ISABELLE.
"You must feel very achieved now right?" Asher low voice filled my ear and I turned to face him.
"Stop asking obvious questions" I replied, looking away again I paid attention to my plate.
"My… you two look absolutely wonderful together!" Grandmother gushed happily and Asher and I shared disgusted looks with each other.
"I would have been perfect had Isabelle kept to the dress code and wore a black dress." Asher aunt the Quing family's only daughter added disdainfully. Wow, are this mother and daughter duo disagreeing because of me? I must be a goddess. Asher aunt, April Quing was known for being materialistic, heartless and shallow just like her mother. She got married to some nobody from a less than company, and ever since then her worth in the family had basically depleted to nothing. She was only relevant because she always agreed with the old Madam and now what a surprise.
"Oh my sister in law!" The actress gasped, "can't you see that nothing especially black would look as splendid as that red dress on Isabelle?"
No one said anything, we just watched. "Even mother said so." She added and April Quing swallowed awkwardly, her gaze darted everywhere until she jutted her chin in the air and replied.
"Well rules are still rules" she huffed.
"Grandfather" the actress called out to the chairman who seated quietly at the head of the table, I honestly almost forgot he was there. "You don't mind do you? Oh please don't persecute Isabelle because I also am not wearing black." At that moment she pushes off her black cloak to reveal a beautiful satin pink dress that clung tightly to her bust and constrated beautifully with her pale skin. Wow… I can't compete with this, she really is beautiful no wonder she was a top star. And even though she basically stole my thunder I cannot be mad, this woman is too lovable.
"Minor disobedience here and there is usually sign of a rebellion" was grandfather's curt reply.
"They are just dresses grandfather, no one is planning a rebellion." She replied cheekily causing everyone to laugh, everyone except the mother and daughter Of course.
And just as I was beginning to enjoy myself my uncle and aunt enter. I cannot help it but I stiffen, my only hope is that Asher did not notice the slight difference in my expression. Because it did falter but only for a split second.
"Hello… Mr and Mrs Jin, it is lovely that you join us." Asher's step mother, Marisol welcomes them as the ushers lead them to their seats. Almost right across from me.
"The pleasure is all ours" my aunt smiles brightly taking her seat, I notice her eye scan around the table where is settles… on me. I notice the slight raise in her brows and instantly she is bowing to the chairman. "Please forgive my tactless neice, she has gone aganist your dress code." I can't help it I roll my eyes. Enough with the dress already!
The chairman chuckles, "don't worry, she can wear whatever she wants." All eyes are on me yet again, "she has earned it after all."
"Then Linn? What did she do to earn her disrespectful pink?" April points an accusing finger at Mrs. Linn.
Mrs Linn places her hands on her neck in fake shock, "oh my don't you know?" She said in a low seductive tone.
"Don't I know what?" She spat back.
"I'm father's favourite." She said bluntly "I am pregnant after all" she added to explain and yet again the entire table burst into laughter, I am so grateful to the woman this evening. She just earned herself a fan.
"Don't those two look so beautiful together? You've raised a wonderful woman." Grandmother pulls the conversation again and my aunt laughs coquettishly.
"Isabelle has a lot of shortcomings I am grateful you have decided to over look it and accept her into your family, please continue to guide her properly" My uncle replies and I want to gag.
"Honey stop making her look bad, Isabelle is indeed a wonderful woman, you won't find a better partner for your son. I can testify to that, I don't want to brag but she has been educated properly." My aunt adds after her husband and this good cop bad cop thing they have going on only makes me so mad. How did I fall for this? It is so obvious what they are trying to do.
"You shouldn't," I say.
"What?"
"You shouldn't brag, you weren't the one who raised me. My parents did, they are the reason I am so wonderful." At the word wonderful I hear Asher scoff beside me.
At that exact moment, the food arrives but the awkward atmosphere remains, that was until they began to discuss the wedding. Oh geez, Mrs. Linn I really liked you, how can you bring up a wedding?! I keep glancing at Asher expecting him to say something but he doesn't even look like he is paying any attention to what they say. What is going on?! He has to hate this because I cannot be engaged with him. I refuse to die like that again. And like heaven heard my desperate cry, just at that moment I see Sabine walking in with a tray of food. Bingo!