No Peanuts In Food
In no time, the Romano family settled in their respective chairs in the dining hall. At the head of the table was older Mrs. Romano, at her right-hand side, was Mrs Romano, and on the left were Xavier and Eliane. The only people missing from the table were Margaret who was wrapping things up in the kitchen with the maids and Mr Romano who everyone guessed was away from work.
“I’m sure Margaret is doing a good job in the kitchen. I can perceive the aroma of her food already,” Mrs Riordan beamed.
“A delicacy it must be,” older Mrs Riordan agreed.
“I’m sure that’s the case.”
Just then, the door of the dining hall pushed open and everyone’s attention turned to the door. Elaine raised a brow at the two women who stepped into the room. At their arrival, Mrs Riordan stood up from her chair and hugged the women one after the other.
“Oh, my bad, dear. I forgot to mention that we’ll be having visitors at dinner. Come, Amar, I’ll introduce you to my daughter-in-law.” She held the hands of the woman and led them forward so they faced Elaine and Xavier.
“Amar, this is my daughter-in-law, Elaine. Elaine, this is my very good friend, Amar, and her daughter Helen.”
“Your daughter-in-law is just as you described her. She’s beautiful,” Amar complimented.
“Good to meet you again, Elaine,” the young lady spoke, her eyes on Elaine. And it was only then Elaine recognized her, her eyes widening at the realization. It was Helen, the same girl from the channel shop back in London, the spoiled heiress, so she heard. So she was back from London, after all? She forced a smile on her lips.
“Same here, Helen.”
Mrs Romano gasped. “You both know each other?”
Elaine laughed. “We met once in London, mother. We don’t know each other that well.”
“Oh.” The woman nodded and offered her friend and daughter seats beside her. Once they were both seated, Amar began.
“I heard you both met briefly while shopping. Helen has been singing praises of your beauty since then.”
“Oh really?”
“She’s a girls girl for real, dear. Anyway, congratulations on your pregnancy. Heard from your mother-in-law.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
The door of the hall slowly slid open and the servants walked in with the food, placing them on the table before proceeding to serve everyone.
“Helen, when did you arrive from London?” Mrs Romano asked.
“I returned a week ago, Auntie. It pains me that I was unable to attend Brother Xavier’s wedding.”
“It’s nothing, your mother already apologized on your behalf. How was school anyway?”
Before Helen could reply, her mother beat her to it.
“Oh, Helen’s schooling has been going pretty well. Did you hear that she was crowned Oxford queen two years ago and is still carrying that title to this day? I doubt anyone else would be able to beat my daughter until she finishes her education.”
“You’ve said that to me a lot of times. Everyone is proud of you Helen.” Mrs Romano praised. “Once you’re done with school, you should work with Xavier.”
Helen lowered her head, her words coming out filtered and filled with excitement. “That will be great, Auntie. You’re too kind.”
“It’s nothing. I’m sure Xavier would teach you how to run your father’s company single-handedly. Right, son?”
Xavier finally raised his head from his tablet to stare at the women surrounding him. Without thinking twice, he spoke. “I don’t think that will be possible. I don’t work as a business teacher.”
“Still. It won’t hurt if you teach her one or two things.”
“It’s okay, Auntie,” Helen interrupted, her eyes on Xavier. “I’m sure he doesn’t want to give me high hopes yet and is waiting for my qualifications. I’ll make sure to graduate with the best results so I can work for Brother Xavier.”
“That’s good to hear. You’re a smart child.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes were still fixated on Xavier and only after Elaine’s eyes caught hers did she return her gaze to her plate.
Elaine rolled her eyes, glaring at the girl who sat across from her. How could she shamelessly stare at someone else’s husband right in front of their wife? She knew Helen was shameless since the time they first met but experiencing it for a second time was something else. The girl really didn’t try to hide it.
“No more talks. It’s dinner time,” the oldest Romano spoke and once she began eating, the family members followed suit.
After dinner, dessert was served. Elaine stared at Helen’s plate, wondering why on earth anyone would eat so little. Ignoring Helen’s eyes on her plate and wondering why she was eating too much, Elaine held the fork tightly and took a cut from the cake on her plate.
Just before she could put the cake in her mouth and savor the taste, Xavier’s hand shot out from beside her and grabbed the fork, bringing it to his face and examining the cake on it.
“What’s wrong? Give it back.” She attempted to snatch back her cake but he took it further from her, his eyes dark.
“You’re not eating this.”
He suddenly slapped his hand on the table, the bang causing everyone to flinch, their attention on him.
“Who made this?” He gestured at the fork in his hand with his eyes on the servants.
“What’s wrong with the cake?” Mrs Romano asked. “If you don’t like it, the servants can get you something else.”
“Who made this?” He repeated.
“Margi is in charge of the kitchen today.”
His eyes dimmed, his gaze snapping to Margaret immediately, his eyes brewing in anger.
“Is there something wrong with the cake?”
“The fuxk, you know. You made this peanut cake on purpose?”
Everyone’s eyes except Amar and her daughter widened, their noses sniffing the cake on their plate, picking up the smell of peanuts.
“I’ve made this clear time and time again, no peanuts in food when we’re around.”
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