Chapter 8: Family Dinner

Liam left Adrianna's apartment building when he was sure she was safely back home. What a fruitful day. Their sudden 'kiss' in his office made them became awkward all the way home. He wanted to talk to her but she pretended to sleep so he had to stop his intention.

A moment later, his phone rang. It was Kyle.

"Bro...how was your date today?" he asked.

"It was okay" he was not lying.

At least at the beginning, it went well. Though they kinda of experience a little bit 'turbulence' by the end of their supposed to be date.

"Just okay? what did you guys do today? tell me"

"What a busy body." Liam shook his head, then he remembered the incident involving his secretary.

"Can you tell me, why did the HR department hired Miss Harold?"

"Who? oh you mean, your secretary?What happened?"

"She almost got Adrianna into troubled and she was acting disrespectful, I want to transfer her to different department."

"Transfer? why don't just fire her like usual?"

"Adrianna won't allow me, so transfer her to a different department, starting tomorrow, I don't want to see her face"

"So I have to hire a new secretary for you?"

"Didn't we have Mrs Stewart?" He remembered his Chief Secretary.

"Did you forget that she's still in maternity leave?" Kyle sighed.

"Never mind, I'll asked HR department to set up another interview and this time, we are going to hire three secretaries at once, so what is your preference?"

"Not too beautiful. Dedicated. Most importantly married" Liam remembered Adrianna words to Miss Harold.

She mentioned about Miss Harold attempt to seduce him and he did realized that Miss Harold always dress provocatively when she went into his office.

At first, he just ignored that but if Adrianna herself mentioned about that, he didn't want anyone to act as if he didn't mind what they were doing.

Kyle stopped talking after he heard that.

"Bro, aren't your preference is a little bit bias? what would happened to those beautiful but dedicated and unmarried girl out there? They deserved a chance too, you should be fair!"

"Alright!Just do what ever you think that would be good for my company but make sure, they are really qualified and dedicated..but of course, give priority to those with the qualities that I mentioned"

***

Adrianna was finally back home. She sighed. She forgot to say thank you to Liam for sending her home. She was nervous and right after he stopped his car, she left in hurry.

Adrianna knocked her own head with her knuckle. Why is her IQ level decreasing when she was with him? Where is the intelligent girl that was always praised by her teachers?

She looked at the toolbox in her hand. Luckily, this time she didn't forget her toolbox. Actually she did forget them but Liam gave it to her before they left his office.

Why is this toolbox special to her? Well, this is the last birthday gift she received from someone special when she was 18. It was from her mother.

She remembered talking about courses that she wanted to take in her college. Her mother supported her and gifted her this toolbox during her birthday.

Later, without warning, her mother left her and her dad, she has stomach cancer and she kept all that to herself. Adrianna regretted not knowing about her mother's condition earlier and not spending time with her a little longer.

Her mother couldn't attend her high school graduation. Adrianna received her Valedictorian award but she was not there to witness that.

It has been 8 years since she lost her mother. Her dad married Olivia two years after her mother died. She was still in college at that time. She knew he was lonely, so she never opposed him.

But later, she remembered having argument with her dad about the course that she should take in college and Adrianna was adamant on taking Mechanical Engineering.

On the other hand, her dad wanted her to study business. With her grandfather's support, she got to take her chosen course but with a condition, she need to take MBA as her masters degree.

Adrianna remembered studying very hard to pleased everyone. She took private tuition in business as preparation to take her MBA and at the same time, starting her modelling career.

At the age of 23, she held a degree in engineering and an MBA, she made everyone proud.

Her grandfather was especially proud of her and keep talking about his clever granddaughter. Then, a few months later, he left them all.

He wrote his will and left the company in Adrianna's hand. She remembered her last moment with her grandfather on his deathbed. He said, he's going to left the company to Adrianna. It wasn't that he did not trust his own son but he was afraid if anything happened, Adrianna would be left with nothing.

Grandfather never like Adrianna's step mother, Olivia. He said, he knew her well and always asked Adrianna to be careful around her and her daughter, Nancy.

Adrianna took it for granted but looked at her right now, she finally knew Nancy's real colour. Soon, she believed, Olivia will show her true colour too. She was kind of worried about her dad but he was a stubborn old man. Well, just like her.

Adrianna started her modelling career when she was 20 years old, after being persuaded by her late mom's bestfriend, her godmother and fashion designer ; Emma Fox. Emma is like a mother figure in Adrianna's life.

Her modelling career went well though she was just an independent model with no agency. Emma introduced her to Alicia as her manager who later became her bestfriends.

Emma's husband (a soldier) passed away during a mission and since she has no children, she decided to focus on her designing career. So, Adrianna was the only child that she has.

After a moment of reminiscing her memories, Adrianna went into her bathroom and took a shower. After her shower, she looked through her phone. She planned to order a take out for her dinner. As she was choosing the menu, her door bell rang.

Adrianna looked through the peep hole and she sighed but still opened the door.

"What do you want?" she asked Nancy.

"Sis Adrianna...can we talk?"

"What is it?" Adrianna acted nonchalantly.

"Dad wanted me to invite you to our family dinner, it has been so long since you go home, please?" Nancy pleaded with her pitiful face.

"Tell him I'm busy..." Adrianna wanted to close the door but Nancy hold onto her hand.

"Please Adrianna, Dad missed you so much. He knew that you are taking a break from modelling so, he wanted you to come home"

Adrianna sighed before she pulled her hand away.

"Don't wait for me, I can go by myself" she agreed and closed the door, leaving Nancy outside.

***

One hour later, Adrianna drove her car, leaving her apartment building back to Winters Mansion. By the time she reached her home, the time was already 8.30 pm. She did that on purpose. Let them wait for her.

At the same time, James, Olivia and Nancy was waiting for Adrianna.

"Are you sure your sister is coming back?" Olivia asked again.

"Yes, she said she'll come home" Well, Adrianna didn't really said that, she just said, she'll go by herself.

Now they have been waiting for at least one hour. What an ingrate? Olivia has to keep her feelings to herself. Afraid if her husband would notice her facial expression.

James remained silent. It was all his fault. Adrianna; his well behaved and obedient daughter was becoming like this because he failed her as her dad.

After meeting Adrianna last time, he confronted Nancy and Jace. He was so mad at them for what they had done to Adrianna. Olivia and Nancy was crying non-stop and promised to apologize to Adrianna.

Nancy also said she wanted to leave the Winters Family. He didn't even stopped her. He thought, it would be the best for all of them but Olivia refused, she wanted to follow Nancy if she wanted to leave and James was having a second thought.

"Dear, should we start eating, I don't think Adrianna is com--"

"Eldest miss is back" they heard the voice of their old butler.

Then, they saw Adrianna walked into the dining area. She wore a simple blue dress with no make-up. But she still looked as beautiful as always. Looking at his daughter, James remembered about his late wife, Emerald.

"You are back!" he smiled.

"Hmm..." Adrianna sat down on her chair and the maid put a plate of her favourite steak in front of her.

James asked the cook to prepare her favorite steak and cooked all her favorite food. He still remembered what she said and he was guilty for forgetting about her including her birthday.

Then, they began to eat their food. There was no sound coming from them. Everyone was in silent. The only sound that can be heard was the clicking sound of cutlery on the plate.

After a few minutes, Nancy was the first person to talk.

"Sis Adrianna, I really wanted to apologize for what I had done. I totally regretted for following my heart. I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't fall in love with my future brother-in-law but I-I go beyond that line and hurt you." Nancy confessed regretfully.

If someone heard that, they will totally fall for her words and forgive the girl but not Adrianna.

She was not sure about Nancy's true intention. Was she being sincere when she apologized or she was just acting, in order to raise sympathy?

Adrianna put down her cutlery and she brought the glass of red wine to her lips, without saying anything. She took a sip and put it back on the table.

"Adrianna, aunt know that you were affected the most from all this but Nancy already regretted and apologized. Wouldn't you as a big sister be a bigger person and forgive her?" here came the step-mother.

"Why should I forgive her?" Adrianna finally asked Olivia.

"Nancy was just stupid. She was still young and immature. She did all that on a spur of moment. I promised to educate her and teach her until she can think what is wrong and what is right! "Olivia uttered.

"Young and Immature?" Adrianna scoffed.

"How old are you again Nancy? Oh I forgot, you are the same age as me, yeah how old am I? 26 years old..." she stopped talking before she turned to look at their old butler.

"So Butler John, how old were you when you started working with grandpa?"

The old butler looked at Adrianna before he answered.

"I started working when I was 18 years old"

"Liza, how old were you when you started working here?" this time, she asked the maid.

"When I was 19 miss.." the maid answered.

"and Butler John, how old was I when I left house to live on my own?"

"You left when you were still in college at 21 years old"

"Yes. Everyone at tender age. Left home and started working and acting like an adult while your daughter, did nothing after she graduated from her college. Living off her mother and at 26 years old of course she would still be considered as immature."

"Adrianna you---" Olivia couldn't finished as she saw her husband's glare.

"Sister, It wasn't mother fault. It was me, I--"

"I am not your sister and stop calling me that" Adrianna voiced boomed inside the dining room.

James sighed as he looked at Adrianna tenderly. He knew how much his daughter was affected by this, so he will not aggrieved her further. He wanted her to let out all her dissatisfaction at once.

Nancy started her tears acting. She sobbed as she looked at the father and daughter.

"I am sorry...I'll leave the house by tonight!" she stood up and ran upstairs.

"Nancy!!" Olivia followed her daughter and left the father and daughter in the dining room.

"Adrianna..." James tried to call her name but Adrianna continue to eat her steak without any words not until Olivia came back into the dining room.

"James...please do something! Nancy locked herself in the bathroom, I'm afraid she'll do something stupid. Please help me!" she pleaded.

James sighed before he stood up and asked Butler John to get something to open the door.

Adrianna smirked, what kind of drama did the mother and daughter trying to show?

First apologize, then telling everyone that she's leaving home and then what? threatening to commit suicide by slicing her wrist using a razor?

It was right on the mark, after a few moment, Adrianna saw Butler John carrying Nancy out of the house. Probably bringing her to the hospital. She saw the blood on her wrist. Olivia was crying while following Butler John into the car.

James was in dilemma. He wanted to followed them to hospital but Adrianna was still here.

"Go and check on your wife and beloved daughter!" after saying that, Adrianna left the dining room. She didn't want to be part of their self scripted and self directed drama.

If Nancy really wanted to die, she would sliced her wrist deeper. It was just a minor slice and her mother was acting as if she was going to die. No one asked her to do that by the way!