บท 8: Uncomfortable Family Dinner
"You have graduated in Business Administration from Algernon University and even won numerous awards in piano and dressmaking. That is quite a feat. As expected of the daughter of the Wijayas. My son also studied there much earlier and now manages his own company," Mr. Charlie said, he smiled widely to Luna.
"Hmm … then that makes my daughter a junior of your son. To think that they both went to the same university." The mother of Luna chuckled. "It was like they are a match destined by the heavens already."
"Mom, Mr. Charlie, you flattered me." Luna said with a perfect business smile on her face. Though the bad feelings she had inside her were growing. Only a fool would not realize what this dinner was all about. And she hated every single moment of it since she already had someone she loved.
"I have just done my best to be a filial and proud daughter of my mom and dad. Like my elder siblings."
If she was not mistaken, there were supposed to be five people booked in for this dinner. However, it seemed Mr. Charlie's companions were either coming very late now or didn't have any intention of coming at all.
"Ladies and gentlemen, these are the meals you have ordered," Their attention was caught by a waiter dressed in a black vest coat. He pulled the cart with him and started putting the dishes they were going to eat one by one on the table.
While the waiter was doing his job with very careful and professional movements, Luna's gaze went to Mr. Charlie. He kept looking at his watch, and it seemed he was already getting impatient.
If her guess was right, it was the supposed other companion who should be here already.
"Umm, I don't mean to be rude. But is it your son supposed to be with you now?" Luna's mother finally asked. It seemed even they, already noticed the uneasiness in Mr. Charlie.
"That is right. The last time he texted me, he said he was in a meeting with an important investor. And probably would be late. If you excuse me for a while, can I call him right now?" He asked with still the business smile on his face.
"Of course, My Friend. And we understand. Business meetings are also important especially if it comes with investors. We will wait for you here," Luna's father said, with the same business smile.
"This will not take a while. Please excuse me for a moment," Mr. Charlie said as he went outside. Luna's cold gaze followed his back.
'So it was his son indeed.' Luna thought. While Mr. Charlie was gone, Luna faced her parents.
"Mom, Dad," She called out in her sweetest voice. The coldness in her eyes disappeared and was replaced by that of a sweet and loving daughter to her parents.
"Is this dinner perhaps an arranged marriage for me and Mr. Charlie's son?" Luna asked.
"Oh, My Dear Luna. Yes," Her mother said as she clasped Luna's hand, "Mr. Charlie and your father are best friends since they are studying at university. After they graduated, they lost touch with each other. However, they made a promise to each other that if they would meet each other in the future, they would let their children marry each other. Your older brother and older sister are already married. That is why you are the only one who can fulfill this wish of your father."
"Your mother is right, Luna," Her father agreed,
"And you are of marriageable age, but you still do not show any signs of getting married. Your mother and I decided the best man for you to marry now while you still have not reached your thirties.
"But Mom, Dad. He is someone I didn't love," Luna reasoned.
"You will learn to love him, once you get married, like how I learned to love your mother," Mr. Arthur said.
"But I also have someone I lov…" Luna was interrupted by her words when Mr. Charlie was already over talking. He was walking back right to their table. His expression was completely dark. It seemed whoever he called, the conversation didn't go well for them.
"I'm sorry my friend. But it seems my son's meeting is going to be longer and I'm afraid that he won't be making it here for dinner tonight," Mr. Charlie said as soon as he sat back on his chair.
"That's too bad then," Luna's father said, "It's alright. Business matters are always important to us. Since we don't have anyone else waiting, we can eat now. This is still dinner after all. And it's enough that you have met my wife and daughter."
"My husband is right, Mr. Charlie," Luna's mother said, "He always told me stories of the time you spent together in your college days. Being able to meet his sworn friend in life is a privilege for us already."
"It's also a privilege for me. If my wife is alive right now, both of you can become friends."
"I'm sure, wherever she was. She is already happy to see that her son and husband are doing well," Mrs. Jessica said.
"That is right," Mr. Charlie said, then clapped his hands once, "Let's have our meal, now before it becomes cold."
They ate their dinner in silence. Though, it seemed peaceful to anyone. However, there was an uncomfortable air that no one tried to rectify.
***
Meanwhile, the person who didn't attend the dinner. Mr. Charlie's son, Andy Ferdinand.
A man with mesmerizing and dangerous beauty. Deep black eyes, that were like you were staring into the beautiful dark skies above. Perfect thick brows and fair smooth skin. A strong jaw and sharp nose. His dark hair was neatly cut, three inches at both sides.
He was currently wearing his black suit. Despite that, one could see the marks on his chiseled body.
A man, whom most women would truly want to covet for themselves.
He was currently driving his gray Huracán Tecnica. The latest Lamborghini sports car model. His phone kept vibrating, but he ignored all the calls completely.
"Is it alright not to answer your phone?"
Beside him, a gorgeous woman was sitting while stroking her stomach. She wore a simple light blue overalls, her hair was tied in a single messy bun. She is Elizabeth Viola, the woman whom Andy was currently dating.
"That's only my father. He is just going to demand to come to meet the woman whom he wanted for me to marry."
"A woman you wanted to marry?" Elizabeth's brows creased. Worry and fear were visible on her face.
Elizabeth was not completely poor. She had a stable job as novelist and journalist office girl who frequently traveled the world for her story ideas. But, what she earned was nothing compared to her wealth of Andy.
They met in one of the tourist attractions in Beijing, at the Summer Palace. At first sight of him, Elizabeth immediately fell in love with him.
But, in her mind at that time, there was no way someone like him would notice an insignificant being like her.
As she remembered that scene vividly when Andy was standing under the colorful flowers, with his dark coat at that time, he was like a dark fallen angel who was cast down to land by the heaven. But, to her surprise, it was Andy who approached her first. And that was where their relationship started.
Elizabeth knew the difference in their status, so there was always a lingering worry inside her, that she was not worthy enough of Andy. And there might be a time, a woman with high and same caliber would claim him.
Andy parked his car in front of the luxurious hotel. "Do not worry, Eliza. You are the only woman whom I will have as my wife. I will not marry any other woman than you," He said as he touched Elizabeth's face. And slowly, their faces inches closer together until they shared a very passionate kiss.
Which led soon to a passionate night, inside one of the luxurious rooms of the hotel.
"I love you, Eliza"
"I love you more, Andy."
'Ah. What can I do? I love this man as much as he loves me. I will not let anyone take him away from me.' Elizabeth thought.
And they continued their passionate and heated love, until later than past midnight.
*****
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