BEHIND THEIR MIEN

CHAPTER 24- NATHAN

Something was off the whole dinner. I initially thought it was because I haven't seen Natalie or eaten with her but as we all sat in the main room, everyone could say grandma was up to something and that is never good. Victoria Wild never stays more than 10 minutes after the family dinner, waste of time if there is no business is what she says and yet here she is 20 minutes past dinner. Cole, my cousin, uncle Jamie's eldest son who is 26 came and sat beside me.

" I am betting my Porsche it's because of your shenanigans. No one else has caused any trouble yet." He says to me in a low voice so that only me, Mason, Charles- Cole's younger brother, Uncle James and Dad could listen, not the ladies.

" Why don't we see old albums and refresh our memories, good old days, Guz, why don't you start the projector, Melissa, please call Natalie, it's rude of her to stay away when she should be mingling with everyone as the newest member of the family" she says and shows her infamous smirk and I close my eyes in defeat as Cole chuckles." Not losing my Porsche. Grandma's gonna shred her to pieces and eat her alive." Cole says leaning back and everyone waits for the disaster to occur. Mason gets up and says," I'll get up and switch mom-" he says but Grandma shuts him.

" NO- I am sure nothing will happen to Mary like nothing has happened in the past month, if you really want someone by her side, leave a maid, I want the whole family here. Carla, send the girl and stay by the body!" She snaps to the house maid with her sharp tone that keeps everyone quiet, shivers in fear and no one says anything back despite being offended by her calling Mary a body. No one. That's the fear everyone has of Grandma. We respect her and love her but she has always been more of a mentor and a business woman than a grandma. I've heard the only affection she ever showed to anyone is her daughter Aunt Phoebe and papa Williams...and somewhere Bella. Not even me-her eldest and first grandchild.

" Your Wife is going down. I haven't even seen her yet. I feel sorrow, RIP '' Charles says in a tone between sympathy and sarcasm. I am mentally preparing myself to defend my wife from my hitler dictator grandmother and get on the black list.

" No one insults my wife on my watch" I say back to them and gain one of Cole's smirks as his eyes light up with mischief to see the drama that is to unfold before us in a few minutes. Mom returns with a very on guard yet confused Natalie in the hall as Grandma's assistant Gaz set up the projector. Natalie sits beside Mom, across from me in the other end of the hall along with the other ladies. It was clear why she was inside the whole time...the ladies gave her the nasty look. I wanted her to sit beside me, it felt as if I could protect her from across the room.

" Ah, such a face. I must say I expected more from my First grandson's wife but we can always change that now, can't we? I am Victoria Wild, Nathan's grandmother. In any other cases any of my future daughter in law would have been acquainted with me beforehand and taken my blessing but it's such a shame we meet like this, isn't it?" Grandma smiles and says Natalie the venomous words and Natalie must think that's it but we all know Grandma hasn't even started yet. She is going strong.

" Don't butt in her matters son! It will get ugly" Dad warns me silently as Uncle James shakes his head at me while Mason painfully watches the scene in front of us.

" It is such a shameful thing to meet like this, I agree. I should have gotten acquainted with your face had you visited your only daughter in law in coma since I don't know past 60 days ago? Such a shame indeed" Natalie says back and Cole sprays out his Champaign as his eyes go large with glee and excitement, and everyone goes stiff at her reply.

Natalie ate up Victoria Wild!

" That's MY WIFE!" I say to the males around in pride while trying not to jump.