His movements were loud, taking everyone's attention as all of us looked at him.
"Am I interrupting something?" River asked, his voice low and teasing. "Can I join?"
"Sure." My mom's voice broke as she cleared her throat. "Sure. Please, take a seat."
River sat across from me, then he took my hand and kissed the back of my palm.
"Hello, Princess."
I only showed a weak smile in response, but at the same time, I felt so delighted. It was like my heart was singing hallelujah.
For the first time, someone acknowledged my presence without asking anything in return.
"Stop doing that, River," my mom reprimanded, her voice low with authority. "Other people might get the wrong idea."
"But you're not other people, Mrs. Miller." River's lips curved into a smirk. "I'm sure that you understand that this is a tradition I couldn't remove, not even when I'm in the States."
Mom sighed.
She wanted to speak, but one warning glance from Dad and she immediately went silent, holding the cutlery as if her entire sanity was dependent on it.
As both of them stared at River with a mixture of annoyance and respect, River didn't even care.
He even asked a maid for a plate and ate while he was being watched, as if he was already used to it.
"Why aren't you eating?" River asked me, his voice worried. "Is there a problem? Perhaps, don't you like the food?"
My eyes widened, and for a moment, I thought I'd let go of the cutlery I was holding. This is the first time someone asked me about my preferences.
I don't know what to feel. I don't know what I want, either. It didn't matter whether I was home or somewhere else. I feel like I don't have emotions or my entire life, at all.
At this point, I don't even know why Mia was keeping me as her best friend.
"I... I'm fine."
I almost stuttered, but thankfully, I didn't. For Dad, showing weakness is dangerous. He told me to be strong all the time. Not for me, but for them.
"Are you sure that you're fine eating those vegetables like you're a caged cow from a farm?" River frowned. "Because if you ask me, I'm not okay with that-"
"River."
My Dad's voice cut through his words.
"If she says she's fine, then that's it. Don't bother the woman and eat."
His words were authoritative, and there was a subtle anger in them. I felt the hairs stand on my skin, and Mom even flinched at the tone of my father's voice, too.
But River? He didn't give a damn.
"I'm not bothering her, Ricardo," River smirked. "I'm just asking about what she wants. Don't be pressed."
My hands clenched as I bit my lower lip. River might be acting lightly, his tone slightly teasing, yet the subtle movements in his body say otherwise.
His teeth clenching with his hands slightly twitching... River was more dangerous than everyone expected.
"I'm really fine," I told him, trying to stop the tension from filling the air. "I love vegetables."
I lied. I don't. But I don't want my parents to do the same thing they were doing to me on River, too. He's the only one who showed concern other than Mia.
I'll protect him in ways I know how.
For the first time, River smiled genuinely.
"If that's what you say, then I believe you."
My heart thumped rapidly upon hearing those words. At that moment, I became afraid that River would hear it because of how loud it was.
Thankfully, he didn't.
I'm sure that he could feel the disdain in my parents' gaze. They wanted him to leave... Because he didn't belong here.
Not at this table. Not in this house that thrived on my quiet obedience and silent suffering. Everything about him disrupted the balance my parents so carefully maintained.
His presence felt like a challenge simply by existing. And I'm more than sure my parents were already aware of that.
"Your midterm grades arrived today," my father said suddenly, his voice cutting through the clinking of silverware. "Still acceptable. But I wanted a higher grade, child."
Acceptable.
Not good. Not impressive. Just acceptable... And he still wanted more.
This isn't the first time it happened, yet it hurts every damn time. No matter what I do, it will never be enough for them.
"Yes, Dad," I replied automatically.
River's fork paused midair. He raised his head and looked at my Dad, as if he said something that irked him.
"If her grades are already acceptable, then why are you asking for more, Ricardo?" River asked lightly, yet his brows were furrowed. "What you're asking is something you can't even do yourself."
My eyes widened in mixed shock and disbelief. Did he just... tell my Dad that he didn't have high grades in college?
The table went still. Even Dad was astounded for a moment. Mom clenched her fists, wanting to include herself in the conversation, but she remained silent.
So am I.
This is the first time someone dared to defy my parents. Not even the Continental family did that, although they always indirectly exuded their authority.
"This is a family matter, River," said Dad, giving River a look that could stop someone from defying him. "I will appreciate it if you stop right now."
"And Serenity is also family,' River answered, not even hesitating or backing down. "That is why I'm trying to exercise her rights."
"Or... does that only apply when it's convenient?"
My chest tightened as I cleared my throat. I wanted to disappear.
I wanted to lash out at River because of what he was doing. I appreciate the gesture, but he's going too far, and once my parents were pissed. They'll lash it out on me.
That's something River couldn't see.
"This is the first time we've met, but wow, you're quite outspoken, Palmer," said Mom as she let out a soft laugh, the sound delicate yet controlled. "It must be a European thing."
"Or maybe, it's just honesty," he replied calmly.
I felt the pressure building in my chest.
The air around me felt thicker, yet River didn't care. He even continued eating as if none of these fazed him at all.
Mom was about to argue, but Dad shook his head.
I don't know why, but I subtly feel that Dad was somehow afraid of River. Was it because of his influence in Europe? River is rich as hell, after all.
That made me wonder more. Why would he even go to the States if he was almost living like a noble prince there?
"Anyway, Serenity. I have another piece of news for you," Mom spoke to me, as if nothing had happened. "Hans Continental will be arriving next week."
