Meg's apartment.
Ria sat on the couch while Rian and Meg sat opposite her. Meg kept shifting nervously in her seat.
Ria sighed. "Can you tell me why I'm here? It's been thirty minutes since you both dragged me here saying you had something serious to tell me."
"You tell her," Meg whispered to Rian.
"No, it would be better if you tell her," Rian whispered back.
Ria sighed again. "Okay. If no one is telling me, I'm leaving." She stood up.
"Wait, Muffin." Rian caught her hand and gently made her sit again.
"The thing is…" He hesitated, then took a deep breath.
"I… I want to tell you something. I'm dating someone."
Meg nervously wetted her lips.
Ria smiled. "That's great! When are you going to introduce her to us?" she asked playfully.
"That…" Rian laughed nervously. "It's Meg."
Silence.
Ria's smile slowly faded. She looked at Meg for confirmation. Meg nodded, bracing herself. Ria's face turned unreadable.
'That's it. I knew it! She'll never accept me as her sister-in-law. I shouldn't have fallen in love with him.' Meg thought, clenching her dress.
Suddenly, a scream startled her.
"Oh my Gooooddd!!!" Ria shrieked excitedly.
She jumped up and wrapped Meg in a tight hug, laughing, while Meg stood frozen in shock.
"I am soooo happy!" Ria said, squeezing her tighter.
Meg blinked in confusion.
"You know, I was so scared about what I'd do if the woman my brother loved hated me," Ria continued. "And now it's you. I'm soooo happy!"
Meg finally laughed, relief washing over her, and Rian smiled knowingly.
"You're squeezing her, Muffin," Rian said.
"Omo! Already taking your wife's side, huh?" Ria teased.
Meg blushed slightly and Ria noticed.
"Mamma Meg can blush too!" Ria teased again.
Rian chuckled.
"Boboo, I want a treat."
"Okay. Granted." Rian handed her one of his unlimited black cards, then sighed. "I thought you'd be angry." Ria frowned. "Why would I be?"
"Well… we kept it a secret, and.." Meg trailed off.
Ria suddenly remembered that she, too, was hiding something from them.
'But can I tell them? We're not even official. He hasn't said anything yet. Should I be the one to propose first?'
Meg gently shook her, understanding the thoughts running through her head.
"Oh God, I'm not angry," Ria said quickly. "Mamma and Dadda will be happy too. Tell them soon."
She stood up. "Okay then, I'm leaving you two lovebirds."
She hugged them both tightly and walked out, smiling.
Ria went to Central Park.
She walked along the pathway for a while before stopping. Taking out her phone, she dialed his number. He picked up almost immediately.
"Hello… um, are you free right now?" she asked softly.
"Yup. Always for you, my lady," came the flirty reply from the other end.
Ria giggled. "Okay then. I'm going shopping. Would you mind joining me?"
"Just tell me where you are. I'll pick you up."
"I'm at Central Park."
"Stay right there, babygirl."
Her cheeks heated instantly. She ended the call with a shy smile and sat on a nearby bench, waiting for him blushing and smiling to herself.
Ria was sitting on a chair in the park when someone tapped her shoulder. She turned around and found Alex smiling at her, dressed in his office attire. Her face lit up as she stood.
"Shall we go?" he asked, extending his hand.
"Yup," she replied with a smile.
They spent the day shopping, enjoying each other's company.
Later, Alex dropped Ria at the hospital. After finishing her work, she returned to the Remington mansion.
Meanwhile, at the Remington mansion…
Zachary and Adeline were seated on the living room couch. In front of them stood Adrian, with Meg just behind him.
Zachary sighed. "My dear son," he began.
Rian looked at him.
"It has been twenty-nine years since I first saw your face," Zachary said dryly. "And honestly, I still don't see anything so admirable that I'd want to stare at it for hours."
Adeline immediately facepalmed. "Stop it, honey," she scolded, then turned to Rian. "Tell us why you called us here. You said it was important, yet you haven't said a word."
"Th-that… Mom…" he stammered.
At that moment, Ria entered the mansion. The scene before her felt like déjà vu. It was exactly like that morning, both of them struggling to confess their relationship to their parents.
She sighed inwardly. 'Oh God, they're doing it again.'
Walking in with a smile, she asked playfully, "An interrogation going on?"
Meg visibly relaxed upon seeing Ria.
Zachary stood up. "Come here, baby. Nothing's going on. Your brother's just lost his mind."
He pulled Ria into a side hug. She giggled.
"Dad…" Rian whined, rolling his eyes.
"Then what?" Zachary retorted. "I'm not as free as you are. Either you say it now, or I'm leaving. Keep your 'important thing' to yourself."
"Dad, he will say it," Ria said, tugging at Zachary's arm to stop him. She shot her brother with a warning glare.
"Come on, Boboo," she added softly, encouraging him.
Rian took a deep breath.
"I'm in love with Meg," he said firmly. "And I can't live without her."
Silence.