"Yes, yes."


    Keaton''s head was buzzing as his parents went back and forth.


    He''d told them it wasn''t even close to being serious, and they were already talking about kids!


    After a moment of excitement, Janelle pressed on.


    "...But when I offered to be Winona''s godmother just now, she agreed right away. She seemed perfectly happy to just be an honorary member of the family instead of your girlfriend."


    Keaton kept spinning his tale. "She only agreed to be your goddaughter so she''d have a reason to be close to you."


    "Otherwise, she''d have to avoid you. If she didn''t, people would start suspecting something''s up between us. After all, why would she get close to you for no reason?"


    "And look at my hair! Winona did this!"


    "I let her do this just to make her happy! I don''t care about my image! Have you ever seen me do that for any other girl?"


    "And that crystal statue of mine? The one in the family vault? She kicked it, and it shattered, and I didn''t even hold it against her."


    "Plus, you both said a girl''s bedroom is a private space. If Winona and I weren''t together, would she have let me in?"


    “With her personality, she would''ve shoved me down the stairs!"


    Keaton had sessfully convinced his mom. Janelle nodded. "That makes sense. I just can''t believe Winona would fall for you! It''s a real case of beauty and the beast! Good thing the beast is our son!"


    Keaton deadpanned, "...Mom, are you sure I''m not adopted?"


    “Oh, get out of here! Listen to me. It''s a blessing that Winona likes you, so you better treat her right! If you dare do anything to hurt her, I won''t let you off the hook!"


    Richard chimed in, "Your mother''s right. For someone like you, having Winona agree to be with you is like hitting the jackpot. You''d better hold on tight!"


    "If you can bring Winona into the Huber family, you''ll be the hero of our family!"


    Seeing that he''d sessfully fooled them, Keaton took a deep, quiet breath. He had dodged a bullet, for now.


    He seized the opportunity. "From now on, don''t pay any attention to the gossip you see about, me. Jell definitely just be a cover for my rtionship with Winona."


    “And don''t say anything weird in front of her. Just treat her like your beloved


    goddaughter and don''t mention anything about me and her."


    "Oh, and that includes my sister and Elysia Thorne. Don''t tell them either. Not even they know yet."


    "Young people like their freedom in rtionships; they don''t like elders meddling. If you say too much, it could hurt my chances with Winona."


    Richard immediately dered, "As long as Winona is willing to have you, I won''t say another word."


    Janelle nodded in agreement. "I won''t tell anyone either. But if you need anything to make Winona happy, just tell your father and me: We''ll give you our full support and cooperation!"


    Richard''s expression changed, as if he''d made a monumental decision. "Come hometer tonight. I''ll give you a key to the wine cer. Winona enjoys a good drink. Whenever she wants some, you can go gett for her."


    Keaton said, "I have a key."


    SWI


    Richard shook his head. "Not that one. I''m talking about the cer beneath the family vault."


    Keaton''s eyes widened. "We have a wine cer under the family vault?!"


    "Yes. Only a small portion of the collection is on disy in the vault. The majority, all the best vintages, are kept in the cer."


    Keaton''s eyes grew even wider. “Howe I never knew about this?!"


    Richard snorted. "You can''t even find yourself a wife. What makes you think you''d be qualified to know?"


    Keaton was speechless.