Chapter 26 Great grandchildren
Dandelion.
The Graham's dining room was as I expected, it was intimidating and grand.
There were crystal chandeliers, a table that could contain twenty people, silver cutlery that probably cost more than one of my custom made bags, and everyone was already there when I arrived.
Mrs Winifred was at the head of the table, looking like a queen in a lavender blouse. Alexander sat at her right, nonchalantly, clearly wishing he was anywhere else but in this boring estate. Viola sat across from him, with a fake smile that looked like fake decorations flowers, while Tristan sat beside her, watching everything with those calculating eyes.
I slid quietly into the empty seat beside Alexander.
'Act natural' I reminded myself, 'You're his wife, so you belong here.'
Except I didn't really belong here, and I'm sure somehow everyone at this table knew it, well maybe except Mrs Winifred.
"Good morning, dear!" Mrs. Winifred beamed at me. "Did you sleep well?"
"Of course I did, thank you Grandma." I forced a smile. "The bedroom is really comfortable"
"I'm so glad you made yourself at home"she said with a satisfied smile, " but dear, you should call me Noona since I'm now your grandma too, okay." She said but I only nodded with a small smile, of course I wouldn't dare to go against Alexander's rules, I just need to avoid having to call her or get her attention.
She gestured to the spread of food, pastries and fruits on the table, "Please eat dear."
I nodded again with a smile and took a croissant on my plate.
Alexander didn't even look at me, he just cut into his eggs with e blank expression.
I almost scoffed, was he still angry about yesterday's reveal?, Or was he just being his usual charming self?
What a petty man.
Breakfast passed in uncomfortable silence, I also stayed quiet, picking at my food, trying to blend in.
All of a sudden she spoke.
"So, Dandelion." Mrs. Winifred set down her teacup, her gaze landing on me. "What do you do? I mean For work."
My fork froze halfway to my mouth.
Shit.
Alexander's gaze flicked toward me sharply as if warning me not to mention the scandal.
"I'm an actress," I said carefully, setting down my fork. "But I'm on a hiatus right now."
Viola raised an eyebrow. "Hiatus?"
"Yes." I forced my smile wider, glancing at Alexander for support. "I won't be going back anytime soon. I want to focus on...on our marriage."
The words tasted like a bitter lie which was somewhat partially true.
Alexander caught on immediately, he nodded gently. "That's right Noona she's on a hiatus for now."
Mrs. Winifred's face lit up like I had just announced world peace.
"Oh dear, you're such a sensible girl!" She clasped her hands together. "So many young women these days are too focused on careers to prioritize family. But you understand what's truly important."
'Oh Lord help me, i'm a fraud, a complete fraud.' I whispered yell to myself inwardly taking a gulp of water.
"And speaking of family..." Mrs. Winifred's smile turned sly. "When can I expect great grandchildren?"
I nearly spit out the water.
Alexander went very still beside me, "Noona--" he started with a strained voice.
"What?" She looked between us innocently. "You're married now. It's a perfectly reasonable question."
"But we just got married," Alexander said through gritted teeth. "Can we at least--"
"You're not getting any younger, Alexander." Mrs. Winifred waved off his protest. "And Dandelion is the perfect age to start a family. I want to hold a great grandchild before I die."
"You're not dying," Alexander snapped.
"Not yet. But I'm seventy now, and who knows how much time I have left--"
"God, please stop this Noona." Alexander's voice cut through the room like a blade. "We're both working, can you not understand we need time to adjust. Dandelion's career--"
"Can wait," Mrs. Winifred interrupted firmly. "As she said herself, she's taking a hiatus. What better time than now?"
I felt my face burning hot, this is a nightmare. An actual, living nightmare.
Viola cleared her throat, "Mother, perhaps it's too early to be discussing... such matters. After all they've only just married."
I blinked at her in surprise. Did she just defend us?, hmm I'm starting to get more suspicious of her.
Mrs. Winifred huffed. "Nonsense. If they don't start soon, they'll wait forever. Young people these days always have an excuse."
She pointed her fork at us like a weapon.
"I won't bother you for now, but If I don't have a great grandchild soon, I'll give you a one year ultimatum."
My jaw dropped, Alexander looked like he wanted to flip the table, he's probably wondering why his stubborn grandma was hell bent on frustrating him.
"You can't be serious," he said flatly.
"Oh, I'm very serious." Mrs. Winifred smiled sweetly. "One year, Alexander, so better not test me."
So she wants a baby as soon as possible, a baby I absolutely cannot give her because this marriage is FAKE.
When Alexander finally pushed back his chair, to leave the dinning, I almost sighed in relief.
Finally, I can escape this tense environment.
"I'll be leaving Noona, I have calls to make," he said curtly, already turning toward the door and about to leave me behind
"Alexander." Mrs. Winifred's voice stopped him cold. "Won't you take Dandelion with you."
He paused, his shoulders tensing. "It's urgent Noona, she can go back to the bedroom."
"You should show her around the estate." Her tone left no room for argument. "She's your wife. She should know her way around her new home."
"Oh no Gra--Noona, I really don't need--" I protested.
"Nonsense." Mrs. Winifred smiled at me. "You'll get lost if someone doesn't show you around. I would have loved to show you around, but I'm far too old to be walking all over the estate."
"You literally went on a three mile hike last week," Alexander muttered stubbornly.
"That's different." She waved a hand. "So go on. Both of you, spend some time together. That's what married couples do afterall."
Alexander looked like he was being sentenced to death.
But he sighed, and turned to me.
"Let's go."
He didn't extend his hand, nor smiled, he just stood there, quietly radiating annoyance and waiting for me to follow.
I swallowed my pride and stood, "Thank you for breakfast, Gr-- Noona." I said shyly after almost calling her grandma for the second time.
"Of course, dear. Have fun!"
Fun?, right. This was going to be hell.
..........
The moment we were out of the dining room, Alexander's entire demeanor shifted.
His carefully controlled politeness vanished and was replaced by his usual cold irritation.
"Let's make this quick," he said, not looking at me. "I'll show you the library and the gardens, then your way back to your room. Then we're done."
"You don't have to do this," I said quietly. "I can find my own way around."
"And when Noona asks if I gave you a tour, what do I say?" He shot me a side eye. "That I let my 'wife' wander around lost because I couldn't be bothered?"
I bit my lip. "Fine. Lead the way."
Then he started walking, and I followed, trying to keep up with his long strides.
This is miserable. He can't even stand to be near me for just a few minutes.
We walked in silence through hallways lined with some oil paintings and marble statues, everything was old, expensive, and really intimidating.
"That's the library." He gestured to a set of double doors without slowing down or even offering to show me inside.
I mouthed an "Okay."
"The gardens are through there." He pointed to another hallway. "Don't touch the flowers in the east side. They're mine."
Tsk so this petty man, cares about flowers, and he is even being possessive.
"I won't."I retorted
"Your room is--"
"I know where my room is, Alexander." I stopped walking, frustration already bubbling within me "You don't have to treat me like an idiot you know."
He stopped too, turning to face me.
"I'm not treating you like an idiot," he said coldly. "I'm treating you like what you are. A temporary inconvenience I'm contractually obligated to tolerate."
The words hit me hard like a slap.
I lifted my chin, refusing to let him see how much that hurt.
"Then consider your obligation fulfilled. I'll find my own way from here."
I turned to leave immediately.
His hand shot out, suddenly wrapping around my wrist.
Not hard though, but it was firm enough to stop me.
"Wait."
I looked back at him, my heart pounding.
His jaw was tight,and his eyes were dark and unreadable.
"I... I shouldnvcf't have said that."
I blinked. "What?"
"You're not..." He exhaled sharply like he just realized his outburst, and released my wrist. "You're not an inconvenience."
Then what am I?, I wanted to ask. But I didn't ask, because I wasn't even sure I wanted to know the answer.
"Apology accepted," I said quietly, even though it wasn't a full apology because he never mentioned sorry, but it's manageable anyways.
He nodded once, then turned and started walking again.
This time a bit slower.
\---
We walked through the gardens in silence.
It was really beautiful, roses in full bloom, marble fountains and pathways lined with hedges trimmed into perfect shapes.
"This is where we used to play," Alexander said suddenly.
I looked at him in surprise.
"What?"
"When we were kids." He gestured to a large oak tree in the distance. "You loved that tree. You used to make me push you on the swing."
My chest tightened, lSo he remembers.
"I don't remember," I admitted softly. "I wish I did. But I don't remember any of it."
His expression was unreadable. "You were just a kid, anyways let's not dwell on it."
"Why?",I asked shouldn't he be nicer now that he knows we were once friends?, but he didn't answer. He just kept walking.
I gave up and followed behind him quietly, wondering what memories he knew that he'd rather keep to himself and not tell me about it.