Family dinner
CHAPTER 48
FAMILY DINNER
A variety of delicious foods were served on the long table. The guests they were expecting had just arrived.
They were both excited about tonight, besides that they were both happy that they all went.
Ariella and Anton sat next to each other. Opposite them was Anton's brother and next to him was Ariella's sister. At both ends of the table were his grandmother and Ariella's father.
"Looks like you hired a good cook. It is impossible that your wife cooked thsed," his granny commented.
They looked at each other as if talking mentally. Ariella's Dad didn't like what she said but he didn't say even a single word.
"Nanny Yel cooked these," said Anton.
“Oh. Obviously someone else cooked these,” she said while looking at the foods one by one.
Ariella didn't speak but she kept looking at Anton. Sometimes she looked at them.
She felt a sudden shame. She knew that Madam Victoria was aiming for something else but she chose not to speak.
"...I know she can't cook," she added in a whisper.
They heard it, so they were looking at each other.
"She can," said her Dad. He couldn't bear not to speak because he was insulted by what he was saying about his daughter.
They all turned to look at him when he said that.
"Why didn't she cook these?" Madam Victoria asked.
"We had a date earlier, grandma. In addition, Nanny Yel was here, so I ordered her to cook these," insisted Anton.
"If you judge my daughter, it is as if you can cook foods like these. I am sure, you can't," said her Dad.
They knew they were starting to argue, so they had to cut that topic.
"I can," she insisted.
He just let out a deep sigh and didn't even say a word.
"Let's eat now. The food will be cold," said Anton so that their arguments would not continue.
They expected that to happen because they don't get along. The last time they met and talked was when they were evicted from the apartment they were staying in that was bought by Madam Victoria intentionally.
"I agree. We better eat," said Kurt, his brother.
They were about to put food on their plate but her Dad spoke.
"We have to pray first," he said, so they stopped and some were shocked.
"Pray?" she asked.
He replied, "Yes. Pray. Why don't you lead the prayer?"
She didn't expect him to say that and order her to lead a prayer.
She felt a little embarrassed, so she looked at them.
It is obvious she was restless, but she had no choice but to start the prayer.
She let out a deep sigh before she closed her eyes.
"In the name of the father, the son, the holy spirit, amen." She bowed her head a little. They did the same. She didn't know what to say, so she was speechless at that moment, so they got confused. Later on, she spoke. “Bless our foods, oh Lord, and….thank you for these. I won't forget to pray to bless us, especially the man in front of me. Amen”
They opened their eyes but got confused at what she prayed in her last line.
They know that what she said meant something else but they just ignored it.
"Let's eat," Anton said, so they started to put out some food on their plate.
They were silent while eating when Madam Victoria suddenly asked a question.
"May I know why we suddenly had a family dinner? What's the matter? Am I having a grandchild?”
They paused for a moment when she asked those. Ariella and Anton both looked at each other.
“This would be our first family dinner, Grandma. I also want to personally apologize to Dad,” Anton said.
“Apologize? Apologize for what? Why do you have to apologize?” his grandma asked.
He and Ariella looked at each other and her Dad did the same to them. Kurt and Ara, her sister, looked at each other toom
"Uhm..."
"Excuse me, Ma'am and Sir. Here's the dessert," said Nanny Yuna before she put the salad on the table.
“Oh, salad. You made that?” Madam Victoria asked.
She smiled, and said, "Yes, Ma'am."
"You cooked these?" she asked again, pointing to the food.
She smiled again and said, "Yes, Ma'am."
She just nodded.
"Excuse me, Ma'am and Sir," she said and bowed to them, but when she turned her gaze to Ariella's father, she was a bit shocked and so was he.
They didn't notice it but Nanny was obviously shocked when she saw him.
Soon she ignored it and bowed for the last time before leaving.
His gaze followed Nanny Yel until she left. The shock that seemed very impossible was evident in his reaction.
"It would be so nice if at our next family dinner I have a grandchild," she said.
“We can't promise that to you, Grandma. Ariella is not ready to get pregnant," said Anton.
Madam Victoria didn't seem to like what he said, so her face couldn't be painted when she turned her gaze to Ariella.
"My grandson married you, and you don't want to get pregnant?" she asked.
They were shocked by what she said, so Ariella spoke.
"Not like that, Grandma. I am not just-”
"Not ready?" she asked annoyed and didn't finish what Ariella was saying.
Her reaction shows irritation and frustration. "You're ready to get married but you're not ready to get pregnant? What the…”
They all looked at each other because of what she was saying. Even Ariella's father doesn't like what she says especially when Ariella is being talked about.
"Grandma, I respect her if she's not ready to get pregnant. I understand that because it will change everything. I hope you understand too.” Anton said.
"If she doesn't want...well...why not someone-"
"Grandma, I hope you understand," Anton said immediately so that she could not continue what she was going to say.
However, they knew what she would have said.
"Well..."
"Why are you eager to have a grandchild? Why don't you adopt a baby? We know you are unable to get pregnant because of your age," replied Ariella's Dad. Because he couldn't stand not defending his daughter. He can't let anyone underestimate his daughter(s).
"What did you say?" she asked.
"You heard it clearly."
They are quiet but they know that there is a rift in their conversation.
"How dare you disrespect me. I'm older than you!”
They were all shocked when her voice suddenly rose, except for his Dad.
"Granny," said Kurt.
"Oh, forgive me, but I didn't disrespect you. Did I say something wrong?"
"Daddy, enough. Please," said Ariella.
Ara also signaled him to stop and don't talk to her anymore just to avoid fighting.
"I wouldn't be surprised if your daughter is like that too. Like father, like daughter," she said.
"Granny, stop." Kurt said.
His Daddy didn't say a word and just stared at them.
They just continued eating without any talks. It's like hot coffee going cold suddenly.
"We are here for our first ever family dinner, not for arguments," Anton said.
"Tell that to your father-in-law," she said softly as she continued to eat.
They just didn't speak and finished the meal..
