"You don't have to forget her, but you can move on," Vivian said in an understanding tone. "And you can start by letting go of this." she said, picking up a necklace from beside her. On it was a ring hooked on it as the pendant. A ring.
Lloyd saw that and frowned but didn't make any attempt to take back from her.
"This was her ring, isn't it?" She asked. Although he didn't answer that question, she knew it was. Annabelle was the only woman Lloyd had ever proposed to, and that woman left her ring behind when she left. Cutting all ties with him and their daughter. But he kept on waiting and believing. "Throw this away, and free yourself from her."
"Give it to me," Lloyd said. He neither approved of it nor was he angry that she invaded his space. He just wanted it back.
"Will you throw it away?" She asked, her eyes studying his expression, but he just stared at her. "I have met quite a few candidates who I think will be a good match for you. Pearl would like them once she meets them. I want you to give at least one of them a chance."
"You said you won't meddle. Why are you doing it now?" Lloyd frowned. He didn't like being told something like this. His mother just never ran out of women she wanted to introduce to him. He didn't mind it in the past because he knew she was just trying to make him feel better, but this time, it was different. She wanted him to marry one of them.
"Because you have refused to fix your own life. As your mother, it is my responsibility to fix it for you. If you had a wife, I wouldn't dare because that would be her responsibility," Vivian replied, her expression and tone now turning serious.
"I don't want to meet any of them. There's much to do at the moment. And Pearl is doing just fine…" Lloyd said, but Vivian interrupted him.
"She wants a mother," she said, and his frown deepened. He has never heard her say anything like that. Vivian saw him like that and understood what he was thinking. "Fine. I won't force you…yet," she put away the neckless, making sure he wouldn't take it. "Tomorrow is the last day of school, I won't be able to pick her up from school."
Lloyd knew she was up to something, but he just couldn't figure it out just yet. She had a clean schedule beside a trip to the salon. "I'll go get her," He agreed before she would say something else about it.
"Thanks," Vivain stood and stretched a little. "You wouldn't have to if she just had a mother…"
"Mum…?"
"Fine, I won't talk about it anymore…" For now, she added in her mind before leaving, and Lloyd sighed.
Now left alone, he was left pondering over what she had said. He knew this was going to be their conversation, but it still left him stressed out.
***
Anna was up even before the sun crept up the sky. She was tempted to leave the house early and avoid the dinner, but she had given her word. As annoying as it was, she was determined to see it through. The presence of the Dillons will also give her the chance to let them know that they are just barking at the wrong tree.
As soon as the clock struck 7:00 o'clock AM, Anna headed down. Before she could get to the stairs, she spotted Evelyn with Carl beside her. Her lips curled up seeing how guarded her mother was.
"Did you think I would run away, Mother?" She asked, her tone laced with mockery and a bit of sarcasm.
Evelyn didn't react but spoke firmly, "The Dillons will be here any moment now, we should go and receive them," she turned around and started walking for the door while Anna clicked her tongue.
"Young Miss," Carl greeted, and Anna reciprocated with a nod and a smile.
"Good morning to you, too," she said , walking side by side with him. Her posture straight, and her gaze stared ahead. Just before they could descend the stairs, she stopped. "You can go without me, I forgot something important, I will go and get it before meeting the Dillons," she said. Although Carl was hesitant knowing she had also heard the arrival of the guests' car, he still bowed.
"Yes," he said and left while she remained standing at the top of the stairs, her eyes staring at the retreating back of Carl.
There was no way she would give her mother and the Dillons what they wanted. Not even a glimmer of hope. Whatever the deal with her mother was, she would put an end to it today.
Meanwhile, once Evelyn turned and couldn't find Anna behind her, she frowned but quickly masked her emotions behind a smile and walked ahead to receive the family approaching her.
"It is so nice to see you again, Evelyn," Mrs Dillon said. All smiled, but it froze, only for a moment. Her eyes looked around for Anna, but she was nowhere near.
Evelyn noticed her gaze and smiled softly. "She was here a moment ago, Stella," she said, knowing who her eyes were searching for. "It is nice to have you here. Welcome."
"Aunt Evelyn," Heath Dillon, Stella's son greeted with a curt bow. Evelyn turned to him and smile as she returned his greetings. This was the man she wanted for her daughter. Refined and well mannered as well as well established. Their marriage would make everything better and elevate their social standing as well. Anna wouldn't have to worry about her future with him.
"I am sorry Anna isn't here at the moment, but I assure you that she will join us at the table," Evelyn said but he only smiled, already knowing that something was wrong.
"That's is alright, Aunt. I am sure Anna has her reasons," he said and Evelyn offered another smile that was getting harder to maintain.
"Please take our guests inside, Carl. Let's not keep them standing outside," Evelyn instructed.
"Off course, right this way," Carl said.