Chapter 11
James shook his head and took a deep breath, "I didn't. It disconnected as a result of a bad network." He answered, his voice calm and firm.
"And what happened to the time I gave to you?" Olivia shot after a brief silence. "Didn't I make it clear for you to get back here early?" She glanced sharply at her watch, "This is almost 2 PM."
James nodded, but to save himself, he put up a lie, "I was able to secure a job there, that's why. I'm sorry." He said, his voice unwavering and devoid of any form of lie.
"Wow, that's good news, James." Evelyn clapped her hands, genuinely elated. But everyone's faces twisted in surprise.
"At least, you can fend for yourself. I'm glad you did it." Evelyn further moved forward, placing her hand warmly on James' shoulder, her smile widening.
"Thank you, Mom," James returned her smile before letting them settle on Olivia who couldn't say anything.
Although she was inwardly happy, she didn't want to show it.
"Olivia, won't you at least congratulate your husband on this occasion?" Evelyn asked Olivia, looking at her and expecting her to at least say something.
But before Olivia could even utter a word, Grandma Aurora intervened, "What do you want her to say, huh?" She gave James a piercing shot. "He got a job and so?"
James shook his head, standing there speechless, shifting his gaze to Grandma Aurora with disbelief.
Evelyn pressed towards Grandma Aurora, "Mom, how would you say a thing like that? James is Olivia's husband, for Christ's sake, and she should be happy that he finally landed a job for himself."
Grandma Aurora finally stood up, clapping her hands, amused. She walked forward and asked, her face now stern, "And you want us to be happy that he's getting his first job at this age?" She turned to James, "How old are you?! Aren't you pursuing the age of 30?"
James remained calm and silent, choosing not to talk. She continued her gaze now on Evelyn, "His mates are in their fourth to sixth Rolls-Royce and living in luxurious mansions. And you want us to be happy that he's getting a job now?!" She pointed her finger at James.
"But—" Evelyn tried to defend but Leonard, her husband, interjected, "Eve, stop it!" He gave her a hand, stopping her from continuing.
"Don't argue with Mom because of this bastard here! He's good for nothing and he shouldn't be the reason you should disrespect my Mom. I won't tolerate it!" He warned with all seriousness.
"And you, what position were you given?" He turned and asked James with a furious look.
There was a moment of silence in the room. Their anticipatory ears itched as they waited to hear James' response.
After the long silence, James cleared his throat and decided to lie again, "I got the position of a gate guard but was told that with time, I'll be promoted to a better position." He replied, half smiling.
"What?!" Everyone exchanged puzzled glances including Evelyn. This time, she was equally shocked. "And you accepted?" She asked, softly.
"Yes," James nodded, still smiling, "I'd accepted it rather than staying at home doing nothing."
"And he's even smiling saying it." Grandma Aurora's fist and lips clenched. "What a waste you really are!" She uttered, greatly angered. Especially by James' smile.
"I'm not a waste, Grandma." James disapproved with a polite tone, "It's been said, 'half bread is better than not—"
Before his words could even drop completely to the ground, Olivia gave him a tight slap across his face. Grandma Aurora and Leonard nodded in great satisfaction.
Caleb and Amelia, who remained quiet right from the start, nodded and smiled at each other, also satisfied. "Good for him," Amelia mumbled.
Only Evelyn's eyebrows furrowed in surprise. Meanwhile, James rubbed his hand on the spot where Olivia had slapped him—It hurts.
"How dare you talk back to Grandma?! Don't you know she's the elder of this house and that she can literally determine whether you can leave or stay here?!" Olivia glared at James as she continued to bark, "Let not this stupid job position get into your head."
"I—" James tried to retort but Olivia shut him up, "Be quiet! And get to the kitchen to prepare lunch!"
James nodded and hesitantly started to walk away but Olivia called after him, "And as for that job, you aren't going to work there! You have been a disgrace to this family and I can't let it continue. What will my friends say when they get to know that you're a gate guard?"
She paused, took a deep breath, and then continued, "You should stay at home, and I would rather pay for your personal bills as I've always been doing than let you go and work there." She stated, firm and clear.
Grandma Aurora added, frowning her face, "He'll stay at home doing the chores but you aren't going to pay for his bills! He's no kid."
"If that's so, then you all shouldn't stop him from doing his job. He secured it and should start working to earn and take care of himself." Evelyn said
Leonard somehow nodded, "He may go ahead and do whatever job he wants. We aren't going to stop him but he must know that he isn't any part of this family. And Olivia isn't his wife."
"You're wrong, Mr. Leonard." James' face became a little tightened. "Olivia is my wife, and everyone, including you, is aware of this fact." He said, his voice firm yet with respect.