Elevator Pitch (Hapless In Love #1)

52. Meet The Parents

52

meet the parents

Greyson

Manhattan, NY | March 11, 2024

I’m still reeling from Selah’s accidental sleepover and she’s still here. I convinced her to call in sick and enjoy a very late breakfast with me. We’re playing another round of the question game when I hear voices outside my door, followed by jingling keys.

“Were you expecting anybody?” Selah asks.

“No,” I respond with a shake of my head.

I focus on the doorknob as it’s being unlocked, assuming it’s either Alex or Elena trying to surprise me. My parents stroll through the door instead. This isn’t unusual behavior for them, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time. Dad’s holding a bag of groceries, and Mom stands in front of him empty-handed. I had no idea they were coming, but I know exactly why they’re here.

“Happy Birthday, Greyson!” they say in unison.

Shit.

I hear a spoon drop behind me and Selah blurts out, “It’s your birthday?”

Shit .

I whip my head towards her and offer an apologetic nod. I search her gaze for any sign of anger and find sadness instead.

Dammit.

“Where’s Clifford?” my dad asks in a playful voice.

Clifford barrels down the hallway at the sound of his voice. He sits and wags his tail excitedly beside me. Once my mom spots Selah, she perks up and I see the wheels turning in her head. I take a deep breath to mentally prepare for this impromptu visit and think of an explanation for why I hadn’t mentioned it was my birthday.

I don’t need this today.

“Eomma!? 1 appa!? 2 ??, ??.” I shout, jumping up from my seat.

I meet them in the entryway, and Mom practically knocks me down when she launches herself into my arms. My dad chuckles softly as I scoop her up into a hug.

“You look good son,” he adds gruffly.

“Thanks. You too.”

She pecks my cheek and whisper-yells, “She’s pretty! You haven’t mentioned her!”

I set her back on her feet, placing my hands on each of her shoulders and giving her a look of warning. Her mischievous grin challenges me and I know I’ve lost this battle before it’s even begun.

I just wanted to be alone with her today.

I step back and my mother breezes right past me, beelining for Selah. Whose anxiety is apparent because her back is to me and she’s busying herself washing dishes.

Please don’t scare her off.

“And who might you be?” Mom asks playfully and grabs a towel to help Selah.

I know she means to be welcoming, but she’s already anxious. I’m already dreading this interaction and it just started. You don’t usually meet the parents at whatever fucking stage we’re at.

“Um, I’m Selah. Grey’s…neighbor.”

I watch this encounter and raise a brow at her response.

Neighbor?

Well, she didn’t lie, but I don’t like the sound of it.

What we did this morning was far from neighborly.

“It’s nice to meet you, Selah. I’m Greyson’s mom. Excuse my excitement, I just haven’t seen my son with a woman in a while,” she says with a warm smile.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Park,” she says nervously and shakes her hand, wrapping her left hand around her wrist.

I wrinkle my brow at her doing the handshake properly and as if she can read my mind, Mom whips her head toward me with an astonished look.

I recall shaking Selah mom’s hand the same way when we met, and I guess she remembered. Surely, if I knew they were coming I could’ve prepared her, but she’s doing great.

Selah looks over her shoulder with an apologetic stare and I shake my head in response. She chews on her bottom lip and resumes her conversation with my mom. My dad clears his throat, regaining my focus. He wears a knowing look while petting Clifford’s head.

“You could’ve told me you were coming.” He pats my shoulder. “Adeul ??? 3 , we haven’t seen you since Lunar New Year and you haven’t been calling as much. I couldn’t risk calling and you disappearing. This was our best chance. Your mom missed you. We miss you.”

“I miss you too, appa ??.”

“It doesn’t seem like it. Take these groceries. I want to sit down,” he grumbles.

I take the bags from him and step towards the kitchen. He strides halfway to the living room then changes direction, nearly running into me as he heads toward Selah. I roll my eyes and take a deep breath.

Please don’t embarrass me in front of her.

My mom whips her head around and grins.

“Yeobo ??? 4 , This is Greyson’s neighbor , Selah. Isn’t she lovely?”

I don’t miss the emphasis she puts on neighbor. It’s subtle, but intentional.

“She is. It’s nice to meet you,” he says and bows his head and gives her a handshake.

“Nice to meet you too,” she says with a bright smile.

She seems a bit more relaxed than before. I assume the speed cleaning helped. Her gaze is assuring, causing me to feel better already. My shy father retires to the couch after his quick introduction. I eavesdrop on my mom and Selah’s conversation while I put away the groceries and they’re hitting it off. Mom has been reading spicy romances, so they’re bonding over that. I quickly vacate because I’ve read some of those books and I’d rather not hear my mom recount her favorites.

I try to hide my smile when I round the corner and see Clifford laying beside him, resting his head on his leg. Dad absentmindedly scratches his head while he flips through channels. I find it interesting because I always wanted a dog and my parents wouldn’t let me have one, but these two look like the best of friends. I let out a sigh as I plop down. I predict we’ll sit in silence because he’s not much of a talker.

As expected, he doesn’t say much other than asking me about how business is and what’s new in my life. I keep my updates short and all about work. I bite back the urge to mention Selah because I’m unsure of what to say and she’s not even twenty feet away. Though she wouldn’t hear me over the giggle fits coming from the kitchen. I’m glad to hear they are having some fun.

When I ask him how he’s been, he keeps it short as usual. Then goes into his usual spiel about how I should visit more than just the holidays. I would, but he and I don’t get along very well. My parents not supporting my marriage caused a rift. My mom and I have since worked it out, but my dad is just too stubborn.

“I’m happy you were home, Greyson. I know it’s not a good day for you and you’re not too happy with us showing up unannounced, but it was my idea.”

He scoots closer to me and pats my shoulder.

“So, be mad at me. I was only hoping to cheer her up. It may be your birthday, but it’s also the day we became your parents. We only see one of you often and you’re a half hour away.

“Is eomma okay?” I ask with concern; my stomach drops at the thought.

“She’s fine, aduel. So am I. She’s just been a little down and has been missing her sons. The phone calls help, but it’s not the same as sharing a meal or being able to hug you.”

“I understand.”

We peer over the couch at her and Selah in the kitchen and she is teaching her how to prep Wanja Jorim? 5 . If mom is cooking, she’ll always make your favorite meals. Always. I saw the groceries she bought, and she must have plans to make a Korean buffet tonight. I won’t complain about them crashing since mom’s cooking. I only wish Henry could be here. Every chance he gets he mentions how homesick he is.

My mom makes a few meatballs by hand, then tells Selah to try. Her brows are wrinkled in concentration as she tries to mimic my mom’s actions and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. I smile to myself.

When I look back at my dad, he’s wearing that knowing expression again. I shrug it off and face the TV. Moments later, he excuses himself and I relax on the couch, getting cozy with Cliff.

My dad returns to his seat and surprises me again by asking, “Would you like to get out of the house? It’s a nice day. We could go to a dog park and get ice cream.”

“Who are you and what have you done with my appa?”

He chuckles and says, “I’m sure your neighbor will be just fine. Your mother won’t bite her.”

I don’t feel great about leaving her alone, but it seems like they’re having a good time. I can’t remember the last time my dad and I did something just for us. It had been when I was in high school, but since he invited Clifford, I’m in. It’s impossible to have a bad day when he’s around.

“Sure, I’d just like to say goodbye to her before we go.”

I rise from the couch, making my way to the kitchen where my mom and Selah are making quite the mess.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need to borrow her for a sec.”

“Don’t keep her too long. We’re having fun,” Mom exclaims.

Selah follows me and we take off far enough down the hallway from prying eyes.

“Are you mad at me?” I ask nervously.

“No. Why would I be?”

I lean in close. “Give me a kiss if you’re not mad.”

She smiles against my lips and grants me a soft kiss.

When we separate, I stare adoringly.

“I promise I won’t be gone long.”

“It’s fine. Your eomma has good taste in books, by the way.”

“Don’t tell me about that. I beg of you.”

She giggles and I take her lips in a hurried kiss.

“I need to teach you more Korean. It’s sexy,” I say, licking my lips.

She covers her face with her hand as if she’s embarrassed.

My shy little sunflower.

“You should get out of here and have some fun. ”

“Not before I teach you some new words. Hae-ba-la-gi ????? 6 .”

She repeats after me, lighting up when she gets it right.

“It means sunflower.”

“One more. Sella ??? 7 .”

She repeats after me and says with a curious smile, “that sounds like my name. It’s beautiful.”

“Just like you.” I nod, pressing a kiss to her forehead before I head back down the hallway, and I lock eyes with none other than my mom, who’s peeking around her corner, watching in amusement.

By the time Selah turns around and returns to the kitchen, my mom resumes cooking as if she wasn’t just being nosy. I walk over to her and squeeze her in a hug, hoping to distract her from making any comments about what she just saw.

“So, in America, neighbors do borrow sugar,” she says with a raised brow.

“Eomma, please,” I plead.

“Calm down. I like her.” She smacks my arm with a dish towel. “We’ll talk later. Have fun with your appa and be nice.”

“I love you,” I say, wrapping her in another hug.

“I love you too, adeul.”

1 ? Mom

2 ? Dad

3 ? Son

4 ? Honey

5 ? Korean meatballs

6 ? Sunflower

7 ? Selah