Chapitre 20: Meet the Alcalas

Chlea's white minimalist estate was completely altered. As per Vivienne and Odette's instruction, the whole vicinity was decorated with various dried flowers such as cream beige Globe Amaranth, natural palm spears, Rodanthe flowers, and natural tan Pampas grass. The overall motif for today's family gathering is beige and cream.

However, Chlea is wearing a flattering black Renn dress with thin black spaghetti straps paired with her black stilettos and a black clutch bag.

The Alcala family is composed of four siblings: Regan, Celeste, Levi, and Jaclyn. Deemed as the most awaited member of the night are the family's pillars, Isla and Cairo Alcala. They are Chlea's paternal and Hyolyn's maternal grandparents.

At this juncture, 6 PM, the family members are gradually arriving.

Hyolyn's mother, Celeste, married Asia's most esteemed and respected neurologist, Dr. Allenon Wu. Their family was the first one to arrive. Celeste with her usual queen aura and Dr. Allenon with his usual sporty but sleek style holding hands together entering the mansion.

The Wu siblings arrived in an order separately. Wyatt first, followed by Colton, and lastly, Hyolyn. All of the Wu children are now complete.

As usual, Regan arrived in his all-time favorite 1990 BMW M8 Prototype car. Upon getting of his car, he fixed his tuxedo and then went to go inside. A slow piano sound was playing around the house.

Pierce Alcala, Odette, and Chlea's older brother arrived after Regan. The valet then received his car keys and then went to park his car. With his usual cold aura, he strode the hallway to the living room where all the family members are gathering.

The first ones to arrive are busy chattering. Moments later, Levi and his wife Aislinn arrived in their Rolls-Royce Boat Tail car they just purchased for a whopping $28 million. Levi is into real estate while Aislinn is a supermall chain heiress.

Chlea, just like she always, hates attending these kinds of gatherings. Everyone talks about their businesses and bragging about their latest purchases. She is sick of having to hear all of these.

By 7 PM, almost everybody has arrived except for Cairo and Isla. They have just come from their Switzerland mansion, where they have been residing for the past 3 years since they retired and passed on the business to their children to handle.

Isla is the most esteemed family member. She is very hard to please, probably due to old age, yes. Isla and Cairo are 70 and 68 years old respectively. Wise and intellectual, they have made their business succeed and made it to the top. But their early years were not too easy.

They have struggled to raise their children before it all went into place and became wealthy. It was surely not an overnight success. This is the reason why all the people in the business industry and their children, have immeasurable respect for them. Their words become rules. Everything they say is obeyed and must take place, immediately. In this family, no one dares to go against them, especially Isla.

Everyone is looking forward to their arrival. Finally, a car's engine was heard outside indicating that they are here. Immediately, servants lined up and on each side of the massive door to welcome them. All the family members stood up as well. Even Chlea can't deny that her grandparents' presence makes her nervous.

Isla is like the Queen Elizabeth of their clan. Especially since she was the one who maintained and made their family businesses continuously thrive. On Isla's hand is a Hermes Kelly Rose Gold handbag. She is a huge fan of luxury handbags. According to her, these bags are not just merely for storing stuff but to flaunt and impose wealth and social status.

Hyolyn, who is polite and erect more than ever, whispered to Chlea and almost screamed in awe when she noticed the handbag her grandma is holding.

"Holy freak! That bag is worth two million dollars and not just that, only 12 pieces of those were made all over the world! I wonder how grandma got that." Hyolyn gushed all over.

"I am not surprised anymore," Chlea replied.

Vivienne, on the other hand, came running to greet her not-so mother-in-law.

"Ma, I'm glad you made it. Let me hold your bag for you." She said while obviously wanting to hold Isla's bag.

Isla then moved the bag away before Vivienne could even touch it, "No, thank you." And then went on to the living room.

Until this moment, Isla is still unfavorable to Vivienne. It has been 12 years already since Regan's legal wife Miranda died but it is evident that Isla never accepted Vivienne into the family. Isla and Cairo are so fond of their grandchildren, if it weren't for them, Vivienne could have never set foot in their family.

Cairo, who is probably the coolest grandpa, waved to his children and hugged all of them. He is probably the warmest person in the family who does not give a f... fudge.

Everyone is now seated on the long marble dining table decorated with dried flowers and elongated scented candles. The setup was totally dreamy and calming. Of all things, this is one thing Vivienne is good at. Organizing gatherings and parties.

As usual, it has always been practiced that the seat next to Isla is vacant. She does not want anybody near her because she wants to eat peacefully, without talking. However, this time, it is different.

As she made herself comfortable in her seat, "Where is Chlea?" She looked at everyone in her sight and asked.

"I am here, grandma!" Chlea yelled for her grandma to hear her since she is seated almost at the end of the long dining table.

"Did Vivienne make you seat that far? Come here, sit beside me." Isla ordered.

Everyone almost choked up and looked at Isla with much shock written all over their face. Sitting beside Isla means she adores you so much.

Vivienne's jaw is gritting, 'How could she make Chlea sit beside her? She has never done that to anyone!'

Suddenly, the door turned wide open. A clicking of stilettos against the marble floor was heard.

"Good evening, everyone! Am I late?" A woman in her late 20s arrived. Her lips are matte red, wearing an off-white fitted suit that complimented her hourglass figure. She is wearing her dominating Stuart Weitzman stiletto that gave off a resounding clink when walking.

"Aunt Jac, you came!" Hyolyn came running and hugged her aunt tightly after not seeing her this time for more than a year.

Chlea stood up from her seat, "I missed you, Auntie Jac! You look stunning as ever!" And then hugged Jac.

Jaclyn, Isla and Cairo's youngest daughter, is the drunk aunt at all family functions. and nobody knows about where she's from or where she is currently residing. Not married and does not have kids. She is practically living her life traveling overseas.

Isla, who was clearly bored earlier stood up and paved her way to Jaclyn. "My baby! How are you? Looks like you've lost some weight!" She hugged her tightly.

"Aww, I missed you too, Ma. Dad, how are you! I've been to Bhutan and yes, I intended to lose some weight. Glad you noticed!" Jaclyn retorted sarcastically.

She then went on to hug her siblings and of course, her nephews and nieces. Jaclyn is loved by all. The only thing is that she just arrives out of nowhere. Nobody knows her exact location during her trips and she likes to keep it that way.

"Is that wine I smell? Jac, are you drunk again?" Regan asked as he let go of Jac's hug.

Jac smiled, "Not so drunk, just grabbed a few glasses. Only wine gives me the confidence to be here!"

The family then began eating. During this moment, they have been catching up. Aislinn Uy, Levi's wife, then turned to Jaclyn and asked.

"Jac, how was Bhutan?" She of all people asked. Aislinn has been doing charity work for years and she wanted to go to a country where she could do it and help.

"You would love it there, sis! The people are so nice and hospitable. They may not have everything but they are so happy!" Jaclyn enthusiastically replied.

"Oh, I think we should go there soon. Right, honey?" Aislinn looked at Levi for assurance.

"Of course, of course. That would be great." Levi smiled.

"How is it going with Chlea's engagement? Did Young's son show up?" Cairo asked out of the blue.

Regan paused eating, "Well, about that, he didn't. Apparently, something happened during that dinner which hindered him from coming."

Isla scoffed, "Pathetic. How could he not come? If it weren't for the help they gave us before, I would immediately cancel this agreement."

"Agreement? What do you mean, Ma?" Jaclyn asked.

"Our family business was about to crumble before. During the Japanese occupation. However, the Youngs helped my parents, your grandparents, to survive the crisis. Hence, this is where we're at now. If it weren't for them, I don't know what could have happened to us."

Regan added, "This is sort of old-fashioned but the Youngs and the Alcalas made a pact to marry off the family's respective fourth generation. Which happens to be Chlea."

Hyolyn out down her cutleries, "Then why does it have to be Chlea? Why not Odette?"

"You know the answer to that. Odette is born out of wedlock. Out of adultery." Isla then gravely looked at Regan and Vivienne while speaking.

It could not be anyone else. The Young's son and Chlea are only a year apart and they could be the best match to fulfill their family's pact almost a hundred years ago.