CHAPTER 22

“Seriously Laura?” he asked, looking at Laura, who was pleased with her purchase.

“What? Can’t a girl be happy?”

“Of course, you ought to be. I just spent thousands of dollars on you after all,” he grimaced when he thought about it.

“It's just a percentage of what you just spent on your invisibly attractive girlfriend,” she retorted seeing how shameless Dylan was acting over her purchase.

“Stop it,” he said, handing the man his card and completing his purchase.

“Thank you,” he said as he took his purchase from the seller before turning to Laura, “it's yours, and thank you for coming with me.”

“You can tell me whenever you want, but when are you going to show me the woman?” she couldn’t help herself but ask.

“As soon as she agrees to be mine.”

“Have you asked her yet?”

“She isn't that simple. You can count on me on that.”

“Whatever. What else do you need?”

“This will suffice for the time being,” he said, looking at his watch, “I need to get to my dinner date, I will call you later.”

“Are you going to drop me off at home?”

“Please, Laura, just let me off this once. Okay!” he pleaded.

“Fine. I'll take a taxi home because you did a good deed.”

“That's my girl, see you later,” he yelled as he dashed out of the shop.
***
She couldn't believe her mother's words. How can she not recognize her own daughter?

Her entire family was present, and her mother claimed to have prepared her favorite food, medium-rare steak, and salads. She didn't have the energy to say anything and just stared at Anne, who then turned her attention to her mother.

“Grandma.”

“Yes, Anne.”

“Mother doesn't eat steak.”

“However, she used to enjoy it when she was younger,” she talked back.

“She is unable to consume it. After we've finished eating, I'll write you a list of her favorite foods. Do you have anything else to eat besides this?” Anne wouldn’t care about how ugly Mrs. Grant’s face was like now.

Her only concern was her godmother who would be starved by these people if she doesn’t get any food to eat.

"There's pasta."

“Please serve that to her.”

“OK, fine. I'm sorry, I didn't realize,” Mrs. Grant said awkwardly.

“It's fine.”

“Mother spent a long time preparing this meal. Can't you just eat?” her brother said harshly unable to tolerate how picky Violet was being.

“Brother, I'm not here to fight, and I'm not going to be forced to eat something I can't even swallow. It's the same as being forced to eat durians. Can you eat them?” Violet threw back a question at him.

“No, but....”

“Think of it as me not wanting durians at the time. As I previously stated, none of you are familiar with me. I'm hungry; where can I get that pasta, or should I order takeout?”

“No, take a seat. I'll serve you some.”

“Thank you very much, mother.”

Her plate was brought to her, and the steak was given to Lucy, who seemed to enjoy it a lot even though she wasn’t supposed to eat much considering how her dream career was to be a model in the future.

Following that, they all sat down to a quiet dinner. After dinner, she chose ice cream as a dessert because it will keep her cool if someone tries to set her on fire.

“Thank you for the delicious food.”

“You should eat more at home.”

“I intend to.”

“I just wanted to apologize for treating you the way we did, Violet. I didn't know what to do after that incident and seeing as you didn't say anything about it and pushed yourself into a corner, I just assumed it was for the best. If I had known how much you were going through, I would have.....”

“It's pointless crying over spilled milk now, isn't it? You asked for forgiveness, and I forgive you, but that doesn't change the fact that we've all changed as people, and I'd appreciate it if you treated me as a member of your family rather than just a cash cow.

This reminds me of something I wanted to tell my dear siblings tonight,” she said, turning to face her brother, “I'm not a pushover, so please be respectful when speaking to me; you wouldn't like me when I'm angry. Believe me.”

She turned her head and looked at Suzy, “as for you, you will be someone's wife tomorrow, so please be dignified in whatever you do. Don't think that if your friends are envious of you, I also am. I have the power to make your life and your husband so miserable that you will wish you had never been born or met him.

Suzy, I mean every word you say, and I forgive you for every annoyance you've caused in my life. My advice to you is to respect me as your older sister from now on, even if you don't like me. I'm not that desperate; in the future, give your love to your family and children.”

“My beloved little sister, don't grow up like Suzy and obey your parents and always be good,” she smiled as she looked at Lucy, “remember to follow your heart and keep in mind that I will always be there for you, okay?”

“Yes, sister, you know I love you, don't you?” Lucy smiled fawningly at Violet.

“I know, sweetheart. I know.”

“I, Violet...” Suzy stumbled.

“Just say it, I need to go back to my house and prepare for your wedding,” Violet cut her off.

“I'm sorry; I just didn't like the way you were living your life. We must look up to you for everything because you don't rely on anyone and make so much money. I did despicable things to be better than you, and I'm ashamed of what I did. I sincerely apologize.”

“As long as you admit your mistakes and make amends, you'll be fine. Just don't provoke me again, or I'll freeze your tongue and you'll never be able to speak with that mouth again. That is a guarantee,” Violet warned Suzy as she was just tired of being harassed with her.

“I promise I'm sorry,” she said earnestly.

“Violet!” exclaimed her brother.

“Just say it out loud, Brother. I'm already out of time, and my house is quite far away.”

“I am relieved that you have returned home,” her father who had been quiet all this while spoke cutting the brother from saying whatever he wanted to say.

“I am, too,” she said, smiling as she faced her father.

He was always the same, a man of few words: "Father, remember to take care of yourself, and don't spend too much time outside. You'll get sick, and you don't want anything bad to happen to your family. You still have to witness Lucy and my wedding if I ever get married.”

“Nothing is going to happen to me. Sam, I'm glad you're here with me.”

"I, too, father. It's time for me to go; I'll see you tomorrow at the wedding.”