Free Web NovelChapter 101: The parents
Fiona texted Caleb back: "No need to come by just yet. Sort out your work. I’ll see you when you are free."
Caleb finished work later than expected. The day had been a whirlwind of meetings, congratulatory calls, and urgent strategy sessions as the team processed the overnight surge in demand. Moonshine’s systems had struggled under the traffic, but the numbers were extraordinary. Still, his mind kept drifting to Fiona and the way the night had unfolded. He respected her need for space and headed home to his villa as the sun began to set.
When he turned onto the private road leading to his property, he noticed the cars parked outside immediately. Two familiar vehicles — his father’s sleek town car and his mother’s personal SUV. He knew what was coming. He had forgotten to notify them about the engagement.
Caleb parked slowly and took a deep breath before stepping out. The villa stood elegant against the evening sky, but the presence of his parents made the air feel heavier. He walked up the path, and the front door opened before he reached it.
Mr. Adam Reed and Miss Susan Reed stood in the foyer, their faces etched with clear displeasure. Adam, a tall man with silver-streaked hair and the commanding presence of someone who had built his own business empire, crossed his arms. Susan, elegant and sharp-eyed, held a tablet in her hand, the screen glowing with news articles about the launch.
"Caleb, what is this that I am reading about?" Adam demanded the moment his son stepped inside. "You get engaged and don’t even tell us? What kind of a son are you?"
The words landed heavily. Caleb closed the door behind him, setting his keys down on the side table with deliberate calm. The villa’s open living space stretched behind his parents, but the atmosphere felt anything but peaceful.
"Dad, Mom," Caleb said evenly, though fatigue lined his voice. "I was going to call you today. Last night was intense. The launch, the reveal, everything happened faster than I planned."
Susan stepped forward, holding up the tablet so he could see the headline clearly. "Intense? You announce to the entire world that you’re engaged to Fiona Flare before telling your own parents? We had to find out from the news like everyone else. This is not how we raised you, Caleb."
Caleb rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the weight of their disappointment. He gestured toward the living room. "Let’s sit down. I’ll explain everything."
They moved to the spacious living area, the large windows offering views of the garden now bathed in soft evening light. Adam and Susan sat on the long sofa while Caleb took the armchair opposite them. The tension was palpable.
Adam leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Start from the beginning. Who is this Fiona Flare?
Caleb took a slow breath, choosing his words carefully. "Fiona is someone know since we were young and I’ve grown close to over time. She’s kind, talented, and she understands the vision behind Moonshine.
Last night felt like the right moment to step forward both with the brand and with her. I should have told you first. I’m sorry for that. It wasn’t planned to happen on stage the way it did, but once I started speaking, it felt right to be honest about us."
Susan’s expression remained firm, though concern softened her eyes. "Honest? Caleb, you’ve barely mentioned this woman before. Now you’re engaged? After what a few weeks or months? We deserve more than a public announcement. What do we really know about her? People will talk. They’ll say this is some kind of strategic move .Is that what this is?"
Caleb shook his head. "No. This isn’t about business strategy. It’s about Fiona and me. She’s been through a lot, and I want to be the person who stands beside her. She makes me better. She believes in the same things I do real beauty, real integrity. Moonshine has always been about that, and so is she."
Adam exhaled sharply. "Integrity? You hid an entire company for years, and now you hide a serious relationship until you announce it publicly? We’re your parents. We should have met her properly. We should have been part of this decision. What about the family? The expectations? You know how traditional we are about these things. An engagement is not something you spring on the world without warning."
Caleb met his father’s gaze steadily. "I know I’ve disappointed you with how I handled the timing. I take full responsibility for that. But my feelings for Fiona are real. She’s not a business decision. She’s the woman I want to build a future with. I’ve seen how she handles pressure, how she cares about people, how she fits into my life. I didn’t want to wait any longer to show her and everyone that I’m committed."
Susan reached out and placed a hand on Adam’s arm, her voice gentler but still probing. "We want you to be happy, Caleb. Truly. But this all feels so sudden. The launch was already a massive step revealing yourself after years of secrecy. Adding an engagement on top of it... it’s a lot to process. Have you thought about the implications? The media scrutiny, the questions , how this might affect business relationships? Your father and I built our lives with careful planning. We expected the same from you." ƒгeewёbnovel.com
Caleb leaned forward, his expression sincere. "I have thought about it. The scrutiny will be intense, but I’m ready for it. Fiona is worth it. She’s strong, kind, and she understands the world I live in. I didn’t plan to fall for her this deeply, but I have. And I want you both to meet her properly. Give her a chance. You’ll see why I’m so sure about this."
"Okay if you insist you are right let’s meet with her Caleb as soon as tomorrow".
Adam Reed’s voice carried the finality of a man who had made up his mind after a long, tense discussion. He sat back on the sofa in Caleb’s villa living room, arms crossed, while Susan nodded beside him, her sharp eyes still holding a mixture of concern and reluctant acceptance. The evening light had faded completely outside the large windows, leaving the garden in soft darkness. Caleb remained in his armchair, processing his parents’ words.
The conversation stretched owing from initial anger to pointed questions about Fiona’s background, the suddenness of the engagement, and the implications for the family name now that Caleb’s ownership of Moonshine was public.
"Tomorrow," Adam repeated, as if testing the word. "We will not wait weeks or months for this. If she is going to be part of this family, we need to meet her properly. No more surprises, Caleb. We’ve had enough of those for one week." freeωebnovēl.c૦m
Caleb nodded slowly, rubbing his jaw. He understood their position. His parents had always valued structure, tradition, and being involved in major life decisions.
The public announcement at the launch had caught them completely off guard, and the media frenzy had only amplified their displeasure. Still, he felt a quiet protectiveness toward Fiona.
"I’ll arrange it," Caleb said evenly. "I’ll speak with her tonight and set a time. Somewhere comfortable. No pressure. She’s been through a lot lately, and I don’t want her feeling overwhelmed."
Susan leaned forward, her expression softening just a fraction. "We’re not trying to intimidate her, Caleb. We simply want to know the woman who has captured your heart so quickly. From what little we’ve seen in the news, she seems poised and graceful. But we need to see her for ourselves. Understand her values. Make sure this is built on solid ground and not just the excitement of a dramatic night."
Caleb respected that. He spent the next several minutes reassuring them, sharing more about Fiona’s character without revealing anything too personal. He spoke about her creativity, her kindness.
Adam and Susan listened carefully, asking occasional questions about her family background and how she handled pressure. The conversation remained civil but firm, with his parents making it clear they expected transparency going forward.
By the time they stood to leave, the initial storm had calmed into a cautious agreement. Adam clapped Caleb on the shoulder. "Tomorrow, son. Bring her here or choose a neutral place. We’ll keep it private. But no more secrets."
Susan hugged him briefly, her voice quieter. "We love you, Caleb. We just want what’s best. This engagement came as a shock, but if she makes you happy, we will try to welcome her."
Caleb walked them to the door, watching their cars disappear down the driveway before heading back inside. The villa felt quieter now, the weight of the day settling heavily on his shoulders. He poured himself a glass of water and sat down, staring at his phone. Fiona had texted earlier that she needed rest, but he needed to give her a heads-up about tomorrow. He typed carefully, keeping the message gentle.
"Hey Fi. Hope you’re resting well. My parents want to meet you tomorrow. They saw the news and have questions. No pressure we can keep it short and at a comfortable place. Let me know how you feel."
The success of the launch still hummed in the background sales figures were breaking records, the team was celebrating internally but the personal side of the night had created new ripples. Meeting his parents so soon after the public announcement felt fast, but delaying it would only make things worse.
