After Supper

The supper carried on, but the tension in the air made it hard to swallow the food. Jeremy kept throwing glances at Linda and John and they were the only ones unbothered by the odd atmosphere. After dessert, everyone couldn't wait to disperse to their homes leaving only him, Sharon, and Linda behind. The five people were now seated in front of the fireplace, enjoying their delicious cups of hot chocolate, well, everyone was, except for Linda who was still indulging in some of the liquor from earlier.

Lilly sighed heavily, "I'm sorry, this is your first family gathering and I made things awkward, I really apolog-" Lilly sounded ashamed of the events, drawing a frown on her wrinkled face,

Seeing the sad look her grandmother was wearing, Linda knew that she was apologizing for more than just the dinner, she held her old warm hand, then assured her "Don't Grammy....this is not your fault. None of it is your fault."., she turned to Jeremy and teasingly said, "Jeremy, this how supper with the Kings is like. This was the real family gathering, now is the perfect time to run." Her grandparents smiled at her attempt in cheering her grandmother,

But Sharon patted her back, "Linda, I now truly believe that you are not good at everything, please never consider a career as a comedian",

Everyone burst out laughing, causing Linda to pout, "I can't believe this, you all think that is funny",

"Sorry honey, but Sharon is just way too funny", Lilly said, but still emphasized her apology to Jeremy, " Jeremy, I am serious honey, my family's beh-".

Jeremy did not let Lilly finish her sentence, instead, he smiled awkwardly, "Oh no ma'am, every family dynamics is different. So I understand, if it helps, I haven't spoken to my dad in over a year, despite being in the same city". 

The pitiful looks on everyone's face made his heart ache, "Oh no-no, please don't give me those looks, we just-",

"Come with me, we need to get you something stronger but with little embarrassing effects, and I think I have just the right stash in my office", Joseph suddenly said, without giving him room to reject his offer. 

"Coming sir", this also meant he could ask him about Friday finally putting his heart at ease.

The moment they shifted, Sharon looked at Linda, and whispered, "He is making it hard to hate him. I know I said I would let you do your thing, but seeing the smirk on Uncle John's face today changed my mind...",

 In a hushed voice, Linda replied "I told you that he was a good person, he just got caught up with some bad adults..."

"But...I still don't approve of this mission...", Sharon said,

Linda took a sip, "You and Jackson, unfortunately"

Sharon turned to Lilly, "How are bout Grandmother Lilly?", her eyes widened in anticipation to Lilly's response

Lilly looked at both the girls, then softened her voice, "I genuinely think he is a good person, and I hope you can save him honey",

Linda's face lit up, "Thanks Grammy!". She finally had someone backing her mission 

Unfortunately, Sharon still did not approve, "Grandmother! This will be dangerous, she is not only going against John, but there is a possibility that someone else could be behind linking Jeremy and John together"

"That is ridiculous, why-", Lilly was about to defend Linda until she saw the guilt in her eyes, "Linda, No, no...this is not safe anymore. why didn't you tell me?",

"I only found out recently...but don't worry I am not alone also", she said in hopes of comforting a now worried Lilly,

"Lind-" Sharon was about to comment when she suddenly heard voices.

All of them were quieted down by Jeremy and Joseph's footsteps chatting away carelessly. The last thing they needed was for Jeremy to find out Linda's plans, but the anxious atmosphere from their chat still lingered in the air,

"You guys sound happy...", Linda commented trying to mask the gloomy air that hovered around them

Joseph threw a single glance at Lilly and knew something was wrong, but seeing his granddaughter's attempts to hide it, told him it was something that should not be said in front of Jeremy, and so he reciprocated Linda's act, "Yes, I found the perfect drink for him", Joseph showed them a bottle with milky brown liquid in it. Lilly's eyes lit up upon seeing the bottle,

"But Gramps, you do know that his problem is that he's got low alcohol tolerance, by alcohol, I mean ALL alcohol..."

"Not this one trust me, in fact, we all must have some of this...", Joseph said proudly and excitedly

"What exactly are we having?", Sharon asked with obvious confusion covering his face,

"Umqombothi - so this is a South African traditional beer that was introduced to us by Linda's father. It is made from fermented sorghum, trust me, you would want to try it...", Joseph's face lit up as he spoke about Linda's father sending daggers to her heart. She would always feel sad at the memory of her father, but that sadness would always be converted to panic every time she thought about Jackie's findings. Linda gulped down her wine in an attempt to calm down her nerves, fortunately, everyone was too focused on the bottle in Joseph's hands to notice her trembling hands.

An hour later, Jeremy was tipsy, but he still had control of his actions, however, Linda was completely wasted, courtesy of the glasses of wine she kept downing because of her nerves.

"See? What did I tell you? Jeremy is still in one piece", Joseph said with his head held high

Linda suddenly stood up, in a drunk voice, "Well, it is time for us to leave, I need to drop him home. Sharon, are you coming with us?", she said stumbling towards the door

Sharon blushed, "No, no, my ride will be here later...", 

Linda squinted her eyes, "You got a new boyfriend, don't you?", 

"The boy from earlier was your boyfriend?", Lilly added sending Linda into a frenzy,

"No way! we are going to talk about this tomorrow, do you hear me?! I need my bed now. Come on Tom, Jackson is waiting.", she gestured for Jeremy in her direction, making him confused. He scanned around, but everyone's eyes were on him, 'Am I Tom?', he asked himself

"Tom? As in Tom the cat?", Sharon whispered to Lilly in confusion,

Lilly, covered her mouth, "Shhhhhh", 

Seeing her friend stumbling, and unable to stand straight, Sharon hurried over to hold her up, "Okay, I am more worried about you than him, how many glasses did you have?"

Linda looked at her with a sudden red face, "Enough...don't worry, I won't do anything...he wouldn't want me to do. Jackson! We are ready! Take us home!"

Jackson, just like a fairy godfather, carried Linda on his back, while Jeremy held her handbag and heels.

Jackson looked at Linda worriedly, then turned to Jeremy, "Why did she drink so much? This is unlike her...",

"Honestly, I am not sure...Mr. Joseph mentioned something about her father, then-"

"Oh, got it.", Jackson cut him off, with his face now less tense. He turned back to his wheel, being Linda's driver meant knowing most of her secrets, but his reaction left Jeremy with a lot of questions.

During the ride, Linda suddenly needed the bathroom, which prompted them to go inside Jeremy's apartment, however, Jackson stayed back in the car and trusted Jeremy to take care of her, also, he was not ready for a second round of wrestling a drunk person. He learned his lesson, it was payback time for Jeremy. Linda dosed off on the bathroom floor, not knowing what to do with her, Jeremy went downstairs, to call Jackson, only for him to say, "As her soon-to-be husband, you need to learn to look after her, she took care of you when you were drunk. Now is your turn. I will be here super early tomorrow with a change of clothes, make sure she is up by 5:30 am. Goodnight Mr. Tang." Jackson drove off like that leaving a tipsy Jeremy covered in smoke.

When Jeremy went upstairs, she found Linda going through his kitchen, he rushed to hold her back and then started to close the cabinet doors, "Hey, hey, what is going on?"

Linda folded her arms, and sulked, "I want more alcohol and I am hungry..."

Jeremy snickered at her reaction, "No...no, we have had enough, let's sleep, it's a Mond-", 

Linda stomped her feet while whining, "No... atleast food. Food now! Or I will eat you...", but her child-like tantrums were only amusing him even more

He chuckled, "Fine, but how will you do that? How will you eat a whole human being? Tell me, How-"

Linda pressed her lips against Jeremy, then gently pulled back and said, "Like that", 

The alcohol got the better of him, and he abruptly pulled her in for a more passionate kiss, fueled by his long deeply buried desire, he sat her on top of the counter and then proceeded to smolder her with his kisses while she wrapped her long legs around him, causing the bodycon dress to shift to her waist exposing her smooth brown thighs.