h a warm smile as she introduced her parents

e my parents, Mari

has spoken highly of you," Brandon said with a gen

rd much about you," M

replied, graciously kissing Maria's h

Rachel's father, Drake, said, exte

replied, maintaining dir

up, "Dinner will be ready soon, so let's take th

estions," Brandon replied poli

"Let's start wi

iano, violin, cello, and several other

e acknowledged, no

redibly talented," Rachel chimed in,

"So, where did th

performing there, and when I saw him, it was love at first

" Drake scoffed, but

t sight," Rachel respon

, suddenly serious, "do you

ed silent, unsure if he had any criminal history. However,

, causing Rachel to releas

rjected, addressing her dad, who seemed determined to find fau

cheated on my d

chel exclaimed, shoc

," Maria added, urgin

her trust," Brandon replied with ind

with a smile, and Rachel thou

edly called out, "Georg

the man in black as he

sterday to learn more about Brandon, to ensure he's worthy o

uld you do s

t about your boyfriend?" Drake asked his

d and tell her,"

orge, the private investigator, bega

anything. Besides they were all in the past," Bran

st to humiliate my boyfriend," Rachel said

d silent, his gaz

please

and hugging a girl outside T-Bridge Hotel Mainstone a

es from George, desperately hoping they we

though all the air had be

ng Rachel's hand in his. She looked at him s

rake declared firmly. "Security

Brandon tried to say, but the secur

t of here,"

xplain everything," Brandon implored as

red, her tears streaming down her fac

" Maria said, sitting down next to her

s, "This changes nothing. I'm not getting married. Ev

he ignored him, retreating to her room

**

that n

ld tell her,"

ot," Drake re

ht to know," M

t want that for her," Drake expla

reason why we're doing this. She would und

w," Drake maintained, thinking

aria argued, wanting to be tr

everything. The only way she can help us is by getting married.

ything is perfect," Drake changed the topic, kno

d, preparing to make th

ake called

ea

ake reassured her, offeri

" Maria

**

" Maria gently asked, kn

ed, her voice filled with sadness.

ght now, but trust me, time fixes everything," M

ld do that to me. I loved hi

who will treat you like the queen you are," Maria

asked, her voice f

Maria replied, s

o," Rachel clarified, her t

member the Hills

urs and Dad's close fr

ho currently handles his father's

d marriage," Rachel scoffed. "Doe

es," Maria repl

arrying a complete stranger?" Rache

er, you'll see," Maria reassured, h

This isn't something out of a romance novel. This

this. We want what's best for you," Maria exp

ed some fresh air," Rachel declared,

ce. "Take your time, my love. We'll be here for you,

hen walked out of the roo