Levi Carson stared at his 'girlfriend' who had suddenly become extremely sensitive. He knew that Aviana wasn't the type to complain no matter how tough things were.
Did something happen?
Was this all about the ongoing dinner gathering?
By now, Aviana already turned away from him and she seemed to be thinking of something too.
Should he say something?
After a brief thought, he decided to not say anything about it. Doing that will only give her more pressure.
*
Once the adults finished their dinner, Aviana and Levi went downstairs and listened to their 'boring' talks just like they did during dinner. After a suffocating hour, Aviana was finally on her way back to her family mansion. However, the atmosphere inside the car where she rode with her parents wasn't much different.
"You do a good job tonight," Daniel Valos said to his daughter who was sitting in the front seat. "You should keep that up, Aviana. The more you strengthen your relationship with Levi, the better it will be for you and your future."
Aviana didn't say anything and she didn't think her father needed response for that either. Besides, it's not like it's his first time telling her that. Ever since she was just a young girl, her father kept on urging her to maintain a closer relationship with the boy he chose for her.
"You know that your brother is coming back tomorrow, right?" It was the father who spoke up again.
Thinking of her brother made things a bit better for Aviana and she nodded. "Yes, Dad." She gave a brief thought before mustering her courage and asked, "Can I go to welcome him at the airport?"
"Do you plan to skip school?" Her father promptly asked her back and when she didn't say anything, he continued, "Mr. Carson is always praising you for being diligent and good in your studies. You shouldn't skip school for small matters, Aviana. You can see your brother once you return from school anyway."
Small matters. Austin's return was what she looked forward to the most but... her father called it a small matter. However, she can't say anything about it, let alone complain.
Mrs. Gillian Valos briefly observed her daughter before she looked at her husband and said, "Why don't you just let her go? Skipping school for just a day won't affect her studies. You also know how close she and Austin are."
"It's fine, Mom," Aviana chimed in. "Like Dad said, I can see my brother once I return from school."
She truly wished to go there but... she knew that her father rarely changed his mind. It's better to give in rather than disappoint him.
She just wanted to be in peace, no argument.
Mrs. Valos worriedly glanced at her daughter but she can't bring herself to say anything. Her husband was always so stubborn and firm in his decision and what she said never really change anything. It was always useless even when she wished to provide some relief to her daughter who always took everything in silence.
* * *
The atmosphere in the Carson family mansion wasn't much different compared to the atmosphere in the car that Aviana and her family rode.
Edward Carson was sitting on a single couch in the living room while his son was sitting on the long couch in his right. Just like Aviana, Levi rarely talked unless his father asked him a question.
"It seems like you two are doing better than before," Edward Carson pointed out to his only son. "Aviana is good and capable enough to stand by your side and help you once you take on your responsibilities as the heir to Carson Group. So, make sure to maintain a good relationship with her.
"I don't care about how you two truly think of each other. I want her to be my daughter-in-law and the engagement and marriage will happen as planned. Remember that."
Just like Aviana, Levi appeared quite suffocated but he was trying his best to maintain his composure. "Yes, Father."
Edward Carson nodded in satisfaction. "Then what about your grades? Will you continue wasting your time on that useless club?"
Levi realized that they were back to talking about the Photography Club and he struggled to respond to his father. However, the latter was waiting for his response and he knew that he must say something.
"I will work on improving my grades, Father. But please... let me stay in the club," he pleaded as it was the first thing that came to his mind. "If you let me continue, I will do whatever you want without complaining."
Photography was the only activity that he truly enjoyed and for someone like him, it was his only way of relieving himself from all the pressure and stress from his father. He could never do anything he wanted due to his father's strict and controlling nature but somehow, he managed to keep this one going.
No matter what, he didn't want to give it up. He didn't know how he would cope with all the pressure if it's not for this single interest that he managed to protect until now.
"Then work on your grades," his father said to him in that usual stern and authoritative tone. "Being third is not good enough. Aviana will become a part of our family one day, so it's fine if you can't beat her. That means you should at least try to come second. If not, I won't allow you to waste your time on other things anymore.
"I'm being patient because you were so determined with staying in the club. So, you should prove to me that it doesn't affect your studies."
Though Levi Carson instantly felt the pressure, he still nodded right away. "I understand, Father. I will work hard."
Once Mr. Carson heard his son's response, he rose from his seat and Levi promptly followed suit. Then the father retreated to his room without saying any more words.
The door to his father's room was shut but Levi stood still in his place. The possibility of not being able to continue his lone interest scared him so much that it suffocated him even more!
He knew that if he didn't improve his grades, his father will do what he just said. He was always firm in his words.
Levi always gave his all no matter what he did, be it studying or photography. Being third was his result after giving his all but... it seemed like it was still not enough.
Will he be able to do better than this just because his father wasn't satisfied with it?