Two weeks later
“Signora would you like us to use the coriander leaves in this food?” A maid asked Jade.
Jade looked up at at her and dropped the knife in her hand, “Sure. My mum loves it” she smiled back.
Instantly she began chopping the vegetables again. Momentary her eyes would glance at the wall clock, hoping time could just slow back for a bit.
“Signora I think you should rest. Allow us do the work so you can prepare for tonight” Elizabeth advised trying to take the knife from Jade.
“Nonsense. My parents are coming over today. This is the first time I have seen them since I got married. Why should I make you all do the work when they are my parents? Besides I need today to be so perfect so I want to join hands in the preparation” Jade replied.
Elizabeth flashed her a warm smile. “You are really humble Signora. Master Luciano is so fortunate to have you”
“Stop flattering me please” Jade giggled. “But thank you still. Please go make sure the dinning hall is neatly arranged will you? And make sure all the decorations are underway. This dinner is literally going to be for my family”
“As you wish Signora” Elizabeth slightly bowed before walking away.
Jade was as busy as a bee. She cooked and simultaneously gave out orders and directions to the decorations and how other dishes should be made.
Time flew by in a blur, the mansion slowly setting into the darkness as a golden glow spread across the horizontal sky.
Jade stood, analysing all what had been prepared and giving out instructions to the various maids.
She had not gotten a single rest throughout the entire day. Sweat coated her forehead and her hair was a bit unruly and messy though it was covered by a hair net.
“So the cake is for desert ok? And the buns too. I need you all to be on your very best behaviour today because not only will my parents be here but some of the family members too including Luciano’s mother.
Please you all should not mess up. I do not want anyone waging their tongues at I nor my husband. I hope that is clear?” Jade ordered sternly.
“Yes signora” they all replied in unison.
She smiled and dismissed them all.
“Fuck I am starving” Jade grumbled to herself as she perceived the sweet and delicious aroma from the various meals arranged.
“Wow what a dinner. You are really taking this reception quite serious” The unwelcomed voice of Aurora chortled.
She walked into the huge kitchen and stared at everything Jade had prepared.
“What do you want and what are you doing here?” A scowl sat upon Jade’s lips as she asked the questions.
“I came to check up on you Ofcourse. I heard you have been busy making preparations to hosting this wonderful dinner reception. You know do not be anxious ok. I did it too when I newly got married into this prestigious family. Just be careful not to make a mess of yourself” her tone was laced with sarcasm and bitterness.
“Wow thank you for the advice but I do not need it as you can see” Jade eyed her.
Aurora gave her a lopsided smile, “Are you sure? You look pretty stress though” she asked with an eye brow raised.
“Yes I am very sure. Now please get out. Leave. You cause nothing but fights between I and you wherever you go and today is really not one of the days when I can listen to your taunts so please leave my house” Jade ordered her out with her finger pointing at the living room doorway.
Aurora craned her neck to look at the living room before facing Jade. “I am not leaving sweetheart” she replied with a saucy look.
“Are you mad? I said you should get out” Jade was beginning to get tensed and angered at her defiant attitude. “Get out else I will tell the guards to throw you out myself” Jade ordered.
“Shut up you whore. Do you think I want to be here in the first place? Well our dear mother inlaw advised for me to be here”
Wait why? Why would mother send her here? Jade questioned herself as she had thought that this dinner would just be for her parents and few of Luciano’s uncles and his mum. She was definitely not expecting to see any other Greco let alone Aurora.
“Why would mother ask you to be here Aurora?” She curiously asked, still having doubts in her mind at Aurora’s statement.
“Why of course so we can be close my dearest sister inlaw. Mother feels we do not get along which is true. I mean just now you ordered me out or your house. I wonder how she would feel knowing this….”
Jade fists balled and an impertinent glare flashed in her eyes.
“But do not worry. My lips are sealed. I won’t tell her. Mother asked me herself to be in attendance so that we can be very good friends and we can settle our differences amicably” Aurora smirked.
“What new game are you playing now Aurora?” Her words were gritted out.
“Nothing. Do not be paranoid now. Why don’t you go freshen up? Time is running and you haven’t even gotten ready yet. Your parents and the rest of the family will soon be here”
Jade gave no reply, instead she stared at Aurora, as if her true motive for coming here was blatantly written all over her face.
“I have my eyes on you Aurora” Jade lowly said before walking out of the kitchen.
Aurora smiled to herself, her eyes shining with mischief. “Be my guest sweetheart. You will not know what hit you by the time I am done with you. Nobody tries to snatch my husband from me and walks away scot free. Nobody” Aurora balefully said.
* * * * *
The evening was far spent, the animated voices of the family members filling the air.
“It is honestly a wonderful honour to be invited for this dinner” Jade’s father, Mr Andrea spoke.
“You are sounding so formal with us. We are your family too” Mrs Gabriela smiled at him.
“Yes. My mother is right though. You are free to actually stop by and visit Jade whenever you want to. I am not stopping her from interacting with other people” Luciano teasingly added, passing Jade an affectionate look.
Jade took hold of his one hand and interlocked her fingers with his.
“Aww the love birds are it again. Honestly you both are meant for each other” Aurora articulated.
Jade passed her a side glare. Truthfully she was not happy considering the fact that Aurora was also in attendance but she had to mask it all.
“Right? I just knew Luciano would love her the moment I saw her” Mrs Gabriela concurred in a high pitched voice.
“And the fact that Jade is so dutiful and loyal. She is way better than all those other women you had intended to wed in the past don’t you think so dear brother inlaw?” Aurora sweetly asked.
Jade faced Luciano, discomfort mirroring in her features.
“You are indeed right Aurora. My wife is amazing and I am super fortunate to have her as my wife” Luciano squeezed Jade’s fingers affectionately, easing her anxiety.
Why was she feeling so on the edge whenever Aurora spoke? Jade could not fathom out the reason.
“I am so glad that my daughter is settling quite well in this family. Honestly I was scared she would not” the smile on Shirley’s face was incomparable to none.
“Enough of the talk. I am starving. I think I should serve dinner now” Jade announced. That was the longest statement she had made since the gathering started.
Springing to her feet, she called some of the kitchen staffs, instructing them to bring the dinner she had painstakingly prepared.
One by one, dishes were being served on the dinning table making it look like a feast.
“It smells delicious. I can’t wait to dig in” Aurora chortled.
“Feel free then” Jade replied with her tongue in cheek before ambling towards the kitchen.
Luciano took the first bite and immediately his features became disconcerted. It was so spicy and had no taste.
He held back a cough and his eyes began to grow watery as a result of the foods spiciness.
Did Jade really spend all day preparing this? How is the food tasting so horrible?
Aurora watched the entire family closely as their features changed the moment they tasted the food. Not a single word was said at the moment but the detest in everyone’s eyes spoke millions.
“Luciano your wife prepared this? Is she trying to kill us all?” Uncle Luca scoffed.
“Jesus what is this?” Aurora scoffed, pushing her food away. The Petersons had their faces permeated with embarrassment at their daughters meal.
Mrs Gabriela began coughing almost immediately alerting Jade from the kitchen.
“Mother I heard you coughing. What is wrong? Too much spice?” Jade inquired.
“Jade the food is so….”
“Lovely” Luciano butted in, interrupting his mother. Aurora had her jaws dropping to the ground at Luciano’s words.
This was not the way she expected Luciano to react to it.
She wanted to see him angered and livid at how she embarrassed him and herself.
Why was Luciano lying and covering up for Jade? Does he perhaps love her?
“Right mother? The food is lovely right?” He turned to stare at his mother. His tone was soft but it had a gravel undertone.
“Right very lovely” Mrs Gabriela was forced to admit. The rest of the entire family had confusion wrapped all over their faces.
Neither of them had the guts to say a word concerning the nature of their meal.
“Honestly the food is superb. I love spicy food. I am glad you prepared what I loved” Luciano grinned boyishly at Jade.
“I am glad you all are enjoying it” Jade blushed.
“Why would we not? Thank you for the meal” Her mother added fidgeting.
“Jade I do not think you should eat out of this. I love the food so much I doubt there will be any left for you” Luciano smiled.
“I thought I prepared enough” Jade replied with a perplexed look on her face.
“Your enough was not enough wife. Why don’t you tell the maids to quickly cook up something for you ok” he advised.
“As you wish dear husband of mine” Jade laughed before walking back to the kitchen.
“Shall we all enjoy the dinner. Its quite lovely. Pardon the spiciness. I love my food spicy” Luciano announced before taking bites out of his meal.
The entire family was forced to do same, neither of them speaking against him.
Aurora angrily fumed within her.
Luciano’s smart thinking had ruined her plans.
But Jade will not always be this lucky, Aurora thought to herself. One day she shall have her pound of flesh.