Alanis's car moved into the Blackwood's estate lost in his thoughts. He hadn't thought of coming here to say, but his grandma decided to stress him out tonight. Of all the places to go to, she decided to go to the Blackwood's mansion.
Even if the Hamiltons were suffering a little misshape in the company, they have so many mansions and estates his grandma could go to. If she was tired of living in the villa, she could go to one of the many mansions they have scattered around the city, she has the keys to those estates but she chose to visit the Blackwoods.
He sighed as he stepped out of his car and started walking towards the mansion-like estate. It was huge, displaying the Blackwood's wealth and power. Arrays of maids lined up to welcome him in. All dressed in black and white attire.
Frank Blackwood is indeed a showoff. Alanis thought to himself. But one thing he knew about the man was that, even if he plays a lot, when it comes to his business, he never plays about that.
"Welcome to the Blackwood's mansion Mr Hamilton." The butler, Warwick greeted with a bow. He was in a black suspender and white shirt. He had overheard when his young miss called him over, so they had been expecting his presence.
"Where's my grandmother," Alanis asked.
"Please come this way sir, we'll take you to her."
.
BACK IN THE DINING ROOM,
"That's not good for you grandma, here have this instead." Harlow placed different fresh fruits on her plate instead and removed the cakes. In her past life cakes were Grandma Hamilton's favorite food and she eats them a lot, which made her develop diabetes. In this life, she wished she could be around to help the old woman.
Grandma Hamilton has been the kindest person to her in her past life. She couldn't just abandon the woman now.
"Daughter-in-law, what are these?" Grandma Hamilton stared at the fruits like they were the most disgusting things in the world. The old woman has forgotten most of the food she used to eat because of her health. Harlow felt pity for her.
"They're cakes grandma, another type of cakes. And look." Harlow placed one grape into her mouth. "They taste good too." Grandma Hamilton smiled. She would never forgive herself for deceiving the old woman, but these fruits are better than the cakes she was used to.
"I'm only going to eat it because you gave them to me. Daughter-in-law, don't leave me anymore okay?" Grandma held Harlow's arms as she pleaded and she couldn't help but nod.
These old scheming women. Harlow wanted nothing with the Hamilton's anymore, especially him... She sighed. It's not like she could escape from the old woman, though she may have dementia, she still knows how to find her way around. Which is baffling in some way.
Elisa rolled her eyes at their words exchange. She would have to gain the old woman's attention one way or another. She would have to make the woman love her Claudia too no matter what it takes.
There were lots of food and fruits on the table, different variety of dishes displayed from one side of the table to another. The food on the table could feed a whole village.
"Sweetheart, I have decided to invite Garth over for the preparation of Claudia's wedding. I want the grandest wedding for our daughter. If there's anything, Claudia deserves it." Elisa suddenly said as if picturing everything she had said or wanted to do.
In other words, she wanted her daughter's wedding to be more grandeur than Harlow's. If Harlow's wedding had the whole city talking for five years, then people should keep talking about Claudia's for a year even.
"What's the rush? Claudia is young, she might change her mind again. I do not want another failed marriage tied to this family's name anymore." Even if Frank had agreed to the marriage, it doesn't mean he was happy with it. Harlow only got divorced today, and these two are already proposing a marriage.
How shameless...
The Hamilton's should be the ones on their feet, begging to be married to you, not his daughters. Just how good-looking is that man that they can't both let go?
"But Daddy, my mind is made up. I want no one else but Alanis." Frank sighed.
"Your sister just divorced that man, you should at least wait a year or better still, wait for her to find another man so that people will not judge..."
"Frank, since when did we start listening to what people have to say about us?" Elisa asked this time.
"Just because we don't care does not mean we have to not use our brain and make rash decisions. Call your daughter to order, else there would be no marriage." He said sternly.
A servant walked in immediately, "Sir, Master Hamilton has arrived." He announced and Claudia's face lit up. She didn't care about what others or her father thought about her decision, all she cared about was the man they just announced.
Can this night get any better? Claudia thought to herself.
Harlow on the other hand didn't move or react at the mention of his name. She wasn't impressed by whatever he did anymore.
"Hamilton?" Grandma Hamilton asked and Harlow nodded.
"Where have I heard such a name before?" She tried to jiggle her memory but couldn't quite put her hands on it. She couldn't figure out where she had heard such a name.
"Grandma, that's your name." Harlow smiled, but the rest on the table found Grandma Hamilton's attitude to be annoying. They could not just stand the old woman even for a second.
Alanis's imposing figure arrived in the dining room and Claudia rose from where she sat. His black eyes scanned the massive room and fell on the red-haired figure sitting next to his grandma.
Red hair?
Even if Claudia had just been overly dramatic to gain his attention, Alanis's eyes were on the red-haired who didn't bother looking his way. Her back was faced to him yet he still stared at her. Claudia noticed it and frowned.
"Lanis, Hi." She greeted, already blushing. She had left her seat to stand before him. She knew the way they had broken up hadn't been nice at all, but she was ready to make amends.
Back then she had been too proud and treated him like trash.
"Claudia." He responded, his eyes still on the red haired who didn't act like anyone just stepped in. Her indifferent attitude only angered him. Girls fawn over him, she included, so why is she acting so cold all of a sudden?
Fine, two can play her game. He would see how long the obsessed Harlow would stay without him.
"I'm glad you're here, come join us for dinner." She grabbed his hands and only then did he take his eyes off Harlow.
"Let's seat together and make up for the times we've stayed apart from each other." Claudia said shamelessly, her innocent blue eyes peering into his.
"I'm sorry, maybe some other time."