Family Gathering
~2 Days Later~
Xavier’s car rolled into the parking lot of the Rock’s mansion, his car coming to a stop amid different cars in the parking lot. Letting out a sigh, Elaine unbuckled her seatbelt, her heart thumping loudly.
“You’re nervous?” The man beside the wheel asked. She nodded.
“If anyone dares to bully you,” Xavier started. “They should as well start making their own death certificates.”
Elaine clenched her fist at the thought of her family member bullying her. “I’ll kill them before they even make that move.” Besides, Xavier was by her side. They wouldn’t dare to come to her when he was by her side. They knew just how influential he was and how he’d make them vanish from the face of the earth if they tried something.
He unbuckled his seatbelt before getting out of the car, Elaine after him. Side by side, they made their way to the mansion’s door where the family members stood on the doorstep to welcome them into their humble abode.
Bianca was the first to take a step toward them, meeting them halfway to the door. Her hands gathered Xavier’s in hers and gave him a welcoming smile. “You kept to your promise, son. Thanks for coming.”
Xavier returned the smile.
“Of course. I wouldn’t dare say no to my mother-in-law, right?”
“Correct. I can see my daughter is also looking healthy. You must be taking care of her so well.” Her eyes darted to Elaine who was beside Xavier, scanning her from her head down to her heels. She looked better than she looked when she still lived at the Rock mansion. She no longer looked like a stick.
“Thank you, Mrs Rock.”
“Come with me, I’ll introduce our family members to you.”
She dragged Xavier forward, heading to the other people standing at the doorstep. Elaine followed them.
“This is my two sisters, Benita and Irine,” she introduced the middle-aged blonde ladies who were all smiles at Xavier, clutching their expensive purses and offering him a smile.
“Welcome to the family, Mr Romano.”
“Welcome.” The two women acknowledged.
“My pleasure.”
Bianca moved to the next person. She looked at the remaining people standing in the doorway and introduced them.
“These are Fredrick and George, Benita’s children. Their wives are inside. Jane here is their sister.” In the next set, she introduced. “These are Luke and his wife, Diana, Irina’s children. The other brother is inside.” At the closure of Bianca’s introduction, the children bowed slightly.
“Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you all for having us. If it’s no problem, may we go inside? My wife must be tired.”
“Sure.” Bianca signaled for everyone to retreat backward into the house, heading to the dining hall. Elaine’s eyes scanned the house. It was a lot different from how she last saw it. The couches and paintings were changed, and almost everything was replaced by Bianca. It no longer felt like the house she grew up in. The only significance was the air.
They all filed into the dining room.
“I’ll help you with your chair,” Federico whispered into Xavier’s ears followed by Luke. “I don’t mind serving you, Mr Romano. I’ve been trying to set up a meeting with you.” Just as Frederick said, he helped him with the chair, dragging it out for him while Luke stood, ready to serve Xavier.
Elaine rolled her eyes. Her so-called silly cousins would never change. They would do whatever it takes just to get in Xavier’s good books, as long as it might get them something in return, a business endorsement perhaps. Just this time it would be different as Xavier was interested in none of their asses.
Just then, the sound of heels clicking was heard behind them and Ria came into sight, Jimmy and Emily behind her.
“Mother, sorry we’re late.” Emily took her position at the side of her mother while Ria and Jimmy took the available seats.
“It’s no problem.”
The servants served them, putting food on their plates. Like fulfilled his promise. Snatching the spoon from the maid and serving Xavier before pouring him a glass of wine. “I’m just doing what any cousin-in-law would do. I’m welcoming him to the family.”
Everyone shook their heads. Elaine glared at her cousin.
“What? Why are you glaring at me?” Luke frowned. “Don’t think we don’t know that you want to spend the money yourself. Don’t be stingy.”
She rolled her eyes.
“What money? The one you worked for?” Everyone knew how lazy Luke was and how he was only interested in free money. He believed in turning the sayings around. He wanted to reap where he never sewed, lay in a bed he didn’t make, and eat without working. He never had a good achievement on his own and would often depend on the family’s earnings to keep him going.
“Enough, children. Like, sit down.” Bianca intervened before it could go further. “We all know the rules of the family. No fight, early to rise, join in the activities and all ladies belong to the kitchen.”
“Yes mother,” Ria and Emily agreed in excitement.
Elaine knew that the first rule was impossible. There wasn’t a single family gathering that they didn’t fight. Who cares? Fighting should’ve been a normal occurrence for the family but Bianca still placed it as a rule and gave punishment for it.
“Now that everyone is almost married, isn’t it time that you get married too, Sam?”
At Benita’s words, everyone’s gaze averted to the man seated at the other end of the table, his gaze fixated solely on Xavier with a clenched fist. Ever since Xavier walked into the room with Elaine, only he had not been over him, trying to gain his attention and all.
Xavier’s eyes fluttered to his, an unsaid battle between them.
“Xavier dear, I haven’t introduced dear Sam to you,” Bianca said. “Sam is Irene’s other son. Sam say something to your cousin-in-law.”
Sam grunted, tearing his gaze away from Xavier.
“Mother, I don’t think I’m interested. Let us just eat.”
“Sam.”
Now what was the history between the two?
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