Chapter 66
Even though I was curious, I didn’t bother asking Neil, ‘cause it was not like he would spill the beans anyway.
I didn’t know when I dozed off. I didn’t get much sleep last night, so now all I wanted was to hit the hay. When I woke up, I found myself not in the car, but on a bed. The surroundings clued me in that it was Neil’s room.
Holding my forehead, I couldn’t recall how I ended up on the bed, but Neil walked in at that moment, asking me, “Did you get enough sleep? If you’re good and rested, come on down for food, my mom and the others are waiting.”
Tll be there in a jiffy.” I replied, feeling a tad embarrassed.
Then Neil left the room.
My phone buzzed at that moment. It was a call from my mom, telling me that today was Faith’s birthday. Mom had already called her to wish her happy birthday, and she hoped I could send Faith a birthday wish too.
Usually, our parents would just send a simple message on their birthdays. It was our generation who took care of the whole gift–giving thing.
I immediately agreed to it, not mentioning to my mom that Faith and the others were waiting for me downstairs for dining. After hanging up, I hurried downstairs, wanting to find a hiding spot as soon as I reached the dining room.
Aside from Neil, Ryan and Faith, all of Neil’s uncles and aunts were there, sitting around a large table.
When I came down, all eyes were on me.
Except for my wedding day, I had never seen all his family at once.
“Irene, come over!” Faith, dressed in red and looking elegant, beamed at me. She didn’t seem mad that I overslept and missed the meal. She waved at me, indicating an empty seat next to Neil.
His uncles and aunts all smiled at me. I didn’t have much interaction with them usually, so we weren’t close. I quickly put on a smile and greeted all the elders. None of them were ordinary people, all being influential figures in the business world.
In my past life, Neil and this bunch of family of his ruined my family. But I didn’t blame them. They didn’t force Neil to divorce me to marry Bonnie. It was Neil who forced them helping him. Neil and I didn’t have a kid. Any person in their shoes would have chosen to help their kin.
I wasn’t stupid. If I let what happened in my past life affect my attitude towards them now, showing them hostility, they would only be wary and disgusted by me.
After they all responded to my greetings, I told Faith, “The gift is still in the car. I’ll go get it.”
“Neil brought it in for you. I’ve already put it on.” Faith said with a big smile, then turned her head, showing off the exquisite gemstone necklace around her neck. It was a cluster of flowers made of gemstones, each with a hollow center filled with precious spices. Any slight movement from the wearer would give off a faint, elegant scent.
The necklace was elegant and the scent was heartwarming. Faith naturally loved it, or she wouldn’t have put it on right away.
“It’s beautiful. It goes perfectly with your outfit today.” I complimented sincerely.
Faith grinned even wider, “You have a great sense of style. I love everything you’ve gotten me. Let’s sit down and eat.”
I nodded and quickly sat down. Then Faith gestured to the maids, “Serve the dishes.”
Sixteen dishes were quickly served, a feast of delicacies.
Keeping my mission to gain weight in mind, I ate while occasionally serving Faith and chatting with her. I also asked about Ryan’s health, reminding him to go for his annual check–up.
Whenever the elders chatted about a topic I was familiar with, I chimed in a few times. Neil, sitting next to me, didn’t talk much.
After we finished eating, the maids cleaned up the table. Ryan and Faith chatted with their family in the living room about business while eating fruits. Neil’s aunt played with her grandson, laughing as she told Faith, “Neil and Irene should have a kid. Ryan is always so busy. A grandchild would certainly bring you a lot of joy.”
Faith glanced at me, then at Neil, her eyes full of reproach. “I do want a grandchild, but Neil is such a disappointment. There have been fewer scandals recently, but was he acting like a normal person before?”
I was drinking water and almost choked.
Neil’s face darkened. He probably didn’t understand where he had fallen short. What was wrong with having some negative press? At least he didn’t have any illegitimate children.
Ryan agreed, “Yeah, Irene has been married to him for five years, waiting at home every day, but he’s seldom home. How can they have a child?” “Neil, aren’t you eager to have a child at your age?” the aunt asked.
Before Neil could reply, his uncle chimed in, “Look at your brother and sister–in–law. Their second child is almost here. If it wasn’t for prenatal check–up today, they would have been here too.”
your
sister–in–law’s
Then another aunt added, “Yeah, your parents only have you as a son. You have to have a child eventually, right? Your brother Hamlin even has a girlfriend and plans to get married and have kids right after graduation. His girlfriend is really nice.”
“Oh, Hamlin is dating?” Faith suddenly became interested and everyone started discussing this topic.
Neil, who had been scolded by his parents, seemed a bit angry. Seeing that the conversation no longer involved him, he went out to get some fresh air.
- followed him outside. The heat in the living room was too much, and my thin sweater was already making me feel hot. It was a good time to cool off
outside.
Chapter 66
We stood in silence, each lost in our own thoughts. Neil lit up a cigarette, his back turned to me. Soon, I started to feel cold and decided to go back into the living room. Just then, Neil’s phone rang. My gut told me it must be Bonnie.
Neil never avoided answering Bonnie’s calls in front of me, but I didn’t want to listen. I was afraid it would annoy me and Faith would notice something was off. So, I quickly opened the door, then shut it, leaving his voice locked out.
“Irene, come here for a second.” Faith called me over as soon as she saw me back, then headed upstairs.
I hurriedly followed, feeling a bit jittery, not knowing what Faith was going to talk to me about.
Once we got upstairs, Faith grabbed my hand, lowered her voice and asked, “Irene, did you go to the drugstore to buy the prescription I gave you last time? Did Neil actually drink it?”
The last prescription, wasn’t it something like a major tonic for men’s health? I just had Ada get a few other doses from a relative later, and the one Neil drank that night, well, it kicked in big time.
