"Will you relax? Please. I'm telling you, there is no problem."
"You're sure..."
Scott Williams was anxious as he stepped into the gorgeous Point Piper home where his girlfriend, Ashleigh Parker, grew up. He wasn't unfamiliar with extreme wealth-he had been to plenty of rich friends' homes during his days at Phillips Exeter-but he had never seen anything like this; gold and marble everywhere, 18th-century paintings on the walls, immaculate carpets. He was intimidated, even though Ashleigh insisted that everything would be fine.
"Come here," she gestured as she walked to her childhood bedroom, now a guest room. It was just a few feet away from her parents' bedroom, and Ashleigh smiled as she looked at the familiar beige walls, the ornate mirror on the wall, the oak cabinet.
"Do you miss this place?" Scott asked.
"Every now and then," Ashleigh replied. "There's a lot of love in this room."
Scott smiled. He was still a bit nervous, still felt out of place, but Ashleigh's words and smile made him relax slightly.
"Oh look, they're here!"
Scott and Ashleigh looked out the window as an elderly chauffeur opened the door to a black Rolls-Royce. Sarah Parker, Ashleigh's beautiful mother, stepped out of the car, wearing a crisp black coat and dress and carrying a white bag. Her light-brown hair showed only slight traces of grey despite her 65 years. Then Paul Parker, Ashleigh's father, emerged. He was 64 years old, nearly 6-foot-5, and he carried himself with a dignified, almost regal appearance.
"They know we're here, right?"
"Yeah. Don't be nervous!"
"OK."
Scott and Ashleigh walked towards the door. As they waited for it to open, Scott felt his heart pounding out of his chest.
Paul walked in first.
"Daddy!" Ashleigh screamed as she hugged him.
"How are you doing, darling?" he replied, as Sarah walked in and also received a hug.
"So, is this Scott?"
"Yeah."
"How are you doing, mate?" Paul responded, nearly breaking Scott's hand with the firmness of his handshake.
"Very well, thanks."
"It's so good to meet you, Scott," said Sarah, greeting him with a far more gentle handshake and a smile.
"Well, let's get something to eat," Paul declared. Ashleigh smiled, and winked at Scott.
___
"This was delicious," Scott told the Parkers after finishing the last of his steak.
"Thanks," said Paul, "We knew you'd enjoy it."
"Emily is a great chef, isn't she?" asked Sarah.
"Indeed."
It had been an awkward conversation, with Scott trying to avoid anything that might offend his girlfriend's parents. Paul and Sarah seemed quite impressed with his background: his years at Phillips Exeter and Harvard, his work as a stockbroker, his continued devotion to Ashleigh despite the difficulties of maintaining a long-distance relationship with someone whose burgeoning modeling career sometimes took her to London, Paris and Los Angeles several times a month.
"Well, I know that Sarah and Ashleigh have some things to go over. Do you mind, Scott, if you and I head outside for a moment?"
"No, not at all."
Scott waived to Ashleigh and Sarah as he walked with Paul out to the courtyard. There, both men sat down on antique white chairs.
"So..."
Scott gulped. "Oh boy."
"Ashleigh did tell me about..."
"Uh, Mr. Parker."
"Call me Paul, Scott. We'll be family."
Really? Scott thought to myself.
"I'm..." Paul hesitated. "I'm not going to defend everything Rupert does with the Post. I understand that there are things in that paper with which you disagree..."
Scott wanted to say something, but he kept his mouth shut.
"But you do understand that this house was purchased with his paychecks, right?"
"I certainly understand, Mr. Parker-"
"Look, mate," Paul said, putting his hand on Scott's. "You're family, OK? I consider you family, because I know Ashleigh wants to marry you."
