After quite awhile, Laurice felt lethargic that her knees almost gave away. Her grandmother's taunting comments were infuriating. It was hard enough for her to try and not to question everything that's been happening to her to begin with as she felt defenseless at the moment, much less to stand before this audience in particular and now this? What a letdown, but it was as expected.
It did took all her might just to shrug off the unwanted feelings that was bottling up inside of her that it shows. It can't be helped though. She have always been that transparent when she tends to be too emotional that it even gets to the point, such as now, where she's incapable of concealing her surprise, annoyance and anger altogether. Surprising her own mother the most to her satisfaction. If it was some other day and for some other reason however, Laurice might have actually laughed her head off for seing how stunned her mother was. But this was no laughing matter indeed.
Thinking running way will only make her look bad in the eyes of such people, Laurice decidedly dismissed her initial thoughts of leaving the place in a whim at the back of her head and tried to compose herself both in mind and in body. It was such good news that she chose not to be so willful today.
And didn't she promise to not embarrass herself and avoid displaying a single mistake awhile ago? Then she would fulfill that promise until the very end despite whatever circumstances that may arise.
Enduring in silence.
That was Laurice's special ability anyway.
So with her anger slowly dissipating, the tensed atmosphere also begun to ease up a little.
...
Was it an illusion?
James wondered as he gaze at the beautiful woman before him. Her features already mellowed and softened making it so hard to believe that she was that same person moments ago who exuded that distinct cold and dark aura. He rubbed his eyes in astonishment thinking he might be imagining things. But truthfully, it wasn't just him. Someone else was also plain shocked although he didn't appear to be.
...
Summoning back her rationality, Laurice let out a sigh before finally speaking putting her own mother's advice in consideration.
She shifted her attention by lifting her head up on an angle but barely looking at her grandmother's face as if clearly avoiding to meet the old woman's eyes.
But even if such was already the case, she could still feel that piercing gaze directed towards her and it was rather intimidating. Laurice gulped inconspicuously. She was not that immune and courageous after all, she reckoned.
Laurice spoke in a low and almost cracked voice, "I'm sorry gra--" Pausing a bit with a stammer, she dared not address her so familiarly and said instead, "Madam."
Madam? How distant, she thought.
"I apologize for my rash behavior just now." Her apology did sounded sincere and heartfelt but still earned no response whatsoever.
How obedient of her to follow her mother's orders. If this is one to many others, she thought she might not hold up for too long.
Not knowing what to say next, Laurice kept a blank stare, and just let her mother do all the talking herself afterwards.
Oddly enough and much to everyone's complete disbelief, the old madam fell silent in her seat without paying any more attention to the guest herself.
Laurice: " ...?"
Was she forgiven? Laurice guessed not.
...
Camilla then finished off her speech about her daughter briefly stating that they have lived in the states for a long time and raised her there until adulthood without any mention of Laurice's father deliberately omitting the sensitive topic that was never discussed amongst them as they ate the dinner prepared by the resident chef and cooks. The conversation continued on about the family business and other trivial matters.
...
Finally a moment of peace. Laurice was somehow relieved or perhaps not. A plate of Filipino dishes was served per person and it was nearly a satisfying meal for Laurice only if not for the curious stares she had been receiving for awhile now. It made her feel slightly awkward and anxious that she could hardly chew on her food. And she can almost grasp what was going on in their heads.
As Laurice grumble on the inside, a relative finally broke her silence. But Laurice started to broke out in cold sweat upon hearing the question. Well it wasn't necessarily a question. It was more like an affirmation.
"I've heard your father was painter." A middle-aged woman who was doning an elegant dress muttered in a rather questioning tone. Her name was Cameron. She was of American descent and was her supposed aunt by marriage, the wife of her first uncle. The woman's voice maybe soft and not arrogant at all as Laurice perceived, but the mere mention of his father and his occupation still left a bitter taste in her mouth.
She intended not to answer but she can't not speak.
Camilla on the other hand remained unfazed as if she wasn't affected by the sudden change of topic.
"Yes." Laurice confirmed briefly suppressing the foreboding surge of emotions. She did not feel the need to go into details but the others went on ahead as they take turns to getting to know her as it appears to be on the surface but were just basically interrogating her and her past.
"You must have acquired the same skills. Did you not make a career out of it? I've heard you were an outstanding arts student." A firm but poised voice of another woman stated unceremoniously.
Laurice's ears perked up.
Also heard? Cut me some slack. You all obviously had my background checked. What else is there to say?! And what was the woman insinuating anyway? That she might as well just become a painter? She may not sounded like it but her words left her with an impression that the woman herself wasn't quite simple. She was Fely, her second uncle's wife. A natural born Filipino like herself.
Oh how Laurice missed the states and the people around her while she was living there. Her comrades may be foreigners of different backgrounds but they were undoubtedly way kinder and more reasonable than most of her own kin.
Switching gears for a moment, Laurice forced a mouthful of rice down her throat before responding with a nod and concealed the sudden sharpness in her gaze as she lowered her head.
"I'm not that capable." Laurice humbly declared in a solemn and low voice. Well it wasn't really because she lack the skills and talent but it was more like she wasn't particularly interested anymore.
"You're still young. There's still a lot of room for progress. Don't lose hope." The woman replied thoughtlessly.
Don't lose hope?
Does she look like it? Like she was hopeless?
Laurice snapped.
'Well excuse me for my lack of enthusiasm. But it's none of your business.' She almost blurted it out but stopped herself immediately. Laurice did not want to appear as sarcastic as the woman was. It will be a shame if she stoop down her level.
Gritting her teeth inconspicuously, Laurice said instead, "Thank you for the encouragement. I appreciate it."
Appreciate it, my foot.
Laurice harrumphed inwardly sighing helplessly.
Somebody help her.
She really wanted to leave this place in an instant and head straight back to where Sid and Little Louie was. She was quite missing them now oh so terribly.