Chapter 352: Invited to hang out
All the performances finally come to an end to let the crowd inside the auditorium disperse. Because of the privileged spot, Giselle and the family got stuck from exiting the room. People gathered near the exit to compete as they left in groups.
Meanwhile, Ethan kept glaring coldly at Gigi for her choice of seats.
Gigi could feel his puncturing stare, burning a hole into her consciousness. She countered, promising to deliver the fine quality of Lia's recorded stage play that could erase this struggle in an instant.
Ethan grunted from not being able to argue against such a setup.
Inching as they eventually left the room to breathe fresh air, the family rested before moving to meet Lia.
From far, they could hear Lia's voice faintly traveling as it called for their names.
Ethan rushed to take the lead and soon spotted the image of his precious daughter, waiting.
Shortly, the family joined as well to find not only Lia but someone else waiting by her side.
The group froze, including Ethan, who reached first.
Though startled for a second, he still gave importance to his precious daughter, approaching to pick Lia, who now returned to her casual attire, thus began endlessly praising her.
Lia chirped happily at her father's rejoice. Aside from being proud of his daughter, Ethan also had his worries ever since watching the play.
"It was a great show, Lia. Everyone acted well! Very good! Very good!" Ethan glorified.
"So, what is that boy's name?" he added in the end, casually.
Seeing his daughter confused, Ethan aimlessly inquired about the boy who got matched up with Lia for their scene. Despite her age, Lia figured out her father's intention quickly because of the conversation she had with Lillian Grey earlier. Instead of answering him, she responded with another question.
"Dad, I want to ask you something important?"
"Hmm?" Ethan looked less rigid.
"Did you worry about me during the play?" Lia asked.
"What?"
Ethan's face appeared startled.
"Wh- What! I- n- never- yes, a little!" he admitted regardless.
Cupping his face in her tiny hands, Lia smiled from her father's adorable reaction.
"Please don't worry about me! I promise I won't do anything to upset you!"
Ethan's face lightened immediately.
"Y- you promise?"
Lia nodded.
"A- Alright! I'm going to take that seriously, young lady!"
"However, in case if any boy tries to talk to you, you tell me right away, and then I will speak to your mother-"
Lillian chuckled as Ethan paused, his face embarrassed as he realized what he was addressing to his precious little daughter.
He coughed dryly, returning to talk about the play and Lia's performance.
Meanwhile, ignoring the father and daughter's reunion, the rest of the group continued to remain speechless.
Gigi was behind Eric and Melanie and saw their faces grew uncertain and worried in silence while she, herself, stood in a tense.
Arriving at the tail of the group, Giselle stopped to receive a great shock as well. She did glance at Ethan's promise with Lia, yet remained motionless watching Lillian approaching her alone.
"You-"
Giselle stuttered to began, but Lillian responded already.
"I came!" she said.
Lia interrupts to add, "Ms. Lillian came straight to the backstage to watch me!"
Giselle averted her gaze from Lia to Lillian, as did everyone.
Ethan is still holding onto Lia.
Lillian turned to glare at Lia, not for her interruption but for addressing as Ms. Lillian.
"I'm sorry," Lia submits timely.
Everyone wondered why Lia was suddenly apologizing to Lillian.
Lillian gave a small smile to Lia before returning to Giselle.
None could understand what was going on, but they all remained speechless to watch.
"That's right! I got exclusive access to go behind the stage and watch it from there!" Lillian gloated.
Giselle was still holding a surprised face, not knowing how to react.
"Do you hate it that much seeing me here?" Lillian asked dejectedly.
Giselle's eyes widen to shake her head vigorously.
"Then, at least, look normal! You look as if you despise me being here from the bottom of your heart!" Lillian muttered closely.
Giselle turned her face to appear natural.
Lillian looked glad to see her respond immediately. However, Giselle couldn't remain quiet.
"What if someone-"
Giselle stuttered again, only to let Lillian answer for her.
"Don't worry! Nothing will happen!"
Giselle was still concerned.
Lillian kept reassuring, and only after several sincere efforts did Giselle consent.
After seeing to it that Giselle is no longer troubled, Lillian finally looked around to greet the others.
Meeting Ethan's gaze again, she gave a slight nod.
With Gigi- her eyes fluttered quickly in fright. Still, she put out her best smile to greet. Lastly, turning to Eric and Melanie, Lillian saw how old they grew together. It's been a long time, and she couldn't help but get reminded of her own father, reflecting how time flew.
"I guess you could have forgotten about me! After all, I only visited Giselle's place a few times!" Lillian said to glance at Giselle, casually chatting about the old times.
"No!" Eric sternly replied, pausing the reminiscence.
Melanie stepped in to continue, "We- We do remember you! Because Giselle rarely brings people home, we tend to remember the faces! You are, Lillian- right?"
"Yes, Lillian Grey!"
"The author, Gill, right? Are you sure you won't get into trouble for today?" Eric dared to question.
Lillian felt a shiver running down her spine. Still, she responded.
"I won't! Even if so, I can handle it by myself. I won't bring trouble to anyone!" Lillian convinces.
Eric didn't care anymore and didn't respond.
Melanie agreed to nod.
Gigi has never reacted since the beginning.
Ethan saw how cold and strange they all behaved underneath the casual upfront they put.
"Great! Lia was waiting for you! Thank you very much for granting us your precious time, Lillian Grey!" Ethan said to draw all the bitter wind.
Lillian looked at him, dumbfounded, wondering why he registered suddenly. Still, she nodded to him.
Right then, another announcement comes to inform the people about various activities spread out around the school ground for families and kids to participate and enjoy.
Following the announcement, Ethan and Lia took off immediately, even ignoring the others.
Seeing them take flight, Eric and Melanie decided to accompany, no longer interested in staying with Lillian Grey. Gigi urges them to move, leaving behind Giselle and Lillian alone.
As promised, Lillian came to see Lia's performance. Now that she had fulfilled her promise, there wasn't any need to linger. She announces her withdrawal.
Startled to hear, Giselle stops Lillian from leaving abruptly and invites her to join.
Lillian sighed to reveal that it would be awkward for her to intrude on the family's quality time.
Giselle stubbornly refused the excuse. Nevertheless, she can't have a say in it as Lillian risked coming here. If she were to get somehow noticed, then it would bring trouble not only to her but to the company as well.
Battling to herself, Giselle sternly opposed Lillian from leaving without a word.
As the two fought in silence, a distant call of her name halted Lillian in her tracks. She looked around to spot little Lia still in Ethan's arms, calling by her name.
What made her hesitate to leave was that Lia's addressing.
The child finally called out Lillian's name, the way she got told to address.
No one except Ethan knew that Lia wasn't actually addressing Lillian informally. Frankly, she whispered the honorific before yelling Lillian's name.
"But, Lia, people might think that you are rude!" Ethan said to glance around, hoping that no one is seeing his precious daughter address an adult by her name, directly.
"Ms. Lillian doesn't want me to call her like that, father!" she says in her usual British accent resulted from sticking close with her father, explaining straight into his ear.
"Ms. Lillian said she hates it and made me pledge not to do it anymore!" Lia revealed as she complained to Ethan.
"Is that so?" Ethan called before his gaze left to study Lillian Grey. Soon, it broke the harsh stare to a soft flutter.
"Since you came all the way here to see our Lia perform, why don't you join us, Ms. Lillian Grey?" Ethan smirked as he enunciated the honorific.
Lillian gritted her teeth from seeing how this guy was so benevolent.
His open invite couldn't allow anyone to raise a disagreement. Hence, the others remained silent.
Giselle seized the opportunity to join and appeal.
Lillian's heart already suffered a change when she heard Lia call her by name. It made her very happy. However, witnessing how Giselle joined the band, Lillian couldn't help but strip the guard to follow wholeheartedly.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone