The arrival of Davis Allen and Jessica received a cold welcome as though they were intruders in the house. The butler lead them into the living room, bowed slightly and returned into the house. Jessica slowly pushed Davis to a comfortable location and sat down beside him.
Davis glanced around the room taking in every details as they are—the opulent structure, the expensive antiques arranged as though they are on exhibition, the golden chandelier, ho .niothe art works hanging around the wall, the large TV hanging on the wall below the beautiful family of three portrait as though seeking a proper attention to be noticed all the time. The portrait has a girl who is totally different from the one beside him. His gaze narrowed at the portrait.
He leaned towards Jessica to ask her in a voice only both of them could "I can't find you in the potrait on the wall, aren't you the eldest daughter of the Brown", he asked with a mixed emotion. He was skeptical but then he needed an answer and a clarity of the matter. Jessica in a whisper "Davis, is there need for an abandoned daughter to make appearance on the family portrait to resent the image?" She replied with a smirk.
It was at this time that Risa stepped into the sitting room seeing their ambiguous posture she clenched her fist in anger. It seems Jessica is having a good time with Davis. They had expected this marriage to be her pain and agony but looking at their posture and closeness, her jaw tightened.
She coughed lightly to announce her presence and the duo slowly raised their heads to look at her. "Sister, you are welcome home", she said with her smile wide as she walked over to them. Casting a furtive glance at Davis whose face was cold and devoid of emotion, she had always known he is handsome but it seems been in the wheelchair did not in anyway limit him.
"Sister, is he my brother-in-law?" She asked gazing at him. Jessica did not miss the admiration and calculation that danced in her eyes. She had always coveted everything that belongs to Jessica and anyone she couldn't get she makes sure to destroy.
Jessica can bet her life that Risa is already plotting against her for the same man she had rejected. Jessica, smiled lightly but her eyes were as cold as ice as she met her gaze briefly before she smiled sweetly at Davis "Hubby meet my half sister Risa and Sister this is my husband, your brother-in-law." she stated asserting dominion while daring Risa to do her worst.
With their gazes locked on each other, a silent battle of wits made the tension in the room palpable. Davis might have been out of the business cycle but he isn't a novice not to know when the battle line had been drawn. But then he felt more amused at Jessica's introduction, it was clear she just wanted to piss Risa off but his mood lifted.
Risa stretched forth her hand to Davis for a handshake. Jessica smiled lightly as she grabbed Davis hand "sister, am sorry but he had a cut on his right hand and currently can't have a handshake to prevent infections" she sneered.
"A cut?" Risa asked skeptical. She has a feeling that Jessica is doing this on purpose.
"Oh! Sorry but hope it's not much", she asked and walked towards Davis but then her feet halted in shock at Davis voice "Miss Brown, don't you think the Brown family is misplacing their priorities?"
Risa glanced at Jessica seeing her smile her face contorted in rage. "I don't understand what you are pointing at." She replied as she sort ways to handle the situation Clara's voice filtered through "Am sorry for the oversight" she said slowly and deliberately.
A maid followed closely behind with a tray of fruit desert and water. Davis lifted his eyes towards the sound of the voice and locked on the woman who was descending the stairs with deliberate step as though she is a queen. "I understand" he muttered averting his gaze.
As Risa and Clara came in one after another with George not present in the sitting room Jessica intuition made her feel weary of this family . Something isn't right but no matter what it is she is ready to play with them.
"Mr. Allen, you are here. Am sorry to have kept you waiting, I was attending to some important calls about our corporation —you know how busy one can be at this time" he said flashing Davis a knowing smile. Davis shrugged nonchalantly as though it is not important what he wants.
Jessica took an excuse of getting something from her room to leave the living room and slowly she walked towards the hallway and after a while the door shut with a thud. While Davis and Ethan sat with other Brown family members with George praising himself incessantly about his business acumen and achievements.
After a short time Jessica returned to the sitting room clutching an old worn toy in her left hand. Settling down she unwittingly picked up a glass on the side table and drank from it before she placed it back. "Father..", she began but stopped when she noticed the expressions of the people in the sitting room had all changed drastically yet a smile tugged at Davis lips. She wanted to wonder what had happened but Risa's voice halted her speech, "You.. drank from
.. from ..his glass?" She stammered in confusion. Hearing the question, Jessica glanced at their faces and it seems that everyone is asking the same question. she glanced at them slowly "Aren't we married?" She asked making them stumped.
Risa felt she was dreaming and couldn't contain her surprise and anger as she clenched her fist. .
She is quite uncomfortable with the rate of development between Jessica and Davis. Though,Davis was a crippled man who she had rejected; she was hoping that he will make Jessica's life unbearable. She had hoped that she will remain in her shadow, possibly to return to the Brown family to solicit for help. She opened her mouth to retort but was short of words. A glint flashed in her eyes and gazing intently at Jessica, "You just got married or were doing you dating before?" She sneered.
"What should be the difference between getting married and dating before or has the Brown family forgotten the root and method used in this marriage?" Jessica sneered.
She wouldn't give Risa the chance to exploit her. Though she mistakenly took the sip from Davis cup, she will make good use of the opportunity and ensure that Risa will not have any peace within her.
Risa averted her gaze but then Jessica wouldn't step back "Tell me sister, how long one should date or be married to express familiarity or where you expecting to ask for my head?" She pressured that even Ethan sitting by the side couldn't help give her a thumbs up in his heart.
Risa averted her gaze, it was clear she had hoped for that to be a reality but —she won't dare admit such an outrageous act. She couldn't understand how Jessica had become sharp tongued and calculative just in a few days.
"Jessy, you see your sister is but a child, she doesn't know much and if she asked wrongly please forgive her but her question isn't uncalled for." Clara quickly cut in with mock care to avoid anyone pursuing the matter further.
"Sure, I understand but then a child shouldn't ask what isn't meant for her age", Jessica answered, her tone rich with amusement in her eyes as she gazed at the fuming Risa.
As the syllable left her lips a maid walked in with a tray of freshly squeezed juice and pastries to serve them so as to wait for the main dish. Jessica took over from the maid and she didn't protest —it had been a known fact within the Brown family that she is never treated as a young lady since the death of her mother and she felt it is natural to allow her serve the drinks, with a slight bow, she excused herself.
Risa smirked, finally God is helping her. Should anything go wrong after the drink then Jessica should take the blame.
Slowly, Jessica served the drinks accordingly. Taking the role of a dutiful wife she took a glass from the tray to Davis and set it down gently. After which she handed everyone else present a glass in a slow pace. Davis glanced at Jessica noting her little actions, his lips turned upward with a subtle smile. Slowly, he picked the glass and drank half of the contents. Risa sighed in relief as Davis drank from the cup, finally it went without any hitches but Jessica cut her off from her reverie "Sister have some drink", she muttered slowly.
Risa slowly flaunt her hair as she accepted the drink with pride. Finally, Jessica was able to serve her without complaints but it is more interesting to see that she will return to the Allen family and face their wrath over their son. Slowly she sipped her drink her gaze on Davis as he relaxed back on the wheelchair. But then —