𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒

Chapter 1

Seraphina's POV

7:24pm

As I saw the clock, I cursed through my breath. I knew already that mom and dad will be mad for being late. It's past seven in the evening, and yet I was still here in my room hurriedly picking some formal clothes to wear. I immediately picked some clothes  without any thoughts. I couldn't care for more.

The reason why I am late was all because I have an emergency meeting. I thought that all my schedules were already cleared because of the gatherings. But, another company just informed me to have an emergency. I wanted to rearrange, but that old man wanted to have his own way as what he likes.

And yet, I came home because some employee just spilled their coffee on me! I was about to lash out, but I was running out of time for the gatherings. That's why I borrowed another time to go to my own place to wear something presentable. If I would still have enough time, I will surely fire the worker.

My sweats are now starting to form on my forehead. It is now 7:38 in the evening, and the time of the family dinner is at 7PM! I groaned in annoyance. I'm definitely sure that my family will start to talk about some bad things about me again.

"Where is my bag?" I groaned in frustration. The time is ticking rapidly and my bag was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, my phone rang loudly, eliminating the tension inside my room. And there, I saw my bag under the sheets! I immediately grabbed my bag and got my phone.

I took a deep breath and answered the call with some hesitations. "Momㅡ" My word immediately got cuts off when my mom angrily talked to the other side of the phone. "Where the hell are you? Do you have an idea on how important this dinner is? And amazingly, you made yourself a bad  impression on them? How could you?! You made us feel like a fool! Are you expecting to come here like a star, like a dazzling empowered woman? You've really disappointed us. Come here as soon as possible." Stephanie said with a pant after ranting angrily. Seraphina Watsons just sighed in tiredness. "I'm sorry, Momㅡ" Again her words got cuts off. "Save your excuses. It will not bring back the thoughts that they had now thought of you." And the call was immediately dropped.

I closed my eyes in tiredness. I was disappointed in myself. But, I don't have time for self blaming right now. I know that this is never going to happen if that annoying jerk old man didn't drop a surprise meeting. It was absurd for him to do that. But, things happened already. I cannot change anything nor go back in time.

I breathed deeply and walked towards the door to go to the parking lot. I mentally prepared myself for the upcoming happenings in the next matter of time. I turned on the engine and gripped the steering wheel tightly for some support. Ignoring the heavy weight in my heart, I pushed the acceleration and headed towards another certain destination.

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Third POV

Stephanie walked out towards the living room and smiled apologetically. "We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience that our daughter created for being late to this important event. I can rest assured you that she'll make it here in a matter of minutes." Stephanie Watsons smiled and sat down.

"I promise that we're gonna discuss the important thing we will have tonight. We're terribly sorry, but I know that our patience will reward us with a double delight." Warnold Watsons stated gracefully, the husband of Stephanie Watsons and the father of Seraphina Watsons. but without knowing that behind the bright smile of Warnold, there is an anger circulating inside of him.

"Rest assured. We are not running out of time. We still have plenty of time." A beautiful elegant woman in the middle of the 50's stated kindly. Stephanie almost snorted on the way she talked about her daughter, but she immediately covered up with a smile and nodded.

"I'm sure that your daughter doesn't want to be late. She must have a reason for that. She is running your company that Mr. Watsons built for your empire, it is still acceptable. She must have some work to do, so that's why she's late." A man softly said and genuinely stated, sipping wine. Both Watsons immediately got silence. None of the Watsons spoke. While the other family is just smiling at their son with a proud look at their face. They understand Seraphina's side and none of them didn't think bad thoughts about Seraphina. They knew how hardworking and passionate Seraphina Watsons is.

In the middle of the tension between the Watsons, a young maiden suddenly announced the entrance of their daughter. "Mr. and Ms. Watsons, your daughter is now here." The maiden gently said and bow respectfully before leaving the dining area.

A hurried footsteps and rushed clicking heels echoes through the entire mansion. They knew that the daughter of the Watsons are now getting closer. The previous tensions were now suddenly again, replacing a new atmosphere.

Seraphina stood in front of the dining table and bowed her head, looking down at the floor. The pants of hers are still visible and audible because of how here shoulders were going up and down, showing that she must've ran here from the parking area. "I'm sorry for my unacceptable and informal behavior for reaching here behind the time. I won't make any excuses about this. I hope you will accept my apology." Seraphina genuinely apologized as she grabbed the bouquet full of flowers.

"Thank you for your kindness. I really appreciate your effort. And we don't mind, of course. You're the CEO of your company, you're busy always." The beautiful woman genuinely stated. Seraphina smiles a little for the amount of understanding that the woman has. "Thank you for understanding, Ma'am." She said gracefully, feeling the heavy burden inside her heart and mind lifted up a little.

"It's Ashtonette Ashford. Nice to finally meeting you. I heard alot of good things about you." Ashtonette Ashford stated elegantly, her whole aura speaks elegance but humble too. Seraphina greeted her too and the rest of the people who were seated in the dining table before sitting beside her Mom.

As she sat down, she noticed a man who was looking at her with a soft gaze. But, she didn't mind. She maintained her calm and composure, afraid that this night will be ruined by her again. She took a deep breath silently and calmed her racing heart beat. She doesn't even know why she was feeling something a little bit off about this dinner. She was used of having some gatherings, especially about work and family gatherings. But, she felt anxious and nervous about this, and the she can't definitely understand why.

Her father signals to the chefs to serve their dinner and drinks. After a while, their table are now full of foods. As she look to the table, she felt hungry. Then, she remembered that she didn't eat anything at all in the morning and afternoon due to her busy schedules.

They all enjoy their dinner with some small talks about their company and life. Seraphina just smiled and listen without interfering. She was very hungry, and she was just waiting for the cue from her father to say something.

After a little while, the whole dining area that are filled with some talks and laughters were now gone. Seraphina looked at her parents with a confusion on her face. And look at the other family, they both shared with an unknown look, but she can definitely feel that there would be something they'll gonna say after this moment.

Serpahina looked at man. She expected that the man will held a serious face too, but as she looked at him, the man were already staring at her with an unknown gaze that helds something different inside of his eyes. At the same time, she felt something different.

"Seraphina and Zachariah." Walton stated in a monotone voice. They both look to the man with a synchronization. 'So, Zachariah was his name.' Seraphina thought, but she immediately shrugged at it off, wanting to listen and focus of her father on what he was about to say.

"Both of you are going to get married."