Chapter 19: Clever

It was Michelle Howell, Douglas' Wife. She was sitting beside her husband, and although it looked as though she was eating, she was busy studying Nicklaus and Tiana.

When she saw them in the living room, she was shocked; she knew that Nicklaus had issues with commands, and he barely listened to suggestions, so she was expecting him to disobey grandpa's command, but on the contrary, he had obeyed him dutifully.

As soon as she saw them, she knew that they weren't together; she knew that Grandpa knew it too, but he just wanted to support him. He was always on his side from the beginning!

Her heart squeezed as she thought about how much her husband had worked to get Howells Corporation to where it was now. And Nicklaus just came out of the blues and demanded to take it back? After twelve whole years! Grandpa just used her husband as a pawn, a pawn to build his first son's company!

He had a liking towards Jeffery, Nicholas' father, and had favored him ever since childhood. His death was the hardest nut to chew; he was greatly pained; he had assigned his company to her husband to manage until Nicklaus was of age and for twelve years, no-one said anything about the affairs of the company, her husband toiled day and night, working on his brother's company, only for Nicklaus to come up five years ago and demand the company back!

She couldn't take it. They couldn't take it. The Douglas Corporation wasn't doing as good as Howells. Not knowing what to do, they had gone to grandpa in case he could support them, they even agreed to give Douglas Corporation to Nicklaus as a compensation, but Grandpa had refused, saying that it was his right and he deserved to take it. Ha!

Now it became his right. When they were toiling their asses off for twelve years, no-one remembered rights; and now that they had a chance to the company, he still paved a way for his grandson as always! But this was just the beginning, as long as she was still breathing, her husband must surely take what is his!

She stared at Tiana for a while; she studied her and how she carried herself in the room; then suddenly she thought of something;

''Dear, what did you say is your name?'' She asked, stretching her hand, she held Tiana's hand, which she had kept on the table;

Tiana's eyes looked up at the woman, and seeing that she was not among the faces Nicklaus had shown her earlier, she withdrew her hand carefully from the woman's grip;

But it was a bit late, Michelle already got what she was looking for; she held Tiana's palm so she could feel the insides;

Although it was soft and smooth; she knew how the hands of the rich felt like; like hands which never knew work or suffering, but Tiana's hands were a little different and she knew that she was from no rich family.

Tiana did not respond, she picked her glass of water and drank from it; to let Nicklaus take over the discussion;

''Her name is Tiana Peters. ''

Nicklaus said aloofly; he continued eating without looking at Michelle. Michelle ignored him and continued with Tiana;

''Wow! What a nice name, Peters… I think I've heard that last name somewhere, oh wait are you the daughter of Anderson Peters, the owner of Dorks Industry?'' Michelle asked, slightly raising her voice so she could draw the attention of other members of the family;

Tiana watched her for a moment; well, Nicklaus was correct, some members of his family were bitches! She didn't know what that woman wanted but she would not let her have her way;

Nicklaus looked straight at Michelle and the sly smirk was on her face, she had drawn the attention of every other person on the dining table, so everyone was keenly waiting for Tiana's answer;

He knew what she wanted but sadly, he hadn't planned that part out well, he didn't think about her family, or how they met or even how long they've been together;

What if they ask them? For the first time in the past seventeen years, Nicklaus was nervous, he had never been in such dilemma before; he cracked his brain for what to say but he couldn't find, and just when he had thought there was no hope; Tiana shook her head;

''No Ma, I'm not the daughter of Anderson Peters, I am… ''

Then suddenly she began coughing; her hand quickly flew to her mouth and her face became so red;

Nicklaus immediately looked at her, she was eating something spicy and it was natural to choke sometimes while eating; and seeing her hint, he immediately put his arms around her;

''Tiana! Are you okay! ''

Tiana did not stop coughing; tears gathered up her eyes, and some streaked down her face.

''Give her a glass of water! ''

Elizabeth shouted from her end; grandma and grandpa were troubled. She was eating spicy dish and it might have gone down the wrong pipe. Nicklaus quickly took a cup of water and gave it to her; she gulped it down from his hand as he patted on her back lightly.

After drinking, she coughed a little before she stopped.

''We're so sorry, dear, I think the meal is a little too spicy,'' Grandma said, her face scrunched up with worry.

Nicklaus picked a serviette from the table and used it to dab on her lips;

Tiana smiled; ''it is okay grandma, I was talking while eating, that is why. ''

She explained, a shy smile warming her face;

''If not for some people who can't obey simple table manners, this wouldn't have happened! ''

Nicklaus said, rage written on his face as he stared daggers at Michelle; Tiana immediately turned to him;

''Nick, I'm okay, you don't have to be harsh on her, she didn't mean for me to choke on my food. Besides, I'm okay now. ''

She said, smiling cutely at him;

Everyone on the table turned to look at Michelle,

''It is okay Nicklaus, she didn't mean to hurt her, and Michelle, next time, ask your questions after the meal, now apologize to our guest. ''

Grandpa instructed and Michelle felt bile rising up her throat; she stared at Tiana for a moment, although it looked like she was staring humbly at her, she could spot a distant smile of victory on her face and she felt like lifting the bowl of food and stuffing it down her throat but she held herself.

She knew that if she didn't apologize, it would appear like she didn't like Tiana; so she swallowed her pride;

''I'm sorry, Tiana; I didn't mean to cause you harm. ''

''It's no problem, Auntie, I'm fine now. ''

Tiana replied with a small smile;

''Alright, let's eat. ''

Grandpa said, and everybody began eating again, the question Michelle asked, thoroughly forgotten.