It's a quiet and tense atmosphere at the same time inside the room. Rue and Demitri are sitting together with both families on the other side.
The occasion is already done and they were called together for a meeting between the two families that's involved with the engagement. They're all sitting on their seats with a straight posture.
But no one wants to start the conversation. It seems like they're all just waiting someone to initiate the talking. While her father is taking a glance at them alternatively, waiting for them to speak.
Rue decided to break the silence. "We decided not to oppose the marriage." She speaks with a confidence on her voice.
That made all of them look at her with a shock expression on their faces and their eyes filled with amusement. Since they witnessed her make a fuss earlier, they didn't expect them to make a decision already.
"Since we're not a stranger to one another, we immediately agree and make a mutual decision." Demitri added with a calm tone, he's sitting comfortably next to her.
The amusement is still visible on their faces but Mr. Luciano's eyes is looking at them intently with examining eyes.
"Are you really fine with my son, Ruella?" A woman asks with a soothing voice, Demitri's mother, Serenity. She's known for her demure character, the beautiful and loving wife of Alaric Saviene.
Rue suddenly felt chills and got nervous, she looks at her and managed to put a smile on her face. It's just a simple question yet she feels pressured to answer. She's already feeling guilty to lie with innocent people.
The man beside her noticed her uneasiness. He slowly grabs her hand that's on her lap and intertwined their hands. He gently squeezed her hands, trying to help her relax.
"Mother, don't ask her such questions. You're making her nervous." Demitri complained with a little frown.
Everyone once again gets shocked, including Rue. She can't even make a move on her seat. She can feel big and warm hand against hers. She tried to suppress her emotion by putting a smile on her lips.
Mr. Alaric, Demetri's father, chuckled by his son's smooth action. "Honey, our son is already a grown man and good looking. No one can surely resist him." He said like a proud father complimenting his own son.
The room is filled with light chuckles because of his statement, but Rue unconsciously twitched her lips for a second.
"I agree with you Mr. Alaric, your son is indeed handsome. They look good together." Celestina, her stepmother agreed with a sweet smile on her lips then took a glance at them.
Rue bites her lower lips. She's getting mixed emotions by their conversation. It seems natural but she can tell her stepmother's acting up because she knows that she's too good at it.
"Then we won't have a problem anymore about the marriage." Mr. Alaric announced with a big smile, he seems really excited about it.
"You already talked about the day of your marriage?" Mr. Luciano suddenly asked with a serious and intimidating face, building a tension against the them.
Everyone in the room gets back into their senses when they heard him speak, with the serious expression into their faces.
Rue and Demitri looks at each other, she's looking at him with a meaningful look. She thinks of speaking to him through mind, even she's not sure if he will hear it.
'We still have to think about it.' She chanted, while looking at him directly into his blank eyes.
As Demitri looks away, she felt him caresses her hand. Still, has no idea if he hears her message and what he's thinking.
All of them noticed it, they can tell that there's a chemistry between them, but they don't have any idea what's the real meaning behind those small gestures. While they're patiently waiting for their answer.
"We're still thinking about it. And there's no need to rush, right?" Demitri said while looking at Mr. Luciano with a gentle smile.
While they're all looking at them with adoration in their eyes, Rue can easily tell what they're thinking, she couldn't help but to smile awkwardly at them and glance away as she felt uneasiness.
On the other hand, Mr. Luciano is not satisfied with the answer. But while looking at the man's sincere smile, he can't help but to consider it. As he also observed their good relationship, he also thinks that rushing things might just make her daughter rebel and oppose it.
"I'm expecting that you two can decide on your own marriage." Mr. Luciano started as he leans his back to his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. With his creased forehead and intense aura, everyone too intimidated to say a word.
Rue couldn't tell if it's good feedback or not, she unconsciously licks her bottom lips and bites it. She tried suppressing her emotions, because she used to talk back in this kind of situation.
"But you're right, there's no need for rush. You can take your time." He added his creased forehead elevated, but still his arms still on his chest.
They secretly sigh for a relief when they heard his words, and their joy is visible on their faces. But Rue, tried to hide her feeling of victory. She doesn't want to get caught.
"Thank you for being considerate Mr. Luciano, we will not disappoint you." Demitri smiled and gave him a small nod.
Mr. Luciano's eyes crinkled at the corners with his respectfulness and sincerity on his words, it gives him an assurance that her daughter is in a trustworthy man.
The meeting is ended and settled with a decision, they all agreed that the marriage should be held according to couple's decision, since it's their own responsibility and they're already a grown up.
"Earlier, did you just hear me?" Rue whispered at him when they exited the room.
His eyes narrowed as he glances at her, he didn't say a word but instead, he just walk past her.
Rue rolled her eyes in frustration because of his dismissing response, she then immediately walks faster next to him and synchronized with his walking.