"Now introducing Mr & Mrs Xavier Westwood", Sebastian, the butler announced to the waiting Westwood family and relatives in the hall.
"You may now enter.", Sebastian gestured toward the entrance into the hall. Myra was in high alert mode and nervous to say the least. She felt her knees go weak. Xavier sensing her hesitation, wrapped one arm around her waist and gently pushed her in, alongside him.
And thus, Myra was officially inducted into the Westwoods family circle. As each member of the family was introduced to Myra, she grew just as uncomfortable. Myra knew what the rumor mills had been churning about her every since it was known that she was the only living Rayas, and the disdainful glances of the Westwood confirmed her suspicion of it.
After the introductions have been said and done, Myra was ushered to be seated at the top of the right hand side of the table, as Xavier was considered the authority of the family now and he himself was seated as the Head of the table. Myra's stomach churned a little, as she saw the Vice Presidents, CEO, and COO of the Westwood Holdings seated below her. She knew all about the hierarchy of the Westwoods' and how seriously they took on their authority and responsibilities. The Westwoods' were well known for their love of authority and power and of course shunned the idea of anything besides. And she and her school friends used to joke about it when they were hanging out, but looking at the Westwood now, their sheer force would be seen as intimidation. Even their glances reeked of authority, of strict patriarchal authority.
Myra could barely eat during dinner, she kept trying to eat little bites but even that was too much for her. She chewed as slowly as she could, trying to buy time as time passed by so slow, she for one thought time was at a standstill. Her new mother-in-law, Olivia noticed her and asked her, if the food was not to her liking. The room felt silent at Olivia's question, and Myra mustered up her courage to even speak, "Oh no, everything is so delicious. I'm afraid, I had something to eat before I came here."
"You ate before coming to a family dinner?" scoffed Regina Westwood, Xavier's cousin. Myra knew Regina very well. She didn't know her personally but she had heard a lot about Regina from her friends and of course, she also knew society loved talking about Regina, at least behind her back. Regina was known to society as a jilted lover and a spoiled princess. She was set to marry the Rothschild Industries, youngest son, Bryan Rothschild when he took in a lover. Of course the ultra-wealthy were known to have lovers but Bryan shook the rumor mill when he declared his love for his lover and married her. Regina was livid, and so were the Westwoods but the Rothschild were quite a powerful family themselves, the Rothschild proposed another of the Rothschild marriage in alliance which was Christina Rothschild to Regina's brother, Robert Westwood but Christina proved to be a challenge for Robert. All in all, Regina threw quite a fit at Christina, and Christina was no pushover, so their internal family arguments were always on the society's lips and what happened between these two. And boy, did they fight. Like cats and dogs until both families threatened to cut them off financially and also from the family registry. Regina and Christina were shopaholics and loved the brands, and due to the threats of not being able to spend money, had them quieten for now. But only time will tell when they next spat between these two sister-in-laws were going to happen.
Myra knew all these to well, so she let Regina know subtlety, "Oh I had met with my friends before I came to dinner, they wanted to congratulate me for the wedding and we had tea and some accompaniments while we were at it", Myra made up a lie. Regina knew Myra's friends quite well, although Myra's family, when they had their wealth was not in the same circle, Myra's closest friend Sarah was part of the Steinberg family, another ultra wealthy family and Sarah and Regina were archenemies. And Myra knew anything that had to do with Sarah, Regina avoided. Sarah once had knocked out a front tooth from Regina and Regina had spent a fortune getting implants to recover. Regina was also embarrassed by it and since avoided Sarah like a plague. Even now, any mention or vicinity of Sarah, Regina steered clear.
"Oh." , was Regina's only response and she felt it at that.
Dinner was over before Myra knew it, and Myra stomach was in turmoil. All of them re-treated to the parlor room, and Myra feeling worse for wear, excused herself from the crowd to turn in early.
As everyone made their way into the parlor room, Myra left the dinning hall, where some of the younger generation Westwoods seemed to be waiting for her.
"You are a dirty little bitch" Vanessa spoke as Myra was making her way out.
Myra stood still, shocked, "Excuse me.", Myra stumbled out her words.
"You heard me. What did you do or say to Xavier that he would look at you, lest of all marry you, a penniless bitch." Vanessa spoke with more contempt in her voice then before.
The rest of the Westwoods snickered at her comments and also sided with Vanessa adding, "Maybe she is good in bed.", added Ridley. The rest of them seemed to be in agreement and laughed at that comment, however vulgar.
"Is that what you did, spread your legs?", Vanessa added fuel to the fire.
Myra's felt her breath was caught and it felt like she forgot how to breathe. She didn't want to make a fuss over it, as she felt like an outsider as well. So she looked at them and just left. She left stupid and such a pushover but she herself didn't know what Xavier wanted from her. How could she answer them when he didn't even tell her what he wanted from her when he himself proposed the idea of marriage to save her. All he said was, he will ask when she was ready and had something in return.
Humiliated and embarrassed, Myra walked over to the door and saw Xavier was standing there, smoking. Myra's heart sank, as she realized he had overheard what his family members were saying about her but he didn't even think to intervene. 'Just what is his deal?', Myra thought to herself.
What she said instead was, "Goodnight." and continued to leave.
As she made her way to the door, she heard a voice behind her, "Where do you think you are going?", Xavier asked his voice unwaveringly still. Myra replied, "Um home.", thinking back to her suite in hotel when the realization hit her. "Are you kicking me out of the suite in the hotel?", Myra spoke a little too soon. 'What a cheapskate. After all all rich people are cheap when it comes to money.', Myra internalized herself.
Xavier heaved a sigh and answered, "No one is kicking you out from anywhere. This is now your home too." Myra was surprised to say the least, "The Westwood mansion. You want me to stay in the Westwood mansion? Like THE Westwood mansion?".
Xavier was starting to grow annoyed at her, even Myra could tell from the recent two weeks she had known him since. "I was hoping to stay in the hotel for a bit, while I look for a place to stay.", Myra wanted to clear the air and let him know she didn't want to be indebted to him even more than she is now.
Xavier couldn't believe the words coming out of Myra's mouth. Yes he was the one to propose that she wed him, and he would pay off her debt and in return, Xavier was hoping she would be grateful to him and even warm his bed and like Vanessa mentioned, 'spread her legs to him'. But she was looking for ways out and to be apart as much as possible. Xavier had never been so stunned in his life. He thought he was in control but apparently Myra has thought of ways to disrupt his control. Xavier was known in the business world to be ruthless and having an ability to know his opponent's next move. Hell, he had always been 10 steps ahead of his opponents and prided in himself in his ability to maintain control over others. He was so sure that she would be in her knees thanking him for saving her. Her knight in shining armor would be him, and she would be her damsel in distress. But it now seems like it was him who was in distress.
"You're staying, whether you like it or not.", Xavier breathed out dangerously. Myra felt a chill go down her spine. She could feel the hostility in the air and she knew everyone in the Westwood was wary of her. Before she could say anything else, Xavier grabbed her arms and dragged her along.