Alexander knew something was wrong the moment his doorbell rang at exactly 8:00 a.m. on a Saturday.
No one respectable rang a doorbell that early.
He opened the door anyway.
"Surprise!" his mother announced cheerfully, already stepping inside as if the house belonged to her.
Behind her stood his father, carrying two large bags, his younger sister Lina filming on her phone, and his aunt veronica peering into the house like she was inspecting a hotel room.
Alexander blinked. Once. Twice.
"You didn't call," he said.
"We did," his mother replied. "You didn't answer."
"That usually means I'm unavailable."
"It usually means you're hiding," Lina added, grinning.
Alexander stepped aside because resistance was pointless.
Within thirty seconds, his living room was no longer his.
His mother was rearranging cushions. His father sat down with a satisfied sigh like he planned to stay forever. Aunt veronica examined the bookshelf.
"Hmm," she said. "Still no family photos."
"I have books," Alexander replied.
"That's not the same," she said firmly.
Lina spun around the room. "Wow. Very neat. Very… single."
Alexander rubbed his temple. "Why are you all here?"
His mother clapped her hands together. "We were in the area."
"You live four hours away."
"And we missed you," she added sweetly.
His father nodded. "Also, your mother heard something."
Alexander froze.
"…Heard what?"
She smiled. Slowly. Dangerously.
"That you have a woman."
Lina gasped dramatically. "I KNEW IT!"
Alexander pointed at her. "You did not know anything."
"Oh, I knew," she said. "You've been smiling more."
"I do not smile more."
Aunt veronica leaned in. "Is she serious?"
Alexander groaned. "This is an ambush."
His mother sat down, eyes bright. "What's her name?"
"No," Alexander said immediately.
His father sipped imaginary tea. "Cynthia," he said casually.
Alexander stared. "How do you know that?"
Lina waved her phone. "Social media. She's pretty."
Alexander felt heat rush to his face. "You stalked her?"
"I researched," Lina corrected. "Big difference."
His mother clasped her hands. "Is she kind?"
Aunt veronica added, "Is she respectable?"
His father smiled. "Does she make you nervous?"
Alexander opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
"This is not an interrogation room."
"It is," his mother said. "Emotionally."
They all stared at him.
He sighed. "She's… intelligent. Professional. And no, she's not officially anything."
"That's what they all say," Aunt veronica said knowingly.
Lina bounced. "When do we meet her?"
"You don't."
His mother frowned. "Why not?"
"Because you're like this."
As if on cue, his mother stood up and began pacing. "We should invite her for dinner."
"No."
"We'll cook."
"Absolutely not."
"She'll love us."
"She will be terrified."
His father chuckled. "You were always like this. Serious until you weren't."
Alexander shot him a look. "You're not helping."
Meanwhile, Lina wandered into the kitchen.
"Wow," she said loudly. "You actually have food."
"Do not open anything," Alexander warned.
Too late.
"Oh my—" Lina laughed. "Is this burnt pasta?"
Alexander closed his eyes.
"That was a learning experience," he muttered.
His mother smiled softly. "You're trying."
Aunt veronica sat back down. "So, when are you getting married?"
Alexander nearly choked on air.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm just asking," she said innocently.
His mother nodded. "She's right. You're not getting younger."
"I am very much still young."
Lina smirked. "He's blushing again."
"I am not blushing."
His father laughed openly now. "You like her."
Alexander didn't respond.
That was answer enough.
There was a brief silence—then his mother reached over and squeezed his hand.
"We just want you happy," she said gently.
Alexander softened slightly. "I am… fine."
"Fine isn't happy," Lina said.