Chapter 17 17

Chapter 17 17
Elliot’s Pov

Dinner at my parents’ house every last Saturday of the month was a family tradition. Every month, no matter how busy we were, my mom insisted we all come back home for one night to eat together. 
My Dad was carrying Alice while I and my mom displayed the hundred dishes she made. 
On the table was steaming hot roast turkey; mashed potatoes with butter melting on top. Gravy in a big white plate. Macaroni and cheese, baked with extra cheese, rice with vegetables, Green beans with almonds, Corn on the cob, Roasted chicken thighs, grilled fish, fried plantains, sweet honey-glazed carrots, and fresh dinner rolls in a basket and her special apple pie sat waiting in the corner.
It looked like a feast meant for kings and no one complained because she always cooked more than we could ever finish every month.
I pulled out her chair for her and she  smiled up at me.
“Such a gentleman,” she said softly.
“Always,” I replied smiling.
My dad placed Alice on the seat next to him and Bernice was looking through her phone, probably scrolling through some fashion store or gossip page but I was happy she was silent and not making snide remarks. 
My Dad sat at the head of the table, stiff and straight like always looking at the door but my mom’s eyes were fixed at the door waiting for it to open. 
“He’s not coming again,” she said after a while, her smile dropping. We all knew she was talking about Asher.
He never showed up for family dinners after what happened years ago. The whole family changed after that time and Asher became reclusive; He stepped down as CEO of Hayes Holding and I had to take over but after that he refused to show his face in public functions so as not to taint the Hayes family name and ignored every family event no matter how little or private. 
Asher stayed in my parent house most times even though he had a house but on nights like this, he always had an excuse not to show up. Either he was too tired or not in the mood and I had to make up for it by being present so I don’t break my moms heart completely.
“We don’t need him here,” my dad said flatly.
“Of course, we need him,” my mom replied flashing my dad a dirty look. 
“Pass the plate,” she said suddenly. I reached for the mashed potatoes when the front door creaked open.
Asher stepped in and I hear my mom gasp surprised.
“Uncle Asher!” Alice squealed going to hug him but I wasn’t looking at Asher, I was looking at the woman behind him. Nessa!
What the hell?I swear. My grip on the serving spoon tightened and my back stiffened.
I shifted in my seat, suddenly uncomfortably staring at both of them.
“Is that…?” Bernice muttered, raising her brows.
Asher had brought Nessa; She looked beautiful as always with dark hair, smooth white skin and eyes that were so hypnotic. She was dressed simply in a  white blouse and black jeans but even that was so sexy. 
She was the last person I expected to see here at my family dinner. Asher smiled, walking to the table like this was normal for him.
My mom stood up quickly. “Asher!” she said with joy. “You made it!”
He nodded and took out sit for Nessa to sit while he sat next to her. 
My dad made a loud noise clearing his throat and I could tell he was a little relieved with Asher’s presence. 
“This is Nessa,” Asher said introducing her. “Nessa, this is my family. You’ve met Elliot my brother and his wife”
She smiled politely, “Hello.”
My mom’s eyes lit up. “Oh, she’s beautiful! Welcome, dear.”
“Thank you,” Nessa said gently taking Asher hands. 
My stomach twisted and I scoff at the sight. Was this a joke? Was Asher seriously bringing my secretary to family dinner?
Bernice leaned in toward me and whispered, “is your secretary dating Asher?” I don’t answer her and keep staring Athena them. 
My mom poured Nessa a glass of juice, smiling like she’d just found her new best friend.
“You’re so pretty,” she said kindly. Nessa laughed taking it from her. “That’s sweet, thank you, you’re so kind.”
Bernice scoffed so loudly I thought she’d choke but Nessa ignored all of us. 
“You hate stuff like this don’t you,” I said to Asher trying my best to sound calm. “Why did you bring in a stranger for family dinner.”
He shrugged and looked at Nessa with so much tenderness I thought I’d gag.
“She’s family to me.” he leaned over and kissed her cheek gently. “Why wouldn’t I bring the love of my life to family dinner?”
Nessa froze a little but she quickly covered it with a soft laugh and looked down at her plate.
I let out an angry breath. “Wow,” I said.
“Love of your life?” Bernice said and I saw my dad and mom exchange looks. 
Mom looked from me to Asher, then to Bernice amd must have noticed the tension. “Okay,” she said slowly, “why don’t we eat before the food gets cold?”
Asher served Nessa and I watched him closely wondering what possessed him. He never cared about things like this. Now he was here, acting like some boyfriend of the year? Did he really love Nessa 
He laughed at something Nessa whispered to him and I clenched my jaw. I tried so hard focus on the food in front of me but I couldn’t.
All I could see was Asher smiling at Nessa, cutting her chicken and leaning close to whisper something in her ear.
He even wiped her mouth with a napkin like he was her boyfriend and It made my skin crawl.
I clenched my fork hard so hard it could break. I didn’t want to admit it, but I was mad. Mad that he brought her and mad that it wasn’t me sitting next to her.
My dad looked up from his plate and stared at Nessa.
“So,” he said, clearing his throat. “What do you do, young lady?”
Nessa looked up, her voice gentle. “I’m a secretary, sir.”
“Hmm office work that’s good, maybe you can get my son out of his shell.”
Bernice scoff again. “Secretary?” she said “How interesting.”
I shot her a sharp look warning he not to let my dad know Nessa worked for me but she ignored me and leaned forward a little. “So, Nessa… just curious. What exactly do you see in Asher?”
I held my breath waiting for an answer too. “He’s… cool and lovely.” I almost dropped my fork. Cool and lovely? Asher?
Bernice grinned. “Really?” Nessa nodded calmly. “He’s funny and listens to everything I say.”
Bernice turned to me, then looked back at Nessa. “Well,” she said, “I guess underachievers always find each other.”
My head shot up and the  table went quiet.
Bernice placed her napkin down gently. “And thank God,” she added, “that I ended up with the responsible sibling who is an overachiever.”
I choked on my water.