Ivory (Roses Trilogy #1)

Chapter 03

"Welcome! Come in, lovebirds."

I couldn't help but flash a fake smile on my face after my mother-in-law greeted us. Lovebirds. I took a deep breath before stepping inside the Javiers' home, pulling myself away from Reiven's hold on my waist. I quickly glanced at him when he tightened his arms around me. I was about to ask why, but I suddenly thought that he may have wanted to keep a good image of this marriage in front of his family.

"You look radiant, Flora." Reiner, my husband's older brother, greeted me.

I smiled at his compliment. "Thank you, Reiner."

I looked down when someone tugged my dress. I bent down to have the same height with Reiven's youngest brother. I ruffled his fluffy hair, making me smile when I earned a giggle from him.

"Welcome back, Ate Flora!" he greeted me with a bright smile on his face.

I narrowed my eyes at him and put one of my hands above his head. "You got taller, Reiley. What have you been snacking on these days, hmm?"

"I'm tall because everyone in my family is tall." he smiled cheekily at me.

One of my brow shots up when he said that. I glanced around us and just nodded because the kid wasn't lying. The Javiers' stood like towers. Even Reina is a few inches taller than me. I believe she stands five feet and nine inches. I stood up and turned my gaze to my mother-in-law and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"I missed you, darling." she whispered in my ear.

"I brought your favorite, Ma," I whispered back and got the gift I bought for her a while ago. I got her a new set of paint brushes from her favorite brand. Reiven's mother loves to paint, and sometimes, she calls me to spend time painting with her.

I saw genuine appreciation in her eyes when I showed it up. She hugged me and continued to thank me for giving her the gift.

"Good thing that you bought it, Flora. Now, she'll stop nagging and giving hints for me to buy her that new set." my father-in-law commented, making me laugh.

My mother-in-law rolled her eyes before gesturing us to come inside the kitchen. They went ahead of Reiven and I, leaving us both behind them. I kept my hands together as I walked, feeling a bit uneasy with Reiven by my side. I still couldn't get my mind off from what I said to him in our kitchen earlier. He just gave me a nonchalant look which made me feel so embarrassed! I ran after telling him that and he didn't even bother to knock on my door!

"Breathe, Flora." I heard him say.

I glanced at Reiven and he still has the same nonchalant look on his face, reminding me of what happened earlier. Is he teasing me now? I puffed my cheeks and heard a small chuckle which made me look at my side again. Was that him?

"Come and sit," Reina held my hand when she saw me, and she guided me towards the chair beside her.

"She's not sitting there." Reiven stopped her, making me and his sister look at him.

Reina is well aware about our true relationship, so she raised a brow at Reiven. "Why is that?"

Reiven didn't say anything at first, but he walked towards me and gently held my wrist before pulling me beside him. "Because my chair is not there."

He left his sister hanging, leaving her with a bit of shock. I smiled at her to tell that I'll sit with Reiven instead. I cleared my throat and darted my eyes directly at Reiven. He seemed to notice me staring, so he turned his gaze to me.

"What?" he raised a brow. I almost rolled my eyes at him, judging by the tone of his voice. I shook my head to him and looked away. His action earlier didn't surprise me. I've always been sitting beside him during family dinners.