The two-hour flight from Sao San Jose left Billy pletely exhausted. He had to make some purchases before accepting Alice's invitation. After all, he would be having dinner with Alice's parents, which, for Billy, was just another way to tinue his retionship with Alice, which, for now, was improving.

  -e on, I'll take you to buy a gift for your father. Nothier than a fine Glenfiddich Reserve from 1970, one of the best drinks I've had the opportunity to try, - said Thomas.

  -Thank you, Dad, - said Billy.

  They arrived at a much more elegant liquor store than the one he had visited with Raimon. This one had a formally dressed attendant. The pce even had a cssic ambiah soft piano music.

  -Mr. Thomas, I'm delighted you stopped by. We have a new arrival of Texan spirits that you might like, - the man said with a refione.

  -Unfortunately, I'm in a bit of a hurry today, but we meet ter with more time. I have a special meeting. Do you have a Glenfiddich special for this occasion? - Thomas inquired.

  -Perhaps you'd like a special reserve. Eae is aged 21 years in Caribbean rum casks. The Windsor's one is exceptional due to the type of oak used. Anyone will delight in the warm fvor that lingers oe. This one is special due to its preparation, - the eloquent employee expined.

  -Sure, do you have any special offers? - asked Thomas.

  -Of course, this one es with a special drinking gss, featuring a small indicator for the number of milliliters ed. It has its collectible seal and a beautiful coaster, - the employee said.

  -Perfect, give me two, one as a gift, - Thomas decided.

  The employee's eyes lit up with joy. Selling these bottles wasn't easy, and if he could sell two in one day, his sales for the month would start to ission.

  -It would be a total of 6,355, - said the employee as he pced the bottles in a special bck bag with shiny designs.

  -Wow, that's quite expensive for a whiskey bottle! - remarked Billy as he saw the prices of the bottles. His father paid with a check, and the man could only smile.

  -Son, there are even more expensive drinks out there. These are something to enjoy. Besides, if yirlfriend's father, as you said, enjoys whiskey, he'll be delighted with the gesture. There's nothier than having a good retionship, - Thomas advised.

  -I uand, I'm just amazed at the high prices. What do you think when I make 100 million, I'll buy a liquor store like this? - Billy said.

  -Well, I don't know the price, but it's a massive iment, son. 100 million won't be enough. These pces have a huge market. But we go for a simpler one. Besides, your business is drawing, it's better to i in your line, just as you've done, - Thomas expined.

  -Of course, but I'll buy oer, - Billy replied.

  One billion is the minimum; that's what it takes to buy a liquor store of that size.

  -Let's go, we'll buy the flowers and head out. We're running out of time, - Thomas said, cheg his watch. As expected, it was already 5:30 PM, and they had only half an hour to get to Alice's house.

  Billy said goodbye to his father, holding a bouquet in his left hand and a bag in his right. He rang the doorbell and waited eagerly. Fortunately, he was o mie, which was good, sidering the journey from San Diego wasn't as long as one might expect.

  Alice's older sister, Melissa Davis, opehe door, wearing a long blue dress. They had dressed up for the di their mother's request.

  -e in; dinner will be ready in a moment, - Melissa said, inviting him into the living room, where he had been once before.

  -I brought a bouquet of roses; I hope you give them to your mother or put them in a vase, - Billy said to Melissa. She gave an affirmative nod a into the kit.

  Alice came down immediately, giving him a warm and affeate hug. She looked exceptionally beautiful in a long bck dress. -- I missed you a lot, -- the young woman said.

  -I missed you too. I've been quite busy; I apologize, - Billy replied, kissing her on the forehead, a gesture they had grown aced to. She tinued hugging him, tent but somewhat nervous.

  -That doesn't matter muow, - Alice said.

  -Your father? - Billy inquired.

  -He's in his study. e on, I have to introduce you. When you meet him, you'll uand a lot about him. My sister ratted me out, and he's been a little upset with you ever since my sister said you're just another, much more handsome, Austin, - Alice expined.

  -Well, I brought a gift, based on your reendations, but now I'm not so sure that gifting him a bottle of whiskey is the most appropriate choice, - Billy said.

  -e on; there won't be any problems. He'll be happy. You're the first oo give him anything, anyway, - Alice assured, leading him to her father's study. Robert Davis was seated at his desk, reviewing some letters and medical books.

  His day brightened when he saw his dear Aliter through the door. However, it only sted a few seds when he saw the young man that Melissa had described as the Tom Cruise of Notre Dame school.

  The young man was undoubtedly a charmer. -- Father, this is Billy Carson, -- Alice said, delighted that her parents were finally meeting Billy. They would approve of him without as; Billy was different from Austin and even some of her sister's past boyfriends. Billy stood out among all of them.

  The room was a standard study with a built-in bookshelf. A small crystal vase with two gsses of yellow liquid sat on a small table, catg Billy's attention.

  Billy walked up to Mr. Davis aended his hand over the desk. -- I'm Billy Carson, sir, and it's a pleasure to meet you, -- the young man said.

  -I'm Robert Davis, young man, - he replied. Mr. Davis scrutinized Billy from head to toe, but the sight of the young man dressed in a bck suit with a white shirt helped ease some of Mr. Davis's initial thoughts. It was clear that Billy had dressed up for the dinner.

  -I brought a little gift; I hope you like it, - Billy said, handing him the bag.

  Alice couldn't help but give him a gnce.

  -Thank you, son, - he replied, pg the bag on his desk. -- Let's go; your mother must have everything ready by now, -- he added while adjusting his jacket, preparing to head to the dining area, having risen from his chair.

  -Sure, Dad, we'll be right there, - Alice said, smiling at her father. As the you of the three siblings, she ehe privileges of being the baby and her father's favorite.

  -As for you, young man, sting gifts to people. e on, -- he said as they walked towards the dining area. -- I was thinking about something to get you not too long ago, and it was holy frustrating. So, I decided to get you something you would need. Since you're an art enthusiast, I got you a special sketchbook. The pages are thicker, and you use charcoal on them. Plus, if you're careful, you eveercolors, - Alice expined as she handed him a rge sketchbook with an e cover.

  -You're very sweet, - Billy said, stealing a quick kiss.

  Alice widened her eyes. -e on; we o get to the table. Dad is grumpy, but it's Mom you have to watch out for. She'll ask you everything. I'd reend answering vaguely to prevent her from asking again. Or if you do answer, keep it as short as possible, - Alice advised as she ran her fihrough Billy's hair to the side, as was her .

  -Let's go down to eat before your dad thinks this young man is assaulting his sweet daughter, - Billy said, approag Alid tentatively whispering those words in her ear.

  -Silly, - Alice whispered back.

  Billy desded the loraaircase first, and Alice followed closely. However, she couldn't tain a silly ugh and reached the stairs. As she reached the staircase, Billy opened his arms, and Alice jumped into them.

  -You're very strong, sir, - Alice said, perched on Billy's p.

  -Let's go, my dear dy, the food is waiting, - Billy said, galntly raising his arm for Alice.

  The table was set, and the family had gathered around it. Her father was in a foul mood at the head of the table. Melissa, Alice's sister, couldn't help but stifle a ugh, c her mouth with her left hand, as her right was occupied with sipping some wine.

  The mother observed them curiously. In her eyes, she hid a storm that would beore apparent ter.

  -Good evening, miss. I haven't had the pleasure of introdug myself. Billy Carson, at your service, - Billy said, a small smile to Alice's mother, who replied with an even brighter smile than his at first.

  -I've heard so much about you that I feel like I know you as well as the students who attend Notre Dame High School. Our Alice hasn't stopped talking about you to all her friends. She has regaihat happiness I remembered so well, - said Alice's mrace Davis, formerly Wright.

  -I'm gd Alice is happier. May I sit, Mrs. Davis? - Billy asked.

  -My dear, please have a seat. You don't o stand on ceremony. I've saved a spot to my left. Alice will be sittio you at the table, - Mrs. Davis replied, indig the seat he should take.

  -At first, I wao cook your favorite dish, but Alie about your Texan roots and how anything with meat might cheer you up. So, I decided to make a roast mb with a spicy chili sauce. I hope you like it; this dish is especially for you, - Grace expined.

  The metal trays were uncovered in the ter of the table, revealing mashed potatoes, roast mb, tomato sad, eggpnt sad, and potato wedges. Grace's smile helped ease Billy's tension a little, and Alice gave his hand a slight squeeze; she was there to support him.

  The meal tinued in an unfortable silence, and Billy uood that it was much more challenging for Alice. Her two iive parents and an accusatrandmother made it even harder, and her grandmaze was hawk-like.

  Alice ate very little, with a small pieeat and sad oe. She cast a smile his way, but it was one she used when she was about to do something she found amusing.

  -Darling, you have a bit of sau your cheek, - Alice said, wiping his cheek with her napkin.

  Billy remembered the moment when she had wiped his cheek, and how she blushed and stammered as if it were the first time. In those moments, she had given him an endearing pout that he would never fet.

  -Thank you, Alice, - Billy replied, trying to remairal and keep smiling.

  -You two are so cute. My little girl hasn't stopped talking, and I'd like to crify a few things. You see, Alice's st boyfriend was that boy, Austin, who only gave us headaches. We still believe that he's the reason our daughter rexed her academic values, - Grace said.

  -Mama! - Alice protested.

  -I would be pleased to crify, Mrs. Davis, - Billy said.

  -Well, I have many points to address, but let's start with st Thursday night when you stayed over at our house, even in Alice's room. As you know now, I disapprove of such behavior based on my values and traditions. My little girl is not just any woman, and your duct has caused disappoi for both me and my husband, - Grace stated, rather firmly. Billy nearly choked on the pieb he was still chewing, and Alice's sister ehe spectacle in silence.

  Alice was now as embarrassed as she could be, not knowing what to say and feeling shocked. Her mother had never been so firm with other people, and she felt her mother was being somewhat unfair.

  Grace's questio Billy someeechless. He thought her questions would be different, not so blunt.

  -Well, ma'am, although I sider it inappropriate to discuss these matters at the table, I regret my as. On that day, I had some wine, and I was terrible with alcohol. It's not my prefereo drink it, and I don't justify my as. But when I realized it, I had fallen into a deep sleep, - Billy said.

  -A young man who doesn't drink alcohol but vely happeo buy all the alcohol for the party, - Grace said.

  -Well, you see, it's different. I was ing from work, and a colleague expihat parties should have a healthy amount of alcohol. I thought everyone would be partaking in the graduation celebration, but apparently, there was a divide, and fewer than half attended, much less than half. So, there was more alcohol than we could handle, primarily, - Billy expined.

  -A young man with very charming words, -- she sarcastically intoned. -- You're on probation, and our little one must be safe from creeps. So, I hope for everyone's sake that you don't cause any harm, -- Grace stated firmly, her tourning more venomous. Robert merely nodded in agreement. He couldn't have put it better himself.

  -Well, ma'am, with all due respect that you deserve, it's something you should discuss with Alid not with me. Besides, this isn't a job or a job interview, so please save your threats for the sake of everyone, - Billy responded, somewhat colder than usual.

  -What are you talking about, young man? -- Robert Davis shouted. -- This is my table, my rules. -

  -Well, sir, it seems I'm not wele in this house. Thank you for the invitation. I should go, but everything was much appreciated, - Billy said, rising from his seat, much to the disbelief of Alid Melissa.

  -Wait, Billy, - Alice said, following him.

  Billy turo look at Alice, tears streaming down her face. -- Alice, don't worry. Just talk to your parents. We tinue seeing each other once all of this is over, -- Billy said.

  Without any iion of returning to Alice's house.

  ...

  this is another neter, we are closer to the end of the first ard the sed arc begins. my Patreon is at chapter 155, sood day.