the world while my mom deals with the trade of our traditional attire."

"Oh, so that would mean you come from a wealthy family."

"All I can say is, Alhamdulillah, my family is doing okay."

"That's OK, and I guess we don't have to worry about you being a gold-digger."

"Excuse me," I say totally taken back and offended by her statement.

"Patricia!" Ethan says, dropping his cutlery hard on the dining table. I can already feel the anger coming off of him. "Did you just accuse my girlfriend of being a gold digger, when you are the only one worthy of that title on this table?" Ethan says, glaring at her with so much disgust and hate. Similar to the way he used to look at me when he hated me. Patricia is about to speak, but her son beats her to it.

"Did you just call my mother a gold digger?" Austin says, getting angry himself.

"I think you have ears Austin; I don't need to repeat myself. Patricia apologise to my girlfriend for accusing her of what is rightfully yours."

"What did you just say to me, Ethan?"

"You heard me right," Ethan says, and it feels like with each passing moment he is going to keep getting angrier. I know how Ethan can be when he is fierce, and I don't want to see that right now. I can see Ethan putting his hand in a fist, trying his best to control his anger.

"Ethan, it's fine. I did not take it offensively," I say to cool him down.

"No, Adina, you did, and she is going to apologise for it. Patricia, I am waiting. "

"You've got to be crazy to think my mother will apologize after the way you just insulted her."

"Austin, who is talking to you? Will, you shut that thing you call a mouth?

"You better watch the way you talk to me, boy. I'm not going to let you insult my mother and me because of this damn bitch here, Austin says, rising from his seat.

"What the fuck did you just say?" Ethan says, getting up from his seat with so much anger that the chair falls with a loud thud.

I can't believe I have been insulted twice tonight. I never imagined tonight going this way. I can tell this family has a lot of issues with one another.

"You damn well heard me, boy," Austin says

"I think that's enough both of you," Mr. Federico says

I totally forgot he was here. He has been quiet throughout the whole conversation.

I see Ethan's hand about to punch Austin in the face. I am not going to allow Ethan to beat up someone again because of me, and, most importantly, his stepbrother. I quickly grab his fist before he hits Austin in the face. His deep grey eyes lock with mine, and I plead with him to not do what we are both thinking. He removes his eyes from mine. I still hear his heart beating very fast, meaning he is still furious.

"Ethan," I say, grabbing his attention away from his thoughts. "It's okay, I am alright," I say whispering into his ears. He starts cooling down as his heart rate decreases. I slowly bring him back to his seat. Alhamdulillah, he did not hurt anyone.

"Adina I am truly sorry for everything that has just happened. Please forgive my family for their behaviour," Mr. Federico says once Ethan and I take back our seats. Austin also seats back down.

"It's fine, Mr. Federico; you don't have to apologise."

"Thank you for understanding, dear," Mr Federico says with a soft smile.

"You are welcome," I say, sending back the same smile.

We all go back to eating in silence, but I catch Ethan and Austin glaring at each other once in a while. I would have never guessed tonight turning out like this, but at least no one got punched in the face. Ethan and I spend the rest of the evening with his dad before leaving later at night.

************

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