Vivienne didn't exactly know where Noah's parents lived. So, it was surprising to her when they spent over an hour on the road. "How far does your parent live?""Quite far from your place," replied Noah seriously without turning his head to look at her. "It is indeed quite far from my place," agreed Vivienne."We are here," announced Noah as he finally drove into the driveway making Vivienne nervous.Vivienne stood nervously at the entrance of Noah’s parents' home, a beautiful, elegant house that exuded warmth and sophistication. The evening sun casted a soft glow on the garden, highlighting the perfectly manicured hedges and colorful flowerbeds. The Sullivan house seemed to welcome her with open arms, but Vivienne felt the weight of her nerves pressing on her chest despite its inviting exterior.Noah stood by her side, looking relaxed and at ease. He reached over and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, flashing his easygoing smile that somehow always managed to calm her down. “You’r
Vivienne didn't expect the atmosphere here to be so relaxed and warm that she didn't feel embarrassed. Her nervousness had long flown away and now, her smile had become more natural. Angelina took it upon herself to accompany Vivienne so that she wouldn't feel strange."I'm surprised you came," said Angelina making Vivienne look at her."Why?""The Vivienne I knew would definitely be sitting at home hesitating whether to take this step or not.""I did that in the past two days and finally decided to look for my life coach.""Life coach?" questioned Angelina as she raised her brow at Vivienne in curiosity. "Who is it?""It's a woman who fell in love with my dad."Angelina gave a look of sympathy on her face, "Poor her. How did she fall for him? Is she able to hold on until now?"Vivienne didn't think that Angelina was looking down at her father. In fact, Angelina knew her father very well and understood his character too. She was also aware of how much he loved Vivienne's mother and la
At around seven o'clock, the front door of the Sullivan house opened, and in walked Mr. Sullivan, his presence commanding yet softened by a hint of nervous energy. He was holding a stunning bouquet of flowers, wrapped in delicate paper that seemed to enhance their beauty. The moment he stepped into the living room, a hush fell over the group, quickly replaced by amused glances and knowing smiles from everyone present.Vivienne noticed the silence and Angelina pointed towards the door with her chin. Vivienne turned her head and was surprised to see Mr. Sullivan standing there with a bouquet of flowers. She finally understood why everyone went silent.Angelina leaned closer to Vivienne and whispered, "Didn't I say that he went to prepare a surprise? See? I was right."Mr. Sullivan, usually the tough and stoic figurehead of one of the biggest law firms in the city, seemed almost bashful under the collective gaze. His eyes, however, never wavered from his destination... his wife, his Jean
Mr. Sullivan's eyes swept across the room, his sharp gaze landing on each familiar face with a warm nod until he paused, his eyes narrowing slightly in confusion. He had spotted Vivienne, the only unfamiliar face in the living room. There was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes, the kind of look he reserved for puzzles he hadn't quite figured out yet.Jeanine, catching the subtle shift in her husband's expression, stepped forward with a smile that seemed to brim with a hint of mischief. "What are you looking at? Let me introduce you to Vivienne," she said, gently touching Vivienne's shoulder. "She's Noah's girlfriend."For a split second, Richard's face froze, his eyes widening in surprise. "Girlfriend?" he echoed, his voice tinged with disbelief before a delighted smile slowly stretched across his face. "Well, now, that’s certainly a wonderful surprise."He turned his full attention to Vivienne, his stern demeanor softening as he extended his hand to her. "Vivienne, it's a pleasure to
As everyone gathered around the grand dining table, the air was filled with the comforting scent of roasted herbs, garlic, and a hint of sweetness that promised an unforgettable dessert. The table was a feast for the eyes. The mood was warm, with light conversation buzzing from all corners of the room. With a proud grin, he placed the cake in the center of the table, its golden layers and perfectly whipped frosting hinting at the culinary skill of the man who seemed to do everything well, from managing a law firm to baking a perfect cake. "I hope it lives up to its reputation," he said with a twinkle in his eye, looking at Jeanine, who gave him an affectionate smile, her eyes full of pride and love.The family exchanged teasing looks. Everyone knew Mr. Sullivan’s love of cooking came out only on the most special occasions. And those occasions only had something to do with his wife. Jeanine smiled fondly at her husband, touched by the thoughtful gesture as always, while Noah, leaning
Mr. Sullivan, seated at the head of the table, took a moment to glance at Vivienne again, his curiosity from earlier still lingering. He leaned in slightly, his deep voice cutting through the chatter as he addressed her directly. "So, Vivienne," he began, his tone friendly but probing, "tell me a little about yourself. How did you meet Noah? I imagine there’s quite the story there.”Vivienne paused, feeling the weight of his attention, but she met his gaze with that same calm grace she’d shown before. “It’s not as interesting as you might think,” she said, a soft smile playing on her lips. “We were in high school together. Later, I moved out of the country and recently, we reconnected at Angelina's wedding."Mr. Sullivan’s eyes narrowed in a thoughtful way, though his smile remained. “High school sweethearts, then?” he mused. “That explains why Noah seems... different tonight. A little more alive, perhaps?”"You have got it all wrong, Uncle," Angelina chimed in at this moment. "In hig
"Really?"Angelina was speaking with a proud smile on her face and couldn't resist sharing more about Vivienne's accomplishments with the Sullivans. "You know," she began, turning her gaze to Noah's family, "Vivienne's incredible blog is her sacred diary where she chronicles her travels around the world. It's not just your average travel diary, though. She makes it educational, weaving in the history, culture, and unique perspectives of every place she visits. It's like a guided journey that makes you see the world through a whole new lens."Jeanine's eyes lit up with interest. "Oh, that sounds fascinating! I've always admired people who can share their experiences in such a vivid way," she said, clearly impressed."And it's not just a blog anymore," Angelina continued, her enthusiasm growing. "Vivi recently landed a deal to turn her blog into a travelogue! Can you believe that? It’ll be a beautifully crafted collection of all her adventures, thoughts, and the stunning views she’s cap
Angelina smiled mischievously as she had knowingly asked that question earlier. She might have a little less understanding of Vivienne after such a long time apart but she had figured out one thing clearly and that was Vivienne's attitude and feelings toward Noah. A lot changed but Vivienne was still wearing her own filter when she looked at Noah even now. She was so predictable.After everyone had finished their dinner and the conversation naturally lulled into a comfortable hum, Jeanine looked across the table at Noah, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Noah,” she said with a knowing smile, “why don’t you show Vivienne your old room? I’m sure she had been wanting to see where you spent your time growing up.”“Oh, nonsense,” Jeanine replied with a playful wave of her hand. “I’ve kept it exactly the way you left it. Vivienne might enjoy seeing it. Besides, it’ll give you both a little break from all the family talk.”Noah stood up, offering his hand to Vivienne. “Alright then, come on.