Chapter 3 Family

• "I'm getting a whiff of chocolate muffins!"
• Stephanie heard the loud and cheerful voice of her 5-year-old sister in her living room.
• She hurriedly removed the chocolate muffin microwave tray from the oven and set it on the tiled kitchen cabinet.
• With her apron on, she ran into the living room, removing the oven mitts from her hands.
• "Mom, Dad!" She exclaimed.
• She rushed to them, and they both hugged her. They all giggled, and as soon as they disengaged, Princess jumped down from Sebastian’s arm.
• She dashed over to Stephanie and jumped on her like she had Sebastian.
• "My little Princess," She said.
• Stephanie laughed as she threw her up in the air. She gave her a firm hug and a kiss on the cheek.
• "Mom, she's so plump now."
• Princess blushed, and she sheepishly covered her face in Stephanie's shoulder. Everyone in the room burst out laughing at her reaction.
• “Where is Mary?”
• Stephanie looked around for her other sibling.
• Stephanie was born ten years after Mary was born.
• "She dashed to your restroom to relieve herself." When we were traveling down here, she wouldn't stop pestering us about it."
• After her father, Philip, finished speaking, Mary returned from the restroom.
• “Stephanie!”
• Mary rushed up to Stephanie and hugged her.
• Stephanie hugged Mary with her right hand while carrying Princess with her left.
• "My 14-year-old sister has matured into a woman!"
• Except for Sebastian, who had a tiny smile on his face, they all laughed.
• He had no idea what he was meant to say or do. He just stood there, taking in the scene of the joyful family.
• "We still haven't packed our belongings from the car." Can you help us?”
• Stephanie's mother, Sarah, addressed Sebastian, and Stephanie fixed her gaze on him. Then she remembered she was yet to introduce him to her family.
• “Oh God, I am so sorry. I was so excited that I forgot to tell you about my family..."
• "Stephanie, you don't have to introduce him. Owen is someone we already know." Princess butted in. They all exchanged glances as an awkward silence arose between them.
• Stephanie took a deep breath and broke the silence with a loud gasp.
• "This is Sebastian, my friend, Mom and Dad." "This is my mother, father, and siblings, Sebastian."
• She spoke while pointing to them.
• “Sebastian? "How about Owen?"
• Princess looked at Stephanie, and Stephanie kissed her cheeks in response.
• “Nice meeting you all.”
• Sebastian spoke with his head lowered. They all greeted him, and Mary gave Stephanie a familiar glance afterward.
• "No," Stephanie said quietly, and Mary burst out laughing.
• "I'll bring the luggage in," Philip said before leaving the house.
• "I'd be happy to help him as well."
• Stephanie stopped Sebastian as he approached the door.
• "You're not obliged to do it." You're my guest, and you deserve to be treated as such."
• "Stephanie, it's not a problem. I'd be delighted to assist."
• Sarah stared at Stephanie with a big grin on her face as he went out of the home.
• "He's a nice fellow." "I am content..."
• "Mom, there's nothing to rejoice over, okay?" "It isn't what you think." Stephanie butted in.
• She sighed and delicately dropped Princess.
• “Are there chocolate muffins in the kitchen?”
• Princess trailed Mary as she dashed to the kitchen. Her scanty but neat ponytail bounced as she hopped happily.
• "You can't keep doing this, you know?" It's been almost a year. "It's time for you to move on."
• Stephanie took a deep breath and gave a fatigued gaze to her mother. Sarah was up to her old tricks once more. Stephanie was constantly nagged by her mother to find a new partner following Owen.
• "Please, Mom, don't start. I've already informed you that I'm not going to have another lover. I love the way I am now.”
• "Stephanie, you are 24 years old. Being a single lady at this age is unusual. Honey, you've got to get moving."
• "Would you like some chocolate muffins, Mom?" "Right now, I'm not prepared for this conversation."
• Stephanie entered the kitchen to see Princess already eating one of the muffins.
• Her mouth was stained with chocolate.
• Stephanie smiled as Mary recounted, "I instructed her to ask you first."
• "It's fine, give it to her." "I made eight cups," she said.
• *
• Sebastian assisted Philip in the car by carrying the bags. In his two hands, he raised two of the medium-sized travel bags, while Philip lifted the third.
• "Tell me, son, how long have you and my daughter been friends?"
• Sebastian smiled broadly as he gazed at Philip.
• "Sir, we only became friends yesterday."
• Philip gazed at him with his gray brows raised.
• “Yesterday, Oh wow. I thought you have been friends for so long.”
• “Not at all, sir. We met at the Rockefeller Center.
• “Hm.”
• As he took the lead, Philip nodded. He climbed up the porch, and Sebastian was right behind him.
• They entered the house and placed the bags in the living room.
• Stephanie placed the muffins on the center table. She waved at them, and they walked to her.
• They all sat except for Sebastian.
• “Stephanie, I have to go now.”
• As he spoke, he nervously stroked his thighs. He was the center of attention.
• “What? No, don't go. The muffins are ready.”
• "It's all right, Stephanie."
• "Do you have anything you'd like to do when you get home?" Sarah interfered.
• “Not really...”
• “Then you are having dinner with us,” Sarah said in a final tone.
• Sebastian looked at Stephanie and noticed that she was looking at her mother with her eyes narrowed.
• “Okay, Ma’am, thank you.” He said after thinking twice.
• Stephanie stood up after a brief glance at Sebastian. She approached him and took his hand in hers.
• Sebastian was perplexed as he stared at Sarah. He was curious as to why her daughter had reacted so negatively to her offer.
• Stephanie stood on the porch when they were outside the house. She still had his hand in hers.
• “Sebastian, please don't mind my Mom. She's one of the thorny characters. Please don't hesitate to take care of anything you need to do at home."
• Sebastian smiled and shook his head.
• "No, Stephanie," I say. It's all right. Your mum is a lovely lady. To be honest, I adore your entire family. I wish I had one like this.”
• Stephanie realized she had kept Sebastian's hand in hers and carefully let him go.
• "Please accept my apologies."
• “Sorry? You don't have to be sorry. "You haven't done anything wrong."
• Stephanie sighed and gave a nod.
• "Let's go back quickly." In five minutes, Princess can eat eight muffins."
• As Stephanie spoke, Sebastian let out a beautiful laugh.
• "She's really adorable."
• “Thank you. Let's get inside already.”
• Stephanie approached the door, but he grabbed her hand before she could open it.
• "Another thing..."
• Stephanie gave him a slow nod after looking at his hand.
• “Who is Owen?
• ... I apologize if I'm invading your personal space. I'm intrigued. Princess called me Owen.”
• Stephanie took a deep breath and lowered her head. She cautiously withdrew her hand from his and glanced at him.
• "He's no one."
• She walked into the house and left Sebastian outside.
• Sebastian was well aware that he had stepped on something he shouldn't have. He should've pretended nothing had happened. He took a chance, but it backfired.