"I'm taking a bath and a nap," Aiden said as he rolled his luggage to her bedroom.

"What? Aren't you going home? Why are you heading to my bedroom?"

"No, I'm going to sleep in your room," He replied like he didn't expect any arguments.

Sophia sighed, how can she argue when he looked so tired and disheveled. He already treated her house as his own, so she just let him be. She will have this discussion later when he was well-rested.

Aiden woke up around dinner time. She did not check on him because she wanted him to recuperate after his long trip, or maybe, she was scared that he might take her to bed when she wasn't ready. So she gave herself the excuse that she had a lot of work to do, and Aiden needed his rest.

Sophia had ordered food for lunch, but since Aiden was still sleeping when it arrived, she decided to heat the food up when he awoke.

She was transferring the dishes to pots and pans when he startled her by hugging her from behind.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked when she got her heart back from her throat.

"Uhm-hmm," he nuzzled her neck and answered her at the same time.

"I'm heating up the food so we can have dinner. Go sit down and relax," She instructed.

"Let's do it together. I just want to hug you like this a little longer," he implored.

Dinner wasn't served until a little bit later because Aiden kept on wanting to hug her, disabling her from doing anything around the kitchen. She had to shoo him out to finish heating up the dishes.

"Let's meet my parents tomorrow," he said, nonchalantly as they ate dinner.

Sophia was stunned. "What? No, that's so soon. We just made our relationship official today."

She was scared that this would happen sooner or later, but she expected there would be more time to prepare herself. Her perception of rich people was based upon the way the Sterling family, and Gavin's family treated her. And she used that as a gauge on which to measure them by. So she needed to brace herself for their mocking, humiliation, and rejection.

"Sophia, there is no use beating around the bush. From the day I told you about my feelings, I was intent on making you my wife. My friends and family have urged me to find a partner, so when I found you I knew they would like you. If you're going to meet them in the future anyway, why not tomorrow? I assure you that my parents are very nice people, I guarantee that you will like each other," he explained.

"But…I...," she was hesitant as images from her past flitted across her memories.

Aiden held her hand, "Sunshine, I will be there with you, so leave all your worries behind. Nothing will happen to you."

Sophia nodded, convinced by Aiden's words. But at the back of her mind, she was praying that this meeting would not be a disaster.

-=-

The next day Sophia got up early to prepare for the meeting with Aiden's parents. She went through her closet several times trying so hard to select the perfect dress and accessories, to impress her future in-laws.

"Aiden, how do I look?" She asked, parading in front of him as he waited in her living room. He got up and kissed her on the cheek, "Very beautiful, like always."

"Stop that, you'll ruin my makeup," she said as she covered her cheek.

He chuckled and nibbled her ear, "I'll just continue when we get home."

Sophia blushed and dragged him to the door, "We can make your parents wait, they're expecting us."

The Cooper mansion was astonishing in Sophia's eyes. It was surrounded by a very beautiful, lush, colorful garden and tall green trees. A high fence had surrounded the property, guarded by security personnel. She knew that the Aristocratic families were loaded with money, but seeing their wealth up close was something else.

Aiden and Sophia waited for his parents in the living room while the maid announced their arrival. Refreshments were served, but Sophia was just too nervous to touch anything. She did not want to cause any accidents by eating something that would get stuck in her teeth or accidentally spill on her dress.

Mr. and Mrs. Cooper descended the stairs, and Aurora's eyes widened in surprise.

"Auntie! Is this your house?" Sophia asked as she stood up to welcome them.

Mrs. Cooper gave out her winning smile, "Sophia?!? What a pleasant surprise to see you in my house."

Seeing her shocked, Sophia, "That means Aiden is your…"

"Son? Yes, Aiden is my son," Mrs. Cooper confirmed.

Sophia's mouth hung open, she had no words to describe her disbelief.

Aiden frowned, "You two already know each other?" He looked at both of them questioningly.

"Yes," Both women replied at the same time.

Mrs. Cooper, with her innocent little smile, explained, "We accidentally met at the Shopping Center, we bonded over Dior. We've gone out to meet my friends for tea as well."

Mr. Cooper was astounded by his wife's acting skills, he rolled his eyes as she pretended to know nothing about Sophia.

Aiden looked at his mother closely and knew by her smile and the glint in her eye that she was hiding something. But as he looked at his dad asking for confirmation, he looked anywhere but at his son.

Mr. Cooper coughed to cover his embarrassment, verifying Aiden's suspicion that his mom's meeting with Sophia was not because of chance. "So Aiden, is Sophia the woman you've been talking about?" His father asked.

Mrs. Cooper squealed in delight, "Oh my gosh, dear is this true? Sophia, are you really dating my son?"

"Uhm… Yes," Sophia nodded shyly.

Mrs. Cooper held Sophia's hand, "This is the best news I've ever heard from Aiden. I liked you the first time I met you, and I'm so excited to have you as my daughter-in-law. The heavens have finally heard my plea."

"Oh, you can't believe how glad I am that you are Aiden's parents. You are very nice to me, and I can't ask for anything more," she said with heartfelt gratitude.

Mrs. Cooper hugged Sophia very tightly, "Oh you are such a sweet child. Don't worry now. We are going to take care of you. Welcome to our family, Sophia."

Father and son looked at each other and sighed helplessly. No one can go against his mother now that she is in good spirits.