Lunch with his parents (2)

Killian's well-intentioned intervention only seemed to worsen matters. Mrs. Anderson's gaze shifted from skepticism to disbelief. "An abandoned warehouse? Really?"

I nodded, attempting to muster an air of nonchalance. "Well, it had a certain post-apocalyptic charm. Plus, the rats were surprisingly good art critics."

"And what about your family, Mellisa?" she inquired, her tone not betraying any warmth. The focus shifted, and suddenly, I was on the proverbial hot seat.

I shot a glance at Killian, silently pleading for rescue. He cleared his throat, a subtle sign for me to let him handle it. Reluctantly, I allowed him to dive into the murky waters of my family background.

"Oh, Mellisa comes from a very... unique background," he began, choosing his words carefully. "Her adoptive parents have been pillars of support, and despite the unconventional circumstances, Mellisa has emerged as a strong and independent woman."

If the room had a temperature gauge, it would have dropped a few degrees