Future In-Laws Want My Entire Year-End Bonus

I head over to my boyfriend, Skylar Reynold's house during the holidays to pay his family a visit.

Skylar's mother, Helen Benett, smiles and says to me in front of everyone, "According to our rules, a future daughter-in-law must give cash gifts to all the children and elderly people in the family in her first year here. You must give every person at least 200 dollars to show how generous you are."

I'm stunned, to say the least.

Skylar nudges me before murmuring, "It's just a few thousand dollars, isn't it? Doesn't the holiday bonus that you've received before the holidays cover everything?"

I look at the living room, where 15 children and 8 elderly people are present. That makes it 4,600 dollars—the same figure that I've received after the taxes are deducted from the bonus.

I let out a soft chuckle at that moment. Then, I turn to look at Helen.

"According to your rules, Mrs. Reynold, I shall be the one giving away the cash gifts. But according to my family's rules, the groom's family has to give the bride's family cash gifts as well. The cash gifts must be doubled so that our marriage will be graced by luck.

"It'll be 9,200 dollars altogether. Would you like to pay me in cash, or are you going to transfer it into my account?"

The noisy living room instantly went silent.

Helen Bennett's face stiffened as she glared at me, utterly at a loss for words. All relatives in the room exchanged tense glances.

I casually peeled a clementine and reminded her again, "Helen, I'm sure you're not the stingy type either."

"Mom, let me have a word with Freya for a second."

Skylar Reynold suddenly grabbed my wrist and urgently said, "Freya Finch, come with me!"

Under everyone's watchful eyes, he dragged me into the room, pale-faced, and slammed the door behind us with a loud thud.

"All my relatives are out there, Freya. How could you say something like that? Think of how embarrassing it is for my mom!

"It's the holidays; can't you at least save me some face?"

"Face?"

I rubbed my reddened wrist and looked up at him. "This is my first time visiting your family for the holidays, and you expect me to fork over thousands of dollars. Why have I never heard of such customs around here in Thassia?"

Skylar's gaze darted around erratically. Then, he put on a helpless expression and sighed. "It's just a traditional custom from my hometown, which I forgot to tell you.

"You received around 4,000 dollars for your year-end bonus, right? Just cover for it now so Mom doesn't look bad."

While I remained silent, he leaned in close and tried to take my hand, but I pulled away.

"I'll transfer the money back to you in a bit, Freya. Just think of it as a loan."

"Transfer it right now, then."

Skylar froze, clearly never expecting that reply.

"I don't have money right now. I