Total Number of Words: 3637

Chapter Twelve

"It's from my parents. They want to discuss something important"

Jimmy stated while staring at the letter, feeling something no good is about to happen. He looks at Rosalia who seems to be very curious about the letter and delighted since it is from her lover's parents.

"What are you waiting for? Write them back quickly!"

She exclaimed excitedly and quickly pulls Jimmy towards the table,

'And of course… she is absolutely clueless'

He sighed at his own thoughts before sitting down at the chair of the table and reads the letter that his parents sent once again,

'Our dearest Jimmy,

How is your life as a successful detective? We have heard so much about your adventures from people and have read have you successfully solved those crimes from the papers, it seems like you are really popular since you are being a huge topic inside and outside the country. Anyway, we have wrote this letter to let you know that we and our close family friend will have a dinner party and you are required to join, that is also a perfect timing for us to have an urgent discussion about your future as the only heir of our family. You will be picked up by our coachman at exact Saturday noon.

Sincerely Yours,

Mother and Father'

The detective gave his magician a quickly glimpse before holding her hand tightly,

"I don't think I am required to send them back a letter since they're asking me to meet them tomorrow, Saturday noon."

Jimmy said and smiles at her, he caress the back of her hand gently while Rosalia flashes a soft smile before gently squeezing the detective's hand.

"Then that's a good thing, right? According to you, your relationship with your parents is not good, and you haven't met them for quite a long time now. It's just right for you guys to catch up!"

'I highly doubt that.'

Of course he doubts that he is being summoned by his parents just to catch up and fix their 'not-so-obvious' boundaries, every time he meets up with them, he gets nothing but disappointments. He is sure that they will just spill the conditions that they want for him after he successfully convinced them to let him be a detective.

Deep sigh came from Jimmy as he stares at Rosalia, he doesn't really want to let his magician down, he knows that she only wants him to have a good relationship with his parents, he saw how important family is to her and knowing his magician and he can't blame her for pushing him to try and fix the boundaries between him and his parents.

Jimmy looks at his lover again before he speaks, "I guess I can try and hope that it would actually end up like that?" he sighed and peck on the magician's lips.

The other suddenly lit up like a candle after hearing the words that came from the detective's mouth, considering it as his final decision. She chuckles and suddenly hugs him from behind,

"I'm sure that it will turn out to be great!" exclaimed Rosalia cheerfully with a cheeking grin on her face

"Maybe", the detective muttered before glimpsing at the magician when he suddenly came up with an idea, although he is not quite sure about it.

Pressing his lips together before speaking, he looks at Rosalia and holds her right cheek, "Then how about you come with me?" Jimmy blurted which made the magician's eyebrows met.

"W-what?" she asked and blinks her eyes in confusion.

"You should come with me" the detective repeated, "tomorrow will also be the best timing for you to meet my parents"

The magician blinks again while looking at him,

"M-me?" she stuttered while looking at her lover. It's not like she doesn't want to come, she wants to meet Jimmy's parents since he already met hers but coming with him without any invitation might interrupt their family bonding.

"Of course, you." Answered Jimmy as he holds the magician's hand and caress it gently, her hand suddenly went cold that made him realised that she's somehow nervous about the idea.

"It would be odd for me to come without any invitation, Jimmy." She breathed while looking at the detective.

She knows that Jimmy's idea was good, but she just couldn't help but to feel anxious and she doesn't even know the reason why. She just suddenly thought of how Jimmy's parents would react if they saw her.

Despite of wanting to meet her lover's parents and prove that she is good enough for him, the plan of her coming with him is so sudden, she still have no idea what kind of people they are since Jimmy won't talk about them considering the fact that his relationship with his parents is not that good. She doesn't even know their likes, personalities, and even their names! In behalf of that, people at the upper class are quite intimidating, she met a lot of privilege people and she can't deny the fact that some of them are discourteous and inconsiderate, they often look down to people at the working class like herself, and she is scared that Jimmy's parents might be the same.

"Are you really sure?"

She asked with a small voice while looking at the detective, who just sighed,

"I am not going without you"

Jimmy said as he cross his arm. It's not like he really wanted to go, knowing that his relationship with his parents is not good, but still they still have every rights to know about Rosalia and the fact that he is curious about that urgent discussion that they want to have with him.

"What?! You have to go, Jimmy!" Rosalia exclaimed and deadpan while looking at her stubborn lover, "Is it really okay to bring me there?"

Jimmy blinks his eyes twice before he let out a chuckle,

"Of course, I can't see anything wrong about that. Like I have said, it is a good opportunity for me to officially introduce you to them. Aside from that… don't you think I'll need my lucky charm with me?"

The detective wheedled as he reached for the magician's cheek and softly caress it as he tries his best to persuade her before asking again,

"So... will you come or not?"

Rosalia couldn't help but to blush while looking at her lover, it is really hard to turn down his suggestions every time he's acting like that and of course she knows that he is persistent and wouldn't just give up so easily.

"B-but—"

"Then I won't come" He stubbornly interrupted before the magician could even continue what she's about to say that made her let out a soft laugh,

"You know, you're starting to sound like a child, Jimmy" she giggled which made the detective's cheek slightly flush

"I am not a kid" he denied as he quickly looks away from Rosalia, she just let another chuckle and shook his head.

"Fine fine, how could I possibly resist you? I'll come but…"

Rosalia looks down on the ground as she fumbles her skirt before she ask him

"How do you think would they react if they saw me? W-what would they think of me?" She stuttered and bites her bottom lips without bothering to look at the detective.

"I'm sure that they'll think you're fine." Jimmy assured before standing up and lifting up Rosalia's chin so that she would look at him, "You're a fantastic woman, strong, independent, brilliant and beautiful. I don't think anyone would think something bad about you when you're the definition of good itself."

A smile curved on his lips as soon as he saw her blush and gave him a bright smile. Seeing her like that is enough for his day to be complete, and he would never let anyone take the magician's bright smile away from her, not even his parents. He is still not sure on how they would actually react after he introduces her to them, but he will protect her if ever something happens.

"So, will you come with me now?"

He asked while staring straight through her eyes, hoping that she would agree. The magician was once again locked deep into his deep blue eyes, how could she even resist it? She is just doing him a favour and besides, she's just going to meet her lover's parents.

"Alright alright, geez" she chuckled and smiles brightly, forgetting about her worries that she had earlier.

Jimmy suddenly pulls her and gave the magician a tight hug that has made her eyes widens. She looks at her lover first before smiling softly and finally hugs him back.

"Thank you, mi amour" he whispered to her and gave plants a soft kiss on her forehead. She just hums as a respond before giving the detective a soft kiss on his chin as she snuggles in his arms.

Rosalia is currently standing in front of the mirror, looking at her own reflection before letting out a deep sigh. She is wearing a dress that she and her mom made, a pale blue embroidered tulle tea length dress; its bodice is intricate with floral embellishment.

The magician checked every angle until she felt satisfied, she is only wearing a light makeup since she wants to look natural in front of the detective and of course, to his parents. She decided to make her hairstyle simple, half updo with an ivory floral hair brooch.

"Just be yourself, Rosalia. You can do this" she said, trying to cheer herself. Her two favourite doves is staring at her, the two landed on her shoulder and gave their master a soft peck on her cheek which made her giggles softly.

"Am I presentable enough?" she asked and they cooed happily as if they're giving her an answer.

"I'll take that as a yes." She smiles as they doves flew away from her and lands at the open window of her room.

When she finally finished preparing herself, she walks out of her bedroom and went straight downstairs where her parents and brother are waiting, Jimmy was already there, talking to her father which made the magician shook her head.

"I only allowed you to take her out this late because she is going to meet your parents, I really think you should invite us too. So that we could also meet them and to make sure that you will not bring her somewhere else."

Jimmy was about to answer but he was struck as soon as he saw Rosalia.

'A real beauty'

He thought while staring at the magician who walks towards her father happily.

"Father, I told you not to scare him, right? Mother will scold you again for that." She warned which made the elder gulps and looks at his wife who gave him a sarcastic smile.

"What? We were just talking. I'm just reminding him to bring you home safely." Timoleon sighs and pats the detective's shoulder. She just chuckles and gave his father a small kiss on the cheek before clinging on the detective's arm.

"Don't worry, sir. I'll make sure to bring her home safely." Jimmy said and holds Rosalia's hand. The magician gave his parents a wave as a good bye before they leave and ride the carriage that is waiting for them outside.

Rosalia took a deep breath while looking outside the window of the carriage. She can feel herself getting more nervous since this is her first time meeting Jimmy's parents. Her mind is full of thoughts, both positive and negative, but of course she is trying to always keep her mind positive no matter what.

'it's alright, Rosalia. You have always wanted to meet his parents, right?'

She thought to herself as she suddenly felt one familiar hand holds hers. The magician looks at her beloved detective who is currently looking at her, eyes filled with concern.

"Are you alright? Your hands are so cold and you are just keeping yourself quiet since we stepped here in the carriage."

Jimmy said rubs the magician's hand to his to keep it warm. Rosalia gave him a nod and sighs before intertwining their hand,

"I'm just… nervous" she paused from talking before looking down, "What if they won't like me?"

Jimmy just looks at her and sighs, of course even he doesn't know how his parents would react. Knowing them, there are only 50:50 chances that they would actually throw good comments about his relationship, but he is sure that they wouldn't find anything bad to his Rosalia, for him she is the definition of good and perfection itself.

Flashing one sweet smile, Jimmy holds the magician's hand closer to his lips and kiss her knuckles, Rosalia looks at her confused since he haven't answered her question and blushing because of what he just did.

"Nothing is wrong with you, so how could the possibly hate an amazing woman like you? Cheer up, it will be just fine"

He assured before moving to the magician's face to plant a kiss on her forehead. The female just looks at her lover and gave him a flash smile, finally having a lot of courage to face his parents.

'he's right, what am I so afraid of? everything will be alright'

Rosalia's jaw almost dropped as soon as they arrived at the place of Jimmy's parents. It was a mansion, not just a mansion but a really huge mansion! She thought that those manors and mansions that she saw earlier as they passed by were huge but those were nothing compared to this house, it can almost be like a small castle!

"A-are you sure we're in the right place?" she finally asked Jimmy who looks at her confusedly

"Of course," he chuckles and holds Rosalia's hand tightly.

"I know that you're rich but I didn't know that you were this rich! Why are you living in an apartment?"

She asked again while looking around the huge place. It made Jimmy burst into laughter, amused with his magician's reaction, he knew she would say that but didn't know that she would overreact.

"Hey, my parents are rich not me. I pay for my own wants and needs because I have a stable job" he said and poke Rosalia's nose that made her pout.

She was about say something when a tall old man, wearing a black suit with a tail coat walks towards their direction to greet them. Rosalia just move closer to him and tiptoes so that she could whisper to his ear,

"Is he your father?"

Jimmy smile and looks at the man, "Close but by bond. He's our butler, Fukada Yuji. He's Japanese but he grew up here in France."

As soon as he said that, the man bows down to them and smiles, "Welcome home, young master and miss…?"

"Rosalia, Rosalia Kuroba. She's the woman I'm in love with"

After Jimmy said that, Fukada Yuji's expression changed for second but still smiles at them.

"Thank you for taking care for our Young Master, Miss Rosalia" he said that made Rosalia smile softly

"Of course" she said and slightly bows down as a respect for the elder.

"Anyway, your parents are waiting for you at the dining area"

Fukada Yuji starts to lead them inside the mansion. Rosalia couldn't help herself but to be amused at the furniture, sculptures and the design of the mansion itself. She also saw some portraits of Jimmy when he was young, that made her smile in admiration, some portraits of him with his parents also looks familiar, it seems like she have already seem them before.

They finally stopped walking at a huge door as the butler opens it, Jimmy and Rosalia haven't yet entered, and she took a deep breath before clinging onto Jimmy's arm tightly.

"It's alright" he assured before smiling at her that made her heart be at ease. Yes, everything's alright as long as she's with him.

"Young Master Jimmy Kudo has finally arrived with his guest, Young Lady Rosalia Kuroba"

The butler announced formally before the door opens widely. The room was huge and there was total of five people that are currently standing right in front of the long dining table, looking at the both of them.

"Jimmy, we've missed you" the woman with curly long hair said as she walks towards him for a hug, Rosalia quickly moves away to give them some space.

"Mother, it's been a while" he said as they lady pulls out from their hug. Jimmy looks at the man that is sitting at the end of the table, "Father." He greeted and smiles slightly

"Son" he nods before looking at the other three people that is inside the room, "Why don't you greet our old close acquaintance right here?"

"Right, my apologies" he said before looking at Rosalia before he walks towards them, "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Moore, it's been a while" he greeted, the man gave him a handshake and his wife gave Jimmy a kiss on the cheek.

"Jimmy, you have grew up as a young man, just like your father during our old days" the woman giggles before looking at the woman at the other side of the table, "You must remember our daughter, the two of you used to be good friends"

The detective grins widely as he approaches the beautiful woman and gave her a hug, "Rachel? Who would have thought that a tomboy like you would grow up like that? You look like an actual lady." he teases before laughing.

The woman pushes him away and glares at him, "I can still kick you on the face if you would keep on teasing me like that, now shut up" she said before letting out a cute giggle.

Rosalia just stands there and watch him. She was really glad that Jimmy reunites with his family and close family friend but she couldn't help but to feel a bit 'odd' while watching Jimmy talk with Rachel, maybe it's just weird since he haven't really saw Jimmy interact like that with other women.

As soon as Jimmy and Rachel finished talking, he went back to Rosalia and holds her hand tightly with a wide smile on his face.

"Mother, Father, let me introduce you Rosalia Kuroba. We're lovers" he said the made the people inside the dining area except the two of them quiet.

"Why didn't you inform us earlier? "Jimmy's father asked, his voice sent shivers run through the magician's spine, she just looks down and kept herself quiet.

"Because I would want you to meet her personally so I brought her now instead of sending back a letter, it is not stated on the letter that I'm not allowed to bring a guest." Jimmy answered directly as he and his father sent eye contacts with each other.

"We need to have talked later, young man" he said before clearing his throat, "Anyway, let have a seat before we introduce ourselves to our guest"

They all sat down on their own respective chairs. The atmosphere inside the room suddenly felt heavy so Jimmy's mother started to speak.

"A-anyway, I'm Vivian Kudo and he is my husband, Booker Kudo. I think you already notice but we're Jimmy's parents."

The elegant woman said before flashing a half smile at Rosalia,

Rosalia looks at Jimmy's father and decided to speak, "Excuse me but may I ask something?"

"What is it Ms. Kuroba?"

Booker Kudo said as he stares at her. Rosalia couldn't help but to gulp, his gaze is intense and it seems like it is criticising her. The elder man also has cerulean eyes that resemble her lover's. The magician tried to maintain her pokerface to hide the fact that she's nervous.

"I-it's just…you look quite familiar, Monsieur Kudo." she said and glimpse at Jimmy who squeezes her hand gently. Their other guests are looking at her which made her feel more nervous.

"Don't you recognise him, my dear? He is the prime minister of France."

Hearing those words from the detective's mother is enough for her eyes to be widens in surprise.

NOTES: BONJOUR! It's been a while, how are you guys? We have decided to split this chapter into two parts since nit reached almost 6000 words (once again). We were suppose to post an update last November 15 but Typhoon Ulysses/Vamco happened last week, November 12, and unfortunately it took down the power lines in our area and destroyed the antenna of our internet connection. Since I was the one in charge of editing the chapters, I failed to finish it before November 15 since that was the day when our electricity went back and people who'll fix our internet connection was only available at November 16 (Monday). Anyway, part two will be published on Saturday (November 21). We deeply apologise for the inconvenience and we hope that everyone is safe and doing well!

-Dark Knight