Things were going on fine...
Everyone was happy but rayden was happiest , ohm was little suspicious because there was no way Smyle will hide anything from him and specially something this big and then there was Smyle in the corner of his room sitting like he doesn't belong here (in this world) crying...but as soon as his mom entered the room , he was there laughing at his phone and acting like he was on floor by laughing so hard .
He was doing all this because his mom was happy and he was willing to do anything for his mom's happiness and safety.
Lara : "Smyle ... It has been a while since you went out from your home na ..
Is everything okey ?"
Smyle (dramatically sobbing) : "ohhh yess mom ... I just had few days with you . "
Lara laughed softly, brushing Smyle's hair back.
Lara: "Drama queen… I meant it. You've barely stepped outside."
Smyle sniffed, still pretending to sob, then peeked at her with a crooked smile.
Smyle: "I just wanted to spend time with you. After marriage everything will change na…"
Lara's smile softened.
She sat beside him on the bed.
Lara: "That's true… but you look so tired, sweetheart. Are you nervous?"
Smyle's fingers tightened around his phone.
For a second—just one—his smile slipped.
But he quickly laughed again, louder than needed.
Smyle:"Nervous? Me? Nooo! I'm excited!"
(then softly)
"Just… a little overwhelmed."
Lara pulled him into a gentle hug.
Smyle froze.
Then slowly… he melted into it.
His hands clutched her sweater tightly, like if he let go, he'd fall apart.
Lara: "You know you can always tell me if something's wrong."
Smyle closed his eyes.
His chest hurt.
He wanted to scream.
He wanted to tell her everything.
But he smiled instead.
Smyle: "I know, mom."
Lara kissed his forehead and stood up.
"Come downstairs later, okay? Reyden's family will arrive soon."
The door closed.
The moment Lara left—
Smyle's smile vanished.
He slid down from the bed and sat on the floor, hugging his knees.
Tears streamed silently now.
Smyle (in his mind): Just a little longer…
After this, everything will be fine.
Mom will be safe. Ohm will be safe.
I just have to survive this.
Smyle's house had never been this quiet.
Not the peaceful kind—
the kind that makes your chest feel tight.
A low engine sound stopped outside.
Smyle looked through the window once.
Black car.
Tinted glass.
Men in suits standing still like shadows.
Guards.
His breath caught.
Lara came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel.
"Who is it , Smyle?"
Before he could answer, the doorbell rang.
Once.
Firm. Controlled.
Smyle swallowed and opened the door.
Reyden Black stood there.
Perfect suit. Calm face. Cold eyes.
Behind him—
a tall man with sharp features and grey hair.
A woman, elegant, unreadable.
And a younger man, slightly relaxed but observant.
Reyden stepped aside.
"May we come in?"
Lara immediately nodded.
"Of course, please."
They entered.
The guards stayed outside.
The house felt… smaller.
Reyden's father looked around briefly—not impressed, not disrespectful. Just assessing.
"This is your home," he said to Smyle.
Not a question.
"Yes, sir," Smyle replied quietly.
They sat in the living room.
Lara offered coffee. Reyden's mother declined politely.
"We won't stay long," she said.
"This meeting is… formal."
Smyle's fingers twisted together in his lap.
Reyden sat beside him.
Too close.
His brother leaned back slightly, eyes fixed on Smyle—not unkind, but curious.
"So," Reyden's father spoke,
"you're the one my son chose."
Chose.
Smyle forced a smile.
"Yes."
Lara smiled proudly.
"My son is very kind. He's quiet, but—"
"I can see that," the mother interrupted gently.
"He looks… soft."
Her eyes met Smyle's.
"But softness can survive," she added.
"If guided correctly."
Smyle's heart sank.
Reyden's brother finally spoke.
"You're studying arts, right?"
Smyle nodded.
"Yes. Drawing. Music too."
"Interesting," he said. "Very different from Reyden."
Reyden's lips curved slightly.
"That's why," he said calmly.
Lara laughed nervously.
"They seem opposite, but maybe that balances them."
Reyden's father folded his hands.
"So ... The marrige can be held on ending of this week , right?"
Lara blinked then looked at Smyle.
"You're okay with that, right?"
Smyle smiled.
Like he's blushing and he's shy .
"Yes, mom ofc ."
Reyden's mother studied him closely—too closely.
"You looks afraid," she said softly.
The room froze.
Smyle's breath stuttered.
Before anyone could react, Reyden spoke—
"He's nervous," he corrected calmly.
"Not afraid."
His hand brushed Smyle's wrist under the table.
A warning.
The mother nodded slowly.
"awww Nervous ."
She stood.
" Well, fine let's do the marrige this Saturday."
Just like that.
Reyden looked at Smyle then.
Direct. Possessive.
"You'll be safe," he said quietly.
"As long as you stay with me."
The family walked toward the door.
Before leaving, Reyden's mother paused beside Smyle.
"From today," she said softly,
"you are part of the Black family."
Her voice lowered.
"And once you enter—
you don't leave easily."
Reyden lingered at the door, then leaned close enough that only Smyle could hear.
"Good job," he murmured.
"They liked you."
Smyle didn't look at him.
"They didn't come to meet me," he whispered.
"They came to take me."
Reyden smiled.
And didn't deny it.
They left.
The engines faded.
Silence returned.
Lara exhaled shakily. (Sigh)
"They're… very serious people."
Smyle nodded.
Lara : You've got a good taste like me hummm .
Smile blinked: "h-huh..?" Then smiled again like he's shy ... : "Mom....."