Tension

  Claire walked into Kingston's mini dining room and stopped in her tracks. The air was so chilly that she felt goosebumps rise on her skin. Looking at her hands, she found her fingers shaking slightly. 

She lit her face up and stared at the dinner table. The table has just Four seats. On her right side sat her grandma, sitting next to her, Mr Kingston. Kulture sat opposite Mr and Mrs Kingston. The next seat to Kulture was empty, which presumed was left for her.

  She took a deep breath then turned her attention on what was on the table. It did look like where a celebration of breakfast will be taking place. Four plates were placed in the center. The first plate was full of scrambled eggs. The second plate was with hash browns, the third plate, a plate of toast and the other one was filled with bacon. A bottle of orange juice was next to it along with cups.

The table was set with cutlery. A plate of chocolate chip pancakes was next to the glass of orange juice.

Her grandparents are not that rich but they live like rich people. That can only be because their sons-in-law are very rich.

  Why they are still living here has to do with Mrs Kingston. She has been given Mercy conditions to attend to before they can move to the house bought in their names.

   Claire turned her attention to the people on the table after feeding her eyes, Her stares first moved to Mrs Kingston. Mrs Kingston's expression was not that cold yet it did not stop Claire from noticing the displeasure in her eyes.

Claire blinked then moved her stare to Mr Kingston. He had a neutral look plastered on his face, though he could be hiding an anger inside himself.

  She sighed and finally looked at Kulture. Kulture had the most mincing look ever. It's dawned on Claire that there might have been a discussion going on before her arrival. It's like it concerned her but she is worried about the atmosphere. 

As everyone was silent the time seemed to stretch endlessly and no one was inviting her in. She slowly walked towards the only empty seat at the dinner and sat down.

  "Grandpa, is there a problem?"

She asked, looking at Mr Kingston.

"Nothing my dear, your grandma and I were having a discussion with your aunt. Be rest assured it's nothing serious."  

Mr Kingston answered with a smile that showed Claire it didn't seem that serious but her mind was telling her otherwise. Claire was aware something was not right.

  "I hope you slept well?"

Her grandpa added.

"Yes grandpa. Grandma, good morning."

"Good morning, my dear"

She simply replied with no emotions in her voice. Her tune of voices did not concern Claire yet she was somewhat uneasy. Claire knows she never likes her grandma and in return her grandma never shows the world that she hates Claire. Yes, Claire is her granddaughter but few people knew that she is actually not Kingston's granddaughter. Mr Kingston has never for one day disregarded Claire for being his foster granddaughter. At first his wife had no issues with it but now, she is being thorn on the poor girl's flesh.

  Okay, she hates Claire yet she asked her to come over to the weekend, that Mr Kingston is still trying to figure out why.

 "Okay, if there is no problem? Why is this place so quiet? The breakfast is getting cold."

Claire asked looking around the table,everyone is busy in their own world.

  Mrs Kingston sighed and looked at Claire as if she had just done something terrible."We were obviously waiting for you to come for breakfast,suggested by your grandfather" Mrs Kingston said scornfully. 

  Claire flinched at the how harshly her grandma's voice sounded. She is not used to people shouting at her.

 "Alright, we should start now since I am here"

Claire offered, breaking the awkward silence that was threatening to engulf them all. All these while, Kulture had eyes on Claire, not once did she take her eyes off. Claire, unaware of such a gaze, settled to have breakfast.

    She was hungry as hell, she did not get to eat dinner last night for a reason obvious to everybody. When Claire doesn't give a dime about her environment, skipping meals is evidence. Her grandparents knew about it and they often left her alone when she demanded to be left alone, not that Mrs Kingston could not persuade but because she too doesn't care about Claire as well.  

 As the silence threatened to engulf the dinner room again, Mr Kingston beckoned on the servants to help them with dishing out breakfast for each member of the family.

  With each person's plate filled with their choice of breakfast, they all settled to eat in silence.