| Hailey Pickett |

Awkward didn't even fit in the conversation.

The meatball I had in my mouth got stuck in my throat for a few moments but then I looked at his pristine mother in all her glory and the meatball mellowed down to my stomach in a second. She just had the kind of aura. .

That makes you want to swallow .

Everything.

Food, words. .love.

With the severely tight bun and the pearl necklace adorning the charcoal suit she had on. .food tasted like sandpaper in my mouth.

I never really thought about this day, the meet and greet the parents or,  in this case, his. .mother. She looked calm and yet rigid. The way she was eating food without smearing off the blood red lipstick was giving me anxiety.

I had dressed up in the most modest pair of clothing I owned. An easy breezy no brainer pretty top paired with my favorite pair of skinny jeans. Stella did some makeup and made me put on curls because I was about to meet a mrs-mother-in-law.

A mother in law from hell.

A mother in law who made sure I didn't breath properly. Her tone was so brisk , I caught Ian snapping his eyes at his mom in warning. .or maybe I had too much of wine hence imagining things.

Ian was seated beside me , and that made me feel somewhat secure. I had the pleasure of meeting his older brothers , Liam and Nell.

Nell didn't wait around , just mouthed a good luck and went off. Strangely, I couldn't find any resemblance in Nell and Ian but Liam. .

He looked like the older version of Ian and I might have developed a tiny crush on him already, only because I could see the refined version of Ian.

Sexy and sophisticated.

He kept cracking jokes to break down the sometimes uncomfortable silence. . .

The whole ordeal seemed to be going smooth until. .

"I hope he's treating you nice, girl." Mrs Morgan suddenly said, her eyes down on the chicken breast , both hands working on to cut it up.

I didn't notice the girl at all.

Infact, I had opened up my mouth to respond—

"Her name is Hailey, mother." Ian said , as he wormed the spaghetti around the fork , his eyes trained on his plate.

I whipped my neck at him, kinda dumbstruck. It was the moment where you don't know how to react?

The steely voice of Mrs Morgan forced me to look at her again.

"Sorry, Bailey. I hope I didn't offend you." She said in a condescending manner , a smile on her face that looked like it didn't belong there.

Again , I opened my mouth and—

"What do you know about offence?" He smirked darkly, eating away in a calm and collected manner while I could feel the heat of the argument.

"I see you on daily basis and I count that as an offence." 

I froze on the spot.

I realized one thing right away, I was in the middle of a family feud. I tried to act like I was invisible as Ian finally glanced at his mother in the most cold manner possible.

"Ian. .," Liam warned , looking back and forth at his family.

Seemed like this wasn't the first time. .

And his warning fell on deaf ears.

The mother and son duo weren't looking away from each other at all, the deathly stare of Mrs Morgan had me melt on the chair but Ian. .

Oh no!

"Then kick me out of the house, I dare you." Ian cooed.

Liam sighed , almost giving up.

Mrs Morgan was struggling not to burst into flames but the red splotches on her cheek spilled everything.

"I most certainly would have if your father didn't make me promise not to abandon you. Not to sack you."

Ian rolled his eyes. "Boring. Tell me something I don't know."

"You're pathetic and I wish you were never born." Mrs Morgan voice ripped through my heart , I could feel the hatred behind her ugly words and no child should be hearing them.

"Mother! That's enough!" Liam's angry whisper couldn't wash away the damage.

Ian's face was devoid of any emotions , he was looking in her eyes and said ,"Liam , did you tell her?" He smiled.

For the very first time, Liam had a hint of fear on his face as he registered his words fully and instantly shook his head.

"Don't you dare, Ian! It's not your place to tell her—,"

"Tell me what?" Mrs Morgan asked Liam , not at all looking away from Ian.

Ian crooked his neck to a side , "Poor mother don't know shit about her own blood."

"Tell me what, Liam?" She sounded on the edge.

"It's nothing. He's trying you—,"

"Am I now? Let's raid your room and see who's lying here." Ian offered.

Mrs Morgan ripped her gaze from him and leveled it on Liam who had gone pale with each second.

"If you don't tell me what's going on right this second, there will be consequences." She bit out.

Liam struggled to answer , to make up.

"Allow me to spill the beans." Ian said calmly even though I could see Liam begging him silently not to.

"Ian , stop it." Liam barked.

But I knew Ian was going to do it.

His face said everything.

And Liam knew.

He leaned over the table , his elbows resting on the edges of it ,"Your dear son is gay."

It was as if a bomb had gone off on the table, Liam had a punched in look on his face and Mrs Morgan simply watched as the whole environment went up into flames and ashes. And then slowly, she started to shake her head.

"No, you're lying." She whispered to herself. Her facade of brave woman fell off in an instant.

Ian chuckled ,"I assure you , I'm not. Tell her , mate."

"Fuck you."

Ian gave him the finger and then dusting off his jeans , he got up while the two were locked in their own world.

"Come on, sweetheart, let's get some real food."

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