Chapter 113 Dining With The Duncans

Chapter 113 Dining With The Duncans
Fiona’s POV

“Have you picked a date for the wedding? The earlier we start planning, the better,” Mrs. Felicia asks, passing me a bowl of fruit on the table.

I internally grimace at the fact that she keeps loading my plate with food. She had ordered the maids to add more salad dressing, and now she’s giving me fruit. How do I tell her that I’m full? If I continue to eat, I might throw up.

“Not yet,” I answer, taking a sip of my water.

“I’m thinking of postponing the wedding until the baby comes,” Nicholas explains. There is absolutely no need to rush it.

“Isn’t that going to be too far?” Alexa points out, popping a grape into her mouth while pressing her phone.

“Put down your phone! We are having a serious conversation here,” Mrs. Felicia warns.

Alexa groans in hesitation before abiding.

“It’s not a bad idea. But we still need to start planning now. What type of wedding do you want?”

I exchange looks with Nick before answering, “I actually want a simple wedding. Not much of a crowd, but if...”

“You don’t need to explain anything. If you want a small wedding, then that’s fine,” she assures, smiling at me.

“You could have just gone for a bigger wedding,” Alexa starts. “Trust me, they have so much money to spend. Maybe have a wedding that lasts for a week or longer.”

“It’s not your wedding, young miss,” Nicholas taunts, slicing my steak into tiny pieces.

“No, you didn't just call me that.” She immediately throws a banana at him, which he successfully dodges.

“You both are not kids. Stop playing with food.” I stifle my laughter at her frustrated expression. She’s definitely tired of them.

“He started it.”

“She started it,” they say at the same time.

Mrs. Felicia shakes her head, letting out a sigh of exasperation.

“You are going to be a father, yet you act like some untrained kid. You better buckle up. My heart goes out to you, Fiona; you might end up being the only responsible parent here,” Alexa taunts, glaring at Nick, who looks unbothered by her words.

Mrs. Felicia had invited us earlier for a family dinner, and so far, it’s been fun. But I won’t deny that there is something odd about Mr. Duncan. Not only has he not spoken a word since he joined us, but he’s been on his phone.

I’ve been noticing the subtle changes in his body language. Sometimes his brow would crease and release repeatedly, or he would rub his fingers together. At some point, he let out a little sigh before clenching his jaws tightly.

He also hasn’t touched his meal, and I’m sure it’s not only me who noticed this. But no one is talking about it. I should be glad he isn’t saying anything, because most times, he’d just be mean to me for no reason.

“Fiona.” Alexa snaps her fingers in my face, jolting me back to my senses.

“Oh, sorry. What were you saying?” I clear my throat, refocusing my eyes on my food.

“That you’ll have to make me your chief bridesmaid.”

“No! You are going to be Olivia’s, and you want to be hers. Give your friend some love,” Nick argues.

“Olivia will be my own chief bridesmaid. So shut the fuck up. What do you say, Fiona?”

“I don’t know yet. When we start to actively plan the wedding, I’ll figure it out.”

“Why don’t you focus on being a bride rather than fighting for bridesmaid positions?” Nick sneers, winking at her.

“Fiona, you really married an immature man,” Alexa bites back before adding, “I’ll keep my relationship private until it leads to marriage.”

“We both know that you have no secrets. But it’s fine if it makes you sleep better at night. Say hi to our imaginary boyfriend.”

Alexa opens her mouth to retort, but Mrs. Felicia cuts her off.

“Enough! All this banter and noise is not good for the baby.”

“You hear that, Alexa?”

I roll my eyes at Nick’s response to his mom’s warning. I don’t think Mrs. Felicia will succeed in shutting these two up, but I’ve missed their banter a lot.

Someday I’ll have my own kids, and I’ll be in her shoes, screaming at them to stop fighting or making noise. A smile spreads on my lips at the thought. I still keep wondering: what type of father would Nick be?

Maybe a playful one. The one that always tells dry dad jokes, or the father that will support his children through and through. It doesn’t matter which; I’m sure he’s going to be a present father.

My eyes travel to the far end of the wide table where Mr. Duncan is seated, his eyes still fixated on his phone.

I’m trying to read his expression this time, but it’s hard. There’s so much going on in his mind.

“How many kids do you plan on having?” Alexa blurts. I don’t know what led to the question.

“A thousand,” Nick smirks, handing me the steak he’s cut with so much precision.

“She hasn’t eaten the vegetables yet. You’ll make her full with that meat,” Mrs. Felicia points out, but Nick doesn’t listen. Instead, he forks a small piece and places it on my lips.

I take in the meat, allowing the flavors to melt on my tongue.

“You are so fucking dumb,” Alexa shoots.

“Whatever you say. Why does it interest you to know how many kids my wife and I plan on having?”

“She’s not your wife yet.”

“Jesus Christ. Both of you should rest already,” Mrs. Felicia hisses. “Alexa, eat up. You’ve lost so much weight.”

“She’s dieting to look fit for her... boyfriend.”

I kick him under the table to keep quiet. He’s already stressing his mom a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to have a playful Nick back, especially after several weeks of dealing with him in investigation mode.

Alexa is fuming at this point, and I’m sure she’s trying so hard not to tear him apart.

“You better...”

“I have to go,” Mr. Riley says, rising to his feet and dashing out of the dining room.

Mrs. Felicia and Nick exchange a look before Nick follows behind him.