Chapter 22 Noona's Suspense party
Alexander.
I stood frozen in shock, watching my grandmother cling to Dandelion like she had suddenly found something precious she'd thought was lost forever.
This was definitely not supposed to happen.
Noona was supposed to meet her and approve politely, and that would have been a checkbox on the list of things required to keep her happy and healthy.
But this?
This was something else entirely.
Noona pulled back, wiping her tears with trembling fingers, and cupped Dandelion's face like she was a delicate flower.
"It's good to see you're all grown up, child." The words hit me like a punch to the gut.
Child? did Noona know dandelion before now?, but how come, since they've never even met before.
Around us, the guests whispered with curiosity, I could feel their confusion.
Nicholas appeared beside me and whispered by my ears "Uh, Alex? Want to fill us in on what's happening?"
"I really don't know," I muttered also confused and I was wondering if I had mistakenly told Noona about dandelion before.
Xavier's gaze swept between Noona and Dandelion. "Did you tell her about Dandelion before today?"
"No, I only told her I got married, I don't even remember mentioning her name to her."
"Hmm, but it seems like they've known each other before, almost like they have some sort of history together"he murmured with amusement.
My jaw clenched, I wanted to grab Dandelion's hand and pull her away, away from my grandmother's attention, because I was beginning to regret bringing dandelion here. Because it seems I'll have to drag my beloved grandmother's attention with her now.
But then I can't do that, because Noona was smiling and beaming in a way I had not seen in years, and that tender smile was aimed at Dandelion and not me. Gosh I was beginning to get really annoyed.
"I'm sorry." Noona laughed, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief someone handed her. "I shouldn't have made such a scene. Not in front of all my guests."
She glanced around the room, noting the confused and curious faces.
"I promise I'll explain everything later," she said, trying to steady her voice. "But first, let's not ruin my birthday with tears, hmm? We have a cake to cut!"
The crowd laughed politely, the tension in the hall was easing slightly.
But I could still feel the weight of their stares. The questions behind their pretentious smiles.
Who is she?
How does Mrs. Graham know her?
Why did Alexander suddenly get married without inviting anyone?
Those were the kind of questions I was sure was going through their minds.
But it's non of their business.
................
I was barely focused on the rest of the party.
Noona cut her cake, a towering masterpiece of vanilla and raspberry which was her favorite flavor, while everyone sang her a happy birthday song in off-key.
She opened a few of her gifts with exaggerated delight, even the obviously expensive ones that couldn't possibly impress someone who already had everything.
And through it all, Dandelion sat beside me at the main table, her hands on her lap as usual, her posture was perfect, she looked calm and poised like a perfect billionaire's wife who didn't have to care about anything in the world.
I almost scoffed at my own thoughts.
But I also noticed the way her fingers trembled slightly, the way she had barely touched her champagne.
I sighed, was she still tense? even after everything I told her and even after the way she was welcomed by Noona.
"You're doing fine," I murmured, leaning closer so only she could hear me.
She glanced at me with surprise across her face, then she nodded slowly with a practiced smile.
.........
After what felt like an eternity, Noona tapped her champagne glass with a spoon, it made a delicate ting ting ting that silenced the room instantly drawing their attention to her.
"Before my guests leave," she began, her voice sounding across the hall, "I want to introduce someone very special."
My stomach dropped.
Noona, don't....
"This," Nona continued, gesturing toward Dandelion, "is my new granddaughter-in-law. Dandelion Williams."
She smiled, radiantly and proud. "Or should I say, Dandelion Graham."
The room erupted in polite applause, and I felt Dandelion stiffen beside me.
"She's very beautiful, as you all can see with your own eyes, and she is well mannered too," Noona continued like she already knew dandelion long before I even mentioned about getting married, "and I couldn't be happier to welcome her into our family."
The crowd applauded with Warm smiles, even a few older women pretended to dab their eyes as if they were touched but underneath it all was disappointment hidden behind their faces.
I could see it in the faces of the families who had spent years trying to make their granddaughters to grab my attention. The Rowlands, The Lewises and The Parks. After all their careful planning, their dinner invitations, now it was all gone.
All because I had married someone they had never even heard of, someone who, as far as they knew, had appeared out of nowhere.
Mrs. Park leaned toward Mrs. Lewis, "Well. There goes our plans."
Mrs. Lewis sighed. "Yes Indeed."
I almost scoffed, were they expecting me to marry all of their daughters at once, those cunning old women. I felt slightly satisfied about their disappointment.
Finally the guests began to leave one by one, Air-kissing Noona and promising to meet for lunch, not out of politeness but instead out of curiosity.
"You must bring your granddaughter-in-law to our charity gala one day."Mrs Rowland told Noona, "Of course I would definitely bring her along" Noona answered proudly, Dandelion is in big trouble.
Well at least I won't be the one dragged to a boring event.
Mrs Rowland looked at me, "Congratulations on your marriage Alexander, even though it's....such a surprise."
I nodded and smiled politely at the old woman.
When the last guest finally left, I felt the atmosphere shift.
The birthday was finally over, now we were all eagerly waiting for the explanation from Noona, because this was more of a suspense party than an actual party.
We all gathered in Noona's private sitting room a larger, cozier space filled with antiques and family photos.
Noona sat in her favorite armchair, looking exhausted but happy.
Viola perched on the sofa beside her, with her eager expression, she seemed to have been uneasy since noona mentioned Dandelion's name or was it.... dandelion's mother name.
Tristan stood by the window, his arms crossed uninterested even though I'm hundred percent sure he was also eager to know. Nicholas and Xavier had somehow been roped into staying, also out of curiosity too.
Meanwhile Dandelion sat beside me so tense I could feel it radiating off her in waves, she had been a bit clingy to me throughout the party, like she had rather followed the devil she already knows, than follow Angels she doesn't know.
"Alright, Mother," Viola said, hiding her unsteady voice. "You've kept us all in suspense long enough. How exactly do you know Alex's wife?"
Noona ignored and gestured to dandelion "Come give me a hug child"