Lucas and Cassandra Klein are already settled at the table in the center of the room. The moment they see us, they stand up.

A big, warm smile spreads across Cassandra's face when she walks toward me. "Nevaeh," she greets me, sounding happy and excited. "It's so nice to finally meet you. I've been wanting to see you."

That's what she said, but here I am, frozen to the spot. To say that I'm starstruck by her beauty is an understatement.

I've never stood this close to a superstar, and I now understand what people say about celebrities. Some of them indeed look even more dazzling in real life, and Cassandra Klein is one of them. Her age does nothing, absolutely nothing, to her beauty. She still looks as beautiful as she did in her youth.

I realize that I have to compose myself to not look dumb, so I quickly plaster a smile and say, "It's my pleasure to meet you too, Mrs. Klein. Thank you for inviting me to have lunch here with you."

"Oh, please. Just call me Cassie." She wraps her arms around me and engulfs me in a hug. I almost sway because I didn't expect it.

Come on, Nevaeh. Pull yourself together.

Cassie steps away to hug her son, and that's when I greet Aiden's father, who also tells me to call him Luke instead of 'Sir' or 'Mr. Klein'.

Just as I've heard, Luke Klein has a powerful aura that can intimidate people. Right now, he looks humble, but I can imagine him conquering a negotiation with just one sentence. He's someone you don't want to make an enemy in the business world. I can see that Aiden has that trait from him.

Cassie cups Aiden's face and kisses both of his cheeks. "Look at you. I missed you so much." Her tone gives the impression that Aiden is still a baby, and that's an amusing sight.

Aiden also receives a hug from his father, who pats him on the back. They don't exchange words, but it seems that they don't need to, as though they've already understood how the other feels.

Cassie shifts her attention to me again, holding my shoulder as she leads me to the table, where a waiter is already serving the appetizer. "Come sit here with us, Nevaeh. Are you hungry? I've already ordered your favorite food."

That information surprises me. When I take a seat beside Aiden, I can't help but wonder how they would know what I like to eat. Maybe Aiden has informed his mother, or maybe they got that information from Ian, who's been serving us dinner for months.

I'm relieved that Aiden's parents are warm and down to earth, nothing like I'd been worrying about. But I never expected this level of hospitality. It makes me flattered.

"So how have you two been?" Cassie starts the conversation in a motherly tone. Her gaze darts to Aiden. "I heard that you rarely worked overtime in the office nowadays. Once in a while is okay, but I knew that I had to worry when working past midnight became a habit for you. I'm glad that you think more about your health now."

I glance at Aiden. I have to agree with Cassie. I'm also glad that Aiden doesn't have to overwork himself for an escape anymore.

Aiden doesn't respond with words, but he nods, munching his food. He looks cute, like a good mama boy.

"What about you, Nevaeh?" Cassie turns to me, still with a warm smile that melts my heart. "How's your college so far?"

The next moment is spent getting to know me, in which I answer basic questions about the college I go to, what major I take, my hobby, and so on. I know that I shouldn't feel nervous anymore because Aiden's parents are really nice -- they show genuine interest while listening to me -- but I just can't help but be reminded again of how important they are.

Thank God I haven't said anything stupid. However, feeling nervous causes me to make meaningless gestures like drinking water, wiping my mouth with the napkin, and tucking my hair behind my ear.

"That's a beautiful earring you have there, Nevaeh." Cassie gazes at me with adoration.

I'm always over the moon when someone thinks so because these earrings mean a lot to me.

"Thank you." I smile. "It's a gift from my mother. She had it from my grandmother."

Aiden's eyes soften as he watches me talking about this. I still remember his kindness.

"Actually, I almost lost it," I say as the memory flashes back in my head. "It dropped in the pool. I thought that I'd lost it forever. But then, Aiden found it for me. He really helped me. I'm so grateful for that."

A soft smile touches my lips. I remember almost bursting into tears that day. I'm truly grateful for what Aiden did. Not just for this earring, but for all the other things that he has helped me with.

Luke leans back in his seat. Amusement crosses his expression when he glances at Aiden. "It's a good thing that I taught you how to swim, Aiden."

Aiden looks up from his plate to meet his father's grin.

Luke turns to me. "Did he brag about it? He used to think of himself as Poseidon and that water fears him."

My eyebrows shoot up. I turn my head toward Aiden, who looks annoyed.

He glares at Luke. "Dad."

Luke laughs, and so do Cassie and I. It's refreshing to hear about Aiden as a little kid. I want to learn more about little Aiden. I wish I could have known him back then, but it wasn't possible. Maybe I hadn't even been born.

"I remember you drawing yourself as Poseidon," Cassie adds.

Aiden almost rolls his eyes, but I don't miss the small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "That drawing was terrible." He focuses his eyes on his plate again, perhaps wishing that this conversation would end soon.

Cassie shakes his head and smiles. "Anyway, I heard that you started painting again."

Silence falls for a few seconds.

Aiden puts down his dining utensils and gives Cassie an assuring look. "I did, mom," he says softly.

Cassie stares at him for long seconds before her eyes start to water with happy tears. Luke squeezes her shoulder gently to comfort her while she wipes her eyes.

"I'm sorry," she apologizes to me for getting emotional.

I feel tears forming in my eyes too. It must have been heartbreaking for them to watch their son closed off for years.

Cassie takes a deep breath and plasters a smile again. "So, did you show Nevaeh your paintings?" she asks Aiden. "Did you two spend time in the art room?"

Heat travels to my cheeks like fire. I can't look at them. I'm afraid that my face is turning red like a boiled crab.

Aiden, who's drinking water, almost spits his drink. He coughs. "Well, yeah," he says in a hoarse voice. "We did that during the weekend sometimes, but not much. We usually watch movies together," he immediately changes the topic. "Right, Nevaeh?"

I quickly nod.

"That's wonderful," Cassie says joyfully, switching her gaze to me. "I know that it may be too much to handle sometimes." She chuckles, and I wonder what she means. "How many Disney movies that he suggested you watch?"

Disney movies? Aiden?

Aiden groans in shame, slapping his forehead with his palm as he throws his head back.

Cassie stares at him with a lost expression. "You didn't?"

"Mom, please," he begs in an irritated tone.

When he opens his eyes to look at me, I can see how embarrassed he is. Disney movies are not the movies one would expect to be Aiden Klein's preference. Does he think that it would change my impression of his manliness?

"Why didn't you tell me?" I whisper shout, but Aiden only shakes his head in disagreement.

I wouldn't mind watching Disney movies with him. I love them. In fact, my favorite movie character is Olaf from Frozen.

Cassie and Luke laugh as they watch us. Aiden buries his face in his hands, thinking that his parents got him good. And I just can't help but laugh too.

I never expected that lunch with Aiden's parents would turn out to be this fun and heartwarming. And I never expected that by the end of it, I would feel so much sadness that it had to end. This moment with them makes me feel like I'm part of their family, like we're a family.

"I'm really sad that we don't have much time to spend together today, but I hope that we can see you again very soon, Nevaeh," Cassie says at the end of our lunch.

I nod, returning her smile. I wish for it to happen because I want to be a part of Aiden's life longer. I want to know more about him, and being with them makes me feel closer to him.

"Maybe a trip next time?" Cassie suggests out of the blue.

"That would be a great idea." Luke nods in approval.

"Winter holiday is coming." Cassie beams. "Maybe we all can go to Hallstatt. It's a small town in Austria, and it's so beautiful during winter. Actually, it's a special town for our family."

Ever since Aiden told me about his childhood memory, I've been wondering about that town. It's a town that has a special place in Aiden's heart, and it's where he discovered the taste of happiness that never fades even years after, until now. It's a place that makes him remember the happiest moment in his life every time he sips his favorite drink.

"What do you think about it, Nevaeh?" Cassie asks.

Of course, I want to go. But the excitement consuming me makes the words stick in my throat. I still can't believe that they invited me to go there with them.

"Luna will come with us too," Luke says like it would kill him to leave his precious daughter behind.

"Of course. We'll definitely ask Max to join us too. Oh God, it will be perfect." Cassie looks at her husband with anticipation, and I can see the same happiness in Luke's eyes.

My heart drops after hearing the full plan. It has snapped me back into reality. It's not that simple.

Aiden suddenly holds my hand under the table. When I turn my head toward him, he gives me an apologetic look. His parents aren't aware that I still have some problems I have to deal with my family. I just hope that Cassie and Luke won't talk about this with Max after they go back to New York because it will be a disaster for me.

Aiden squeezes my hand, silently telling me that he'll deal with this matter later and that I shouldn't worry about it. He and his family still have plenty of time to discuss this vacation again.

After we finish our lunch, the four of us walk toward the restaurant lobby. The staff opens the door for Luke to step outside.

"Aiden," Luke calls, and Aiden follows him. It looks like they're going to have a quick talk about work.

Cassie holds my hands and gives me a look so tender it makes my heart swell. "I'll see you again, Nevaeh." She smiles, and I do too, knowing that I'm going to miss her. To my surprise, her eyes water again. "Thank you." She pulls me into a tight hug. "Thank you for being there for Aiden. Thank you for staying with him. Thank you for bringing him back."

I'm trying so hard to not cry, but tears are already pooling in my eyes. I hug her back with all my heart, and when we pull away, she smiles again. Her fingers brush across my cheek.

The way Aiden's parents see me has given me hope, one that will be hard to get rid of even if I want to. It makes me think that all of this may not end in vain, although I know that I shouldn't expect a happy ending.