Chapter 4: Family Dinner

Chapter 4

Family Dinner 

Clara made herself available for the dinner on time.She knocked on the gate and was attended to by the gatekeeper, who called the attention of the maidservant to direct her into the mansion.

"Good morning, ma'am; you're welcome." The maid greeted her with a smile, giving her a warm welcome, and Clara answered in return.

"You're really beautiful, ma'am. It is actually someone as beautiful as you that Sir Dan needs as a wife, not like Lucia, who only looks beautiful in makeup," the maid added. 

"Com'on, you don't condemn people like that just to praise someone. Everyone is beautiful in their own way," Clara said with a smile.

"Yes, you're right, ma'am. But still, there's beauty above beauty, and that's the type that you have." The maid insisted.

Clara gave a light grin and said, "You're really funny, I must say."

The maid should be in her early thirties. She was the head of all the domestic workers in Miller's mansion. She directed Clara into the mansion. "Please hold on here for a minute; let me get Sir Dan to come see you." The maid said, leaving Clara in the living room while she ascended the stairs to inform young Miller of his fiance's presence.

From the little research Clara had done before that day, she found out that Dan was the only child of the Miller's, and all her expectations were that it was going to be a dinner of four—that is, Dan and his parents, together with herself. Clara was perplexed to see that the people she expected were actually not the only ones she's seeing; there were already over ten people seated at the dining table. The maids were busy bringing different categories of food to the table. Possibly, the Millers had invited their close family and friends to the dinner.

"Gush! Clara, you need to behave yourself well to avoid creating any scene here," she thought to herself.

"Well, at least, I was warmly welcomed by the maid, so there's a green light that I'll be wholly accepted into the Miller's family." She added.

The warm welcome she received from the maid was enough to suppress her nervousness.

"He'll soon be with you in a minute, ma'am." The maid, Clara, left to attend to her other task because that day was a busy day for all the servants in the house. Clara started calculating how she'll walk up to the Miller's family for the first time and greet them, memorising her choice of words if they should ask any questions, and how she'll eat so that nobody will look down on her. She was deeply buried in her thoughts as she waited patiently for Dan's appearance, and from nowhere, she felt a soft hand around her waist, holding her from the back. She hadn't seen anyone descending from the stairs that the maid ascended to call her future husband; hence, she was gripped by fear and almost gave out a loud scream, but she had to control herself the moment she realised that she was in the midst of highly respected people, and had promised herself not to create any scene.

"Welcome to the Miller's family, sweetheart," a voice said, giving her a kiss on the chin from behind. "Certainly, that must be Dan," Clara thought to herself, because the scent of the perfume he's wearing is really that of an expensive perfume, one that only the rich could afford. But what is confusing her was the route he followed to meet her expectedly in the living room.

He turned to the front and stood before her. "You really looked beautiful in that dress," he whispered to her ear, holding her two hands. He kissed her on the forehead and smiled after.

The people seated at the dining table could see very well all that was happening, and some whispered, "Aww, this is the first time we're seeing Dan entangled with a woman like this. Surely, he has found the type of woman who can treat him nicely and make him feel like a man."

Dan held her hand by the side and walked her up to the dining room to meet his people. He dragged the chair and arranged it well for her to sit on while he sat beside her. 

"Good morning, sir; good morning, ma'am; good morning, everyone." Clara greeted, with special respect to his parents. Even though that was her first time, she could tell who his parents were among those seated because they are public figures, and she has been seeing them in the media almost every day, attending one event or another.

"Awww, she's really beautiful and so humble," the woman at the table said.

"I trust my son; he always goes for the best." Mrs. Miller responded with a smile.

"Ok, finally, the long-awaited day is here. I want to formally introduce my son and his future wife, or, let me say, my soon-to-be daughter-in-law! Mr. Miller addressed the people seated. "This dinner is specially for my son, Dan, and his fiance, Clara, giving us an opportunity to get to know her better," he added. 

"Dan, do you have anything to say?" His father asked.

"I have nothing much to say other than to appreciate your presence at this great event. And to my future wife, Clara, you're highly welcome at the Miller's home. I want to say thank you for seeing the perfect man in me and choosing to love me till eternity. I will forever love and cherish you, sweetheart." Dan flattered her with sweet words that could convince anyone that the two were truly in love, and Clara was blushing in return. Everyone ate and drank to their satisfaction at the dinner.

"Bye ma'am." The maid who first welcomed Clara waved at her as she saw her leaving with Sir Dan.

"Oh, see you next time, my dear. Sorry, I didn't get to know you." Clara replied with a smile.

"I'm Franca by name, ma'am." 

"Wow. Nice meeting you, Franca. I'm Clara."

"My pleasure, ma'am."

Young Miller offered to drive her home so that no one could suspect their perfect act there.

"Don't be too carried away by all that happened today, because you know I'll never stoop so low to be entangled in love with someone like you." Young Miller instructed Clara as they drove towards her destination. "Besides, thank you for the perfect acting. At least, for the first time, you didn't display some sort of craziness." He added.

"You'd never change, would you? And who told you I was carried away by those cheap displays you showcased at that dinner? Don't flatter yourself too much, because even in my weirdest dream, I can never marry your type willingly."

"What, did you just say? Dan was getting provoked by her statements already.

"You heard me right, and I can't repeat myself."

"Get down from my car!" Dan yelled and parked the car by the side of the lonely road.

"Good of you. I never wanted you to drive me home in the first place." Clara answered as she angrily opened the door and stepped down. He raced off, leaving her alone on a lonely, quiet road to fend for herself. 

"Oh my God! Lucia! Have you seen the internet lately?" Debby screamed.

"That family is such a scum, Berg! I cannot imagine that after dumping you at the altar, they still have the nerves to host a family dinner showcasing his new bride-to-be on all social media." Debby added.

Lucia sat down quietly without giving any response. Immediately, Debby turned to her and sat beside her on the bed. "Lucia, my dear, I'm really sorry that things are going south for you right now. But you need to make a decision and move on. Besides, Dan has moved on already. You don't need to be wallowing in depression for a man who doesn't deserve your love. He's the loser here, not you." Debby consoled her, holding her hands.

"Thank you, Debby. I don't know how I would have handled this situation if not for you. Thanks a million, friend," Lucia responded.

"But, Lucia, I hope you're not planning on letting this guy go scot-free after all he's done to you. You need to make him realise that it hurt you really badly.

The wedding is even coming up in less than two weeks. You need to

get your revenge, Lucia!" Debby suggested.