FAMILY BREAKFAST

CHAPTER 15… FAMILY BREAKFAST

Timothy hissed.

"Stop insisting and go lie down already,"

Selena thought that he would not listen to her so she came up with a better idea, although, she dreaded the mere thought of it.

"How about," she pointed to the bed and then back to him. "How about we share the bed?"

Timothy's hand that was making the couch stopped and he looked at her.

"Are you sure?"

Selena nodded and walked back to the foot of the bed. She climbed into the bed and made herself comfortable on the left side.

Timothy returned to the bed too, with the pillow and blanket. He got into the other side and laid down. He turned off the bedside lamp and closed his eyes.

After their goodnights, the both of them laid down in utter silence, each unable to sleep. Selena even began to count from one thousand down to one in her mind until she fell asleep.

Timothy turned around and took a glimpse at her face, she looked as peaceful as she was in reality, in her sleep. He reached for the lamp on her side and turned it off before getting out of the bed.

*****

The sun seeped in through the spaces between the curtain and Selena turned in bed. She stretched lazily and opened her eyes. She sat up and turned to her side where Timothy was supposed to be but he wasn't there.

"He must be an early bird even on weekends," she mumbled and got out of the quilt and off the bed. Her bare feet padded across to the bathroom for a shower.

A while later, she came out and stood in the white closet. After rummaging through her clothes for a while, she finally settled for a blue knee-length gown and a pair of white sneakers.

It was a Sunday. She had promised Megan that she would come visiting. Selena grabbed her blue purse and phone and was about to head out of the bedroom when the door opened and Timothy came in. He was still in his pajamas, a sign that he had not even bathed.

Did he even sleep in the room?

"Good morning," Selena greeted with a smile.

Timothy looked at her. Somehow, he did not understand how she could always be smiling.

"Morning," he responded and walked past her to get into the room. "Are you going out?"

Selena turned to face him and nodded.

"Yea, I didn't think you were around, though."

"Hmm"

Selena thought for a second before asking if she could take Bella along with her.

Timothy turned to face her and kept quiet for a while before nodding.

"Breakfast is in ten minutes," he told Selena before he disappeared into the bathroom.

Selena nodded and left the room. She went to Bella's room and helped her get dressed and then, they came down for breakfast together.

When they were closer to the dinning area, Selena started to hear voices. It sounded like a man and woman having a happy conversation.

"Grandma's here!" Bella exclaimed and ran off, leaving Selena standing, wide-eyed.

'Grandma!? What the heck?' she screamed inwardly.

That must be Timothy's mother, right?

Selena swallowed and turned around to return to the room. She was not ready to meet anyone. It was hard already, accepting the fact that she was now married.

Just when she was about to take a step, Timothy's deep voice came from behind her.

"Where are you going to?"

Selena cursed inwardly before turning to face Timothy. She plastered a nervous smile on her face and did not say anything.

Timothy raised a brow at her smile. When he saw Bella run into the dinning room, he had an inkling what Selena might do as she was not prepared to meet his family.

"Are you coming?" He asked.

Selena nodded nervously.

"Yea, sure. I just want to use the restroom first." She replied and turned around again. "I'll be there in a moment."

"Are you okay, Selena?" Timothy asked, he did not believe her. He already knew she was trying to avoid breakfast but the way she was trying to hide it was amusing to him.

"I'm fine," Selena chuckled nervously and refused to face Timothy. But, she did not leave either. "Totally fine."

"Then let's go have breakfast," Timothy said and came to stand before her. "They do not bite, Selena"

"I know, I know," Selena smiled faintly and met his gaze. "It's just-" she swallowed and took a deep breath before continuing, "-I am not prepared. Look how I'm dressed."

Timothy looked at her, head to toe and chuckled softly. There was nothing wrong with her dressing. She was only looking for excuses but she would not be finding any.

"You're fine like this, Selena. They don't mind," Timothy said and stretched a hand for her to take.

Selena looked at his hand and then to him and raised a brow.

Timothy shrugged and thrust his hand further.

"Well, you're my wife now, right?" He asked and Selena nodded. "Well, my mother expects me to behave like a filial husband."

Selena nodded, understanding. She placed her palm in his hand and let him pull her to the dinning room.

*****

"You're so beautiful, child," Timothy's mother, Debbie said as she cupped Selena's face in her palms.

Selena smiled faintly and mumbled a thank you to her.

Debbie turned to Timothy who was seated besides Selena and warned sternly, "Don't you ever bully her or you'll have to answer to me!"

Timothy raised both hands in surrender and shook his head.

"I wouldn't dare,"

"Mum," a young girl from the side called, "your food is getting cold."

Debbie let go off Selena's face and smiled. She turned to face her daughter, Tricia, and shrugged.

"I'm not hungry," she announced happily. "I'm already satisfied,"

Tricia hissed and rolled her eyes.

"She is not so special, you know."

Debbie glared at Tricia and turned to cast a look of apology at Selena.

"I'm sorry, Selena," Debbie apologized, lightly squeezing Selena's hand that was on the table. "She is just a child."

"It is okay, Mrs. Lancaster,"

"Call me Debbie or mum," Debbie insisted.

"Yes, mum," Selena nodded.

Debbie was slightly stunned. She did not expect that Selena would overlook Tricia's words and remain calm.

Even though her son did not love this woman now, she would make sure that he grows to love her. Debbie was convinced that Selena was mature and wise, unlike that other woman.

Debbie smiled contentedly and started to eat her food.

Tricia snorted loudly and continued to pick her food.

Clearly, everyone heard her and they were determined to pretend like they didn't. Timothy was not having the same thought. He looked up and met Tricia's gaze.

"Do you have a problem with my wife, Tricia?" He asked, his voice was low and dangerous so that fear was imprinted in Tricia's mind.

"N- no, brother." Tricia responded and looked away. She had always been scared of Timothy.

Timothy nodded and looked back to Selena.

"If you do, you should let me me know. But, I will not let you disrespect my wife. Am I clear?"

Tricia nodded and glared at sell from underneath her eyebrows.

The rest of the breakfast was done in laughter as Debbie insisted on sharing the disgraceful times of Timothy.

After breakfast, Drew returned Debbie and Tricia, leaving Selena, Timothy and Bella.

"We would be leaving now," Selena informed Timothy and she took Bella's hand in her own.

Timothy nodded. He offered to take them to Megan's place as Drew was not around but Selena refused. She wanted to take a cab but Timothy did not agree. Reluctantly, they got into the car and let Timothy take them to Megan's place.

When they arrived, Timothy dropped them in front of the house and turned around, making way for the office. He had a few important things to do.

*****

Selena casted a glance at Bella who was seated in one corner of the shop. The little girl was munching peacefully on her cake, while watching a cartoon on Selena's phone.

"I tell you, girl," Megan said, standing before Selena with a hand on her waist. She waved a spatula before Selena and said, "he likes you!"

Selena hissed and lightly pushed Megan away. She stood up and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge before returning to her seat.

"Megan," she called. "You are crazy."

Megan gave a mock bow and smiled.

"Merci, madame"

Selena hissed and grabbed her purse from the table. She walked to Bella and helped her stand up before coming back to engulf Megan in a hug.

"I'll see you later," Selena whispered.

Megan nodded. She picked and handed a package to Bella who made sure to appreciate her.

"Bye,"