"You are not single anymore, Kev. You should take good care of Leena. Always remember that, okay? She is already your wife." Shannon seemed to be the happiest during the meal. She kept warning Kevin about things to remember with regard to marriage. The reason she kept finding topics was to keep Leena from anxiety. She hoped Leena could be familiar with this family as soon as possible.
"Mom, since when did you become so boring and repetitive? Come on, she is an adult. Couldn't she take care of herself? Is she disabled?" Claire wasn't able to control herself from butting in. She felt so much worse than how she felt earlier. Her mother paid all her attention to Leena and hadn't stopped comparing them since dinner started. She felt jealous of her. That was her mother!
Claire, watch your words and behave, please. Don't be so rude. It's Leena's first time here. It's natural for me to take care of her." Shannon frowned slightly. What happened to Claire? Why wasn't she nice to Leena? She disliked it when Claire spoke in a rude way. It made her look like she was born in a barn.
"Fine! Forget what I said!" Claire pressed her lips unhappily. She was silently blaming Leena for her mother's sudden dissatisfaction with her. Her mother criticized her all because of Leena! Why? Why did she even come into her life and take her mother and brother away?
"Leena, please don't be upset. We have spoiled Claire a bit too much, thus, she isn't good at speaking," Shannon explained to Leena with an embarrassed smile. Even if it was Claire who was misbehaving, Shannon still considered herself responsible for her daughter's actions. How she wished for Claire to be like Leena who was both well-educated and well-behaved.
It's okay, Mom. We are about the same age. I can understand her." Leena did not know how to respond to Shannon's apology but replied with an excuse. She hoped that her reply was proper enough not to make Claire any angrier. She was caught in tangles when she turned to Kevin in an attempt to ask for help.
Alright, Mom. Let's eat! Leena is not a narrow-minded person." Kevin interrupted their conversation in perfect timing to disperse the awkward ambiance. He noticed Leena's distressed signal and took it as a cue. His wife must be really anxious.
Nathan was the only one who kept silent all the time. He was not a talkative man, thus, he did not make any comments on whatever they were talking about. He was just listening without saying a word. However, tons of thoughts were running in his mind. He concluded that Leena must have come from a family of scholars, basing it on how she spoke and acted.
"Kevin! I'm talking to Leena. Don't interrupt us." Shannon rolled her eyes at Kevin. Was he still her son? They had been staying together for so many years but he did not notice her implication. Was it because he had been away from home for too long?
"I'm sorry, Mom! I thought I was involved in the conversation too. You didn't advise me in advance!" Kevin said in an innocent tone and looked at his mother blankly.
"Ha-ha! Mom, I'll say Kevin is playing the fool now. Don't trust what he said." Claire could not help bursting into laughter upon seeing how funny his brother was. Only a fool would believe he didn't say that deliberately.
Oh please! Claire, don't speak with your mouth full. Look at what you just did!" Kevin frowned and warned Claire. Yes, Claire laughed so hard as to spew her food on Kevin's face. Kevin shot a stare at Claire helplessly and then pulled a piece of tissue to clean his face.
"Ur! I'm sorry, Kevin. I won't do that again, I promise." Claire also took some tissues in a hurry and started wiping off the food on his face heavily.
"Are you trying to skin my face? Stop it, please." Kevin finally knew that he should have stayed away from his sister from the very beginning and should not have expected too much from her. Wouldn't do that again? Oh, no! Only God knew if she would keep her words or not.
"Leena, leave them alone. Let's have dinner. Eat as much as you like. I don't know much about your taste so I prepared these dishes according to Kev's appetite. I hope you enjoy them," Shannon said as she put meats on her plate. She felt that Leena was too skinny. Probably more meats would help her gain some weight.
It's okay, Mom. I'm not a picky eater. Plus, you've prepared so many dishes. I'm really enjoying them." Leena felt like weeping with how warm Shannon was treating her. Goodness! Her mother-in-law just told her to feel at home. But why was she so polite with her? Leena could not help but feel nervous because of Shannon's intensive attention and care.
"Mom, these dishes may be just regular home-foods to you but in some ordinary families, they could be a banquet." Claire said as she threw a meaningful look at Leena as to imply that she was from an 'ordinary' family.
"Claire, focus on your meal and don't talk too much." That was the very first time that Nathan's voice was heard over dinner. His words were definitely deterrent that even Claire suddenly stopped talking and began concentrating on her food. She could easily tell whether her father was talking to her gently or he was giving an order. It was the most tasteless meal Leena had had ever since she was a child. It was not that the dishes weren't delicious, it was just that she was too nervous to enjoy any flavors at all. She was feeling both anxious and awkward that it wore her out. Kevin was called by his father to the study as soon as dinner was done. On the other hand, Leena was left sitting in the living room while chatting with Shannon. Claire was there too, of course. She would never let go of any chance to find fault with Leena.
"Leena, how are your parents?" Shannon asked in a casual tone. Actually, she was just pretending to be casual. She did not want to appear like a police officer who was interrogating a prisoner.
"Well, my father is good. As for my mother, she passed away when I was a baby," Leena replied in a polite tone. She did not feel sad when she talked about her mother because she never saw her. Plus, she never looked at herself as someone who grew up in a broken family. Her Dad and brother had been perfect. Both of them loved her and that was more than enough.
Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't know that," apologized Shannon. She never anticipated that Leena lost her mother at an early age. She was so well-behaved after all, thus, she thought that it was her mother who educated and influenced her well.
"It's okay. I've already got used to it." Leena smiled distantly. She understood Shannon's reason for asking such questions. Anyway, she was the daughter-in-law of their family and it was just rightful for her new mother to get to know her.
"Oh, I see! No wonder." Claire mocked in a weird tone upon hearing Leena's words. She would not miss a chance to disrespect her.