Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 128: Just Friend

Chapter 128: Just Friend

Gerald sat behind the wheel, driving through familiar streets as he made his way to his parents’ house. His parents had invited him over for dinner earlier in the week, and while his schedule was often packed, he always made time for them. He glanced at the clock on the dashboard. He wasn’t late, but he wasn’t early either—right on time, as always.

As Gerald pulled into the driveway of his childhood home, he felt a familiar wave of nostalgia. The house hadn’t changed much over the years. His parents had lived here for as long as he could remember, and there was always something comforting about coming back.

As soon as he stepped inside, the familiar scent of home-cooked food filled the air, making his stomach growl in anticipation. He closed the door behind him and heading towards the living room.

As he rounded the corner, he spotted his father lounging in his usual armchair, a newspaper spread out on his lap. The older man glanced up, a grin spreading across his face as he saw Gerald.

"Gerald, there you are!" his father called out, folding the newspaper and setting it aside as he stood up. His eyes twinkled with mischief. "I thought you’d forgotten about our dinner and were going to let me die of hunger!"

Gerald chuckled, walking over to give his father a quick hug. "I wouldn’t do that to you, Dad," he replied, his smile easy. "I’m just on time, aren’t I?"

His father patted him on the back, shaking his head in mock exasperation. "Just on time, my foot. Your mother’s been fussing in the kitchen for hours, worried you’d be late." He stepped back, his eyes scanning Gerald’s face.

Gerald smiled and glanced toward the kitchen. "Speaking of Mom, where is she?"

"In the kitchen, of course, making sure everything is perfect, as usual," his father replied, motioning for Gerald to follow him. "Come on."

They walked side by side and as they reached the kitchen, Gerald saw his mother at the counter, carefully arranging dishes on the table. The table was already set, with plates and cutlery perfectly placed.

His mother turned just as they entered, her face lighting up when she saw Gerald. "There he is," she said, wiping her hands on a towel before coming over to give him a hug. "You’ve come at just the right time. Dinner’s ready."

Laughing, Gerald pulled out a chair at the dining table, taking his usual seat. His father sat across from him, already eyeing the spread of food with anticipation.

After dinner, the three of them moved to the living room. Gerald’s father dropped into his favorite armchair, groaning slightly as he eased into the cushions. His mother settled onto the sofa, tucking her feet under herself, while Gerald took his usual spot on the loveseat across from them.

"Well," his father began, leaning back and stretching his arms over his head, "now that we’re fed, I suppose it’s time to grill you about your job, huh?"

Gerald chuckled, shaking his head. His father never missed an opportunity to ask about work, especially since retirement had left him more curious about Gerald’s life.

The conversation paused for a bit once they’d wrapped up talking about work. Then, his mother, who had been quietly observing, leaned forward, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "So, Gerald," she began, her voice casual but with a hint of something more, "when are you going to introduce your girlfriend to us?"

Gerald blinked, surprised by how straight to the point the question was. He furrowed his brow, confused for a moment. "What girlfriend?" he asked, trying to sound casual, though a hint of tension laced his words.

His father laughed and raised an eyebrow, giving Gerald’s mom a quick look before focusing on Gerald again.

"Isn’t it Aubrey?" he asked, pointing a finger at Gerald with a grin, clearly enjoying the moment. "You two are always together."

Gerald shifted in his seat, the mention of Aubrey making his chest tighten uncomfortably. He forced a small laugh, shaking his head. "Aubrey and I are just friends," he said, though the words tasted bitter as they left his mouth. The very thought of it—having to say out loud that he and Aubrey were nothing more than friends—made his heart sink, but he couldn’t let that show.

His father leaned forward, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Don’t lie, Gerald. I’ve seen that look in your eyes," he remarked. He then shot a grin at Gerald and then glanced at his wife, his smile softening. "You love her, don’t you? I had that same look when I first met your mother."

Gerald watched as his mother smiled fondly and his chest tightened further. He forced a smile, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of discomfort. "Come on, Dad," he said, trying to laugh it off, "Aubrey and I are just friends. Nothing more."

His father leaned back in his chair, a knowing smile still playing on his lips. "If you say so," he murmured, though it was clear he didn’t believe a word of it.

Desperate to change the subject, Gerald cleared his throat and leaned forward slightly. "Anyway," he said, his voice a bit too bright, "let’s talk about your wedding anniversary party. Is there anyone else I need to invite?"

His mother’s gaze lingered on him for a moment, as if she knew exactly why he was shifting the conversation, but she didn’t push. Instead, she exchanged a glance with his father and then smiled. "I think we’ve got everyone," she said softly.

Gerald nodded, feeling a slight sense of relief that the focus had moved away from Aubrey. "Good. Just wanted to make sure I hadn’t missed anyone."

But his father, ever the teaser, wasn’t quite ready to let it go. "Don’t forget to invite Aubrey," he said with a mischievous grin, clearly enjoying himself.

Gerald smiled, though it felt forced, the knot in his stomach tightening again. "Yeah, I’ll make sure she’s invited."

"And Mason and his wife too, Helen," his father added.

"No, it’s Ellen," his mother corrected, her voice gentle but firm.

"Right, Ellen," his father agreed, waving a hand as if it didn’t matter much.

Hearing Ellen’s name made Gerald’s stomach churn, though he quickly masked his discomfort with a tight smile.

"Yeah," he answered, though sounding a bit tense. "I’ll make sure Mason and Ellen are invited too."