me and you

Chapter 17

Despite what Tzuyu had told me that morning, I was still a little shocked to find out that Victoria had four sisters and three brothers, six of which were already there. Along with Victoria's sisters and brothers were their husbands and wives and kids. I found it quite strange that the fourth sister, Jia wasn't there, but her husband and daughter were. I asked Victoria why, and Victoria informed me that Jia was attempting to fix her car with the help of her son.

When it was time for dinner, Victoria wouldn't let me leave, insisting that, at the very least, I had to sit with her family throughout dinner. In the month or so that I'd known her, I'd learned that you don't argue with Victoria, so I sat between Tzuyu and Jackson at the table and simply talked with the family.

Tzuyu's family was great, and they all seemed to like me, save for Minhyuk, but he and I had already established our mutual hatred for one another. The three of Victoria's sisters who were there all agreed that I was enviously curvy. Tzuyu's uncles were delighted to learn that I was a fan of sports, but were disappointed when I told them that I wasn't a fan of football. The little cousins all loved me, the girls made me promise that they could do my hair, and the boys all wanted the same love and attention that I was giving Jackson.

Halfway through dinner, Jia and her son arrived. And honestly, I was shocked to find that Jia and her son were Mrs. Park and Mark.

"Sorry we're late, Lucy," Mrs. Park-Meng said to Victoria as she took a seat beside her husband. "My car is absolutely horrible; it wouldn't start if my life depended on it."

Victoria sighed. "That's why I keep telling you to get a new one, Jia. Honestly, you have the money, so go buy a new one."

Jia scowled at her sister. "Never. I've had that car for eighteen years, and there's no way I'm getting rid of it."

"She never said you had to, Mom," Mark spoke up. "Just buy a new one and let that piece of shit rot in the garage."

Jia's scowl deepened. "How about I let you rot in the garage, Mark? Would you like that?"

I nudged Tzuyu. "Is the whole threaten-your-children-with-death thing normal on Victoria's side of the family?" I whispered

"Yes," She answered without hesitation. "They all do it." She gestured to her four aunts and mother. "I'm convinced they were all raised by a homicidal maniac."

Tzuyu heard her words, and in one swift motion, smacked her daughter upside her head. "Tzuyu, behave," she scolded. "My sisters and I were raised by wonderful people, not homicidal maniacs. Now apologize."

"Ouch!" Tzuyu cried, rubbing her head. "Mother, did you have to hit me? And who am I supposed to apologize to? Gran and Gramps are dead, so it's not like I can apologize to them."

Victoria glared at her. "Then have some respect for the deceased, you insensitive ass."

Mark snickered. "Aunt Vic, I think she's more of an insensitive prick than an insensitive ass."

"Takes one to know one," Tzuyu grumbled as she stood up. "I'll be back. Sana, don't let anyone touch my food."

I raised an eyebrow at my best friend. "And why would I do that? It's not like I care about your wellbeing or anything."

She sighed. "Why do I even bother?" she asked herself as she left the dining room.

Mrs. Park-Meng, who hadn't noticed my presence until Tzuyu said my name, frowned at me. "Miss Minatozaki? What're you doing here?"

Mark looked in my direction as well. "Oh, hey, I didn't even see you there. What're you doing here?"

I shrugged. "I came here before dinner, and Victoria wouldn't let me leave. She's quite stubborn."