Loving Us

Chapter 18- 'Family.'

I squealed in happiness as I ran towards my grandma, giving her a bear-hug. I channeled my emotions- about how much I miss her in the hug.

"I missed you so much, grandma," she brushed my hair before, running her arm over my back. I couldn't help but wonder why Sarah implied meeting my grandma was not a great idea.

Seconds later, I heard someone coughed. Tilting my head, I met the eyes of the person I had seen about ten months ago. I wonder how long it had been to be honest, they looked strange to me. She occupied the seat next to where grandma normally sat.

"Mum, what are you doing here?" I stepped back, crossing my arm. Turning my gaze away, I let my eyes skimmed over the room- trying to inspect the surrounding. The seats in front of my mum were occupied. When I recognized the occupants, a lump immediately formed in my throat. I caught on my breath and tried swallowing the lump.

There sitting in their might and glory- Mr. and Mrs. Wright. Don't get me wrong, I liked them very much. They treated me like a daughter they never had, especially when it came to Mrs. Wright. I was utterly grateful for that since I kind of lacked of a motherly figure at my age. She would spoil me with everything I desired when I was at her house or may I called, her mansion.

One thing I disliked about their presence today was... Matthew would be here.

He hadn't been bugging me ever since our encounter at the coffee shop and I concluded that he had finally come to his senses- to stop bothering me. Boy, was I wrong.

Here he was, wearing as casually as possible but still being able to pull off a handsome look. He looked at me and ... Smirked. For heaven's sake, he actually had the gut to smirk at me. Not only did he smirk, he raised his glass filled with red wine at me and took a sip without forgetting to raise a brow, provoking anger and irritation out of me.

Why did all these people have to turn up all together at the same time? I cringed.

Mrs. Knight broke the deafening silence and relieve the tension hanging in the room. "I believe dinner is ready. Why don't we all dig in? I am hungry," Her cheery voice managed to sneak a small smile out of my annoyed demeanor. "It's been a while since I see you, Ireana. We all miss you at home, honey," she continued as she took a seat. I replied with a sincere grin and a few pleasurable words that I could utter despite the negative energy surrounding the room.

Before heading off to her seat, my grandma whispered. "I know what you're thinking. Don't run off to your room despite the presence of your mum," she tapped my shoulder and smile, "You wouldn't want to hurt Victoria's feeling, wouldn't you?" And, she was absolutely right.

Little did she know, it was not only my mum I was trying to avoid, Matthew was in the list too.

Everyone started having dinner as soon as my grandma returned. Reluctantly, I dragged my heavy feet and soul and took a seat away from my mum. Looking at my action, my grandma gave me an intimidating look as if challenging me to continue my action without getting away with it.

"Fine," I uttered and slouched into the chair next to my mum.

Not long after, chatter and laughter filled the entire hall. I was the complete opposite as I sat quietly and devoured the lasagna I was having. My grandma was talking about how the business trip to Shanghai had been since she was away for almost two months. Her experience seemed to enlighten everyone in the room including me, as I listened attentively.

Mr. And Mrs Knight was talking about their law firm and hospitals. Victoria Knight was a lawyer and Luke Knight was a doctor. She owned a law firm with the partnership with her sister- Matthew's aunt, who I had only seen once or twice in their family gatherings. They talked about how busy it had been in this season and about how Luke was going to be away for a year next year to set up some branches in Europe. When Victoria asked my mum about the fashion show she was involved in, she said it was a successful one. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at that.