Chapter 15

Tiana's POV

"And she walked out of the store without paying!" dad exclaimed, laughing.

"I did not!" mom opposed as we all started laughing.

Dad was actually talking about this embarrassing moment with mom few years back. They were like, in the mall and mom was trying a dress on in this clothing line and she really liked it. After a few minutes of admiring herself with that dress she really liked, she literally walked out of the clothing store completely forgetting about the payment. When she finally realized about that, she immediately went back at the store to pay and she had to apologize a hundred times to the counter lady and dad just laughed at her the whole time.

It was hilarious though until now.

Anyway, we were enjoying a nice conversation while eating and now is the time when dad starts a conversation about our future lives.

"So, honey, how's school going?" he said as I almost choked on my steak remembering my 1-week suspension.

"Uhh.." I stuttered "It's great, dad. Really great." I said as he nodded while Marcel glanced in concern at me.

"So, my baby girl still up for running as valedictorian this year?" dad said, grinning at me as I glanced at Marcel who just took a sip of the eggnog.

"Uhh, I don't know dad. But I guarantee you, I'll graduate with honors and medals." I said, trying to not sound so disappointing.

"Now why not, darling?" mom said.

"Well, Marcel here," I said as I saw Marcel stop sipping on his glass and gulped a bit. "He's the one running for batch valedictorian." I added nudging Marcel.

"Huh," dad said "You taking tests, boy?" he asked as Marcel wiped his lips with the table napkin.

"Yes sir. I've just finished taking my GCSE's." Marcel said.

"And the results?" dad said.

"A-star," Marcel replied.

"IQ test?"

"157/160,"

"Impressive," dad said, clapping his hands as we all clapped as well. "You two make a great team," he added which made Marcel blush.

"Yeah, so honey, tell us, what are you taking up in college?" mom said as Marcel cleared his throat.

"I-I'm still choosing from law, business or sociology, ma'am.." he said as mom and dad exchanged looks and smiled at him.

"You'll do great, honey," mom said, smiling at Marcel as Marcel smiled back.

"How about your lovely sister?" Mom added looking at Gemma, smiling.

"My daughter's already studying in Sheffield University," Anne replied smiling.

"What course?" Mom asked.

"Science education," Gemma replied as mom grinned and nodded.

"Impressive," Mom said, smiling.

"I must say, Miss Anne, you brought two brilliant children in this world," dad said grinning as Anne chuckled.

"Thank you, Joe," Anne said smiling.

"So, tell me son, what college are you going to study at?" dad asked as Marcel cleared his throat.

"I guess, I'll be going to Sheffield as well, sir, but I'm trying my best to earn a scholarship at Oxford University," Marcel replied, as dad nodded.

"Well, just keep up the good work and maintain your excellent work in your studies and might as well you end up in Cambridge." dad said smiling.

"Yeah, Cambridge is number one in rankings of the universities in London!" mom said nodding as Marcel nodded and grinned.

"Thank you, ma'am, sir," he said politely.

I then looked at Marcel who was already looking at me. We stared into each other's eyes for a while until I managed a smile which he returned. Then, after a few moments of silence, dad then spoke up.

"So," he started "Dessert?" he said as we cheered.

After the delightful dinner, Martha and Penny then came in and served us Tiramisu cake with extra cream as I pleased. We enjoyed the dessert together and time finally came when the Styles' needed to go home now.

"It was nice meeting you, Joe, Karen," Anne said shaking mom and dad's hands while we were at the door.

"As to you, Anne," dad said smiling.

"Bye, Gemma, Anne," I said "Bye, Marcel," I added as Marcel looked at me and smiled.

"Bye, Tiana," Marcel said smiling at me.

"Bye, honey," Gemma and Anne said, kissing my cheeks.

"Stay safe!" I said as they smiled, nodded and went off to their car as Jaime, our guard escorted them.

"They're a lovely family, Tiana," mom said as I smiled and nodded.

"I know, mom," I smiled.

"Well, we better go off to sleep now. You should come inside now," dad said while putting his arm around my mom.

"I'll be there," I said as they smiled, nodded and went back inside.

I just stood at the front door, watching them walk towards their car until--

"Marcel!" I called out after realizing he dropped his wallet on the front door.

I then ran up to him almost getting inside the car while Gemma and Anne were already inside.

"You dropped your wallet," I said.

"Oh, gosh, thank you so much!" he said as I gave it to him.

Then there was a silent pause between us as our eyes locked in to each other. He's so gorgeous, he doesn't even know it. The stare was starting to get awkward then so I manage to cut it off first.

"Uhm.. catch you tomorrow okay?" I said as he smiled and nodded.

"Yeah," he said "I had a great night, Tiana."

"Me too," I said "Stay safe,"

"You too. Goodnight Tiana," he said and leaned in to give me a kiss on the cheek which made me blush.

He kissed my cheek.

"Goodnight Marcel," I said as he smiled and got in the car.

They then bid me goodbye again and drove off. I then ran to the front door, went inside and touched my cheek.

He kissed my cheek.

I kept on replaying it on my mind over and over again and I just can't get over it.

Oh, no.

Is this it?

Am I really falling for Marcel Styles?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------