Although I already met the male lead and the female lead today, now it's Zion's mom. I feel like crying—without tears.
"...Is this your wife?" There it is! She's asking about me now!
"Yes, Mother," Zion answered briefly.
I was getting nervous beside him when his hand suddenly wrapped around my waist.
I flinched in surprise, trying to stand properly. I really wanted to take off my stilettos, but I couldn't because Zion's mom was staring sharply at me.
Even though she's beautiful, Zion's mother makes me so nervous with her piercing gaze, like she's scanning me from head to toe. Doesn't she know who Zion's wife is? I'm getting goosebumps from the way she looks at me.
Zion suddenly chuckles. "Mom, don't stare at my wife like that."
My cheeks turned red again because of what he said. My wife!
"And why can't I?"
"She's shy, Mother," Zion said with a laugh, making me avert my eyes from his mother and glance at Zion instead—who, I realize, was already looking at me.
His eyes sparkle as he stares down at me, so I quickly look away. It's the first time I've seen him laugh and comfortably talk to someone else.
"What does she have to be ashamed of? I won't bite!" Zion's mother sounded irritated now, and I was seriously getting more nervous.
"She thought you were beautiful, Mom," Zion added.
I frowned and glanced at him carefully. What is this guy saying!?
Even though it's true that his mother—my mother-in-law—is beautiful.
"..." Zion's mom didn't say anything, so I held my breath.
"By the way, what are you doing here, Mom?"
"Well, since you didn't let us meet your wife from the start, I decided to visit you and your wife," Zion's mom said seriously.
Ohh no, I'm getting a bad feeling about this.
"I already told you," Zion replied.
"Psh. Shut up, Zion," his mother snapped—my mother-in-law!
"Is your wife deaf? Or mute perhaps?" she added.
I immediately gave a fake cough and spoke up—who knows what else she might say about me.
"H-H-Hello, good evening," I greeted nervously.
"Oh... you can actually talk," Zion's mother replied.
Zion chuckled, "Mom."
"You should take your wife upstairs to change," she suddenly said.
My eyes widened and I looked at Zion. He nodded, so I quickly rushed upstairs to my room. I slammed the door behind me and tried to catch my breath.
"Zion's mom is so—" scary.
I stopped myself from finishing the sentence aloud—what if someone heard me?
I took a shower then changed into pajamas. I didn't bother using the hairdryer—I was feeling lazy and besides, it's noisy. I sat on the bed and tried to remember what I knew about Zion's mom from the story "My Lily."
Based on the story, his mother is terrifying. Even Zion's father—though he's also a cold person—was under her thumb. Zion's mom didn't like Lily or Carlo. She was one of the people trying to bring down the Ville Clan. Although the story didn't give many details about Zion's family, it did say the Cartridges were a prominent clan. And the sole head of their clan was none other than Zion himself.
They were far more powerful than the Ville Clan. That's why I was confused—why did Zion disappear in the latest chapter of the story?
"I forgot about this! Zion is the head of the Cartridge Clan!" I whispered to myself.
I smacked my forehead. If he's the clan head... then that makes me the headmistress!
I shivered at the thought and shook my head. I need to figure out how to avoid getting on Zion's mom's bad side. She's just way too scary.
I sat on the bed, staring at the dressing table not far away. When I felt that my hair was no longer wet, I finally lay down on the bed.
I was about to turn off the lamp beside me when the door suddenly opened—and there stood Zion, holding his necktie, trying to untie it.
"W-What a-a-are y-you d-doing h-h-here i-i-in m-my r-room?" I stammered.
His gaze was intense, like he was looking right into my soul. I wanted to look away!
He closed the door and walked slowly toward me.
"Naturally, I have to sleep in our bedroom. Besides, my mom's here," he said in a bored tone.
I could feel my heart beating wildly. Our bedroom!? Is this guy messing with me!?
"O-Our b-bedroom!?" I asked nervously.
He stopped walking when he was in front of me. My eyes widened when he suddenly leaned down, bringing our faces just inches apart.
"This was my bedroom before you became my wife," he said.
"Of course, as newlyweds, we have to share a room—for our future," he added, his black eyes locked onto mine.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his Adam's apple move as he looked from my eyes... down to my lips.
The only thing I could hear was the sound of my heart beating loudly in my chest as his mouth moved like he was saying something—but I couldn't make out the words. I was too focused on his face, so close to mine.
"Mom ashjkndb..." he mumbled something I didn't understand.
His captivating black eyes, long lashes, cherry-red lips, that sharp nose... His face was perfect—like a god descended from Olympus.
Suddenly, I felt something soft on my lips and I completely blanked out. I only snapped back to reality when his soft lips left mine.
H-H-He k-k-k-k-issed m-m-me!
I feel so hot right now—especially my cheeks! My heart is beating like crazy!
"W-W-What a-a-are y-y-you d-doing!?" I asked in shock.
His face was still just inches from mine. I could feel his breath on my face—it made me shiver.