Chapter 8

Day went by so fast that the evening came unnoticed. No, it was not because the sun went down quicker that the usual or the needle of the watch turned faster.

So funny, when we need time the most in the state of rush and hurries, it always seemed to pass by so quickly contrary to the moments when boredom took place, second will turn into years.

Everything for the diner was already settled in the Russell's Residence.

The house was perfectly clean not that it wasn't everyday but that night, they did an extra work.

The usual curtains were replaced with beautiful ones. Some extra decorations were placed. On the dinning table, only elegant tablewares were displayed.

Russell's Residence relived again, after so many years.

Everyone was already dressed up, ready for the night. Mr Russell was wearing an elegantly well tailed black suit. And Sophia, she also gave her best to look good. She wore a grey long shelve guipure dressed, and this time, she made effort on wearing heels, even though they were not that high and uncomfortable.

Mrs Bridget, even though she was not going to have dinner with them also took the occasion to show off her so fashionable style, with all her accessories.

What has the family waited for finally arrived.

The nagging ring bell of the principal door has announced the arrival of the Ambroses.

For Lucas, the upcoming event wasn't that much a big deal. It was not the first time that he would be dinning with them.

He's had so many occasions to. But for Sophia, it was an another story. It would be her first time to meet the Ambroses.

Not to mention that the first meeting with the son wasn't really a good one. It will be the first time for her to see her future in-laws.

Worried? Yes she was. She wondered if they were going to like her. What kinds of person were they? If they were good or bad people? If they were the kind types or the evil ones that make the life of their daughter in law a living hell like in those movies that she had watched. Movies? we can say that she has watched a lot!.

Betty, their maid hurried to open the door letting in, first Arthur Ambrose followed by his wife, so beautifully dressed Emilia Ambrose and finally his son, the one and only Anthony Ambrose.

Mr Russell didn't wait anymore minutes, he advanced towards his guests to great them.

The two elderly men gave each other a warm hug, those kind of hug when two friends finally meet after not seeing each other for ages. After that, he greeted his friend's wife with and finally Anthony.

Sophia, not so far of them noticed how familiar was her father with the ambrose and so they did with him. It was sure that they were really good friend.

Would she be able to have that kind of relation with them? She wondered.

Even Anthony, he looked really different from the man, cold and rude that she met. He was completely different, as they were not the same person. He was smiling warmly at her father and God, how handsome he looked.

Seeing the scene before her, she felt relived and at ease. It looked like her in laws were an enjoyable people and her future husband looked normal.

Lost in her thought, she barely heard her father introducing her to Mr and Mrs Ambrose that it was only at the mention of her name that she noticed that her father was addressing to her.

_"Sophia dear, come here." Instructed Mr Russell to his daughter to stand next to him and so she did. "Let me introduce you Arthur Ambrose and his wife Emilia Ambrose; Anthony's parents , my dear friends. And I guess that there is no need to introduce you to Anthony anymore since you have already met."

Upon hearing Anthony's name, her gaze directly went to his. Gone were all the warmness that she saw minutes ago replaced by coldness an venomousness, the same that she saw that day.

The Anthony Ambrose that day was back.

Though, she didn't held his gaze that long, she looked back to his parents and greeted them with a warm smile yet she still felt it, his gaze but didn't let it disturb her.

_"...and this is my daughter, Sophia Amelia Russell." He Introduced her with so much pride.

_"The exact replica of Amelie. So beautiful as your mother was." Arthur commented.

Sophia was never used to hear someone calling her beautiful. She was really enchanted that someone find her alike Amelie.

_"Thank you very much..." But then, she caught a glimpse of Anthony as if he was amused. Did he just laugh at what his father said? However, Sophia decided not to mind it." Nice to meet Mr Ambrose and Mrs Ambrose." She finished.

The greetings were done so they all went to the living room for chatting.

As for Mr Russell and the Ambroses, they already know each other very well so the discussion mostly turn around Sophia.

_"So tell us, how was your life back then in England?" Mrs Ambrose questioned. "

_"It was normal. A normal life for a normal girl I guess...I loved living there. When I have to return here, I've had to abandon all my life there, my studies, my friends, my habits...you know everything. My whole life, I spend it there so it was kind of hard for me to go back here, but know here I am."

_"So, as you say, don't you regret coming here?"

_"Regret? Oh no, certainly not. At first sight, quitting England look like a complete loss but that is not the case. I was used to live there that I almost forgot that my home was here not three. I've forgotten the feeling of being near my family. Yes, I might saw them time to time but this is completely different. Now, I am near my father. He now can count on me twenty four per day. Now, I can provide him the joy of being with his daughter and not longing for others, wishing that his daughter would be near him. Now, I am back to the place where my mother lived and died. It is crazy but Maybe she misses me too for being so far away." With the last sentence, she gave a small laugh.

_"But still, it must be hard for you right?"

_"Of course! adjusting to a new life is always hard but as time will pass, you will learn to live with and your day will become normal again. Starting something new is always hard, but if it is better than just living the same life, that you know won't bring you anything. Sometimes, all you just need is the courage, the courage to say good bye to the old , and greeting new ones".

Mr Ambrose's question didn't stop there, she really was eager to know everything about the girl. She asked everything about Sophia like where she studied, who was her friends, what was she doing during free times and many more. Isn't she like every typical mother? Whenever a son is going to get married, the question that pooped in mind is wherever the girl would be able to take care of him, if the girl is a good one or not, if the girl will make him happy.

Time passed by so quickly that they didn't seem to notice that they have already spend an hour chattering. No, not chattering, it was more like an FBI interrogating Sophia. When Mrs Ambrose was about to ask Sophia, Mr Ambrose interrupted her.

_"Oh dear! Leave her alone now will you? Look at the poor girl, with all that talk she look like she will pass away anytime now." With amusement filled in his voice.

They all both laughed except Anthony who during the time didn't even utter a single word unless the question was towards him. He wasn't interested in it. Time to time, he gave bored expressions but no one noticed, except Sophia who didn't do anything but studying him.

Seeing how he acted, she felt enraged, how inconsiderate he was. At least, he could fake to be interested before their parents! Gladly, everyone was interested in Mrs Ambrose's questionnaire that they didn't even remark his behavior.

Sure and certain, Anthony was a rude man, an impolite jerk! To say that she was going to spend her life with a guy like him! "Oh god, have a pity" She pried.

_"Anyway, why don't we all go dinning? It is pretty late already." Suggested Mr Russell.

_"Sure!replied Mr Ambrose, and you can continue your investigation there, right dear?" He mocked his wife. And the Three of them laughed again.

Sophia was appeased to see how Mr and Mrs Ambrose was. They sure were kind and lovable, easy to get along with.

As Mr Russell said, they all went to the dinning room and started to attack their plates.

They were all concentrated in the delicious food that no one saw the necessities of talking. It was Mrs Ambrose that broke the silence. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence through.

_"So, we have already talked but not really of the reason why we are here." Said Anthony's mother.

_"We should sort out that matter today." Mr Ambrose talked at his turn.

_"Isn't it why we are all gathered here anyway?"

Sophia and Anthony knew what they were talking about but decided to stay silent and continue eating their food but both of them were really interested in the conversation yet they acted as if they don't.

_"So, why don't we organise it in one month?" Suggested Mr Ambrose.

Upon hearing his father, Anthony and Sophia stopped dead in their track, turning their attention at the same time at him, both surprised, shocked of what he had just said.

_"In one month?" Repeated Anthony not believing what he had just heard. "Isn't that a little bit too soon father?"

It was clear in his ton that he was against it. The way how he spelled every word, the ton of his voice, showed clearly his objection .

_"Do you think? Sooner or later, this wedding will happen so why don't we do things sooner?" There was that hidden message inside Mr Ambrose's voice as if daring Anthony to refuse it.

Anthony just glared at his father, not uttering any word.

The tension between the father and son raised. Mrs Ambrose noticed perfectly how tensed Anthony was and anytime soon, he will explode. She was between a dilemma, ever way supporting her son or her husband. She knew about Anthony and Luisa's relationship and she had always supported her son about it.

At first, when her husband talked to her about marrying Anthony to someone else, she was against it but she didn't recall even a single moment that her husband had done something if it is not for the shake of his family. She knew that if he had come to that extreme, it was only for Anthony's good and at the end, she agreed to it.

However, agreeing to it didn't mean that everything was OK. It pained her to see his son in his state. Lately, Anthony hasn't talk to them correctly. He always appeared angry and worried. They don't know how to talk normally anymore, they seemed to be always in constant cold war.

She needed to do something before it went too far.

_"So, what do you think about it Lucas, do you think that what Arthur proposed is a good idea?"

Now, all attention was turned to Mr Russell.

_"Well, personally, I will be okay with whatever date that you chose. I won't lie, it will be even better if we do it sooner but it is not my wedding. I will go with the date that our children think is better for them."

_"So Sophia, do you agree with us doing it in two weeks?" Mr Ambrose asked.

Was she okay with it? No she wasn't, but as Mr Ambrose said, sooner or latter it will happen so why making a big deal out of it and don't just get it finished. Else, seeing her married will appease her father meaning tearing away all of his worries so...

_"I agree with it. I don't see any problem doing it that soon."

At that moment, if killing someone wasn't a crime, Sophia would already bee six feet under the ground. That girl looked like is only better to attract to Anthony problems.

Oh, how much he hated her!

She was insupportable.

_"But isn't it too soon? I mean, we don't know each other yet, plus organising a wedding isn't an easy thing. There are so much details that need to be sort out." Anthony attempted his last chance to convince them to report the date.

_"You will have the rest of your life to know each other and as for all the arrangement, everything will be okey." Argued Mr Ambrose.

"For the rest of you life" Anthony was blocked to that word. As if he was going to let that happen.

He has already a plan: divorce after one year of that wedding. Comes to think of it, the sooner this wedding will start, the sooner it will end and the sooner he and Luisa will be able to live together. It appeared then that it was better for him too to accept it.

_"Great, we will do that wedding one month!" The sooner it start, the sooner it will end.