FAMILY DINNER (PART 2)

Two luxury cars entered the court of a magnificent mansion and stopped the car beside the magnificent mansion. In a black sedan, a husband and wife look down from their car. The wife draped her arms around his husband with a smile that framed their faces.

Then, followed by three girls who got out of the white sedan. They look elegant and charming. Roxanne tidies her dress to make it look neater. The little sister, Jeanette, approached her mother and father.

"Do not be tense." whispered the older sister, Victorina. At first, Roxanne did act normal. But, her sister reminded her not to be tense anymore. She was nervous, of course. Were invited to a family dinner by a man who 'said' liked her.

Finally, they walked together towards the large door of the mansion. Without being touched, the door had opened which was apparently opened by a butler of the mansion. He welcomed the Collin family.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen Collin," while bending down 90˚. Adrien and Agathe smiled kindly at him.

The Herbert family came and welcomed the Collin family. "Welcome, my friend." greeted Ferdinand Herbert, Felix's father, in a male-style hug. "Welcome, Agathe, ah, we haven't seen each other for a long time," Joanna told Agathe. They kiss each other right and left cheeks, then talk briefly between parents because they have not met for a long time.

"Ah, yes, these are my children." said Agathe, introducing. "This is Victorina, the oldest, actually she has a twin brother, Victor, but she has a sudden business and unfortunately cannot be present here." Agathe took Victorina's hand and Victorina bowed politely. "Ah, and you must have known my daughter, Roxanne, right? When Felix went to our house, Roxanne said that if she was the son of a café customer, and I didn't think it was you, Joanna. The world is too narrow. " Agathe chuckled as soon as she introduced Roxanne. Joanna smiled too.

"Long time no see, Miss Valeraine." Roxanne says hello.

"Yes, we haven't seen each other since that day." Joanna said. She holds Roxanne's hand and kisses her right and left cheek. "Ah, this must be the youngest," Joanna saw Jeanette, who was standing beside Roxanne.

"I'm Jeanette, Miss?" Jeanette didn't know how to say Joanna's name until she hung up her sentence.

"Just call me like your sister called me," he said, kissing Jeanette's right and left cheeks. "You're very beautiful," she added.

"Joanna, Honey, introduce our heroes and little princesses." said Ferdinand, approaching Joanna.

"Of course. This is Jeffrey, our oldest son, this is Orson, Lawrence," Joanna introduced them one by one.

*

When the Collin family entered the mansion, Felix's eyes were only fixed on Roxanne. But unfortunately, it seems like Roxanne doesn't realize it. Roxanne looks very beautiful. Moreover, when using an elegant midi dress like this, seemed to eliminate the woman's uncaring nature. Felix continued to stare at her, until his mother, Joanna, finished introducing Jeffrey, Orson, and Laurence and now everyone seemed to be staring at Felix.

Felix threw his sweet smile at Roxanne as he looked at her. Finally, Felix thought.

"Thank you for coming, Mom, Dad." Felix showed his manners, and did not forget the beloved call for Roxanne's parents.

"Looks like we can continue this introductory event after dinner. Now, we have to fill our stomachs first because this is the essence of this meeting. Our chef has prepared a special big meal for tonight." Ferdinand opened his voice and invited the Collins to follow him for dinner in the dining room.

They enter a dining room in a contemporary style with dominating white-silver color. Typical Herbert. There is a long table with as many as 12 chairs there. One by one they immediately occupied their seats. Ferdinand sat in the chair at the far end of the dining table. Joanna sat to the left of her husband, followed by Laurence, Orson, and Jeffrey. To the right of Ferdinand, Adrien sat next to his wife, Agathe. Victorina took Jeanette and sat next to her mother. Roxanne came and took a seat next to her sister, Jeanette. Felix came, and he immediately chose to sit in the end seat facing his father, precisely to Roxanne's right side. In fact, there was still one bench next to Jeffrey.

Felix's parents did not seem surprised why Felix was sitting there, but without realizing Felix, his brother saw Felix's behavior since the Collin family arrived, where Felix continued to stare at Roxanne until this moment.

The servants came to bring some typical French food. First, the servants put Carpacio St. Jacques, which is their appetizer. This menu is a combination of quinoa seeds, sliced oysters, avocado, and passion fruit. The fresh taste of this appetizer comes from a splash of citrus and olive oil. The texture of the oysters is also very soft and the savory taste comes from the tobuki (flying fish eggs).

Finished with an appetizer, the waiter also provided the main meal at the dinner table. The main dish is Coq Au Vin. The main course is chicken feet cooked with red wine for a long time. So, the texture of the meat is softer and the flavor is even more pervasive. Other ingredients used are mushroom slices, lardon, and onions.

The main meal has finished. Now, the waiter starts serving Dessert and pouring Malbec Red Wine on each glass.

This time, Jeanette was amazed by the dessert that was served. The waiter serves lle Flottante as a Dessert. Who doesn't like that food. With a characteristic meringue soft lemon flavor that floats on top of a thick creamy sweet liquid made from egg yolk, milk, and sugar.

Finally, they all finished eating their food. Now, they shifted toward the spacious family lounge, and based on Herbert's specialty, the silver-white color still dominated the room.

They are involved in casual chats between families. Sometimes, Ferdinand and Adrien discuss work problems. Laurence, Orson, and Jeanette immediately got close and they played together in the back garden. Felix looked agitated by his uneasy signs.

"What's wrong with you?" Jeffrey who saw it also asked but Felix just answered with a shake and smiled.

However, shortly after that, Felix cleared his throat. Make everyone there turn to him.

"What's wrong, Son?" Asked Ferdinand.

"I want to say something to all of you." he replied while smiling.

*

According to Roxanne, this dinner dish is very special. Although, sometimes she must be able to hold her heartbeat, because Felix chose to sit near her. In fact, she has not been able to look at him since coming. She realized if Felix continued to look at her, but Roxanne didn't dare look back at Felix. But, she will admit, Felix looked very handsome tonight.

Fortunately, since the appetizer came, she was really into the food she ate. So, she can divert her very chaotic feelings. Roxanne was silent, occasionally she spoke if Joanna, Jeffrey or Victorina. As much as possible she made herself comfortable there. In fact, she had begun to be familiar with Jeffrey, Felix's brother. According to her, he is a friendly man and a typical person who is relaxed.

Suddenly, Felix cleared his throat. Everyone was silent and stopped from their respective activities, especially Roxanne who now turned to look at Felix who showed his serious face.

This time, what else he will do, Roxanne fidgeted. To be honest, she felt the awkwardness of seeing Felix with such a serious face. That certainly reminded her of what happened last night. Where is the man....

Felix stood up from where he sat, lowered his head, linked his fingers, then looked up with one breath.

"I just want to say I'm very thankful we can all gather here as two big families. And also, as you all know, I am taking part in this important idea. " Felix paused, chuckled, and rubbed her nape before continuing, "clarifying my goals so far to all of you, especially to Roxanne's family, regarding my meeting with Roxanne. I know this is too short and maybe you guys will think if I'm playing around. But not." Felix looked at his mother and smiled. Turning to Roxanne, she found Roxanne's surprised signs mixed with her nervousness. Felix knows that.

"I guess.. not. I was sure of it. I am indeed interested in Roxanne, I like her, I love her and I want to marry her."