I've walked into gala nights with diamonds strapped to my neck like armor.
I've survived press conferences after scandal, walked out of courtrooms in heels, and faced thousands of eyes while smiling through tears.
But nothing and i mean nothing prepared me for this.
"Are you sure they're home?" Sebastian asked, tightening his grip on the bouquet of white orchids he insisted on bringing.
I glanced at him.
Crisp white button-down, tailored slacks, hair parted neatly, he looked like a damn dream.
But behind that golden-boy charm, I could feel the nerves pulsing under his skin.
"They're always home," I muttered, eyeing the front door of the Imperial estate like it was a battlefield. "You're about to meet the most intimidating people in my life."
He chuckled, but it was tight. "Aren't you the intimidating one?"
"You don't understand," I said as i reached for the doorknob. "My parents eat CEOs for breakfast."
"And yet," he said, smiling at me, "they raised you."
"Exactly," I deadpanned. "Good luck."
The door opened before i even knocked.
"Ma'am Margaux," said the head maid, eyes lighting up. "They've been expecting you."
Oh, fantastic.
We walked into the foyer.
Still smelled like imported wood polish and money.
Everything in this house felt cold, pristine.
Nothing was out of place, except maybe me.
"Mom? Dad?" I called.
And then—
"Sebastian," my mother's voice rang out. "It's such a pleasure to finally meet you."
I blinked.
Finally?
She descended the stairs like she was on a runway hair sleek, pearls sharp against her collarbone.
My father followed, arms outstretched.
"Son," he boomed, "welcome."
Wait. Son?
Sebastian stepped forward and handed the orchids to my mom. "Ma'am, thank you for having me."
"Oh please," she waved him off, grinning like she was meeting royalty. "Call me mom."
My dad clapped him on the back. "No need to be formal. Come, come, let's talk in the study. Margaux, darling, would you like tea?"
"I live here," I said flatly.
But no one was listening.
My mom had already looped her arm through Sebastian's, dragging him toward the grand staircase.
My dad followed, beaming.
I stood there like a houseplant.
Was this real life?
I trudged behind them and sat on the far end of the velvet couch while they grilled Sebastian on everything except the thing i thought they'd ask: his intentions.
Instead:
"How's the Seoul weather this time of year?"
"Is it true your group's partnering with LVMH?"
"Your Mandarin is quite good! Did you study in China?"
Sebastian, damn him, answered everything fluently, kindly, even charmingly.
My mom was laughing.
My dad looked like he was about to offer him a seat on the Imperial Bank board.
And me? I was sipping tea i didn't want, ignored in my own childhood home.
At one point, my mom placed a hand on Sebastian's arm and said, "You know, if you ever think of starting your own label, I know people. Banking isn't all numbers, it's relationships."
Sebastian looked surprised. "That's… incredibly generous, Mama. Thank you."
M-mama. Mama?
I coughed.
Loudly.
They all turned to me like i'd interrupted a summit.
"Are you okay, anak?" my dad asked, brows furrowed in vague concern.
"Yeah," I said dryly. "Just wondering when i'll be reintroduced as your daughter."
My mom laughed.
Laughed. "Oh Margaux, don't be silly. We're just getting to know your boyfriend. He's delightful."
Sebastian gave me a sheepish smile.
Like he knew he'd won the room without trying.
"You must've hypnotized them," I muttered later, when we were walking through the garden.
He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "They're lovely. Honestly, I was expecting… worse."
"You were expecting them to interrogate you. Not hand you the deed to the estate."
"Are you jealous?"
"Are you their long-lost child?"
He grinned. "Would that make our relationship incestuous?"
"Don't push it."
He took my hand and kissed the back of it. "They're proud of you, you know. You just don't see it."
I raised a brow. "Are we talking about the same parents?"
"You should've heard your dad when you left to live in Korea. He said, 'At least she's finally living for herself.'"
I froze.
He added, "Your mom watches every PBB rerun. In secret. I saw it paused on the big screen in the study."
I felt something twist in my chest.
I always assumed my parents loved me in the way they loved stock markets and hedge funds, distantly, practically.
But maybe they were softer than i thought.
Maybe i just never gave them the chance to show it.
"You're dangerous," I told Sebastian.
"Why?"
"Because you make people love you."
He leaned in and whispered, "Only because i love you first."
I rolled my eyes to hide how fast my heart was racing.
-
We spent the night in my old room, still lavender-themed, still too perfect.
He teased me for having trophies taller than my ego, and i shoved a pillow in his face.
But when the lights were off and the city outside had quieted, I heard him whisper, "Thanks for letting me meet them."
I turned to face him in the dark. "Thanks for surviving it."
"Are you kidding? I think they want to adopt me."
"You wish."
He laughed against my collarbone. "You're stuck with me now, Imperial."
And maybe he was right.
For once, i didn't feel like i was losing control or bracing for disaster.
This wasn't some PR stunt or career strategy. This was life.
Unfiltered.
Honest.
And beautifully unpredictable.