Chapter 16 Dinner At The Old House
LUCIAN
The dull glints in her eyes made it clear that Sienna wasn’t in the best mood. When we had hopped into the elevator today, she seemed fine and ready for the day’s work. I couldn’t tell what had shifted her mood so suddenly.
Even after she left me on the rooftop, I could still perceive her scent, and my lips kept tugging as her words echoed in my ears. I tried my best to lift her mood and make her feel better. Even though she wasn’t smiling, I could tell her tensed bones had relaxed. That was enough for me.
After staying back for another five minutes, I decided to return to the office. As soon as I got in, my phone’s ringing tore through the air.
I didn’t budge or bother to check who it was. Removing my suit, I placed it on a hanger and loosened my tie. Then, I settled into my swivel chair. My phone had stopped ringing, but the moment I reclined, it rang a second time.
Initially, I planned to ignore it, but my eyes skimmed the screen—and it was my grandmother.
“Fuck!!!” I hissed and quickly tapped the accept button. I didn’t put the phone to my ear yet because I knew that would be risky at that moment.
“You bastard!!!” she yelled. Even though the phone was far from my ear, I could still hear her echo. “Why didn’t you pick up the first time?”
Pinching the space between my brows, I elbowed the table and finally put the phone to my ear. “I’m sorry, Grandma. I was in a project meeting when your call came in,” I lied. That was the only way to calm her down. She loved immediate attention, but she would prioritize a project meeting over it. According to her, that was the only way money could keep flowing, and she would never joke with her source of income.
“How was it? Was it a success?” Her voice dropped drastically, like the same person who had almost shattered my eardrums moments ago no longer existed.
Oh my! That was typical of my grandmother. She valued business over everything.
“It was a success. The deal has been sealed,” I lied again, silently praying she wouldn’t ask for details this time. She knew all our ongoing projects and even the ones we were still struggling to secure. Lying about this one would be the hardest yet.
My heart stuttered as I anticipated her next words. Please, don’t ask about the project.
“Okay, Lucian,” she said simply after a few seconds of silence. A loud breath escaped me. I hadn’t realized I’d been holding it for so long.
“Come home for dinner tonight,” she added, breaking the silence.
My eyes widened and my mouth opened to object, but she cut me off before I could speak.
“No excuses this time. You should come home tonight since you refused to bring a girl home. You can do that much for your grandmother, right?”
I was mute. Visiting the old house hadn’t been part of my plan. Grandmother had been trying to see me since I arrived, but one thing led to another. Now it seemed she couldn’t wait any longer; this was the only way she could get me to come.
“I’ll take your silence as a yes then. Be at my place by 6 p.m. Anything later than that can bring trouble,” she threatened, and the call ended immediately.
Like a fool, I stared at the screen, phone in hand. Was this really happening? I had done everything to avoid everyone in that family, especially after what happened on my first day back in the country. Today, it seemed I would face my fears once and for all.
•
My hand rested on the steering wheel while the other tapped the space between the two seats in my car. I’d driven to the old house, but I still hadn’t found the courage to step out. Different thoughts sprouted in my mind, though they were useless, as there was no way I could cross the gate without Grandmother’s permission once inside.
After enough back-and-forth in my head, I removed the key from the ignition and stepped out. Maybe not today—but sooner or later, I would have to face this. I should just get it over with.
“Where’s Grandmother?” I asked the maids who came to greet me at the door. They bowed their heads, and I only nodded in response, eager to see her.
“She’s waiting for you in the dining room,” one of them replied.
Turning toward the dining room, I saw her at the table, lips moving, and in front of her was my only betrayal of a cousin, Martins, listening attentively and gesturing along. My stomach churned with irritation, and my hands itched to relieve the fury on his face.
Still, I held back. I had just arrived. Grandmother had certainly planned this; it would be rude to ruin the dinner before it began. I quelled the anger burning inside me and approached the dining room.
Hearing my footsteps, Grandmother tilted her head. Just as I expected, she didn’t offer a smile. It would have been stranger if she did—everyone knew she rarely showed emotion. Her expression remained constant; according to family lore, she paid the price of success with her smile.
“My grandson got here before the food got cold. You surprise Grandmother,” she jested, picking up her cutlery. “Please eat, Martins. The fool is here.”
I chuckled and gave her a side hug. “Anyone who saw how you called and cared for me would think you missed your grandson,” I said, breaking the embrace. “This isn’t how you act when you miss someone. You’re looking at me like I’m a potential enemy.”
“Maybe you are… since you refused to bring me a daughter-in-law,” she shot back.
I sighed. Of course, she would mention a daughter-in-law. Aside from the She family brouhaha, this was another reason I had been reluctant to visit her.
“I only just got back, Grandmother. You’re supposed to advise me to focus on business, not on a daughter-in-law,” I said, leaving her seat and sitting beside her.
“Spare me that crap, my friend. You can focus on both and still excel. Don’t give me that bullshit as an excuse,” she fired angrily.
I pressed my lips together, raised one hand in surrender, and smiled. I’d forgotten how seriously Grandmother always took conversations like this.
“What are we having for dinner?” I asked, rubbing my palms together and smiling. Then I opened one of the big plates in the center of the table—mashed potatoes.
“Whoa! Grandmother!” I raised an eyebrow. “How did you know I’ve been craving this? Oh my God! You’re the best Granny ever!” I exclaimed dramatically. That was the only way to divert the topic and get some peace.
She darted an indifferent gaze at me and snapped her fingers. The maids appeared and served my meal.
Silence settled over the room. Even though I hadn’t spared the man in front of me a glance, I could feel the heat emanating from him. He must be praying I never mentioned what happened that day to Grandmother.