Richard eventually joined them at the table, he held Ashley's hand and kissed it lightly.
"It's good to have you here, Ash. How have you been?" He asked and his eyes went to her huge stomach.
"Well, I'm still alive and well. That's good news," Ashley responded and laughed. Richard nodded and sat. He reached over to the food flasks and served himself. He poured enough tea into his cup and drank from the cup. He could feel all eyes on him, he knew that people were waiting for him to greet Ramon. He took his time sipping the tea, dropped the cup carefully, dabbed the corner of his mouth with a napkin, and then spoke.
"I was only expecting Ashley, did you just come here for today? Or do you want to stay?" Richard asked tightly. A low gasp could be heard, it probably came from Ashley who had stopped eating to stare at her brother.
"Good morning, Richard. I hope you're doing well? We came to stay for a while. We just wanted to spend time with the family before the wedding," Ramon explained while choosing his words carefully.
"Moreover, I thought Ashley was only coming to check on us and not to stay for a while. And now you? " Richard asked and chewed his food with rigour. Though his wife told him to behave and not express any grievances, he was upset and what was happening was a mere transfer of aggression.
"I am sorry if our visitation offends you. I didn't mean and plan for it to be like this. I told Ashley to inform you about me coming with her but she said she wanted it to be a surprise," Ramon explained and looked at Caitlyn for support. He rubbed his bald head with his hand nervously and ran his hands through his beards. Caitlyn heard the sound of her vehicle and few minutes later The door of the house opened and Sheila came inside. She walked into the dining room and found Ashley. Sheila hugged her and began a conversation while oblivious of the current mood.
"You look so good! I have missed you, can't wait to be part of your bridal train," Sheila said and laughed.
"You're still as jovial and energetic as I remember," Ashley said and laughed too. Sheila proceeded to pick a tray from the kitchen, she arranged Ashley's plate and tea mug on the tray and carried it.
"Let's go to my room, we have a lot of things to discuss," Sheila said and winked. Ashley was more than happy to leave the gloomy dining table, she stood and followed her niece out of the room.
"Hello, uncle Ramon. I hope you're not angry. I want to steal your girl for a few hours." Sheila called out.
"No, not at all," Ramon screamed back his response and laughed.
"I don't want you in my house," Richard said and looked at Ramon fixedly after he heard the door of Sheila's room closed.
"You must be joking! He stays under this roof," Caitlyn responded in a cold angry voice.
"Really? This is ridiculous," Richard said and stood. He left the dining room and entered the kitchen. The kids and Ramon were on edge, they were waiting for Caitlyn's reaction.
"You must be exhausted from the drive, I mean this place is about a 3-hour drive from your house," Caitlyn said and smiled. Ramon nodded and forced a smile.
"Oh yes, it was nothing though. Ashley wanted to come and visit," He emphasized "Ashley".
"Simeon, Henry, please go to your rooms and eat the rest of your food while I talk with uncle Ramon," Caitlyn finally instructed her sons, they stood and left the room.
"I am so sorry for Richard's reaction. I will make sure he apologizes," Caitlyn said but was interrupted.
"He doesn't like me, "Ramon said and resumed eating his food. Caitlyn sighed and knew that Ramon was in no mood to talk. She stood and walked out of the dining room. She entered the kitchen and met Richard receiving a call. Richard ended the call to give his wife the attention she wanted.
"I was on a business call," He said
"I don't care. What did you just do out there? After I've told you that I don't want you to do that. What the fuck is your problem?" Caitlyn asked as she felt a murderous rage.
"The fuck is my problem? My problem is that my half-sister wants to marry someone who has no job. And because she's carrying her ex-boyfriend's child! She is going to end up taking care of her child and a grown man. They all disgust me!" Richard said and clenched his teeth.
"And you disgust me too!" Caitlyn said with a raised voice.
"Stop being dramatic! I want that man out of my house,"
"Who is being dramatic between us? You're being childish and unreasonable, is this how you want to treat your sister?" Caitlyn asked. Ashley stormed into the kitchen immediately after Caitlyn talked.
Ashley had left Sheila's room to come to the dining room to take more food when she heard the commotion in the kitchen. She saw only her fiancé in the dining room and he looked dejected. Ashley couldn't stand her brother's contempt anymore.
"Who do you think you're Richard?! Who gave you the audacity to control my life?" Ashley screamed and glared at her brother.
"Watch the way you speak to me, Ash. I'm a lot of years older than you! Don't you dare talk to me like this!" Richard responded.
"Then act like your age! Stop behaving like a delusional toddler! I will leave with Ramon now and I'm not going to step into this house again! The last day you will see me will be on my wedding day!" Ashley said and attempted to walk out of the kitchen before Caitlyn hurriedly held her.
"Don't go, Ash, just ignore Richard and enjoy your stay here," Caitlyn said pleadingly.
"I appreciate your good intentions, Caitlyn. You are one of the best people in my life and, ironically, you love me despite us not being related by blood while my brother hates me," Ashley said.
"I do not hate you, Ash, I want the best for you," Richard began to explain but Ashley interrupted again.
"I have just one piece of advice for you, Caitlyn, leave this man alone and get out there. Live the best of your life and refuse to be stuck with this self-righteous egoistic man! Sheila has told me about Richard's wanting to force her to study Law. You have the money and a good job, leave this man alone before you get too old to move on!" Ashley said and finally stormed out of the kitchen. A grave silence fell on the kitchen, Caitlyn finally recovered from the shock of Ashley's words. She rushed out to see that Ramon was already packing their bags into their vehicle.
After the packing was done, the kids came out to hug Ashley and went back to the house while Caitlyn stayed outside for a while to talk to the duo.
"If you need anything before the wedding, please call me," Caitlyn said and hugged Ashley tightly. The couple got into the car and drove away. Caitlyn sat on the step that led to the main door of the house. She ran her hands through her hair and Ashley's words kept echoing in her head. Caitlyn stood and walked into the house. She checked the kitchen and couldn't find her husband, she checked the guest room and of course, he was there. They both stared at each other for a while till Caitlyn decided to leave the room. She walked into her room and locked the door. Caitlyn collapsed on her bed and her mind was blank.
She was exhausted emotionally which resulted in physical weakness. She rolled over her bed and sighed multiple times. Her phone suddenly rang out and she stood to pick up the phone from her dressing table, she had dropped it there. It was a message notification from Carter. She opened it and saw that he had sent a document that contained a detailed explanation of Doctor Ochoa's and Jasmine Jonas's case. Carter informed her that she had two days, Saturday and Sunday to prepare for the meeting. He ended the message with a love emoji.
Caitlyn sighed and dropped the phone. She wasn't in the mood to go through any documents and all she wanted to do was to lay on her bed and do nothing.
"Well, I have today and Sunday to go through it. I can just ignore it for a while," Caitlyn murmured to herself and shut her eyes. She was soon asleep.
She saw the golden eyes again, this time it was in her dream. Caitlyn saw the eyes in broad daylight in her dreams and still couldn't identify the face. The glowing eyes were coming faster toward her and she opened her eyes before they reached her. Caitlyn woke up panting heavily in her dark room. The short nap had turned into a long sleep. Her clothes were soaked in sweat and she staggered towards the bulb. She switched on her bulb to light up the room.
She walked to the bathroom and collapsed into the bathtub.