Chapter 3 We Finally Meet

Rebecca's POV

"They want to meet you tomorrow. They're all really lovely people, I promise you'll like them, Rebecca."

I nodded, but my stomach was still in knots.

Time kept moving forward, and the moment of meeting Everett's parents was drawing closer.

I took a deep breath. This was my first time meeting his parents. I had to be prepared and make a good impression.

"This is ridiculous! What are you doing, Raina?" Serena was correcting Raina's mistakes.

I placed my fingertips on the keyboard. Right now, only music could settle my nerves.

The melody flowed out softly, and the noise around me seemed to fade.

It wasn't their fault—the Count had moved up the performance date for the dinner party.

All the girls were working themselves to the bone, desperate to nail the performance and claim the spotlight.

Me too. Just thinking about my performance and the genuine pride on Everett's face when he watched me made me relax slightly, my fingers gliding smoothly across the keys.

The clock tower began to chime. Today's practice was over.

Two or three girls who were still sniffling walked past me. I saw Serena heading my way.

My heart skipped a beat. "Ms. Clark, hello, I—"

She placed her hand on my shoulder, finally showing her first smile of the day.

"Dear, well done. You have a real shot at performing on stage."

Relief flooded through me. Serena had actually praised me. My heart was still racing as I walked out the door.

Everett spotted me and waved. "Dear, over here."

I hurried over. He opened the car door for me. After I slid in, he planted a kiss on my forehead.

"Oh, dear, you look radiant today."

Of course I was happy. Getting praised by Serena was the highlight of my day.

Everett looked at me, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Oh, dear, you're practically glowing."

I nodded, then glanced at my phone, and the smile slipped from my face. "Dear, do you remember what time we're supposed to meet your parents?"

Everett's fingers drummed on the steering wheel. "Of course I remember. Seven o'clock."

He glanced at the dashboard clock, and his expression darkened to match mine. "Oh, this damn traffic. Dear, we might be late."

My face fell. "Dear, being late isn't good. What do we do now?"

Everett took my hand and kissed the back of it. "It's okay. My parents are understanding people. They won't mind."

I stood in front of Everett's house, anxiety churning in my stomach. We were a full thirty minutes late.

I really didn't know if Everett's parents would mind that we'd become unpunctual guests.

Everett squeezed my hand and rang the doorbell.

"Don't worry, dear. They'll adore you just as much as I do. Your worries are completely unnecessary."

The door opened. A middle-aged woman wearing an apron beamed when she saw me.

She wiped her still-damp hands on her apron, then pulled me into a warm hug. Her voice was bright and welcoming. "Oh, dear Rebecca, we finally meet. Come in, sweetheart, come in quickly."

I felt her warmth and instinctively looked to Everett for reassurance.

He smiled and made the introduction. "This is my mother, Elsie Cooper."

I nodded with a slightly reserved smile. "Ms. Cooper, hello, I'm Rebecca."

Elsie led me inside, her tone friendly. "Rebecca, of course I know who you are. Come in, dear. We've been waiting for you."

I smiled and placed the gift on the table. "I'm so sorry, ma'am. If it weren't for the traffic, we would have been here on time."

A steady male voice came from the stairs. "You should apologize. No guest should be thirty minutes late."

A tall, commanding figure descended the stairs.

That sharply defined face carried an undeniable authority.

He was wearing simple casual clothes, yet he projected more presence than Everett ever had.

He looked me over with penetrating eyes, the kind of scrutiny that made me want to shift my weight.

Elsie noticed the edge in her older son's tone and immediately stepped in to smooth things over.

"Steven, don't be rude to Rebecca. Come down, we're about to eat."

Steven's tall frame passed by me. I realized he was even taller than Everett.

Elsie brought me to the dining table. "Dear, don't mind him. My older son is just like that, always so serious."

Everett was particularly animated at the table, peppering Steven Harris with questions.

"Steven, why did you suddenly come back?"

"How many days are you staying?"

"Have you been exhausted lately? Did the military give you leave?"

"Mm." Steven only occasionally offered a syllable.

After Elsie heard I was a pianist, she couldn't stop praising me, and my face grew warm.

"Oh, dear, you're wonderful. No wonder I took to you immediately. An elegant artist, how lovely."

"Ms. Cooper, you're too kind. I'm not nearly as accomplished as you make me sound."

Everett's mother was indeed as warm as he'd described—easy to be around.

In the relaxed atmosphere of their home, I suddenly felt my own family seemed rather stiff by comparison.

"Dear Rebecca, I heard you're performing at the Count's dinner party?"

"If all goes well, yes."

Elsie clasped my hand, her eyes full of anticipation. "That's wonderful. Such a talented girl like you, I absolutely must come and support you."

"That's very kind of you. I'd be honored to have you there."

A mocking voice cut through the warmth. "The performers haven't been confirmed yet, have they?"

Steven's gaze fixed on me like a blade, a sneer playing at the corner of his mouth. "Ms. Rodriguez, don't make promises you can't keep, and don't oversell yourself."

My smile froze. He clearly didn't like me.

"You're right, Mr. Harris, the list hasn't been finalized. But I'm confident in my abilities. I will be on that stage."

A low chuckle escaped him, Steven's smile sharp. "Oh? You certainly have confidence in yourself. That much, I'll give you credit for."