Chapter 34 - DINNER WITH THE LACROIX FAMILY 1

Luo Jingyi opened the door and found a girl outside.

"Yes?"

The teenage girl handed her a bouquet of flowers arranged in a vase.

"Are you sure this is for me?" she asked wondering who could have sent it.

The girl nodded her head repeatedly and scampered away, leaving Luo Jingyi shaking her head in bewilderment.

Inside her apartment, she put it down on the kitchen counter and lifted the note on it.

It read: These flowers reminded me of you. Don't frown. Smile. – YJH

Luo Jingyi rolled her eyes at the man's message.

'I remind him of flowers?'

Luo Jingyi glanced at the floral arrangement that consists of hydrangeas, dahlias, sunflowers, cottage roses, Peruvian lilies, and fresh mints. She was able to name all thanks to Aunt Alice's lessons.

Unable to find the answer, she carried the vase and placed them on her coffee table. The colorful flowers instantly brightened up her monotonous living room.

'Pretty.'

Then it suddenly dawned her that perhaps that's what he meant. Without realizing it, a faint smile rose her lips.

Out of nowhere, a black-winged angel popped out of her brain and asked, 'What are you doing?'

That curve on her face suddenly disappeared.

Luo Jingyi put away all the thoughts and glanced at the time. She pushed back the idea of doing some work because it was almost time to get ready for the evening affair.

When she finished dressing, she spun slowly in front of the full-length mirror and studied her reflection. She wore a white lace top and paired it with a navy blue pleated skirt. She intended to wear flats but realizing that Yun Jinghan was taller than her, she went for stilettos. Her hair that was usually pulled up in a ponytail was styled with a loose French braid. Feeling satisfied, she left her apartment.

Yun Jinghan sucked in air upon seeing a beautiful figure exiting the building. She donned in simple clothes yet the way she carried herself made all the difference. She walked with a confident grace similar to a queen. There's that air of nobility she exuded that you would even mistake her as a member of the royal family.

Yun Jinghan didn't see any awkwardness in her like as stated on her profile. Without putting much thought about it, he got off and waited for her.

"Good evening," Yun Jinghan greeted her with his mega-watt smile, revealing his perfect white teeth. He then opened the door of the passenger side.

Luo Jingyi acknowledged his presence. This time, she got inside without much complaint.

To overcome the nervousness that was gradually rising inside her, she let her eyes wander and they ended up on his body. He was wearing navy blue suit pants and a white dress shirt. There was no jacket on him but she saw one at the back. It appeared like they color-coordinated their clothes.

"Too handsome?" Yun Jinghan teased.

"No!" Luo Jingyi refused to admit. She retracted her gaze and looked outside.

It took almost an hour to get to Aunt Alice's seaside residence. After recognizing Jingyi, the guard opened the gates.

As they approached the main house, her stomach constricted into a nervous knot. She was feeling bad that she had to resolve into something like this.

"Grandma, did I make the right decision?" Luo Jingyi murmured out of the blue.

"Did you say something?" Yun Jinghan asked behind her which made her jump.

Luo Jingyi meant to answer but decided to just zip her mouth.

'You have a man standing in front of you Jingyi. You'll be fine.' A voice inside her brain reminded her.

She already made a choice so there's no turning back. Luo Jingyi squared her shoulders.

"Let's go. Don't forget what we talked about." She reminded him.

"Of course, I won't."

The family butler opened the oak door.

"Good evening Miss. And you too Mr. Yun." he curtsied respectfully.

"Good evening Fredrick." Luo Jingyi responded warmly.

"Everyone is at the sunroom," he reported.

"Thank you."

Luo Jingyi led Yun Jinghan to the sunroom passing through the long corridor.

Before they entered the foyer that lead to that room, she paused feeling puzzled by what Fredrick said.

'Everyone?' She had a very bad feeling about this.

Collective laughter and people's voice made her realized something.

"What's wrong?" Yun Jinghan asked.

Luo Jingyi grasped now what Fredrick meant to say. When he said everyone, it was literally everyone.

"It's not only my aunt and uncle we are going to meet." She answered worriedly.

Yun Jinghan briefly whispered to her ears, "What are you worried about? WE are engaged, aren't we? We already exchanged rings."

His closeness made her heartbeat thumped irregularly that she didn't think much of what he said.

"Hey! The lovebirds are here." Aunt Eloisa got everyone's attention with this mere announcement.

Aunt Eloisa who was carrying a bottle of wine was behind the two.

All eyes turned to them.

'There's really no going back.'

Luo Jingyi stepped forward. Yun Jinghan matched her pace, making sure to leave a little distance between them without making it obvious. Unless necessitated, he would try his best to avoid touching her. That's what they agreed on to avoid her panic attack.

After making a quick assessment, Luo Jingyi counted ten people in the room. That included Aunt Alice and Uncle Antoine. A circle was suddenly formed around them.

'Just great. Now there are ten people I need to explain to when I break up with him.' She thought grimly.

"Why don't you introduce the man with you Jingyi?" Uncle Robert winked at Luo Jingyi.

Luo Jingyi turned her head to Yun Jinghan and gestured him.

"This is my fiancé, Yun Jinghan." She told everyone with a smile.

As the head of the Lacroix clan, Uncle Antoine stepped forward and extended his hand and shook Yun Jinghan's as he welcomed him. Everyone followed suit as they introduced themselves too.

Congratulatory words flew in as each greeted them with happiness.

In contrast to everyone's expression, Aunt Alice scrutinized the two closely, looking for subtle hints that they were lying. But she felt disappointed when she found none.

Aunt Eloisa glanced at Luo Jingyi with questioning eyes. In her mind, a question popped out. 'Of all people, why did Jingyi involve herself with a Yun?'

It was quick but Luo Jingyi saw it so she reminded herself to talk to Aunt Eloisa about it later.

With much reluctance, Nicolette ambled towards them and spoke, "Nicolette Lacroix. I'm unhappy to meet you."

"Nicolette! Behave." It was her mother who was horrified at her daughter's actions.

Nicolette pouted like a child and hooked an arm on Luo Jingyi, pulling her away from the group. Yun Jinghan glanced at the two figures before he started answering the questions they were throwing at him.

Luo Jingyi stopped Nicolette when the latter meant to drag her out to the deck for privacy.

"Let's stay here." She was uneasy leaving Yun Jinghan alone with the family.

Nicolette crossed her arms over her chest.

"I hate you. Now, Mother will surely force me to go on dates."

Luo Jingyi said nothing and simply laughed at her antics.

"Is he really your fiancé? Or is it because Aunt Alice pestered you a lot so you decided to pay a guy to pretend as one?" Nicolette quizzed with raised brows.