[Ending]
“So… this is Chloe?” the woman, observing the newcomer, asked. In one glance, Rania could tell that her son’s companion had quite a high taste. Everything about her attire looked well put together.
“Yes, Mom. It is Chloe,” Darren spoke first. “Mom was questioning her like a police officer. Chloe got scared, you know.”
Rania frowned at her son’s comment. She was already worried enough about the promises her son made. What more did Rania want? She just wanted to see Darren happy with his partner. How long would they continue their relationship? Darren was at an age where he should be starting a family. Why postpone it?
“Don’t talk like that by the door.” This time, Bagas spoke. Since Darren’s car entered the garage, Bagas had been preparing himself to welcome his future daughter-in-law. He was also quite curious about the woman Darren brought this time.
Even though he had rejected the idea of an arranged marriage from both him and his mother.
“Oh, right. Come in first.”
Chloe smiled politely. She was pretty worried about meeting Darren’s parents like this. But what could Chloe do? If she didn’t make up her mind, she wouldn’t have made it here. She didn’t want to lose Darren. His sincere love made Chloe believe that happiness awaited her after her wait. Was she hoping for Leonel? It still left her with many traumas and unresolved feelings. She didn’t want to live in a state of confusion and fear, afraid that Leonel would repeat the same mistakes.
Rania gestured for Chloe to sit beside her, separating her from Darren, who looked annoyed because his mother had pulled Chloe away so abruptly. “Mom wants to talk to Chloe. You go with Dad.”
“Don’t interrogate her too much, Mom. Otherwise, Darren will go back to Beverly Hills!”
Chloe shook her head in confusion at Darren’s behavior just now.
“So possessive,” Rania sneered with an unpleasant expression. But a moment later, she smiled broadly as she looked at Chloe. “What’s your name, dear?”
“Chloe Delilah, Aunt.”
“Oh…” Rania sighed. “Don’t call me Aunt. Call me Mom instead.”
Chloe’s smile started to fade. The acceptance she received far exceeded her expectations. But this conversation was only the beginning. There were things she needed to say to make everything clear. She didn’t want her relationship with Darren to stumble because of her current status.
“Darren often talks about you, dear. Is your café busy? It’s okay to leave for a few days for Surabaya.
“It’s fine, Mom. I have a trusted person taking care of the café. I need to adjust the reports.”
Rania nodded slowly. “Mom was curious about you, dear. Why didn’t you visit Darren’s house when Mom went to Beverly Hills? Why?”
Chloe started feeling guilty. “Um… I was swamped at that time, Mom. That’s why I came here, to meet you directly. I apologize for not meeting you when Mom went to Beverly Hills.”
Rania pouted slightly. “Never mind. What’s important is that you’re here now.”
“Please forgive Chloe, Mom,” Chloe said again, and her words were met with a tight grip from Rania.
“Enough, just forget it. Mom wanted to meet the woman who captured Darren’s attention this time.”
Chloe didn’t know how to respond.
“All this time, Darren has always been secretive about his matters. Always busy with work at the hospital. That’s why Mom got curious when he talked a lot about you. No wonder Darren insisted on not being arranged by anyone else.”
“Arranged?” Chloe asked with a furrowed brow.
“Yes. Mom said if Darren didn’t bring you this week, he would have to accept being arranged with someone else.”
Chloe was left gaping.
“Of course, Darren refused. The woman he brought before Mom seems to be no ordinary woman. Beautiful, classy, independent as well. Mom can’t believe everything Darren said, you know.”
“It seems Darren’s words were exaggerated, Mom.” Chloe felt like she needed to talk to Darren about giving out information about her so freely to his parents.
“It’s not exaggerated, dear. It’s true.” Rania looked delighted. “Oh, today I made a special dish for lunch. I hope you like it. You also enjoy cooking, right? That’s why you opened a café because your hobby is in the kitchen?”
Chloe just chuckled. Many stories flowed between the two of them. They were pretty fun and left an impression, like a calm river that didn’t cause any worrying ripples in their conversation. It made Chloe feel calm before she finally said something that made her slightly nervous.
“Mom,” Chloe called softly. It was only after Chloe tried to normalize her laughter from listening to the funny stories about Darren’s childhood.
“Yes, dear?”
“I… there’s something I need to say. Especially about my status.”
Rania fell silent. Her eyes scrutinized her future daughter-in-law. “Status?” There was a suspicion that made Rania start to feel suspicious. Could it be that her son was bringing another man’s wife? Oh my goodness! “What’s the matter, dear? What about your status? Don’t give your mother a heart attack.”
Chloe smiled faintly. She was also afraid to say this, but… “Chloe… is a widow, Mom.”
***
At the end of the stairs, Chloe thought she was the only one on the balcony of Darren’s second-floor residence. It turned out that Darren was there too, enjoying the late night. A cup of coffee was his companion.
“You… haven’t slept yet?” Chloe greeted softly.
Darren, seeing Chloe’s belongings, quickly approached her. He was making Chloe smile happily. The attention Darren showed was not trivial.
“I can’t sleep.”
“Is something bothering you?” Chloe asked, now sitting next to Darren. It was only after Darren tidied the sofa with a thin blanket to make Chloe comfortable.
“A lot.”
Chloe was taken aback. “What?”
“Mom is rushing everything.”
Chloe became even more surprised. “Why?”
Darren looked at Chloe with an incredulous expression. “Oh my goodness! Why is my future wife so naive?”
Chloe pouted. “It’s all because of you, Darren! I tried to create distance, but why, oh my goodness, God!” Chloe quickly covered her face. “If I think about what happened earlier, I feel so embarrassed!”
Darren burst into laughter. “That’s what made Mom and Dad agree to accelerate our wedding.”
Chloe just surrendered!
How could she not? After a warm lunch filled with enjoyable conversations, Chloe’s worries evaporated when she mentioned the honesty about her status.
“What caused your divorce? Sorry, Mom wants to know about your past, dear. It’s important to Mom.”
It was reasonable for Chloe to receive that question. She sighed softly. “Chloe’s ex-husband cheated.”
Rania looked shocked. “You… have known for a long time?”
“Throughout our marriage, Mom.”
“Why did you endure such a life?” Rania looked at Chloe with pity.
“Just consider Chloe was foolish about love back then, Mom.”
Rania fell silent for a while, allowing Chloe to speak less. Chloe entrusted everything to God. If this status was a problem, she could return Darren to him. She didn’t want to enter into a marriage without blessings. Even weddings with benefits could have gone better when gifts were absent from the beginning.
“Mom hopes Darren won’t do anything foolish like that. The promise of marriage is sacred, dear. It is accountable before God. It can’t be taken lightly.”
Chloe nodded gently.
“Mom has never seen your status as an obstacle. After all, you’re officially divorced. Don’t let your past disturb your marriage with Darren in the future.”
“I almost resolved it about a year ago, Mom.”
“Mom blesses both of you, dear. Mom can’t prevent the love that exists between you. Mom doesn’t want to be an obstacle to her own son’s happiness. Of course, Darren knows your strengths and weaknesses as a partner better than anyone. Mom and Dad will only be guides in the future.”
Chloe’s smile widened with joy. It also motivated Chloe to embrace the woman who was just as friendly as Agatha Theodore. “Thank you, Mom.”
And it was this blessing that prompted Darren to act hastily. In the backyard garden, where they had a light conversation, Darren gently kissed Chloe. His mother and father witnessed his actions. It made the two of them have to speed up the wedding. They were afraid that something would happen beyond their control.
Two weeks.
Oh my goodness!
They were given only two weeks to take care of everything related to the wedding.
“But you’re okay with it, right?” Darren asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Yes, yes, yes, it’s up to you. I surrender. I’m confused about what to do.”
Darren held Chloe’s hand, which had started to feel cold due to the night breeze. He gently rubbed it, sharing warmth. “Thank you, dear.”
“I should be the one thanking you. You patiently waited for me. You were willing to accept all my shortcomings.”
Darren’s smile blossomed sincerely. “I love you, dear.”
Within Darren’s words of love, Chloe’s sincere prayers were also embedded. They hoped their marriage would not encounter the same issues Chloe had experienced. Although she admitted that there was still great fear, Chloe couldn’t be selfish. Darren was making a great effort to prove himself. How could she not give him even the slightest chance? Besides, being loved by such a sincere man was far more enjoyable than loving someone else.
Especially someone who didn’t know and didn’t want to understand how pure and genuine that love was.
“I love you too, Darren.”
***
Hello everyone. Thank you for reading the Chloe-Daren story until the end. I also appreciate your support and appreciation. I’m very happy to have completed this story, despite its many shortcomings.
Don’t forget to follow my account and also read my other works, which are equally exciting, I guarantee you’ll enjoy reading them for a long time.
There are three other titles: Heir of Revenge, Under His Rules, My Billionaire’s Baby.
Maybe next month there will be a new title ready to accompany your days.
Thank you.This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .
Canis