"Why do you have to take me with you? Can't you just call her and arrange for the two of you to meet?" I questioned.
"Actually, I would have brought Zander with me just because he hasn't returned home yet; he's still in Mitch's province, don't you know?"
"Mitch told me the same thing."

"The other day was my girlfriend Amara's birthday, and I went because I wanted to meet her parents because our relationship is secret. We are both adults with jobs, but we hide like minors, which is why I was devastated because her parents didn't want me. She was supposed to marry someone her parents chose for her.I was upset because he didn't inform me. He even got information from my parents. I didn't want to, but my love for him won out. It is not only the right woman who pursues the man. I really don't want to go now because they still won't accept me. "Duke said.

"There are some parents who are truly like that, and we can't force them because they are the parents," I explained.
Duke gave a nod.
"Yes, they are parents, but it is not appropriate for them to make decisions for their children. If your parents are still alive today, what do they stand for in your relationship?" Duke inquired.

"They're nice, Duke; they're not like other parents who interfere in their children's decisions; I was devastated when they disappeared, but who are we to interfere in the well above, right?" I replied.
"You're correct,"

We arrived at a brown-painted mansion after half an hour. There are many flowers all around. Duke and I exited the vehicle, and he press the doorbell. We were let in after an assistant opened the gate. The owner was right outside the house, and we were completely focused on him.

According to how I saw her look at Duke and me, the woman looked at me with passing pain in her eyes. I'm guessing this is Duke's girlfriend, accompanied by her parents. When they see me, I can see recognition in their eyes. The woman stood up and approached me, kissing me on the cheek.

"I'm surprised that a famous billionairess from all over the world is here in my mansion right now," the woman said, smiling, but her gaze on Duke vanished abruptly.
"I just went with my cousin; nice to meet you; you must be?" I inquired.
In the film, she can played the role of a villain. Even if she does not express it yet, her posture will make it clear.

"Really? He never told us the two of you are related," the woman said, faking a smile.

My brow furrowed. I'd still believe if Duke hadn't told me about them. When Duke's girlfriend heard what I said, her face lit up. She lacks the strength to stand on her own two feet. She would rather let  her parents handle her relationship with Duke.

"Really?" I asked, "but I know what all of you do to him."
The woman's smile had vanished.

"So, won't you ask us to sit down? My foot hurts," I say, jokingly.

"Sure, come on over. We're right here."

I took a seat next to Duke.

"How's your business going? We've heard a lot about you," Amara's father inquired.

"So far, my business has been doing well over the years," I replied.
"I've considered investing in your company before if we had the opportunity to meet, but here you are, and you two are related to my son's boyfriend," the man said.
I'm grinning.

"All I thought was you didn't want her for your daughter, and now I hear you've already chosen for her?" I asked, making Duke laugh foolishly.
"Forget it; we're just shocked; they can talk to our daughter and reconcile," the woman said.
Amara rose to her feet, and Duke followed.

"Please excuse us," Duke said.

The wives nodded in agreement.

"It's settled then, our company will invest in your company," the man said, despite the fact that I still didn't agree.
"Sure, my company is always open every day, but I have to go," I say as I wave goodbye.
I noticed Amara and Duke outside, leaning against the car's mya hood.

"Let's go," Duke said.

Amara gave me a friendly smile.

"Thank you so much for showing up; your presence saved our relationship," he expresses gratitude.
"You're welcome," I said.
Because Amara was in the front seat, I rode in the back.

"Zaneska, we're at the mansion, and there's a party going on because I told them you were coming," Duke explained.

"Is that correct? I was overwhelmed; am I really that important?" I'll inquire.

"Of course, you're our family, so that's all there is to it."

We arrived at Duke's mansion an hour later.
We all got out of the car at the same time. When we walked in, I was greeted by a large crowd. They both smiled as they looked at me. I recognize them as Duke's family. Even though I didn't know them personally, and we had only recently met, I was pleased. I can't quite believe they exist.

What drew my attention, however, was an elderly woman standing near the table. She was crying as she looked at me. I went up to him.
"Good evening, you must be Duke's grandmother?" I inquired.
"Yes, I'm delighted to meet you, even if we only share a surname; we don't need to guess where you're from as long as we're family," he says.

"Thank you, Grandma; I was very happy, even though my parents are no longer here; many have taken over."
The elderly gentleman smiled. Even though her hair is all white, there is no denying how stunning she was when she was younger.
I met all of them and we got along well. Amara was also introduced to them by Duke.

"Zaneska," Duke said, "we're going to Zander's house so they can come now; are you coming?"
"It's fine; what time is it?" I'll inquire.
"It's seven o'clock in the evening; the speed of time surprised me." Mitch responded.

We said our goodbyes and got into the car. Duke had already driven away from the mansion in his car. We also took about 30 minutes to get to Zander's house. I was the first to leave. Amara and Duke trailed behind.
When we walked in, there was a woman sitting on the balcony.
"Good evening, aunt," Duke said. "Has Zander arrived yet?"

"Not yet, I thought you two went out of town together?" inquired the woman.
"We just got here first; they went through Mitch's province. This is my cousin Zaneska, and this is my girlfriend Amara."
"Nice to meet you both; please come in first."

We entered the house. Then a girl took my hand in hers.

"My name is Melissa, and you're stunning," the child said.

"Thank you, my name is Zaneska," I replied.
"Would you mind joining me in the kitchen, I'm thirsty?" I asked the boy.
As a result, he accompanied me. Zander's mother was slicing vegetables when I noticed her.

"I'll cook that, Aunt; I haven't held a spoon in years, and I have a lot of people at home," I said.

"No, it's embarrassing that your clothes might get dirty; it's best if you wear different clothes first," Zander's mother said.
"That's fine."
I went to get dressed first with Aunt. Then I returned to the kitchen. I can cook because I studied culinary at the time. My mother also taught me at the time.

"It's unusual for someone like you to know how to cook; some people become accustomed to having a helper do the work," Aunt explained.

"Yes, but I no longer have parents; they've been gone for a long time, and I only have workers at home," I explained.

"Is that correct? You should come here more often."

"All right, but I'm too busy in the office, Auntie, Duke just sent me today because it's his birthday next week."

Zander's mother gave a nod.

"Do you know my son Zander?" he inquired.
"Actually, my Aunt's bestfriend is Mitch, your son's girlfriend."
"Really."

I gave a nod.

I've already started preparing vegetables. Aunt made me put on an apron. Amara is talking to Melissa, and I'm not sure where they've gone. While Duke was standing on the balcony.

I'm currently in my car outside the house. I just arrived. Because her father was still harvesting rice and she was assisting him, Mitch and I arrived late at night. And I saw Duke's car, indicating that he was already on his way home. I got out of the car and went inside.
"You've already arrived, Zander," he told me.

"I came to you because I thought you were coming."

"Wait a minute, I'll get dressed first, then we can talk," I replied.
I went into my bedroom and changed my clothes. I went outside and into the kitchen to get some water. However, I noticed Melissa while Amara was teaching her something. Are they both okay with Duke? I went back to the kitchen.

I hadn't even walked in when I noticed the woman with her back turned while someone was cooking and my mother standing next to her.
What is the significance of this woman's presence? He was dressed in an apron, a simple faded t-shirt, and a pair of shorts that I recognized as mom's. I returned to the balcony instead of going into the kitchen.
"Why is Zaneska here?" I inquired as I sat down.

"I took her because my grandmother wanted to meet her, so we went to the mansion earlier," Duke explained.
"Are you and Amara all right?"
"Sort of, we've already talked. Please, I took Zaneska to Amara's mansion, her parents knew her and found out that we were related, so they suddenly changed their treatment of me, and I even did business. Zaneska's presence saved our relationship. I don't want to, but I realize that I love Amara so much," Duke explained.

"Well, you figured it out," I said.
"Of course. It has to be consistent. It's not that you have a problem, you just leave and look for someone else, which is very wrong," Duke said.
"It's great that you persuaded Zaneska to come here."

"Yeah, I was surprised, and we'll travel in the evening, and your mother and I will be close from the start, and she knows how to cook."

I saw mother emerge from the house and approach us.

"You've arrived, Zander."

"Yes, mom, just now. Why did you allow our guest cook? She might think we enslaved her here," I explained.
"She's insistent, so I just let her go. She's beautiful and kind, and she's so white. I'm embarrassed to step aside because my skin color will be covered," Zaneska's mother said, complimenting her daughter.

I also noticed Zaneska was very white. Perhaps because of the numerous applications on the complexion. I noticed Zaneska emerge from the kitchen. He then went into Melissa's room. Zaneska walked away and to the balcony.
"Auntie, the vegetables are done," he said to mom, not even looking at me.
"Thank you very much, Zaneska.