Narrator
The next evening came quickly for them. Isabel got ready for the family dinner Grandfather had invited them too and so did Mr. Tristan. The little noises went on in the mansion while they got ready, trying as much not to think that this meant anything.
“Good you’re ready,” Tristan said without his gaze leaving his phone, while Isabel stood there awkwardly unaware of what to say.
“Let’s get something straight here,” Mr. Tristan started and turned to stare at Isabel briefly before taking his eyes away.
“And what would that be,” She turned to him and, with her left brow raised gave him a questioning glare and a stern look.
“We behave like a happy married couple, in front of the family,” He stated simply, finally putting his phone into the pocket of his coat.
“That’s a warning for you sir,” She said and turned around walking towards the door.
“And what do you mean by that? ” He asked feeling bitter towards her response.
“You don’t have to tell me to behave, I know that,” She started to walk towards him, collecting her purse from Rose who rushed downstairs to her.
“But you could give yourself that advice, cause I’m certain you need it,” She smiled, and dismissed Rose, staring at him in the eye.
Mr. Tristan boiled, his shoulder began broader, and his back arched as he tried to control himself from pouncing off her. Of course, he wouldn’t do that, this was just him straining himself from saying something or probably hurting her like the last time.
“Like I said behave,” She winked patted his shoulder, and turned around to leave.
“Shall we?” She cooed so innocently when she almost reached the door, as she stared at him who just stood there extremely agitated.
*
The drive to the family mansion had this heat around it. For the starter, Isabel is trying to piss him off, and well Tristan is trying so hard to keep his cool this evening.
They arrived after an hour to the mansion, and Isabel couldn’t hold it in but gasped at its beauty.
Isabella
“God!” I was thrilled, this place was a fortress indeed. It wasn’t just beautiful, it looked like a palace. Mr. Tristan helped me out of the car, and I had completely forgotten my beef with him as I stared at this place.
“Ready to go in,” I heard his voice beside me, and I hurriedly said yes. Of course, I wanted to go in, if not for anything, but to feast my eyes with this beauty.
“This place is..”
“Incredible,” I heard him say and I nodded my head instantly cause he did take the words right out of my mouth.
“I know, and I haven’t gotten so used to it,” He made it sound like it was a chore trying to feast your eyes but I didn’t care and just laughed.
We walked through the long hallway, that heard designs of people in the 80th century, the paintings on the walls, the marble floors. Gosh!!
We finally got to the end of the hallway and stood in front of a big door, where I believed we would be going to join the rest of the family.
“Good evening Mr. Dominic,” I presume the butler said and he passed him a warm smile, while Mr. Tristan held my hand.
“I’ll announce you two now,” He said
“What?” I looked at Mr. Tristan confused.
“Grandfather enjoys this,” He squeezed my hands a bit, and I couldn’t tell if he wanted me to relax or if he was just nervous himself.
“Mr and Mrs. Tristan Dominic,” he announced and the doors were opened for us as we walked in holding hands.
Everyone was already seated at the table, and from the looks of it, we were the only ones left.
“Great, we just made an entry,” I whispered to Mr. Tristan, not sure if he heard as he didn’t say anything but pulled out a chair for me, and had a seat beside me, well more like one closer to his grandfather.
“Good evening grandfather,” I said more in a whisper, but he smiled back at me which told me he heard.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on us, more like on me. I could see the glances, the silent stare, and the looks and it made me so uncomfortable.
“Would you not introduce us to your wife?” The one at my right hand said and he immediately turned to position himself looking directly at me.
“Cause I speak for everyone when I say she’s not familiar and looks nothing like Lily Allen,” I turned to stare at him, and he smiled at me. An awful smile at that.
“Of course, she doesn’t,” Mr. Tristan said.
“Sorry everyone of course I’ll introduce you all, ” He said softly.
“Everyone this is Isabella Colin,” He paused.
“My wife,” he added smiling.
“And Isabel, this is my family” he turned to them.
“My grandfather, ‘Mr. Jared Dominic Chen'” He said and I smiled.
“He’s first son, Mr. George Dominic,” He said and I felt the air tense.
“His brother, my uncle, Mr. Trevor Dominic Chen,” He paused
“And his son, Brett Dominic Chen, who already introduces himself with his lousy mouth,” He stated
“Don’t blame me, cousin, couldn’t help myself,” He finally turned to face the table, after smiling at us.
“And lastly, my favorite and only aunty, Mrs. Diane Dominic Campbell, and her children, ‘ Leonard Dominic Campbell, and Carrie Dominic Campbell,” He smiled and they smiled at me.
“It’s so nice to meet you all, ” I said with a warm smile,
“Good, now let’s get into eating,” Grandfather clapped his hands and immediately the door was open, and people walked in with trays of food.
“Nice to meet you too dearest cousins-in-law, but care to tell us what happened to Lily Allen?” The one I had picked his name quickly to be Bret said. If I wasn’t meeting him for the first time, I’d say he had a beef with me.
“I barely knew who she was, so yes I do care if you ask me to comment on a topic I’m in the dark for,” I said blatantly, didn’t care how my tone came out or if it was offending but I said it either way and continue with my eating.
“Dang, I got chills. You’re scary too,” He laughed hard, but no one found it funny just him.
“Then how did you appear there? At the wedding?” The one who I had picked to be Carrie said though without looking at me.
“I needed money, and the catering services at the venue had good pay. A one day job, and a heavy pay. It sounded good to me, so I took the offer only for a few girls to be called by a lady to test the wedding dress for a fitting they said,” I lied.
I told a lie so easily, with a clear tone that I believe I had them so confused and lost at the same time.
“Feels like a movie, or a big lie,” Bret said and I could see his lips mouth slowly curved into a smile.
“So you just walked the aisle like a natural too, and didn’t think to freak out?” Bret added. This guy definitely had a beef with me, he was on to something and hell I was pissed. This didn’t feel like dinner anymore it felt like an investigation. And my so uncaring husband just ate silently and left me to dine with the wolves alone.
“That’s enough, not another word to her, I have welcomed Isabella and you must respect her as Tristan’s wife and as a Dominic too, ” Grandfather said, even before I could respond and the whole place went quiet for that brief moment before Tristan aunts spoke.
“Welcome Isabella, and I must add you look so beautiful,” She said warmly and it seemed so sincere that I found myself blushing.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I told her and we went back to eating. When Bret father started to talk about work and within that moment everything felt normal, it felt okay.
*
We had come to the end of dinner, and the maids had come in quickly to clear our table and immediately served dessert. I got a chocolate ice cream, while Mr. Tristan got Strawberry flavor. I stared at his, cause that’s my favorite flavor, and didn’t know what to do.
I could have chocolate but seeing the strawberry flavor, made me want to have it.
I reluctantly took a spoonful of the chocolate and savored the taste slowly to beat time, while he sat there talking about the company with the rest of the family. I didn’t know what to do so I excused myself and left the dining to use the restroom.
I walked out of the door and was directed by a maid to where the restroom was and immediately went there to beat time and catch my breath.
I rinsed my hands and patted my face gently while staring at the mirror. I released a deep breath and then arranged my hair, before washing my hands again and drying them up. When I was done, I breathed out and walked out of the restroom only to meet Bret leaning against the Wall outside like he was waiting for me.
I composed myself and didn’t act surprised or annoyed to see him, but just started to walk past him when his words stopped me on my track.
“You might have everyone deceived in that room, but not me.” He said it angrily.
“And why is that? Cause what exactly is your problem with me?” I turned around and asked him so innocently, and I could tell that kissed him off even more.
“Because I know Lily, she wouldn’t just disappear, she wouldn’t,” It felt more or less like he was trying to convince himself and not me.
“Why does it feel like you and Lily Allen had something going on?” I arched my brows at him and immediately he grabbed me roughly by the wrist.
“Don’t you dare!” He looked furious, he pressed my wrist more, while I struggled with freeing myself but it only hurt more.
“Let me go,” I said in pain, still trying to pull his hands away from mine, but his grip had gotten tighter.
“Where’s Lily?” He asked as his eyes darkened
“Let me go,” Tears were about to pour out as I said those words my voice came out hoarsely.
“What’s going on here?” I heard the familiar voice and I felt some sense of relief knowing that someone was coming.
“Let go of my wife,” I heard when a punch landed on Bret sending him to the floor.
“Oh my God!” I jumped up in fright, immediately he fell good the floor. My hands covered my mouth scared, when Mr. Tristan pulled me to himself holding my hands and staring at my wrists.
“Yes I’m fine,” I respond frozen at that minute, cause I felt his thumb brushed my bruised wrist, while he looked at me with concern mixed with anger.
“Fuck Isabel,” he said and pulled me away from. Bret and took a direction that didn’t lead to the dining.
“Where are we going?” I asked but he continued to pull me till we got to a room.
“Sit down,” he said and immediately I sat on the bed, staring at the gorgeous room we had walled into. He scrambled off looking for something, as he checked drawers and cupboards, while I stared at the house and wondered who the interior designer was as I exhaled.
“Your wrist,” I heard his voice and immediately turned to stare at him, but before I could give him my hands, he grabbed them gently.
“What’s that? ” I asked staring at the small bottle in his hands.
“It’s my grandma’s ointment. She usually keeps one in every room,” He said softly and started to rub it around the used while I shuddered each time at his touch.
“All done,” He said and brought my hands closer to his mouth, blowing air on it. My eyes widened while I looked at it. My skin flared up, and that air did a lot to my body than I expected, causing me to immediately pull away.
“Thank you,” I said nervously.
“Just stay away from Bret,” He said concerned
” He is crazy,” He sighs and I nod my head obediently, staring at my wrist.
“Let’s go back, we’ve been away for a while,” I said watching him return the ointment.
“Yeah, sure. Hope you’re well. Or do you need anything?” He said hastily, and immediately it crossed my mind..
“Can I have the strawberry ice cream, please” I gave him puppy eyes and immediately he chuckled.
“Sure thing,” He said and I squealed while we started to leave the room.