The hot afternoon sun shone down on us as we stood outside the door to the beautiful house. Xaviar rang the door bell and we waited to be let in.
On hearing shuffling of feet on the other side of the door, I tensed because I knew something bad was going to happen at this gathering.
The doors were opened and the blonde petite lady that had been haunting my head for a while now stood before us, a smile on her face.
I stayed in the spot, paralyzed and unwilling to move. Sudden fear crept into my bones and I couldn't help but wonder why I had agreed to this in the first place.
"My Xaviar!" She exclaimed and pulled him in for a hug
"mamma" He placed a kiss to her cheek while I just stood behind him feeling out of place
"are you just going to stand there???" She turned to me after they sepereted
"Buon Pomeriggio" I gave a small smile
"I see you've been learning Italian " She said in a spiteful manner. I just couldn't understand Marla Lucasino's issue with me.
"Mio fratello è finalment a casa"
(my brother is finally home) a high pitched tone suddenly flooded my ears before it's owner rushed pushing me aside to hug her brother
Discord was here herself in the person of Keva Lucasino.
"You haven't come to check up on us in a while. I understand tho, having to deal with all these problems " She spoke throwing an unnoticed shade towards me
"Dinner would be served in a few. Please proceed to the dinning room " a man dressed in a suit interrupted before leaving immediately.
That was our cue to leave the living room.
"You see, I told you there was nothing to bother about " Xaviar whispered as his hands found mine
"we just got here babe. What makes you so sure?"
"Credimi, mia cara"
(trust me my dear)
we hadn't talked much before his sister interrupted us, pulling Xaviar along with her. The feeling of not belonging in this place filled my mind and sent my body into a state of fear because I had no idea what to expect or how to behave.
I took a seat besides Xaviar at the table and his mother and sister sat across from us. His father was no where in sight. Seconds later, the man who looked to be in his early fifties walked into the room.
Xaviar stood up and the both male spoke in Italian. His father's gaze turned to me and I immediately got up greeting him with a smile. With all the pleasantries done, we sat back at the table waiting for the meal to be served.
Xaviar and his father chatted away and the females joined in from time to time. My husband also tried roping me into their conversation but I knew my place and gave few replies rather than solely contributing.
As we ate in a comfortable silence, I could feel a pair of eyes measuring me, raising my gaze from the delicacy, I found it was Keva who stared intently on me like she was wandering when I would pack up my things and leave their family , I looked away in an attempt to relief the stress I was suddenly feeling.
It felt like Xaviar had noticed because his hand suddenly held mine in a comforting way.
"Why do you look so pale Layla?" His poke nosing mother questioned
"Uhm I- -"
"Is she always this poor with words??" Her gaze turned to Xaviar questionly
"considering the event that took place a week ago at the Lucasino restaurant, I must say my wife is handling it a little better than other females would " He replied to his mother's question
"oh my freaking goodness!!! That jewelry you have on Layla! Don't tell me it's the L'Incomparable Diamond Necklace!" Keva gushed with her eyes brawling out
my hands glazed the beautiful piece of jewelry my husband had gifted me before we left the house
"Where'd you get it from!!!! No! Never mind that question, I'm sure my brother got it for you "
I gave a nod and went back to eating my food
"Your brother has been spending quite a lot on his wife " Marla spoke in a disgusted tone which made me more uncomfortable than I already was.
"Son, Brandon got engaged recently" his father tried changing the topic
"oh wow, nice" it was quite obvious Xaviar wasn't over zealous with the information.
Brandon was one of his childhood aquintances who he now viewed as a rival in his line of business
"his fiancé is from a well renowned family, something we unfortunately don't have " Marla butted in. On hearing her words the cutlery I was holding was dropped to the plate and my appetite had vanished. My husband on the other hand had visibly stiffened where he sat
Tension swam through the room as nobody was saying anything and if something didn't happen soon,my nervousness would become unbearable.
"Le puttane che scavano d'oro sono dappertutto, è triste che mio fratello si innamorasse di uno."
(Gold digging whores are everywhere, it's just sad my brother fell for one) the Italian words rolled off Keva's tongue as she concurred to her mother's opinion
I gasped as her words sank in. For the first time in my life I hated myself for being me, for being so simple and not coming from a prestigious wealthy family. By now I understood that this people were obviously accustomed to walking over other people who were not up to their standards. It was as if they had no heart or sense of compassion.
There was a brief moment of silence after her words which was directed at me. Everyone except my husband was looking at me at this point and the shame I felt was like never before. It was too late to compose myself and soon after hot tears begun rolling out my eyes
"What is the meaning of this Keva " Xaviar's low gruff voice asked, his hands clunged the table so tightly I thought it'll split in halves.
"Nothing, it was just an opinion" She shrugged nonchalantly
"besides, my friend Sophia is coming back to the country soon. I think you should meet her "
"I've had enough of this bullshit!" He roared as I silently cried
"Xaviar! Don't yell at your sister that way!" Marla scolded
"Didn't you see the way she addressed my wife?!" His cold eyes darted to his mother
"Still that isn't enough re- -"
"Marla don't interfere!" Her husband cut her speech short
After few seconds of Xaviar taking in breaths to calm his rage, he spoke
"penso che abbiamo finito qui, andiamo a casa tesoro"
(I think we're done here, let's go home honey)
without a second thought, he caught hold of my hand and pulled me along with him exiting his parents house. No words were said between we and his family. They had somehow managed to ruin dinner.
Xaviar took large angry steps towards the car parked up front as I hurriedly tried catching up to him.
The drive home was rather silent which gave me time to reflect on everything that had happened few minutes ago. I was fully aware his family wasn't really fond of me but I wasn't expecting the mother and daughter to come at me the way they had.
The car came to an abrupt stop and the door banged shot indicating Xaviar had already alighted made his way into our home.
when I walked into our bedroom, Xaviar was no where in sight so I headed straight to the bathroom for a quick shower. Minutes later and I was out.
The moment my body touched the cozy bed, tiredness kicked in and I was instantly pulled to the dreamland but just before I was too deep in I felt my husband's side of the bed dip and a soft kiss was planted on my forehead.
"Mi dispiace così tanto, piccola"
(I'm so sorry babe). His voice sounded faintly as the peaceful sleep overtook me.