Son in Law

Zen Maximus stood outside the magnificent house in a very upscale neighbourhood. The area was surrounded by extravagant mansions and luxury cars. No doubt that it was a luxurious neighbourhood.

There was a look of hesitation on his chiselled features. His tall athletic build slumped a little, like he was contemplating what to do next. 

His wife, Stella Richard, on the other hand, smiled and jumped up and down in excitement, “Let’s go inside!" 

Holding his hand she pushed him forward. She had a slender yet athletic frame. Her long lustrous hair cascaded down in gentle waves framing a face adorned with delicate features. 

 "Hurry up!" She nudged him again. 

“I don’t know… your family hates me.” Zen replied knowing very well that he would have to face humiliation and insult if he were to go inside. 

“Don't worry everything will be alright!” Stella sighed, patting him on his shoulder as she rang the doorbell. 

The door opened and a young woman in her twenties came into view. Sarah Richard had a smug look on her face when her eyes fell on her sister, “Sis! I have been waiting for you.” 

She stepped aside, as Stella and Zen walked inside. As soon as Stella was in the house she was engulfed in a tight hug by Sarah. 

“How have you been?” Sarah asked. 

“Great! What about you? And how is Benjamin?” 

They broke the hug and pulled back, giving each other a smile.

“Hey!” A low pitched voice came from behind. 

Benjamin Manson stepped forward and gave a side hug to Stella, “I must say you are getting pretty day by day.” 

Stella chuckled a little at his comment and replied, “Aww. You are the sweetest.” 

Zen stayed there in his place and watched them. 

No one greeted Zen and he felt a tightness in his chest. He knew that Stella's family was upset with him, and they were showing it by insulting him. 

“Oh Zen come inside, I forgot about you.” Stella grabbed his hand and pulled him inside.

Zen seemed hesitant inside as he kept his head down while going inside. 

“Look, Stella also brought trash with him.” Benjamin mocked with a smug look on his face. 

Zen looked away like he was trying to ignore. He noticed Benjamin's gaze linger on him, as if he was sizing him up. He looked away, trying to ignore the snub.

“You always keep trash alongside you.” Benjamin continued. 

Zen felt embarrassed as his face turned red. Stella quickly pulled him closer to her and whispered, "Ignore them, they don't know any better."

"Listen, man you do not belong here.” 

Zen felt humiliated. He wanted to turn around and go away from there. He was angry and sad at the same time. He knew he had made a mistake by showing up at the house of his in-laws. He knew that the right thing to do would have been to stay away and not to cause any trouble.

Benjamin and Sarah moved to the hallway along with Stella and Zen followed them too while keeping his head down. 

They were standing in the hallway which was decorated well and seemed luxurious. There were white and ambient lights in the ceiling while the corners of the walls were decorated with expensive flowers and other expensive showpieces. 

Zen was stunned as he saw the house from the inside. It was the first time he had come to the house. Before that no one allowed him to come there but it was his wife who wanted to take him here this time. 

He knew that his in-laws were very wealthy but he was not expecting all this. He felt more embarrassed and felt like a fool for not being prepared for this. 

"Come sit all of you!" Stella’s mother, Ruby, stepped forward and waved her hand. 

Seeing her Zen was a bit relieved. 

"Oh crap! Stella, why have you brought this piece of shit alongside you?" Ruby asked Stella rudely. Stella stayed quiet at that. 

"Why do you bring this loser around here? You better leave now!" Ruby continued while pointing her finger directly towards Zen. He was shocked and did not know what to say.

"Mother, what are you saying?" Stella replied and motioned Zen to sit down.

"You think I'm stupid? I know what kind of people you hang out with!" 

Zen was speechless…

"Okay let’s not ruin our mood by shitty people.” Benjamin went towards Ruby, “Come mother in law. I have brought a gift for you." 

"You are so kind" Ruby replied as she took the gift from his hand. 

The gift was wrapped in a purple cover and inside it was a large box. Ruby was surprised and touched, “Aww! Thank you so much. You didn’t have to.” 

“How can I not bring anything for my beautiful mother in law? Of course it’s your birthday and you should get the best gift.” Benjamin flattered Ruby and she couldn’t help but blush at his statement.

"Now open the box and see what's inside.” 

Ruby was nervous and excited at the same time. She carefully unwrapped the package.

"Oh my God it's so beautiful, thank you so much!" Ruby replied.

There was a very expensive necklace inside which was coated with gold and there was a flower pattern on it. She couldn't help but feel overwhelmed and emotional. She immediately hugged him and thanked him. 

"Thank God you liked it," Benjamin replied, feeling more arrogant than before. 

"I'm glad I was able to make someone happy.” He gently patted her on the back and said. 

She felt warmth fill her heart and she hugged him even tighter. She thanked him again and Benjamin stepped back.

He saw an envelope in Zen’s hands. It was a white envelope with nothing written on top of it.

"Looks like you have also brought something, let's see what it is!" Benjamin asked Zen and snatched the envelope from his hands.

"Take it Mother and see what is inside." Benjamin gave the envelope to Ruby.

Ruby opened the envelope and there was a letter inside. Ruby started to read the letter while her face turned red while reading. Her eyes grew wide and she stared at Zen in disbelief.

"What is this? How dare you...