His Innocent Sera novel Chapter 45

"You want to marry?" Ara asked, utterly stunned. Nate gave a silent nod. At a loss, she glanced at Killian, hoping for some anchor, but he looked just as surprised as her.

Inhaling a sigh, she shifted her attention to her eldest.

"Don't you think you're too young for marriage?" Ara asked, her tone soft but laced with concern. Nate looked up at her.

"Age doesn’t matter, Mom, not when we’re sure it’s the right thing for us. I know she is the one for me. She has this calmness in her, Mom, and so much compassion.. I've never met someone like her before. She brings peace and purpose to my life. She inspires me to be a better person..." he paused, reaching for Ara's hand, his fingers lacing gently with hers as his expression softened into an earnest plea as, "Mom, You always say we should follow our hearts.....my heart leads straight to her."

Ara could only gape at him, trying to process the philosophical lines her son had just delivered. Ara groped for the right words.

"You love her?" Ara asked a moment later, staring intently into his eyes.

"I do. I love her," Nate replied, his eyes held no doubt, his confession loaded with certainty.

"You love her or you want to possess her?" Killian interrupted. Nate turned to meet his dad's sharp gaze. Killian was not convinced and completely unfazed by Nate's poetic monologue.

"I love her. And she loves me too," Nate answered, holding his gaze with unwavering conviction. Killian's eyes narrowed, doubts still lingering in them. He refused to believe Nate was in love. At his age, love is like candy, handed out to every pretty girl who smiles their way. He could swear all he wants that he was following his heart, but in reality, he was just following his cock.

"It's a phase. You'll get over it," Killian responded dismissively. A hint of frustration clouded Nate's countenance at his conclusion.

"It's not a phase, Dad. I am certain of my feelings. I've loved her for years, and she loves me too," he countered. Killian lifted a brow. The new piece of information was intriguing.

"She loves you?" Ara asked, both confused and intrigued.

"Yes. We hid it as long as we can," he answered, keeping his face solemn. Ara took a moment to ponder over it.

"Is she even 18? I don't thin..'

"She turned 18 a few days back," Nate cut in, a hint of hope flickering in his eyes.

Ara's expression eased into motherly concern as she coached, "Honey, I understand your feelings. But marriage isn't some game you play until you get bored. It's a lifetime commitment. It's a serious, lasting promise." She added, "Maybe, wait for a few years more?"

A hint of disapproval flickered across his countenance.

"But why wait when we know this is what we want? I wish to honor our relationship, Mom. I want to do right by her," he said.

"Enough," Killian cut in, "...there will be no marriage. Your only priority right now is your training," Killian commanded, having had enough of Nate's childish tantrums. His command was followed by a stretch of silence. Nate's jaw tightened, the muscles ticking ever so slightly as he withdrew his hands from her lap and dropped them to his sides. His fingers curled into clenching fists. He didn't want to do this. He didn't want to manipulate them, but he had no choice now. If doing wrong meant she would be his, then so be it.

Ara got up and followed Killian out. As soon as they left, Nate's mouth curved into a sly smirk.

.........

Hovering on the edge of slumberness, a sudden knock on her door, scared the shit out of her. She bolted upright; her alarmed eyes waited for the door to open.

Mr. Diaz opened the door, causing a wave of relief to wash over her. She ached to race into his arms and tell him everything, to confess how Nate was tormenting her, how she felt like she was drowning. She moved by instinct but resisted. She doubted he would like it. He had never hugged her.

"Serranos have invited us over for dinner. Get ready, we are going in 10," Franklin told her. At the mention of their name, a sharp, electric jolt of dread shot through her, her stomach coiling tight.

"I..I don't want to go," Sera replied.

"They've asked for all of us. Get ready in 10," Franklin commanded before closing the door.

She couldn't help but feel anxiety constricting her throat. Serranos had never invited them for dinner like this before. Why now?