CHAPTER 14 “BEFRIENDING HIM”

"WHY don't you come in so I can introduce you to my parents?" those were the words that escape Ara's lips when Daniel stopped his car in front of their house.

"Really? You'll introduce me to your parents?" Daniel asked in a tone of disbelief.

Ara laughed softly when she saw Daniel's reaction to what she said. While the beautiful gleam in his eyes, she could not deny that it brought strange happiness to her heart for an inexplicable reason.

"Of course, from what you did a while ago, I think that is more than enough for me to accept your friendship and forget that whatever was wrong that happened between the two of us from the beginning," it was true inside her and she secretly greeted herself because she was able to deliver those words in a smooth and normal tone. That only means, it is not obvious that she is nervous.

Daniel's smile widened because of what she said and she has to admit that she was pleased to see that beautiful smile on the young man's face. She was happy because she saw that she made him happy for a simple reason and Ara could not deny that fact to herself.

“What do you think? Aren't you in a hurry? Is it okay? ” the young lady asked Daniel once again.

That was when Daniel nodded consecutively as his eyes gleamed with the obvious happiness he felt in those moments.

"I'm not in a hurry so that's okay," he replied, unbuckling his seatbelt and then turning off the car's engine.

At the gate, Ara's youngest brother, Anthony, was happy to meet her. She hugged him as well with a smile but he quickly let go when he saw Daniel who was standing behind her.

"Ara, do you already have a boyfriend?" Anthony asked her curiously.

“Huh? Oh no! This is Daniel, my friend,” she corrected her brother's misconception. "Mama and Papa?" she added.

"Inside, we've been waiting for you for a while, I'm so hungry," Anthony finally complained.

Ara couldn't help but laugh softly at what her brother had said. “You really are, of course. By the way, Daniel, this is Bella and I's little brother, Anthony. Anthony, he is Daniel, my friend,” she introduced the two.

That was when Daniel quickly held out his hand to his brother Anthony who accepted it without hesitation.

"Let's go inside, I'm really hungry, why did you come home so late today?" Anthony still complained that he had even initiated the entry.

Ara chuckles as she shook her head and followed Anthony with her gaze. After that, she turned and looked up at Daniel who just like her is also smiling. "Let's go?"

"Okay," replied the young man who accepted her invitation.

*****

DANIEL could not deny that at that moment butterflies seemed to be slowly entering his stomach.

Maybe nervousness is normal.

Yes, he already had a girlfriend when they were still in the province, but since Lilet did not introduce him to her parents and family, he can say that this is the first time he has visited the house of the woman he likes. And this is also the first time he has met the parent of the woman he likes.

“Mama? Papa?” called Ara when they were in the living room.

The interior of Ara's home is simple, but it is neat and clean. He was not surprised, just the idea that the girl has her own rag that she uses in the library every time she wipes bookshelves for him is a sign that she was really raised in nicely of her parents. One of the qualities that a woman is necessary to possess.

"Oh, are you there yet?" a woman next to a man he thinks are the young lady's parents. "You have someone with you," Ara's mother immediately stared at him.

“Yeah, by the way, Mama, Papa, this is Daniel, my friend. He the son of the person who bought Mrs. Gonzales' mansion,” Ara said to her parents.

Ara's parents nodded, but Daniel's sight did not escape the questions he could see in their eyes. Fortunately, Ara was able to explain all of them quickly.

"Oh, thank you very much son, if you did not come who knows what could have happened to Ara," Ara's father Artemio.

"That's right, and since it's dinner time already why don't you join us?" Susan added, Ara's mother.

Daniels shook his head consecutively. "Thank you but the truth is I just gave Ara a ride to make sure she will come home safe," that is true and he really can feel intense discomfort and that is the reason why he doesn't have the courage Susan's invitation.

"Come on, my mother is good at cooking, you will definitely be satisfied," said Ara who patted him lightly on the arm.

Daniel's heart was filled with joy at what Ara had done to him. He feels that as she had told him and when he introduced him to her parents that nothing bad had happened to them in the beginning. He feels that they are really friends as she told his family.

That dinner was fun and as Ara said, her mother cooked so well that he ate a lot.

Ara invited him to the terrace after they had dinner. The young lady already replaces his clothing with simple walking shorts and a shirt. No matter what she would wear, Ara would definitely standout.

"Do you want coffee?" she kindly asked him as she sat on the plastic chair opposite to where he was seating.

Daniel shook his head and smiles before opening his mouth and then speaking. "I may not be able to sleep," he said following what he said with a light chuckle. "But thanks. By the way, you told me earlier that you have another sister? Where is she?”

Ara shrugged. "She is in the province with our Grandparents, Bella, my twin sister," she said with a beautiful smile on her lips.

“Twin sister? Wow!"

Ara nodded. "Yes, maybe in the next few days I can tell you the things you need to know about me as your friend."

It was as if a bird's wing caressed Daniel's heart when he heard Ara say that. Now that he is sure, this is the beginning of everything.

It is true that everything that happens whether it is good or bad it will always be for a good reason.

"Of course, before I forget to ask, what are you ---?"

Daniel didn't even finish what Ara wanted to say because he already knew what it was.

"Do you want an honest answer?" he asked her.

He knew that she would ask him what he was doing in the store earlier.

Ara just nodded.

Smiling Daniel stood up. "I followed you," he replied then glared at the young lady so he could clearly see the rapid reddening of her face. "Oh, alright I have to go, thanks for dinner," he said winking at Ara who was then staring up at him.

Maybe because of the amusement he felt in those moments he could not stop himself from winking at her with a mischievous smile that he already knew was Ara's weakness. And he did not make a mistake. The blush on her face quickly reached up to Ara's ears. The light on the terrace was on so he could see all that.

"I'll go ahead, see you tomorrow," he said in amusement which caused the young lady to suddenly get up from her seat.

"A-All right," Ara replied, keeping her eyes on him.