“You ready for this?” Nova Grayson asks, taking her husband’s hand in hers.

‘’No,’’ Liam Tate replies.

‘’What? You are about to meet my family.’’

‘’Yes, a family I know nothing about because I have never spoken to them before.’’

‘’Don’t worry, they will love you.’’

‘’Is that just an assumption, or a known fact?’’

‘’Liam, just relax. Everything will be fine.’’

‘’Yeah, until they find out that we are married and think that I am the reason you haven’t been home for the past two years.’’

‘’Nothing like that will happen. My family is very accepting.’’

‘’Right, and what will they think after finding out that I’m poor, and a pre-med student because I did not know what I wanted out of life?’’

‘’Nothing.’’

‘’I’m sure they will be happy to know that their daughter is married to a man that can’t provide for her,’’ Liam finishes.

Liam climbs out of the silver Ferrari Nova’s father bought her, then walks around the other side to open the door for his wife.

‘’Thank you, Mr Tate.’’ Nova smiles at him. ‘’Welcome to the always sunny Santoria.’’ Nova kisses her husband.

Liam kisses her back, not saying anything. All he does is stare up at the large eighteen-bedroom house that is decorated with small lights that twinkled in the night.

Before Nova could knock, the doors open up by a man in a suit who has on white gloves on his hands.

‘’Good evening, welcome to the Greyson residence.’’

‘’Henry, you basically raised me. There is no need to be so formal.’’

‘’Why miss Nova? I hardly recognized you. The last time we saw each other, you were no more than a scrawny little thing and this high.’’ The butler holds his hand to his waist.

Nova smiles at him. ‘’I’m grown now.’’

‘’That I can see. Leave the bags, the maids will bring them up to your bedrooms.’’

Everything is new to Liam; butlers, drivers. He had only seen things like this in movies. But Nova had reassured him that her family was different, like any ordinary family.

But he doubts that because her father is a power-hungry man who believes in only employing his children and immediate family so that can monopolize the market, and keep the ‘empire’ in the family.

The butler leads them inside and out to the back where the music is loud and causes Liam’s chest to pound to the rhythm of the beat.

‘’Shoot, I forget a gift for my sister and her husband-to-be.’’ Nova shakes her head.

‘’You can always get some alcohol and perfume.’’

‘’No, my sister is allergic to most scents and her husband-to-be doesn’t drink.’’

‘’A car then,’’ Liam jokes.

Nova doesn’t seem to be paying him much attention, but then she snaps her fingers.

‘’I know, they are renovating their home. I can make a donation.’’

Liam nods because that is the first time he has never heard his wife use such a word. He doesn't know if she has ever donated a thing in her life.

‘’Anyway, let's go join the fun.’’ Nova smiles and pulls Liam along.

‘’Mom, dad,’’ Nova calls, interrupting their conversation.

‘’Nova, my darling.’’ Her mother quickly pulls her into a hug. ‘’Oh, it has been so long. I’m so glad you are here.’’

‘’You know how work is,’’ Nova tells her.

‘’Yes, but your brother still has time to visit.’’

When it is her father’s turn to greet her, he enfolds her into his large arms before kissing the top of her head.

‘’And my pride and joy have returned home. Thank you for striking that business deal.’’

‘’A woman’s touch.’’ Nova smiles.

Mrs Greyson glances at Liam.

‘’And who is this, your bodyguard?’’

‘’No mother, this is my husband. Liam.’’ She moves to his side and holds up her hand for them to see the ring.

‘’Oh,’’ Mrs Greyson lets out then looks at her husband, who has a sour look on his face.

‘’Nice to meet you, young man.’’ Mr Greyson gives a smile, which comes off more like a grimace, before shaking his hand.

‘’Likewise, Nova has told me so much about you.’’ Liam tries to make conversation.

‘’Yes, that’s nice.’’ Mr Greyson turns away to go back to his earlier engagement.

‘’I never knew my little girl was married.’’ Mrs Greyson forces a smile.

‘’It was kind of… unexpected.’’

‘’Oh, so when was the wedding?’’

Nova looks over at Liam.

‘’Two years ago,’’ he tells her.

‘’Oh, ok.’’ Mrs Greyson nods. ‘’Is that the reason why you have been away for so long?’’

‘’No mother, it was mostly for work.’’

Mrs Greyson looks Liam up and down. ‘’Well, it is certainly nice to meet you, Liam.’’

But Liam could tell that she doesn’t mean those words.

‘’Let's go enjoy the party,’’ Nova says.

When they get over to where Nova’s sister and finance are standing, along with a few of their cousins and friends. Nova calls out to them.

‘’Hey guys!’’

They all turn towards her.

‘’Nova!’’ her sister, Venus, who could pass as her twin, was the first to greet her. ‘’ You came.’’

‘’Of course, I wouldn’t miss my big sis wedding.’’

Suddenly, Venus grabs her hand and Nova soon remembers that nothing misses her sister’s hawk-like eyes.

‘’What is this?’’

‘’Oh, I got married.’’

Venus’ eyes trail to Liam and he smiles at her. “Hey, nice to meet you. I’m Liam.’’

Nova’s sister-in-law, Andrea, gives Nova a look. ‘’How come you didn’t tell us?’’

‘’I got caught up in some many things.’’

‘’Really? Was it so much that you just happen to forget to mention a husband, even over the phone?’’ she then asks.

Andrea turns to Liam with a smile. ‘’So, what do you do for a living?’’

‘’I am a pre-med student. I work and study at her brother’s hospital,’’ Liam tells her.

‘’Oh,’’ she replies, and Liam could see that she wasn’t pleased with his answer.

Nova’s brother, Kyle, the one who owns the hospital, hurries forward after hearing what was said. 

‘’Nova, what were you thinking? This is nothing but rubbish for you to pick up some trash like this. I swear you are such a disappointment. No wonder why you stayed away for so long.’’

The place falls silent at that, with everyone looking in their direction.

‘’Excuse me?’’ Liam frowns.

‘’I’m sure you aren’t deaf. My sister has some nerve bringing home someone like you.’’

‘’Someone like me? I’ll have you know I am on top of my class, and one of the best working at your hospital.’’ Liam tries to defend himself.

‘’So what? You are nothing but a worker, not the owner. You are not good enough to be with my sister.’’ Kyle sneers.

‘’But-’’

Nova quickly cuts Liam off. ‘’Will you just shut up? You are only making it worse for the both of us.’’

‘’Nova, what are you saying?’’ Liam asks, taken aback by her words.

‘’I know I am not the person you want for Nova, but I am a good man. Just let me prove that I’ll do my best at the hospital. Work double time if I have to.’’

‘’Liam, just stop! This is embarrassing as it already is.’’

‘’But-’’

‘’Just stop, be quiet!’’ Nova cuts him off once more.

Mrs Greyson hurries over to break things up before it can escalate any further.

‘’We don’t need to make a scene. Tonight is a night where we celebrate your sister and her husband-to-be. So whatever is going on needs to stop now.’’ She points at them.

‘’Yeah, tell that to Nova for bringing some low life here,’’ Kyle says before sipping his drinking and walking away.

‘’What is Kyle talking about?’’ Mrs Greyson looks at Nova for answers.

‘’Nova brought a poor man home,’’ Andrea blurts out.