Chapter 22: He Was Busy

Chapter 22: He Was Busy

Different varieties of food were sprayed on the dining table. Her father sat on the head chair with her mother sitting on his left. Her sisters-in-law sat beside her mother, while her second brother sat beside his wife. Her Big brother left her side and also went to sit beside his wife. And the only seat left for her was on the right side, where her future in-laws sat.

Their backs were to her so she couldn’t see their faces until she sat down and all eyes were on her.

There was pin-drop silence in the dining area. The children must have gone to sleep as the house was eerily quiet. And her parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law watched silently, the little drama unfolding between her and her future in-laws.

Cedric’s father sat beside her father on the right. Followed by his mother, then a girl just about her own age. And they all seemed to have lost their tongues. And where was Cedric?

She lowered her head and shifted on the chair, suddenly feeling awkward. What was she supposed to say? Why were they staring at her as if they’d seen a ghost? Wait– did she really look like a ghost after the skin care.

Her mother’s chuckle seemed to have broken the stunned family out of their stupor and the middle-aged woman spoke up.

“Please forgive me.” She smiled while giving everyone an apologetic look. “I was just speechless… She’s so pretty.”

“Auntie… Uncle,” Lucy greeted with a sigh of relief, finally finding her own voice. She glanced sideways at the girl that sat beside her and also muttered, “Hi.”

She must be Cedric’s sister.

“I’m Nicki,” The girl said with a smile. She had the same dark brown hair as Cedric’s. Aside from that, every one of her features resembled her mother’s. Both women were beautiful. And she could also see where Cedric got his looks from. He was a carbon copy of his father, except with the brown hair.

When the middle-aged man first came with Cedric to ask for her hand, she hadn’t taken in his appearance as she was too shocked at that time. However, looking closely now, she could see some of her father’s features in him. Even though they were only cousins. They even had the same aura. The family’s gene was really strong. And he rarely smiled, unlike his wife who couldn’t take her eyes off her. The middle-aged woman was all smiles and happy sighs.

“Nice to meet you, Nicki.” Lucy smiled back at the girl who seemed to be checking her out. The girl glanced away, noticing she was caught staring and Lucy chuckled inside. She didn’t look like a ghost after all.

She glared in Zach’s, her second brother’s direction who had brought that up and he gave her a taunting look.

Her mother caught them having the stare battle and she gave Lucy a look. She must have also done something to her brother who winced and quickly looked away.

Lucy’s eyes darted to the only empty chair left beside her and she sighed inside.

“He couldn’t make it, Dear,” Cedric’s mother said, probably aware of her thoughts. “The boy kept talking about some business deal he needs to take care of.”

“Oh.” Lucy lowered her head and nodded. So until the engagement that he said, he meant on the engagement day itself?

“Don’t worry, Dear… After your wedding, you’ll both get to spend a lot of time together.” His father added.

Lucy gasped at the mention of the word wedding but was quickly able to collect herself. He must have meant engagement. And everyone must have understood that as no one’s expression changed across the table.

“Hehe, Little cat is smitten,” her brother chuckled but she didn’t dare to look in his direction. She needed to behave.

Her Big Brother was silent, as well as her sisters-in-law who were watching with smiles.

“Alright, everyone. The food will turn cold. Let’s dig in,” Her father said finally and everyone started eating.

As they all ate, she was the topic of discussion. From her achievements in school and her rare beauty, it was the most tiring dinner Lucy had ever had.

Her mother even mentioned how she was very good at learning but very lacking in house chores. And her future mother-in-law laughed it off, saying that wasn’t a need. Servants were everywhere back at home in Country V, and they won’t be happy if she even entered the kitchen. She might get hurt and damage her beautiful hands.

The men butted in now and then but it was the women that did most of the talking. They all conversed happily about the engagement and how excited they were for the entire family to become one once more.

Lucy learned that there are more family members in Country V. And they couldn’t make it but would surely be present at their wedding.

She didn’t know why, but every time the word wedding was brought up, her stomach would turn in a strange way and she would almost choke on her food.