Chapter 08
As Laura settled into her seat, she made a conscious effort to avoid any lingering glances in the direction of Christian and his wife. Despite the temptation to steal a glimpse, she kept her gaze fixed firmly on Rian, engaging in light conversation to distract herself from the unease that simmered beneath the surface.
Across the room, Christian and Antonia were engrossed in a heartfelt discussion, their voices hushed as they shared intimate moments of connection. Antonia’s eyes suddenly flickered towards the opposite side of the room, catching sight of Laura and Rian seated at their table. A soft gasp escaped her lips as recognition dawned, and she turned to Christian with a knowing look.
“Christian, look who’s here,” Antonia murmured, her voice filled with excitement as she nudged him gently.
Christian glanced in the direction indicated by Antonia, his gaze locking with Laura’s for a brief moment before she quickly averted her eyes. He felt a surge of discomfort prickling at the back of his neck, a silent acknowledgment of the tangled web of secrets that bound them together.
“No, babe,” Christian replied quietly, his tone tinged with apprehension. “Let’s just enjoy our evening.”
But Antonia was undeterred, her curiosity piqued by the unexpected encounter. “Come on, Christian. We should all get to know each other,” she insisted, standing up and smoothing out her dress in preparation to approach Laura and Rian.
Christian hesitated for a moment, torn between his desire to maintain the illusion of normalcy and his wife’s insistence on extending an invitation. With a resigned sigh, he rose from his seat, reluctantly following Antonia towards Laura and Rian’s table.
As they approached, Laura’s heart quickened with trepidation, her mind racing with the implications of their unexpected encounter. She exchanged a wary glance with Rian, uncertainty flickering in her eyes as Christian and Antonia drew nearer.
****
In the expansive confines of the Gracias family mansion, Mr. and Mrs. Gracias found themselves nestled within the opulent embrace of luxury and grandeur. Their home, a sprawling estate nestled amidst verdant gardens and manicured lawns, exuded an air of timeless elegance and sophistication.
The mansion itself was a masterpiece of architectural splendor, boasting towering columns, intricately carved facades, and sweeping verandas that overlooked the sprawling grounds below. Inside, the interiors were a symphony of rich woods, sumptuous fabrics, and exquisite furnishings, each element meticulously chosen to create an atmosphere of refined comfort and luxury.
As Mr. and Mrs. Gracias settled into their favorite sitting room, the soft glow of crystal chandeliers cast a warm and inviting ambiance around them. The room itself was a testament to their impeccable taste, with plush sofas and ornately carved tables arranged around a roaring fireplace, creating an atmosphere of timeless elegance and grace.
Now, as they embarked upon their conversation, the weight of their son Christian’s recent marriage hung heavy in the air. Mr. Gracias cleared his throat, his expression thoughtful as he broached the topic with his wife.
“Marina, have you given any more thought to Christian’s recent marriage?” he inquired, his tone measured as he regarded his wife with a searching gaze.
Mrs. Gracias, her own expression pensive, shook her head gently. “I must admit, Henry, the news took me by surprise. But regardless of our personal feelings, we must stand by our son,” she replied, her voice tinged with a note of resignation.
Mr. Gracias nodded in agreement, though a hint of frustration flickered in his eyes. “Yes, you’re right, Marina. Our duty as parents is to support Christian, no matter what. But I must confess, I find it difficult to comprehend his motivations in all of this,” he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Mrs. Gracias reached out and gently squeezed her husband’s hand, her touch a soothing balm to his troubled soul. “We may never understand the choices our children make, Henry, but we can choose to love and support them unconditionally,” she offered, her voice soft and reassuring.
Mr. Gracias sighed heavily, the weight of his son’s decisions pressing down upon him like a leaden mantle. “Yes, you’re right, Marina. I suppose it matters little whether Christian is happy with this arrangement or not. What’s done is done, and we must make the best of it,” he conceded, his tone resigned.
Amidst their conversation, Mrs. Gracias’s eyes lit up with anticipation as she spoke, “I can’t help but wonder what our grandkids will be like. I’ve been looking forward to spoiling them rotten,” she said with a warm smile, her maternal instincts already kicking in.
****
Laura landed softly on her bed, buried her face in it as memories of what happened at the restaurant hours ago flooded in.
“Hey” She suddenly heard, and when she looked up, she wasn’t expecting to see her baby daddy and his wife standing before them.
“Hi?” Rian who was oblivious answered until he saw Christian and he knew what was up but he was still confused as to what was going on. He turned to Laura who only stared back at him, oblivious of what to say.
“Can we join this table?” Antonia asked again, with a friendly smile.
“Um..” Rian tried to say with an unsure look.
“I’m Antonia Asher, Christian’s wife, you know him right?” She asked him, pointing at Christian who only stood still without saying a word.
Laura looked up at him, and their eyes met, she looked away instantly.
“Yeah, you can sit” Rian responded with a little smile which Antonia returned. She walked away to draw two seats from a table beside them.
Laura looked at Rian and without saying a word, he knew what she meant with that silent glare and he only smiled.
“Here, babe, sit” Antonia said to Christian as she drew him a chair opposite Laura’s and beside Rian. Christian coughed lightly before having his seat while his wife sat next to him.
“Why are we doing this?” He mumbled under his breath and loud enough for only Antonia to hear.
“So? How are the kids Laura?” Antonia asked at once, taking Laura by surprise and she almost choked on her food.