INTEGER UNLIMITED

Leo only had to wait a few minutes before Marem entered the hall. She still wore the outfit she arrived in, despite the fact that it had become disheveled and dirty along the way. He wasn’t certain if this was a preference or an act to spite her father.

She started walking down the halls, the voices in the distance grew closer. Leo glanced at the paintings covering the walls, admiring their elegant designs and intricate patterns. They were beautiful pieces that were more befitting a grand museum than the halls of any home.

“Okay, so don’t forget that you’re my fiancé. My Dad will probably be an ass, but the rest of my family should be happy to meet you,” she reminded Leo.

“How big is your family?” he asked.

“Well, I’ve got about forty-three current step-mothers, and the kid count is in the fifties, last I checked,” answered Marem.

“What?”

“Yeah. That’s just how it is here, you’re gonna need to get used to it.”

Leo wasn’t sure how to respond to that. That was an absurd amount of family members, and he was beginning to understand why there was so much activity in this house. He was never good with family reunions, so many people that he didn’t know yet still needed to talk to. And now, it felt like he was walking into the family reunion of his nightmares.

The hallways eventually ended, leading them to the greatest source of noise. They had reached a stairwell that not only connected the house, but it also had railings that allowed them to see the scene below. He saw dozens of people clamored around a grand table, overflowing with countless dishes and foods.

There were women standing around and talking, enjoying each others company. The kids below made most of the ruckus, they ran around and played games with each other. They screamed and laughed, occasionally taking breaks to stuff in a plate of food before they continued to hang out with their siblings.

Leo and Marem made their way down the mahogany stairs. Each step made a resounding thud, but the chaos down below drowned them out. Only when they had reached the bottom floor did the crowd notice them.

“As I live and breathe, ain’t that lil Marem,” called out one of the older women.

She had bushy blonde hair that was covered with a wide brimmed hat. Her tanned skin nearly beamed as bright as her smile. The woman strode over to Marem and gave her a hug. Leo saw as a group of the women began to surround Marem, commenting on how long it had been.

A woman wearing a scaly green dress asked her, “Have you managed to find yourself a husband yet? We’ve all been so worried about how long it was taking you to return home.”

Marem took a breath, “No husband yet, but I am engaged.” She gestured over to her friend. “This is Leo, my fiancé.”

Leo suddenly felt very scrutinized as the crowd turned their focus unto him. Thankfully, he couldn’t see any faces from his unfortunate bedroom entrance. Even if they weren’t aware of that damage he caused, though, they still had an aggressive energy surrounding them. It felt like he’d wandered far too close to a bear’s cub.

“Hey, it’s nice to meet you all,” he gave a short wave.

The group shared a couple of looks and whispers amongst themselves before one of them walked towards him. She had flowing streams of deep blue hair that fell to her waist. Her eyes pierced through Leo, daring him to make a single mistake.

“So, you’ve proposed to our Marem?” she hissed.

“...Yes.” answered Leo.

“What’s her favorite color?” she asked.

He took a glance at Marem’s outfit. “Purple.”

“What is her preferred hobby?”

“Reading?”

“Final question. Why are you with her?”

Leo paused. “Because we work well together. There is nothing I can’t handle with her at my side.”

The woman continued to glare at him, but her cruel face seemed to soften. Her face melted into a happy expression as the crowd of women suddenly went abuzz around Marem. From what he could hear, they were impressed with Leo’s answers. He felt that their standards were a bit low, but he wasn’t going to argue with them about it.

“You seem like a fine man, Leo,” she spoke to him. Her tone was quieter, low enough that the others couldn’t hear.

“Thank you, ma’am,” he replied.

“Be careful, though. My husband will not be as easily impressed with you. I hope that you are prepared for whatever he throws at you,” she whispered.

“What?” he asked.

Instead of responding, the blue-haired woman walked back into the crowd surrounding Marem. She joined their conversation, though interrogation may be a better word for it, demanding all the lurid details on how the two of them met.

Leo was a bit confused as to what she meant by what her husband would throw at him. Marem didn’t seem to like her dad, and Leo wasn’t a fan, but what could he have in store that requires a warning? If it was just some questioning, then it shouldn’t be too bad. Even if they didn’t have all the details of their supposed romance planned out.

I leaped from the railing, gliding to the first floor. The landing was simple, and it drew the attention of everyone nearby. I looked over my kids who had stopped playing upon my arrival, happy to see their beloved father. Then my eyes locked onto my wives, who stood around in conversation.

There was only one person who wasn’t supposed to be here. I saw his posture stiffen when I arrived, and he seemed to be on edge just by my presence. Just like he should be. This Leo kid seemed to have already been introducing himself to my family. Even if Marem was soft on him, I figured it would only be proper to check out what he’s really made of.