"Ren," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the jovial atmosphere like a blade. "We need to talk." The serious woman said in Japanese.
Ross crossed his arms, leaning casually against the hood of his car as he observed the interaction with interest.
It wasn’t every day that guests arrived uninvited, let alone ones who commanded such an air of authority.
Ren straightened slightly, her playful expression fading as she met the older woman’s eyes.
"What are you doing here, Mother?" she asked, her tone a mix of irritation and curiosity.
The younger woman beside Ren’s mother stepped forward, her gaze sharp but not hostile.
"We came to bring you home, Ren," she said simply, her Japanese accent giving her words a melodic lilt.
Ren’s brows furrowed, and she folded her arms.
"Home? I am home," she said defiantly. "I’m not going anywhere." Ren used English which annoyed her mom.
Ross’s interest deepened as he watched the standoff. He didn’t interfere, though it was clear he was ready to step in if necessary.
Around him, his girls exchanged curious glances, some amused, others wary.
"This isn’t up for debate," the older woman replied, her voice calm but unyielding. This time she used English.
"You’ve had your fun, but it’s time to return to where you belong."
Ren scoffed, shaking her head.
"Where I belong?" she repeated, her voice rising slightly.
"Mother, you gave up any right to say that when you failed as a mother to me. I’ve found where I belong, and it’s here—with Ross."
The tension in the air thickened as the two women stared each other down.
Ross finally pushed off from the car, stepping forward with his usual easy confidence.
"Ladies," he said smoothly, his voice cutting through the charged atmosphere.
"Why don’t we take this conversation inside? No need to make a scene here."
The older woman’s gaze shifted to Ross, her sharp eyes studying him intently. For a moment, she said nothing, but then she gave a small nod.
"Very well," she said.
Ross gestured toward the house, and the group began to move, the air still heavy with unresolved tension.
It was clear that whatever conversation lay ahead would not be an easy one—and Ross was always ready to give his support to Ren.
"You can use the library to talk," Ross said casually, his tone neutral as he gestured toward the room.
"Thank you. I’m Reina Hirose, Ren’s mother," the older woman replied, her voice carrying a calm, dignified confidence.
Her English was flawless, devoid of any accent, making it clear she had been using the language for a very long time.
She extended her hand for a handshake, and Ross accepted it without hesitation.
"My pleasure," Ross replied smoothly.
"The sooner you sort this out, the sooner my life will return to normal. If you and your… assistant need to stay longer, that’s no problem. There are plenty of rooms here you can use."
Reina gave him a polite nod before turning to her daughter. Without another word, she and Ren disappeared into the library, the heavy doors closing behind them.
Meanwhile, Reina’s assistant remained in the hallway, quiet and observant.
She didn’t move a muscle, yet her sharp eyes swept over the room, meticulously noting every exit and detail.
It was clear she was far more than just an assistant—her demeanor screamed bodyguard or perhaps something even more dangerous.
Thirty minutes passed before the library doors opened again.
Both Reina and Ren emerged, their eyes red and puffy, silent evidence of an emotional conversation.
Whatever had been said between mother and daughter had clearly struck deep.
Ross, who had been lounging nearby, stood up as they approached, a faint smile on his face.
Reina’s gaze met his, and for the first time, there was a hint of warmth and relief in her otherwise composed expression.
"Ross, can I talk to you for a minute?" Reina asked, her tone softer than before.
It was clear she wasn’t ready to give up.
If she couldn’t reach her daughter, perhaps she could find a way through Ross.
Ross raised an eyebrow but kept his usual cool demeanor.
"Sure," he said with a shrug, "but first, we need to eat. I’d hate to be called a bad host for my girlfriend’s family." Find more adventures on empire
With that, Ross led the group into the dining room, where the long table was already set with dishes he had prepared earlier.
The aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, instantly lifting the heavy atmosphere.
"Yum! I’m starving!" one of Ross’s girls chirped happily as she sat down.
Another rolled her eyes, smirking. "Didn’t you already eat earlier?"
"I did, but I’m hungry again," she replied defensively, grabbing a plate. "What about you? Why are you sitting down? You ate too!"
"Yes, but Ross’s cooking is simply not to be missed," another chimed in, earning laughter from the group.
The girls continued to exchange playful banter as they eagerly dug into the food.
Plates clinked, laughter filled the room, and the warm energy around the table was undeniable.
Reina and her assistant sat down hesitantly, initially unsure what to expect.
However, the moment they took their first bites of Ross’s cooking, their expressions shifted to one of stunned disbelief.
"What is this…" Reina murmured under her breath, her fork frozen mid-air.
Her assistant, equally wide-eyed, glanced at her as though to confirm they were both experiencing the same thing.
The food was extraordinary—a perfect balance of flavor, texture, and presentation. It wasn’t just delicious; it was masterful.
It didn’t take long for them to understand why Ross’s women acted the way they did.
Around the table, the girls were practically glowing with satisfaction as they devoured the dishes, stuffing their mouths without a shred of hesitation.
"This is… incredible," Reina admitted softly, her stoic composure finally cracking as she took another bite.
Ross, sitting at the head of the table, watched the scene unfold with amusement.
"Glad you approve," he said nonchalantly.
The assistant didn’t say much, but her silence was telling. She, too, continued eating, unable to hide her surprise at the quality of the food.
By the time the meal ended, the mood in the room had lightened considerably.
Reina’s earlier determination to confront Ross had been temporarily sidelined, dulled by the warmth of the dinner and the undeniable charm of the atmosphere.
Ross leaned back in his chair, eyeing Reina with a knowing smile.
"Now that everyone’s eaten, I’m all ears. What did you want to talk about?"
Reina set her fork down, taking a deep breath as she prepared to speak. It was clear that whatever she had to say, it wouldn’t be easy.
The weight of the conversation loomed over the table once again, though this time, it was softened by the shared experience of the meal.
Ross watched her carefully, ready to hear her out—but also more than prepared to assert himself if necessary.
"I want to talk to you alone," Reina said, her tone firm yet composed.
"No problem. Come with me, Reina," Ross replied smoothly, rising from his seat.
As he turned, his gaze briefly swept over Reina, unable to ignore her strikingly elegant and undeniably attractive figure.
Despite her dignified demeanor, her beauty carried a certain allure that even Ross, with his usual self-control, couldn’t completely ignore.
He gestured for her to follow him, leading her toward a quieter part of the house.
Behind them, the hum of conversation at the dining table continued as the others remained unaware of the subtle tension building between Ross and Reina.
***
Huge shoutout and thanks to ddecoen for the gifts!
You are awesome! Thank you! ^_^