BREAKFAST WITH THE ANDERSONS

I walked side by side with Mirabel as we followed Wadsworth who led us to the dining room. Even though Mirabel's eyes constantly came to my face, it didn't stop me from admiring the interior designs of the building which kept getting better and better the further we walked into the mansion.

It made me want to exploit every other part of the mansion cause I just discovered that every new part was better than the last and that was mind-blowing.

We stopped when we got to a large door. Wadsworth pushed open the door and stepped aside for Mirabel and me to walk in and I followed behind Mirabel as we walked into the large room meant for dining.

Unlike any other dining area I had been to, this place was by far the largest and most luxurious. It is extravagance.

The large dining table could contain ten people at most and it is surrounded by ten chairs, four placed at each side of the longest side of the rectangular table, and one placed at each side of the smallest side of the table.

The design of the pieces of furniture is nothing compared to the series of several sumptuous meals that occupied the entire table and it's a breakfast made just for three, well if Liam were to be here, four. I'm certain that even half the quantity of the food wouldn't be consumed. The extravagance was extraordinary.

Mr. Gerald was already seated on the chair on the smallest side of the rectangular table, one considered to be the head of the family's seat and Mirabel walked over to where he sat. 

I watched how she pecked his lips and how his once passive face lit up after her little action. Only a fool wouldn't notice the love which still sparked between them. I got a warm feeling just by watching them.

Mirabel turned to me after she sat on the seat beside Gerald and ushered me to take a seat opposite her. It was her action that brought me out of my daydreaming and to the realization that I had been standing at a spot watching them.

I walked to the table on her demand, and as I got to where Gerald sat, I greeted, "good morning, father." 

My salutation made him aware of my presence, and for the first time since Mirabel got to the table, his gaze shifted from her face to mine with a smile.

"Morning, Abigail. I'm glad you could join us for breakfast. Please, sit," he gestured to the seat beside him, opposite Mirabel's and I joyfully sat on it on his request.

"Unfortunately, Liam can't join us cause he has an emergency to take care of. I'm pleading on his behalf not to feel humiliated or insulted," he added.

I looked at him in disbelief. He was apologizing to me and on Liam's behalf. This changes a lot. He just changed the narrative I have of Anderson's men. This also meant Liam's cruel and cold nature was borne out of sheer arrogance, seeing how polite his father is. How can he come from a family this nice and be so Ill-mannered? 

I groaned inwardly in frustration. If only Liam was this polite, my job would have been easier.

"There's no need to apologize, father. Having you both eat breakfast with me is much more than I could have ever expected."

They looked at themselves, and then at me with smiles on their faces. 

"It's settled then," Gerald spoke. "Let's dig in, shall we?"

I looked at the mouth-watering dishes as the maids who stood a few feet away from the table served the dishes on their plates, including mine. I only had to pick the dish I want and the proportion too. 

My attention was pulled from the dishes to Mirabel when I heard her question.

"I heard you just graduated from college, honey."

I looked at her with a full mouth. I had just taken a bite from my beacon and I had to swallow before answering. Thanks to the time I took to swallow, it gave me enough time to think about what to say. I knew where this conversation was headed and I wanted to keep it as brief as possible.

My college experience wasn't one I could be proud of. Not because I didn't perform as expected, but because I was at my lowest, especially in my fourth and final year and I couldn't talk about it. Right now, I was pretending to be from one of the most prestigious families in Country X.

"Yes, mum. A month ago."

"Monica told me all about it and your father's disapproval of working until after a year."

Wow! Monica wasn't tripping when she said she had everything taken care of. She really did.

"I can't still fathom the reason for this unreasonable restriction, but who am I to get involved in family situations?" she added with a slight frown.

I faked a smile and went back to my meal. I couldn't relate to this kind of predicament so I decided silence was the best option. There was no way my dad would restrict me from pursuing my dreams after going to college.

Mirabel must have mistaken my silence for being hurt cause she immediately apologized, stunning me. "I'm sorry for bringing this up, dear. I shouldn't have said anything about it knowing how bad this decision has affected you."

Even if the sincerity in her sympathy made me feel guilty, I played along. "It's okay, mum. You need not apologize. It's not your fault anyways."

She forced a smile and I went back to my meal. 

Silence took over the room with only the sounds of cutleries clashing with the plates until Gerald and Mirabel started their conversation.

I decided to stuff my face with food in silence, and not attract any attention cause stuffing my face was the best way to avoid personal questions from her and I made sure to grab the opportunity not because I didn't enjoy her company, but cause I was a terrible liar. I don't want to get caught on the second day of my job or attract a penalty.

I got lucky cause during the rest of the meal. Mirabel didn't mention anything personal. We just talked about random things when I was dragged into their conversation and Gerald gave suggestions on one or two topics that piqued his interest.