CHAPTER 1: A PERFECT SATURDAY

Saturday mornings were meant for sleeping in, at least, that was what Elena Bennett believed, unfortunately, her boyfriend had other plans.

"Elena!"

She groaned beneath her duvet.

"Elena, sweetheart!"

"Adrian, if you don't stop shouting, I'm going to throw something at you."

A deep laugh came from the other side of her bedroom door.

"That's not a very romantic way to greet your boyfriend."

"Then stop disturbing my beauty sleep!"

"You're already beautiful. Get up."

Elena smiled despite herself, she pushed the duvet aside, grabbed her phone from the bedside table, and checked the time.

9:17 a.m.

She stared at the screen, then she stared at the door.

"Adrian Whitmore!"

The door opened, and a handsome young man stepped inside, wearing a white T-shirt, dark jeans, and an annoyingly cheerful smile.

"Good morning, princess."

Elena grabbed a pillow.

"Get out."

Adrian laughed, catching the pillow before it reached him.

"Violent woman."

"Annoying man."

He walked over and sat at the edge of her bed.

"Are you going to keep insulting me, or can I have a kiss?"

"Depends. What did you bring me?"

He reached behind his back and produced a small paper bag.

Elena immediately sat upright.

"What's that?"

"Good morning to you too."

She snatched the bag from his hand, Inside was a box of her favorite strawberry pastries, her expression softened.

"Okay. I forgive you."

Adrian shook his head.

"You're very easy to bribe."

"Only when the bribe is good."

He leaned forward, and she kissed his cheek.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

For a moment, they simply looked at each other , Adrian had a way of making her feel special without doing anything extraordinary. He remembered little things about her, sent her ridiculous messages throughout the day, and somehow always knew when she needed cheering up, Elena liked that about him, she liked him, a lot.

"So," Adrian began, rubbing his hands together.

Elena narrowed her eyes.

"Why do I feel like you're about to ask me for something?"

"Because you know me too well."

"What is it?"

"I want you to come somewhere with me today."

"Where?"

"My house."

Elena paused.

"Your house?"

"Yes."

"The house you've been telling me about for months?"

"The very same."

She looked at him carefully.

"Wait. Are you finally introducing me to your family?"

Adrian smiled.

"About time, don't you think?"

Elena's excitement immediately mixed with nervousness.

"Adrian!"

"What?"

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I just did."

"That's not what I mean!"

He laughed.

"Relax. They're not going to eat you."

"You don't understand. What if they don't like me?"

"Impossible."

"What if your mother thinks I'm not good enough for you?"

"Then she'll have to argue with me."

Elena stared at him, he took her hand.

"Listen, Elena. I want you to meet them. That's all. You don't need to impress anybody."

She smiled.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Yes. But I'm not going if you don't promise to stay beside me."

"Deal."

"And don't abandon me with your relatives."

"I promise."

"And if your father asks me uncomfortable questions, you're answering them."

Adrian laughed.

"Anything else, Your Highness?"

"Yes. I need to go shopping."

He stared at her.

"For what?"

"An outfit, obviously."

"Elena, you have an entire wardrobe."

"None of which is appropriate for meeting my boyfriend's family."

Adrian sighed dramatically.

"I should have kept my mouth shut."

She threw the second pillow at him.

---

By noon, Elena was standing in front of her wardrobe, surrounded by clothes, she had rejected four dresses, two skirts, and a blouse she had worn only once, her best friend, Natalie, sat on the edge of her bed, eating one of the strawberry pastries Adrian had brought.

"You know," Natalie said between bites, "I've never seen someone struggle this much to choose an outfit."

Elena held up a black dress.

"Too much?"

Natalie examined it.

"No."

Elena held up a blue dress.

"What about this?"

"Beautiful."

Elena picked up a cream-colored dress.

"And this?"

Natalie sighed.

"Elena, you're meeting his parents, not attending the coronation of a queen."

Elena dropped the dress onto the bed.

"You're not helping."

"I'm helping by reminding you that you're beautiful in everything."

Elena smiled.

"You're lucky I love you."

"I know."

Natalie took another bite.

"By the way, is Adrian's older brother going to be there?"

Elena frowned.

"I think so."

"Alexander?"

"Yes. That's his name."

Natalie suddenly looked interested.

"I've heard about him."

Elena glanced at her.

"What have you heard?"

"That he's ridiculously handsome, rich, and has a reputation for breaking hearts."

Elena rolled her eyes.

"Wonderful. Another arrogant rich man."

"Apparently, he's quite the ladies' man."

"Not interested."

Natalie grinned.

"I didn't say you were."

"Good. Because I'm not."

She finally settled on a fitted navy-blue dress that fell just above her knees, paired with simple heels and delicate earrings, Natalie nodded approvingly.

"Perfect."

Elena examined herself in the mirror.

"Do I look nervous?"

"You look like someone who's about to meet her boyfriend's family."

"That's not reassuring."

Natalie laughed.

---

2:45 P.M. — THE WHITMORE MANSION

The Whitmore mansion stood behind enormous black gates, surrounded by perfectly trimmed gardens and a long driveway lined with trees.

Elena stared through the car window.

"Adrian?"

"Hmm?"

"Is this your house or a hotel?"

He laughed.

"Behave."

"I'm serious. How many people live here?"

"Just my family."

She turned to him.

"Your family needs a smaller house."

"Tell my father that."

The car stopped in front of the entrance, before Elena could say anything else, Adrian was already out, walking around to open her door, he offered his hand.

"Welcome to my humble home."

Elena looked at the enormous building.

"Humble?"

He laughed and kissed her forehead.

"Come on."

They entered the mansion, the interior was even more impressive than the exterior. A grand chandelier hung above the marble floor, while expensive paintings decorated the walls.

A woman in an elegant cream blouse approached them.

"Adrian!"

"Mom."

Victoria Whitmore embraced her son before turning her attention to Elena.

"And you must be Elena."

Elena smiled politely.

"Yes, ma'am. It's lovely to meet you."

Victoria's face brightened.

"Oh, please. Call me Victoria."

She hugged Elena warmly.

"I've heard so much about you."

Elena glanced at Adrian.

"Hopefully, good things."

Victoria laughed.

"Mostly."

"Mom!"

"What? You talk about her all the time."

Elena turned to Adrian with a teasing smile.

"Really?"

He shook his head.

"Don't listen to her."

Before Victoria could respond, another voice interrupted.

"Finally! The famous girlfriend!"

A beautiful young woman came down the stairs, she wore a short white dress, her long brown hair falling over her shoulders.

"I'm Isabella."

Elena smiled.

"Elena."

Isabella immediately embraced her.

"You're even prettier than Adrian's pictures."

Elena blinked.

"Pictures?"

Isabella turned to her brother.

"Oh, don't look at me like that. You showed us."

Adrian groaned.

"Can everyone please stop embarrassing me?"

Isabella laughed.

"Not a chance."

Elena was beginning to relax, perhaps meeting Adrian's family wouldn't be so difficult after all, then a male voice came from behind them.

"What's all the noise about?"

Elena turned, and there he was, Alexander Whitmore, he descended the staircase with one hand tucked into the pocket of his dark trousers, his white shirt was casually unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled to his elbows, he was tall, broad-shouldered, and annoyingly handsome, his dark hair looked as though he'd run his fingers through it several times, and a silver watch rested against his wrist, he looked like someone who had never been told no, his eyes moved from Adrian to Elena.

"Who's this?"

Adrian smiled.

"Alex, meet Elena. My girlfriend."

Alexander looked at her for a moment, then he extended his hand.

"Alexander."

Elena shook it.

"Elena."

His gaze briefly settled on her face.

"You're the one who's been keeping my brother busy?"

Elena smiled politely.

"I wouldn't say that. He manages to keep himself busy."

Isabella laughed, Alexander's lips curved slightly.

"Interesting."

Adrian shook his head.

"Don't start."

"Start what?"

"Whatever you're about to do."

Alexander raised both hands innocently.

"I haven't said anything."

Elena released his hand.

"Good. Let's keep it that way."

There was a brief silence, then Isabella burst into laughter, Alexander slowly turned his attention back to Elena.

"Well, Adrian. She's certainly comfortable around strangers."

Elena smiled sweetly.

"Only when they give me a reason to be."

Alexander let out a quiet chuckle, Adrian looked between them.

"Please, can we have one peaceful afternoon?"

"Of course," Alexander replied.

He glanced at Elena again.

"Welcome to the family."

Something about the way he said it made Elena suspicious, she smiled anyway.

"Thank you."

Alexander walked past them, heading toward the sitting room, just before disappearing around the corner, he turned slightly.

"Oh, and Elena?"

She looked at him.

"Yes?"

"Try not to encourage Adrian too much. He's already unbearable."

Adrian groaned.

"Alexander!"

Elena laughed.

"Don't worry. I'll do my best."

Alexander gave her a knowing smile, then he disappeared, Elena watched him go, Adrian wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Don't mind him. He's always like that."

Elena looked at her boyfriend.

"Your brother is something else."

"Believe me. I know."

Isabella leaned closer.

"Give it time. You'll get used to him."

Elena smiled, she certainly hoped so, because something told her that getting along with Alexander Whitmore was going to be a very difficult task, and she had absolutely no idea that this was only the beginning.