After the guest rooms were arranged, Mia learned that Luke had been given the basent living room with a temporary sofa bed and imdiately objected.
"Oh no, Mom! We can't treat Luke like this—it's too rude!"
Mia grabbed her mother Susan's arm and whispered firmly, "Jack can squeeze in with Mark, or I'll sleep with Alexandra and give Luke my room. How can we make him sleep on a sofa bed in the basent?"
Before Susan could reply, Luke stepped forward and gently interrupted, "Mia, it's fine. I think the basent is great—quiet and private. Thank you, Mrs. Susan, for preparing a room for . It's very thoughtful."
His tone was sincere and relaxed, showing no sign of reluctance.
Susan glanced at her displeased daughter, then at the calm, accommodating young man who had stepped in to smooth things over. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief and felt a wave of warmth.
It reassured her as a mother that her daughter hadn't imdiately demanded to share a room with her boyfriend—this showed Mia still had proper upbringing and restraint.
And Luke's behavior impressed her even more.
Not only had he shown no displeasure at being given the "lesser" room, he had proactively expressed gratitude. Such politeness and consideration were rare among young n these days.
"Oh, Luke, you are so understanding." Susan gave him a genuinely appreciative smile that even carried a touch of motherly affection.
"I just love Dragon Kingdom boys—you're always so polite and respectful of elders and family rules."
Luke smiled and nodded.
He had already learned through Mia that although the Daddario family was warm and open, they were sowhat more conservative than typical Arican families in certain areas—especially regarding a daughter's boyfriend staying overnight.
Frank ran a gun store and carried an old-fashioned sense of strictness and protectiveness toward his daughters.
Sleeping separately was almost mandatory. It wasn't about trust; it was about respecting the host family's cultural values and habits.
Observing proper etiquette was a basic principle Luke followed no matter where he was.
After Susan left to prepare a midnight snack, Mia leaned close to Luke's ear, her breath warm and sweet as she whispered in a voice only he could hear, a hint of mischief and temptation in her tone: "Sorry for the inconvenience, my lucky boy… Tonight, I'll make it up to you properly~"
Luke felt a rush of heat but kept a straight face, simply giving her palm a gentle squeeze.
Late that night, the villa fell into deep, sleeping quiet.
Luke had just finished washing up and was about to turn off the basent light when he heard the faint, cautious sound of a door opening and soft footsteps coming down the stairs.
He didn't need to guess who it was.
The door creaked open a crack. Mia slipped inside like a stealthy little cat, wrapped in a thick fleece coat. She quickly closed the door behind her.
Only a dim wall lamp was on in the basent, casting a soft glow on her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes.
"I missed you…" she murmured, throwing herself into Luke's arms and giving him a cool but incredibly passionate kiss.
Luke wrapped his arms around her, feeling the outline of her body beneath the thick coat—wearing only a thin nightgown underneath.
They kissed until both were breathing heavily. Only then did Mia pull back slightly, a mischievous, triumphant smile on her face. She suddenly gave Luke a firm push, toppling the unprepared man onto the soft sofa bed.
Luke lay half-reclined, watching her.
Mia's smile grew even more seductive. She took a step back and stood in the warm lamplight.
Then, grabbing the lapels of her coat like a stage curtain, she yanked it open with a dramatic flourish…
There was no nightgown underneath!
It was an extrely sexy, barely-there red "Santa Claus" thed outfit!
The low-cut, tight mini-dress barely covered the tops of her thighs, trimd with red fur and white pom-poms. She wore fishnet stockings, long red gloves, and a cute red Santa hat tilted playfully on her golden curls.
"Surprise! An early Christmas present. Do you like it?"
Mia spun in place, showing off her carefully prepared "battle armor." Her erald eyes shimred in the light, full of invitation and teasing.
Luke felt a surge of heat rush straight to his lower abdon, his throat going dry.
He had to admit—Mia knew exactly how to ignite his desire.
"I like it… I like it very much."
His voice was slightly husky as he reached out.
Mia giggled like a light butterfly and pounced into his arms.
The warm basent living room quickly filled with another kind of heat…
The next day was Christmas Eve. Luke imrsed himself in traditional Arican holiday celebrations.
During the day, the whole family drove to the supermarket for one last big shopping trip to prepare for the evening feast.
The supermarket was thick with festive spirit—everywhere were "rry Christmas" signs and sale items.
Mia acted like a commander, pushing the cart and directing Luke and Alexandra to grab this and that.
Frank and Mark handled the heavy lifting.
The family bustled about happily, full of pre-holiday busyness and anticipation.
In the evening, the grand Christmas Eve dinner began.
The long table was loaded with food: glistening honey-mustard-glazed ham, a massive roasted turkey stuffed with dressing, thick-cut roast beef with an appetizing pink center, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie… a feast for the eyes and nose.
Luke smiled and participated actively, but when the turkey was placed in front of him, he inwardly refused.
After one bite, he beca even more convinced: the at was dry and the flavor bland. He simply couldn't understand why this was a holiday centerpiece.
The glazed ham and roast beef suited his taste far better. Still, he hid his opinion well, taking moderate portions of the other dishes and praising Susan's cooking enthusiastically.
After dinner ca the traditional "gift exchange," though the Daddario family custom was to pile the wrapped presents under the Christmas tree and only open them on Christmas morning to preserve the biggest surprise.
Everyone gathered around the fireplace, sipping hot cocoa or eggnog, chatting warmly.
Later, the youngest brother Jack excitedly left cookies and milk for Santa by the fireplace, along with a carrot for the reindeer.
Deep into the night, Luke drove Mia and Alexandra out of the neighborhood to admire the elaborate Christmas light displays on the surrounding streets.
Every house had turned into an ocean of lights: twinkling colored strings outlined roofs and trees, giant inflatable Santas and snown swayed on lawns, and so hos even created complex animated scenes with lights.
The car cruised slowly down the dazzling streets while Christmas songs played inside. Mia and Alexandra kept exclaiming and pointing things out.
Luke too enjoyed the peaceful, brilliant holiday atmosphere, temporarily setting aside the conflicts in Westeros and the business calculations on Earth.
It was nearly dawn before the three of them returned ho, still reluctant to end the evening.
On Christmas Day itself.
Early in the morning, the whole family gathered in the living room around the Christmas tree, which was covered in ornants and colorful lights.
Piles of differently wrapped gifts lay beneath it.
This was the most exciting mont of the day: opening presents!
Following the tradition of youngest to oldest, everyone took turns opening the gifts with their nas on them.
The process was filled with laughter and surprises:
"Wow! I've wanted this new ga console forever! Thanks, Dad!"
"This scarf is beautiful! Did you knit it yourself? Thank you, Mom!"
"Haha, who gave this ugly Christmas sweater? Still… it's pretty warm."
"Luke! Look! It's the limited-edition starry-sky projector I've been talking about for ages! When did you secretly buy this?" Mia opened a box and jumped up to hug him excitedly.
Luke also received gifts from every mber of the Daddario family: Frank gave him a quality pair of shooting ear muffs and safety glasses; Susan gave him a handmade (if slightly abstract-patterned) sweater; Grandpa and Grandma gave him a beautiful hardcover book on Arizona history and scenery; Mark and Sarah gave him an elegant set of coffee mugs; and Jack gave him a drawing he had made himself.
The picture showed Luke standing beside his Range Rover with Mia next to him. The proportions were odd, but it was full of childish charm.
Every gift ca with genuine thought, warming Luke's heart.
The gift-opening lasted over an hour. The living room was soon covered in wrapping paper and filled with laughter.
Afterward ca a lavish Christmas brunch.
Susan had prepared French toast, crispy bacon, sausages, waffles, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit.
Though the spread was abundant, to Luke—who was used to soy milk, youtiao, and xiaolongbao—it tasted rely average. Still, he ate with genuine enjoynt and once again thanked Susan for her hard work.
The afternoon's main event was the grand Christmas dinner, even more elaborate than the Christmas Eve feast.
Luke fully embraced local customs, enjoying the warmth of family and the joy of the holiday in perfect harmony.
Late that night, after quietly sending off Alexandra—who had co seeking another round of "English practice"—Luke straightened the slightly rumpled sofa bed and was about to turn off the light when a soft, hesitant knock ca at the door.
Who could it be this late? Had the "big sister"—Alexandra—returned?
Mia had already co earlier for the first half; she should have been exhausted and asleep by now.
Puzzled, Luke walked over and opened the door.
Standing outside was Mia's ten-year-old little brother—Jack, who was still in elentary school.
The little guy was in pajamas, his hair ssy, but his eyes sparkled with a sly, sharp light that seed far too mature for his age.
He didn't co in right away. Instead, he poked his head in and scanned the room behind Luke before fixing his gaze back on Luke's face. The corners of his mouth slowly curved into a smile that, to Luke, looked extrely "evil" and precocious.
In a deliberately lowered voice that imitated a movie villain, he said:
"Luke… you wouldn't want anyone to find out… about your 'secret affair' with Alexandra, would you?"
Luke: "…"
He was montarily stunned, then realized the kid had probably seen Alexandra leaving earlier and had filled in the blanks with his own wild imagination.
Luke found it amusing but quickly adjusted his expression, furrowing his brows and pretending to look tense yet trying to stay composed, like soone whose secret had been caught. He lowered his voice and asked:
"What do you want?"
Seeing Luke's "tough on the outside, weak on the inside" reaction, Jack seed even more convinced of his theory. He puffed out his small chest and continued in that "I know everything" tone:
"If Dad Frank found out that you're not only with Mia but also secretly 'playing with' his other daughter Alexandra's feelings… he would be very, very angry."
"He might take out his favorite Remington shotgun and then… bang! Blow your head open like a pumpkin!"
He even mid the motion of firing a gun.
Luke held back his laughter and continued playing along, his voice carrying a hint of "panic": "So?"
Jack, feeling he had set the stage well enough, finally revealed his true intention. He stretched out one small hand, palm up, his eyes gleaming with anticipation for "hush money," and clearly stated his price:
"100 bucks!"
"Give 100 bucks and I'll pretend I saw nothing and know nothing. My lips are sealed."
Luke looked at the boy's serious bargaining face and nearly burst out laughing inside.
This little rascal had quite the business mind—already attempting blackmail. Though his thods were childish and the asking price was… adorably innocent.
Instead of agreeing imdiately, Luke deliberately paused as if engaged in a fierce internal struggle.
Then he turned, took out his wallet from the jacket hanging nearby, and pulled out two bills—not one hundred, but two.
He placed the two hundred-dollar bills gently into Jack's open little hand.
With a complex expression that mixed "resignation," "compromise," and a hint of "teaching a lesson," he lowered his voice and spoke in the tone of a "veteran":
"Deal!"
"But Jack, let remind you… when 'negotiating' with people in the future, don't ask for too little. It easily reveals your bottom line and true value. Got it?"
Jack stared at the two crisp green hundred-dollar bills in his hand, his eyes widening like saucers and his mouth forming a perfect O.
He clearly hadn't expected Luke not only to agree so readily but to give double!
The huge surprise almost made him jump on the spot. He clutched the money tightly, suppressing his excitent as he whispered, "Cool! That's aweso!"
His posture and words reminded Luke of the "problem child" Carl Gallagher from Shaless—that kid also loved saying "aweso"…
Seeing Jack's reaction, Luke couldn't help but smile.
Jack, afraid Luke might change his mind, quickly stuffed the money into his pajama pocket.
Then he made a "zip-the-lips" gesture, grinned widely to show his missing front tooth, and scurried up the stairs like a little mouse that had stolen so oil—quiet but incredibly fast—disappearing into the dark hallway.
Luke closed the door, leaned against it, and finally let out a silent laugh, his shoulders shaking slightly.
This little interlude added a touch of hilarious, childlike color to an already warm and slightly "passionate" Christmas night.
It seed the Daddario family had more than just Mia and Alexandra when it ca to interesting people.
Luke shook his head with a smile, turned off the light, and lay down.
The lord of Westeros, the wealthy man of Earth—at this mont, he was simply an ordinary man spending Christmas at his girlfriend's house, who had just finished "English practice" with his "big sister" and been "blackmailed" for two hundred dollars by his future little brother-in-law.
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