Maxen
The drive to the mansion was quiet—too quiet. We were both lost in our own thoughts, the silence thick with tension. You could tell Adrian was stressed about this meeting. But like he said… we'd get through it together.
The Veymar mansion looked exactly how the name sounded: elegant, impressive, almost intimidating. But what surprised me was how warm it felt once we stepped inside. You'd expect a house this big, with all its wealth and prestige, to feel cold and distant. But instead, it felt lived-in—welcoming. Like the kind of place that actually held memories, not just marble floors and chandeliers.
We hadn't even taken more than two steps in before a woman approached us with a bright, familiar smile.
"Welcome home, Adrian."
She was middle-aged, warm, and vibrant—like someone who could make anyone feel at ease just by smiling.
"Thanks, Mrs. Julie," Adrian said, pulling her into a hug. You could tell right away she adored him.
Then she turned to me. "And welcome, dear."
"Thank you, ma'am," I replied politely.
"Oh no, please—don't 'ma'am' me! You're making me feel ancient. I still can't get Adrian to stop calling me Mrs. Julie, and now this?"
She rolled her eyes playfully, and we all laughed. Just like that, the tension in the room eased.
"Well, he's part of the family now," Adrian said with a wink, making Mrs. Julie blush.
She waved a hand dramatically. "Then welcome to the family! Though… it's not always easy. Did Adrian warn you about that?"
Before I could answer, someone called her name from another room.
"Ms. Julie!"
Adrian jumped in quickly, "I think that's your cue."
She scurried off with a playful grumble, and Adrian tried not to laugh at how pleased he was with himself. "Come on," he said, nudging me forward.
As we walked deeper into the house, we found a woman sitting gracefully on a velvet couch, a cup of tea in her hands. She was watching the news on TV, but everything about her—her posture, her calm expression—radiated quiet power. She didn't even need to speak for you to know: this was Adrian's mom.
As if on cue, she turned the moment she sensed us. Rising with that same effortless grace, she crossed the room and hugged Adrian tightly.
"Look at you," she said softly, pulling back just enough to hold Adrian at arm's length. "Still too thin."
Adrian smiled sheepishly. "I've been eating, Mom. Promise."
She raised an eyebrow like she didn't quite buy it, but let it go. Her eyes flicked to me, curious but not unkind.
"And you must be Maxen."
"Yes, ma'am," I said, instinctively polite.
"Oh dear, not you too," she sighed. "What is it with you boys and 'ma'am'? Just call me Angela."
"Alright… Angela," I said, trying not to sound awkward. She gave me a small nod of approval.
"It's nice to finally meet you," she added. "Adrian speaks very little about the people he truly cares about. So the fact that you're standing in this house tells me more than any words ever could."
Adrian looked away, suddenly interested in the floor. I could feel how much that simple sentence meant to him, even if he didn't say it out loud.
"I hope I'm not imposing," I offered.
She smiled again, this time more gently. "You're not. If anything, I think your presence here is exactly what he needs."
There was a pause—not awkward, but thoughtful. The kind of pause where unspoken things sit just under the surface.
"Come," she said after a moment, turning toward the sitting room. "I assume Julie already smothered you with welcome, so let's sit. I imagine Adrian will accompany Maxen. Your father is in the study."
I glanced at Adrian, who gave a tight-lipped smile. He looked conflicted, glancing between me and his mom, so I reassured him with a nod that I was okay.
"Alright, I'll be right back," he said.
Angela watched that small moment between us with quiet eyes—no judgment, just observation. Adrian took the left staircase, and I guessed the study must be in that direction.
Angela sat gracefully, gesturing for me to take a seat across from her.
Ms. Julie brought us some snacks and tea, and I couldn't help but notice how effortlessly charming Adrian's mom was. The way she sat, the way she carried herself—it was all so poised, elegant, powerful. And yet, I still couldn't quite tell if she approved of me… or if she was just watching. Observing. Measuring.
She was definitely the woman behind the Veymar empire.
Then came the first real question.
"So, Maxen," she said, lifting her teacup, "how did you and my son meet?"
Okay. Here we go.
"I met him at a charity program," I said, sitting up a little straighter. "It's actually run by my mom."
She gave a small nod, encouraging me to continue.
"Okay… so… who is Ellio Adrian Veymar, outside this empire, to you?"
I blinked. That question was direct—and deep. But I answered honestly.
"Well," I began, "it's not even something you have to dig to see. Adrian is someone who's really passionate about people. He cares—deeply. And he's passionate about the work he does too. But he's also… firm. He doesn't compromise just anything."
Angela listened carefully, her expression unreadable.
"He's kind," I continued. "Genuinely kind. And he treats everyone with respect, no matter who they are or where they're from. The funny thing is, none of us at the charity even knew he was, you know… him."
I smiled a little at the memory.
"He was just… humble. Helpful. Just a guy who showed up and did the work. And now, well… I've come to see that he's not just kind and confident—but also firm in who he is. And okay, yes, I'll say it—he's handsome and charming too."
I glanced at her, feeling a little bold. "And now I see where he got that from."
For a moment, the room was quiet again. She didn't laugh or smile—not quite. But there was something soft in her eyes.
________________________________________
TO BE CONTINUED...
________________________________________
Next updates: Wednesday at 7:30 PM GMT. Adjust for your local time!