Chapter 414: First Impressions

Ivy had gone berserk the moment she had finished changing her clothes. Although she was completely ready to face Joshua's parents, it was only appearance wise. Mentally, she was scared and filled with anxiety. She did not have the courage to even take a step in the hall, fearing their reactions and impression of her. Her heart had not stopped beating wildly and all she wanted to do was escape the situation. 

'Should I escape from the house until they leave? Will it save me?' She wondered and thought of ways that could help her leave the mansion unnoticed. Although it was difficult, it was not impossible. She could climb down the walls or jump over the fence or even the compound, if needed. All she wanted was to avoid facing Joshua's parents, who in the future would be her in-laws. 

She knew leaving the room only meant her doom. She stared at the window with her hand stretched towards them. "Window, you are the only one who came save me." She sighed and opened the window that faced the swimming pool. She stared down and tried to find any stand or platform that could help her descend down. However, she could find nothing that could be of her help.

Ivy then tried the other windows and she met with the same fate. It was not easy to climb down and for the first time, Ivy found herself completely helpless. "Ugh, Joshua. Why do you have such a useless mansion? Can't you have pipes of platforms that could help me get down easily?" She groaned and her eyes widened in realization. "Did he know that I would face such a situation in the future and he took countermeasures?" But the next second, she shook her head. "What absurd thoughts are you having, Ivy? Ahhh, I now realized. If you are in a tight spot, you will end up becoming dumb at that moment."

She closed the window and returned to her original spot, right in front of the door, and banged her head lightly on it. "Ivy, what are you going to do? What am I supposed to do?" She cried and lowered her head with her palms stuck to the door. "Yes, why didn't you think of it? You could pretend to be sick. Joshua's parents might not be that cruel to condemn a patient, right? Yes, I could do that."

Putting her plan into action, she immediately jumped on the bed. However, she stopped suddenly. "What are you doing Ivy? This is completely not you. Why should you hide when you are not wrong? And how long can you stay hidden? you will have to face them someday. It's best you get over it today."

Taking a deep breath, she hardened her frightened heart and stepped out of the room. Although she had boldly taken the decision, once she left the room, she could feel her hands turning clammy and her legs weighed her down, making it extremely difficult for her to walk. Yet, she tried her best to appear as calm as possible and face Joshua's parents. While she took slow, careful steps down the stairs, she kept her eyes and ears open to chance upon their conversation. It was then that she heard Joshua suggesting his parents taste her food and an idea popped up in her mind.

'Yes, I could do that.' She stopped, a relieved smile spreading on her face. One of the many things Ivy prided upon was her cooking abilities. She had utmost confidence in them and she knew that could use this chance to win over Joshua's parents. 'Thank you, Joshua. Thank you so much. You gave me a way out of this.'

Ivy walked down the stairs, this time confidently and head held high. She heard Joshua trying to lure them into having her food.

"Will it be alright? I mean it's the first time we are meeting her." Hazel looked at her husband before fixing her eyes on Joshua.

"Why will it not be? I would love to cook for you guys." Ivy blurted out, loud and clear, making everyone look at her. This time, she was sure no one would criticize her attire. She was dressed in her usual casual clothes. But she had opted for a half-sleeved shirt rather than a tank top. She walked hastily and stood in front of Hazel. "Sorry for my behavior earlier. Let me introduce myself again. I am Ivy. It is a pleasure to meet you." She looked back and forth between Hazel and Martin with a smile on her face.

Although she looked like she was alright, Joshua could sense her anxiety from the way her hands were clenched, while she stared at his parents in anticipation. Not wasting another minute, he stood beside her and held her hand, forcing her to release her fist. "Mom, Dad, this is Ivy and she is my girlfriend."

His proud declaration only made Hazel ecstatic and she pulled Ivy for a hug. The sudden pull flabbergasted the young couple and they could not react in time. Ivy's hand was still in Joshua's, while Hazel continued to hug her, putting her in an awkward position. She could not push Hazel away. The only option left was for Joshua to leave her hand. However, seeing the way he continued to hold her even after a minute had passed, she doubted if he had other intentions in mind.

Ivy could not see him to send him the message silently. So, she tried to wriggle her hand. But the man only held her tighter, making it impossible for her to retrieve her hand. She huffed in anger, leaving the man to be for the time being. 'I will take care of you later.' She promised herself and focused her attention on Hazel, who had not stopped talking the moment she had hugged her.

"Thank you, dear. Thank you so much for coming into my son's life. I am so grateful to you and I am happy that he has found an amazing girl." Hazel continued, having no intentions to leave her. Martin sighed seeing her enthusiasm and Ivy's uneasiness.

"Hazel, I think you are crushing the poor girl. Let her go. She must have been scared by your actions." He warned her and immediately, Hazel released her.

"Oh, my. I am so sorry, dear. Did I hurt you? I am really sorry." She held her arms and looked at her in concern to see if she was hurt.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Martin. I am not hurt. I am completely fine."

"Are you sure?" Hazel ignored the way she had addressed her. It was only the first time she had met her. There was no way she could ask her to call her Mom. It would only put her in a spot if Ivy was unwilling.

"Hazel, are you done?" Martin queried from the side and Hazel nodded at him. "Then, move aside. Let me take a look at the girl who had captured my son's heart." He teased and Ivy could not help but blush at his choice of words. Ivy's behavior surprised Joshua. She rarely blushed and Joshua could count on fingers when she did so. And most of the time, it was when they engaged in physical activities. Ivy would be as red as a cherry and that look of hers was something he loved the most. 

Now that Ivy was blushing adorably, he found the situation amusing. He could not move his eyes away from her and Hazel observed how her son was completely captivated by her. She smiled in delight. 'I just hope Ivy is nothing like Amber. Let her be the one for him.'

Martin did not speak much. But he did nod at Ivy with a huge smile on his face. 'Why does it seem like they are ready to push Joshua and me into a marriage if given a chance?' Ivy wondered and blinked at the man who had not stopped smiling.

Unable to stay any longer in their presence, Ivy decided to prepare breakfast to calm her heart. "Let me prepare breakfast." She stated, her voice losing their confidence completely.

"Let me help you." Hazel offered only to Ivy shaking her head at her.

"No, no. Mrs. Martin, allow me to do it. You just stay here. Let me." Ivy rejected her help.

"Mom, the thing is Ivy does not like it if anybody disturbs her when she is cooking. She likes handling everything herself." Joshua took a jab at her and Ivy glared at him immediately. He wanted to continue but seeing her glare, he shut up. 

Her look clearly stated, 'If another word leaves your mouth, we will be separately.' Her look of warning worked and Joshua stopped his nonsense. It did not matter if Ivy was vexed or annoyed at him. But he could not tolerate it if Ivy kicked him out of the room. He had been accustomed to kissing her and cuddling her. How could he do it if they slept separately?

Hazel and Martin laughed out loud hearing Joshua's words. Hazel did not force Ivy anymore and allowed her to do as she wanted. Relieved that she was finally free, Ivy made her way to the kitchen as fast as she could. "Uhhh," Ivy breathed and took deep breaths. "Oh my God."

"My parents like you." She heard Joshua's low mellow voice right behind her and she jumped in her place. Joshua supported her seeing her startled face and pulled her close.

"Joshua, you scared me." She complained and rolled her eyes. "Couldn't you make some noise while walking?" Her complaints died quickly when Joshua's words registered in her mind and she pulled back with a skeptical look. "Really, do your parents really like me? I thought I embarrassed myself thoroughly today." Ivy's voice faltered as she ended her sentence.

"Are you kidding me? They really like you. My parents are straightforward. They tell what they feel and I am sure, by their actions and reactions, they love you." Joshua tried to appease and what he said was the truth.

"That relieves my mind. I was worried. Now, go. I need to prepare breakfast." Ivy tried to push him away. However, the man did not even budge.

"Do you want help?" Joshua offered. But his words meant something else altogether and Ivy had a hunch what it was. She had not missed the way he was fondling her waist. Asking Joshua to help her would only mean inviting a hungry wolf for lunch. She shook her immediately.

"No, I can manage. No, go." Disappointment flashed through Joshua's eyes. But he hid it expertly.

"Call me if you need help." This time, he released her and Ivy smiled at him. 

Not waiting for him to leave the kitchen, she turned her back towards him. "Let's see." She tapped her index finger on her chin. "What should I prepare for them?"