Family Dinner

All I could do was crumpled myself in the bed feeling the head ache and thinking about our relationship.

I admit, I never expected our marriage to be the same with everybody. But I wasn’t expecting it to be this bad. I thought he’d cut me some slack and maybe he’ll somehow open up his heart to me. But no, this is far way more than I expected.

I slept again while thinking about it all. I woke up hearing some rustling sound, I thought I was dreaming but when that rustling ended with the shutting of a door I opened my eyes.

My headache somehow faded away. I sat up to see the room, I saw a whiet box lying above the tiny round table here in the guest room. My brows furrowed. I immediately went to see what it was.

To my surprise, I saw a black dress. My eyes widened a bit. Where did this come from? Did Gael bring this here?

After checking the dress, I decided to take a bath because it’s late lunch already. I slept a lot, no wonder I felt so much better after that long nap.

When I got out, I saw Gael coming out of the master’s bedroom as well. I shifted in my place, and didn't know how to act in front of him after that exchange of harsh words a while ago. Should I ask him about the dress? But, the way he looks seems like he doesn't want any conversation from me.

In conclusion, I just bowed my head to pass by him so I could go down already, but before I could he spoke.

”I cooked lunch, we’ll eat now.”

I glanced at him. He has this serious expression. I nodded and I’m the first one to go down the stairs.

When I arrived at the kitchen, I saw that he really cooked lunch. But it’s late already, I don’t want to assume that he waited for me but…

”I’ll serve that, get the plates.” I heard him say behind me.

I awkwardly nodded again and obeyed him like a good servant. I set the table and got some juice as well. I cut some fruits to kind of contribute to this lunch.

He’s done already and casually seated at the table while I’m still cutting these fruits. I talked to him because I’m feeling uncomfortable by his stares.

”You can go eat, I’ll just finish this,” I said.

”I’ll wait for you,” he answered.

I pursed my lips and nodded. I hurriedly cut the remaining fruits so I could sit down already. There’s a bowl of corn soup beside my plate so I had a spoonful of it. The feeling of relief captured my throat. It went down so smoothly and the taste was right and enough.

I glanced at him when I realized that I’m too engrossed eating the food he cooked. I cleared my throat and continued eating.

”How do you eat when you’re alone here?” he suddenly asked.

”Uhm, I cook breakfast sometimes when I have plenty of time. Since it’s easy. Oftentimes, I just ask for room service or I eat outside.” I answered.

He just looked at me and didn’t say anything. I can’t help but to think how he’s probably thinking I’m such a bad wife. I couldn’t even cook our meal.

”Don’t worry, next time I’ll cook for our meal. Though I still need to learn and practice.” I added to calm my thoughts.

His expression hardened. I ignored him and continued eating.

”I’ll try and get a cook so you’ll have home cooked food while I’m away,” he uttered after some time.

I look at him and he’s just focused on his food. I don’t know what to think first. I probably had it bad with him. He thinks I don’t need to learn because my cooking skills are hopeless. And he’s away? Will he be away more often?

”It’s fine. I can just study and practice. Getting a cook will be just a waste.” I disagreed.

”Look at yourself. I don’t want your dad to think that I’m starving you in here. I doubt you’re still eating on time. With a cook you can eat properly with enough meals which means enough nutrients.”

I bowed my head and played with the soup. I tried to hide my smile, even though he’s just concerned due to my dad, his words still fluttered me a bit.

”WIll you be away more often?” I asked, slightly sounding not so sure.

He stared at me. “I might be, I still need to arrange some things.”

I nodded, that made me sad.

”What about our visit to dad’s?”

”Tomorrow.”

”Okay.” I whispered.

”Prepare for tonight.. Mother invited us for a family dinner.”

I lift my gaze to see him. He uttered those words like it’s nothing. Family what?

”Tonight?”

He nodded once. “I brought your dress to the guest room.”

Oh, so that’s for it huh? After that peaceful meal (which I didn’t expect) I prepared for the dinner. I don’t know what came into his family’s mind for them to invite us, but since my husband is insisting on this one, I should just come with him without any question. I trust him anyway.

The sleek black dress fits my body so well. It gives a perfect view of my collar bone, and the high slit shows my pale long legs. I paired it with my black louboutin. I braided my hair loosely and put on light make up before I finally went down.

I saw Gael talking to someone on his phone, I think some business. He glanced at me once and removed it immediately. Though, he glanced at me again but this time it lingered. I went down the stairs and came to him, I reached for his tie and fixed it.

While he’s still talking, I can feel him staring at me. I palmed his chest to hand iron the button down dress that’s hugging his body. After a while, when he’s done talking we both came out to go to his family.

Seeing their mansion sends bitterness and nervousness into my veins. I can still remember the last party that happened. So if something like that will happen again tonight, I think I would be immune to it already.

Female workers welcomed us as we entered their mansion. I smiled courteously at them. It’s almost like a royal family vibe here. Somehow, it makes me think how Gael decided to leave this life behind.

”They are at the dining hall, Sir Gael.” A woman said.

Gael nodded to her and looked back at me. I can’t read his hardened expression right now. Is it just me or do I kind of sense a slight nervousness in his system?  As he guided me to the dining hall, I immediately saw members of his family casually standing at the huge dining hall. It’s a long table that’s perfectly set up.

Her mom was the first one to see us, though, the way she looks at us and her son is a bit different from the way she looks at him before. Soon, the other members of the family turned to us and I swear, I felt the tension bore as we arrived.

Gael went to her mother and kissed her, he muttered things and her mother just nodded at her. I smiled and came to her as well, kissed her cheeks but didn’t say anything.

Gael also greeted his brother, Cross. Charlotte, who's the eldest of the siblings hugged her brother. I smiled at both of them, they smiled back at me as well.

It’s my first time having a formal dinner with his family. We were never invited and acknowledged. You see, Gael is the black sheep of the family, he’s the supposed heir of their empire but he chose to marry the daughter of a politician just to run away from his family’s conditions.

I sat beside Gael. At the very end of the table is his mother. His siblings are sitting at the other side of the table. Some of his cousins are present as well. Most of them, I’m not familiar with.

Sitting at the silent table, you can only hear the plates and cutleries. Maids are busy serving food to us. I can only focus on myself since there’s a lot of things going on.  “So how’s the first month of marriage, both of you.” Charlotte decided to cut the ice.

”It’s fine.” Gael answered simply.

I smiled at Charlotte, I can feel her sincerity through her smile. My eyes went to the other members of the family and I saw their mother’s intense gaze at me.

”Are you sure you don’t want to do a grand wedding? I can’t believe you just married her in the west, Gael. How about you, Elyse? I’m sure it’s a woman’s dream.” Charlotte said enthusiastically.

I smiled at her. “I’m fine with anything, Charlotte. As long as it’s your brother that I’m gonna marry.”

Her expression says she’s in awe. Cross is smirking at us. Up until now, I’m still wondering why the both of them are not the heir of their empire. Why is it Gael if he’s the youngest of the family?

”Of course. We all know that what’s between you two doesn’t deserve grandacious and extravagant wedding, Elyse. You’ll waste millions just to portray that kind of act.”

My expression froze when his mother butt in the conversation. I didn’t know what to answer. Some of the people at the table heared what she said, and I could feel their shock and heard murmuring. They all became uncomfortable.

The first thing I noticed was Gael’s balling fist on top of his legs. As I said, I’m immune to this, so her statements wouldn’t shake me. My top concern is my husband.

”Stop, mama.” Gael said calmly, different from the emotion bottled inside him.

Her mother smirked. “Oh why? I thought you’re not ashamed to let everybody know about your hideous act, son? Isn’t this your plan after all? To break all of our expectations for you?”

Gael couldn’t answer, the muscles on his jaw moved in a harsh way.

She focused on her food while nobody couldn’t even dare to touch the food because we already lose our pallet.

”I’m just so sorry for you, Elyse.” she modestly glanced at me. “My prodigal son tends to have stupid decisions when he’s away.” she even laughed before eating.

I gritted my teeth. Stupid? Then she’s lowkey saying that I’m the stupid decision Gael had made.

”You know, he dragged you into his foolish plans. So I apologize on his behalf,” she added.

”Ma,” Charlotte tried to stop her mother.

I gulped the bulging pressure in my throat. It’s fine. I can endure it all.

”Out of all people you must keep your mouth shut, Charlotte.'' She turned to her daughter. Charlotte pressed her lips and her expression turned grim as well. Why?

”Look at your brother, he knows where his place is.”

She’s pertaining to Cross who had completely lost his appetite. He’s just looking at his food with a serious expression.  My confused eyes wandered in every member of the family. I wasn’t expecting them to be like this. Everyone seems to have something against their mother. I thought it was just Gael all along!

”I invited you Gael because I still have the last straw for you. You see, I’m still giving you a chance to change your decisions. Your sister here who married her poor and faulty bodyguard can’t handle this empire. And of course, your brother who’s sick and smitten with a child can’t stand for this family especially if he’s facing charges, right?”

My eyes went to them. My heart ached how they look so uncomfortable by what their mother has uttered. I’m more sympathetic rather than shocked.

”So tell me, son. You can just simply file for a divorce and it’ll be easy to tamper it with other news and I’ll pass the empire into your name, what about that huh?” she sipped into her wine glass.

My pupils shook. She just spoke like it’s a simple act. Like it’s a normal thing to do! Silence completely reigned on the table.

”Was there ever a time that you’ve been proud of what I do, ma?”

All eyes went to Gael. My attention completely bore into him.The way he spoke those words tells that he had a lot of history, and it’s my first time seeing this side of him.

Her mother’s hardened expression faced him.

”You ask me that, why? Because you think I’m a pushover? Cause you think I’m just a teen who’s rebelling and will come back running to you?” Gael smirked without any humor.

”Us- all of us, you only see us as your puppet that you can control don’t you?” Gael spat in bitterness.

Her mother’s eyes screamed in anger.

”Fine. Strip me off from any wealth you have, but I’ll stand on my decision. Idon’t give a fuck. I’m not someone who can just easily nod on your goddamn conditions. Find someone who will handle this trash empire of yours.”