Chapter 15 What Family Costs
Evelyn’s POV
I didn't call my Dad to ask what the dinner was about but Eva called when she was informed.
She was excited and she liked the idea that she'd be visiting my new home.
The next day was ridiculously busy. Mira brought two other people to help her with cooking and the maid was also swamped because of the preparations.
It was just a dinner with my family, but they were making a lot of preparations.
“You might decide to wear that dress I got you or walk naked,” Adrian said before leaving for work this morning.
I knew what that meant. Not to wear a dress that he would end up burning.
By 5 p.m., Mira came to me. “Ma’am, you should start preparing what you'd wear, the dinner begins as early as 7 p.m.”
Dinner. It was just a family dinner. Yet the whole mansion was acting like royalty was arriving. It wasn't supposed to require preparations like this but I didn’t fail to remember how rich my husband was.
I didn't complain or argue with her. Instead, I just nodded.
“I’ll get ready.”
Dera's voice rose behind me. “I'll help you with it, ma’am.”
Dera followed me upstairs to my room. I took a quick shower and wrapped a towel around myself.
Dera and I searched for a dress in the closet together.
“I'll take that,” I said. She picked the dress I had pointed at and handed it over to me.
“You can leave now, thank you,” I said, placing the dress over my body and looking into the mirror.
She bowed slightly and exited the room.
It was a blue strapless satin gown that got to my knees.
Without hesitation, I put the dress on, my hand landing on the diamond necklace on my neck.
The diamond necklace sat heavy on my neckline. I swallowed hard, taking it off was too risky.
I pulled my dark hair into a sleek bun while still looking into the mirror and when I was done, I turned slightly, checking myself out in the mirror.
Now, all that's left is to wait for our guests.
Hours later, a knock came on the door. I dropped my phone on the bed.
“Your family has arrived, ma’am,” Dera informed me. “Mr. Adrian has also arrived.”
“Thank you,” I stood up from the bed, straightening my dress.
I walked out of the room, wearing just slippers. Adrian walked up the stairs with his briefcase in his hands, looking tired.
I paused just before I could take my first step on the stairs.
He also paused.
“It’s wide enough for two,” he said.
“I don't bite, Evelyn,” he chuckled.
Was it my ears or did Adrian Kane just sound soft? He was exhausted, totally exhausted and I could tell he didn't have the strength to make life hell for me at the moment.
His voice was soft but his eyes weren't.
I didn't respond. I just let him completely ascend the stairs before I walked down the stairs.
“My family is waiting,” I said without turning. “Please don't take your time in your room.”
I said the words with emphasis and in a mocking tone.
He didn't respond or maybe I just didn't wait for the response before I dashed out of the room.
“You look beautiful, ma'am,” Dera said from behind me.
I turned to her and smiled. “Thank you, Dera.”
She smiled back at me and gestured her hand towards the back of the compound.
“This way to the back patio.”
She isn't the type who talks too much, she barely speaks in the house compared to Mira.
She led me to the back patio. I haven't had the time and energy to explore the house and was sure there were many other places I haven't seen.
The table was set, the chairs neatly arranged around it. Mira and Dera stood beside each other, a few feet away from where the dinner table was.
The floor was scattered with red petals, making the grassy land look beautiful.
My family was seated around the table, Eva saw me first as I approached.
She stood up and ran towards me, almost tripping. “Evelyn!” She shrieked, pulling me into a hug.
I hugged her back, the both of us giggling.
“I missed you. God! You are looking so beautiful!” She kept blabbing in excitement as she spun me looking at every part of my body.
I giggled again and held her face, checking her out. It had been just a week and I had missed her so much.
We were always together. Our parents only had two children, and we cherished each other. She had her room but usually spent most of her nights in mine, that was how close we were.
“Have some manners, Eva!” Mom cautioned.
Eva’s face turned pale as she broke the hug and looked into my eyes.
“No, it's fine,” I laughed out loud and she was also forced to join in, pulling me into another hug.
When she broke the hug, I held her hand and walked over to the table. I took my seat opposite Dad, taking the seat beside the one kept for the head of the table, which was Adrian.
Dad’s gaze was locked on me but he said nothing.
My gaze moved over everyone before it came back to Dad and I broke the silence first. “How have you been, Dad?”
“Faring well,” he said.
I nodded and turned my gaze to Mom. “And you, Mom?”
“Thanks to you, we have been fine so far,” she said but I knew something was wrong with that voice.
I frowned. “So far?” I asked.
Mom’s lips pressed into a thin line and the look on Dad's face also told me something was wrong. Even Eva's face turned from that cheerful one to a sober look.
That confirmed t
he fact that something was wrong.
Mom was the one who spoke first.
“Your dad got into another debt,” she announced.