chapter eleven: a visit to the Blackwell estate part three

Chapter eleven: a visit to the Blackwell estate part three.

There were no words uttered, even with Xavier's arrival, they all simply headed to the dining room.

Well, it was indeed a room. Right beside the kitchen was a door that led to the dining.

The room was not too big, but it also wasn't too small. Actually, it was at least big enough to accommodate the amount of tables put in it, with more than enough space for people to walk around.

There was something like a slightly raised elevated platform at the front, which had a big round dining table positioned on it. The table was big enough to have ten chairs around it. While there were about six other round dining tables in the room with their own chairs, but were covered with white table clothes.

It kinda made it look like some sort of mini banquet setting.

Knowing he had made a mistake, Mr. Brown bowed apologetically, before ordering a maid to close the curtain. Yes, there was a curtain there that separated the two sides from each other. With the black and silver curtains drawn, the other end of the dining room was hidden.

There was a glass sliding door there that gave a perfect view of the garden, just outside. Looking at it, she could almost smell Bonnie's handiwork. The patterns were that similar.

Xavier stared at her, following her gaze, he kinda of understood what was on her mind.

Noticing her gaze, the old master nodded in ' understanding'.

" Xavier, take Casey on a stroll in the garden after dinner." He laughed.

A frown settled on Xavier's face, his eyes stared at Casey, boring into her. Ignoring the discomfort brought by his gaze, she smiled, turned to old patriarch, " thank you grandpa."

" It's okay. Grandpa might be old, but I can still understand the ways you young ones think." He spoke in between laughs with a look of content on his face.

" Yes, you both should spend more time together." Mr. Alexander Blackwell joined in.

" I'm pretty sure she's not so interested in doing that right now." Xavier spoke for the first time since he arrived.

Old master Blackwell pointed at Xavier.

" You stubborn, little rascal, you just won't listen to anyone would you?"

" Xavier apologize to your grandfather." For the first time since she arrived, Casey saw Mr. Alexander Blackwell angry expression.

" Xavier, you shouldn't speak to grandfather like that." This time, it was Casey who spoke.

She walked over to the old man and helped him to the dining table. After he was seated, she poured out a glass of water and handed it to him.

The old man took the glass of water from her, took a few sips before placing the now half-filled cup of water on the table.

He held Casey's hand, " thank you dear. It's good that I finally have a granddaughter like you." He glanced at his grandson standing a few steps back.

" It's okay if Xavier can't take you, this old man is strong enough to take his own granddaughter on a little stroll.

" No, you should rest. Don't say such things. I'm sure Xavier didn't mean that, and he and I will surely take a stroll in the garden. Casey comforted the old man.

Mr. Alexander Blackwell sat at the other head of the table, watching the drama.

Casey stood up immediately and walked over to Xavier. She whispered in a voice audible only to him, " don't you enjoy playing the couple? Why don't we have a good practice now. You know what they say, practice makes perfect. What better time than now? " She smiled, holding onto his arm, she leaned on him. " See grandpa, we'll definitely go together, right, Xavier?" Her gaze moved to him.

His gaze bore into hers. There was no mistake, he was definitely not happy.

Suddenly he smiled, he raised his head, staring at his grandfather who sat at the table head. " Yes. Yes of course." His gaze slowly moved to her, the little figure hugging his arm tightly. It took a lot of self-control to not grit his teeth as he completed his sentence.

" If that's what you want, I'll surely accompany you to the end."

She felt the fire in his gaze and his tone, and suddenly she felt the urge to withdraw, but he didn't let that happen. He pulled the chair for her to sit and sat beside her.

While she thought of the possible wicked things and plans he was probably cooking up at the moment, Mr. Brown walked in with a few maids trailing behind him, carrying trays of food.

With each dish that was placed on the table, she felt like she could hear her growling stomach, causing her to stare subconsciously at people around her. Of course, it was all in her head, so of course no one heard it.

After arranging the dishes on the table, the maids retreated along with the butler.

Casey was very hungry, but stayed still. First of all, it wasn't just herself and Xavier who were eating at the table, his grandfather and his father were also present!!!

It would be completely strange if she just dived right in. Forget about strange, that would just be straight out rude, mannerless and disrespectful if she really did that.

Silence reigned at the table, until the old master spoke up.

" Didn't know an invitation was required at a family dinner. What are you waiting for? Dig in." He laughed happily.

He picked a piece of chicken and placed it in her plate. " Casey have a taste."

She accepted it happily and took a bite.

With a delighted expression, she moaned happily.

" Grandfather this is very nice."

Sometimes, she'd help out some soup for the old master, while sometimes, he'd also place different dishes for her.

There was lots of laughters at the table. The amicable atmosphere was one that he hadn't seen, or experienced in a long while. His gaze fell on the lady sitted beside him, the center of the current changes going on.

He was well aware of the reason he had gotten married to her, and he also knew that his family had no idea on what the truth actually was, so he wished he could keep them away from each other.

His marriage was just a mask, a disguise for revenge. He didn't want any future conflicts, the illusion of their marriage wasn't something he wanted to dive into.

Yet, seeing how she smiled so happily with his father and grandfather, it made him feel a bit weird.

She was an enemy and he couldn't let himself fall for the illusion he created. Still, could she really smile so much with his family?

Just like Casey had almost never seen Xavier smile since they met, well, except for his wicked smirks that he throws her way every once in a while. The same could be said for Xavier, he also has almost never seen her smile, well.. that was until today.

After they were done eating, the maids once again came in to take their dishes away, along with the leftovers.

Seeing all this in fold right before her very own eyes, she could only think of one word, ' extravagant.'

Even with the old master's approval, she still felt it. The gap in social status was huge.

I mean, she could imagine having to clear the dishes after dinner with her own family, while fighting with her little sister, Lina, on whose turn it is to wash the dishes. But here was different.

The old master stood up, and like some sort of chain reaction, every other person at the table, stood up as well. He was about to leave the room, when he turned to Xavier.

" Take Casey for a stroll. You've both just eaten. Take a short walk around to aid digestion. " He glanced at Casey, but his gaze was fixed on Xavier as he stressed his point and then left along with Xavier's father, Mr. Alexander Blackwell.

........

After walking for a while, both Xavier and Casey sat on a White swing.

" Say it, what's your purpose for coming here?" Xavier asked, adopting a slightly interrogative tone.

" Xavier what are you talking about?" Clearly, Casey was confused. Not understanding what he meant, she asked for an explanation.

" Give me a break Casey, I know you know what I mean. Why are you suddenly buttering up to my family? What's your motive?" Obviously he wasn't going to buy your random 'being a nice in-law' drama.

Expelling a deep breath from her mouth, she calmed her emotions and tried to explain.

" Xavier, none of this is my fault and you know that. The precious driver you got me brought me here. And I'm only being nice because your grandfather and father were nice to me as well. It called the rule of reciprocating.

You know the world isn't just some evil place with schemes and plots behind every smile."

" Funny, you know who else thought that way?" He leaned closer, " it was Bonnie. Bonnie thought that way. She always saw everyone around her in a good light. She saw good in everyone and situation. Till she was brought into that operation theater where your mom ended her. " Well, you didn't need a genius to tell that he was angry. The clear expression of rage, was like a mini storm in his eyes.

" Xavier, it was all a mistake. I'm sure none of us wanted for something like that to happen." Casey tried to explain. For the first time, for the first time since they both married. He mentioned his past with his sister to her, on his own accord. She wanted to say it was all an accident, one that no one intended for to happen.

She wanted to say that she was sorry, sorry that her mom's mistake had led them here, to the point they were. She wanted to apologize, to say sorry. But, the truth of reality that slapped her in the face, the glaring fact of no turning back was that he had lost his sister in the process.

She felt a wave of guilt douse her with the bitter truth of reality.

Bonnie was gone. No matter how sorry she felt, even if she apologized non-stop, there was nothing she could do about it.

She hated it.

She hated that there was nothing that could be done.

She hated that she couldn't get rid of the guilt she felt.

She hated that one day his grandfather and father would find out the truth about Bonnie's death.

She hated that even with the poison in her body, she still couldn't get rid of the guilt.

Mistakes are inevitable. Make as many mistakes as you can, so that in the future you are more sure about what you have to do. To err us human. So many to be said about mistakes. But what happens when your very one mistake ends someone's life? What to do then?

" A mistake? An accident? Casey uttering such words are easy. What about the one who was lost?" He got up, taking in a deep breath, his eyes gazed up at the sparse starry night sky. He closed his eyes, his hands by his side clenched tightly to a fist. " Casey, somethings, sorry won't just cut it. If saying sorry could fix all problems and take back losses, then perhaps life might be better.

There's no going back. Regrets are useless " he walked away after speaking.

She sat silently in the company of the moonlight and starry night sky, tears trickled down her cheeks.

For how long, she had no idea, but she sat alone for quite a while.

The reality of her relationship even more clearer than before.

' a life of revenge. How funny.' she thought with a smile on her face. A smile that literally oozed with sadness, even a person with extremely low EQ could probably see the sadness on her face.

She stood up after a while and headed inside, what the use dwelling on it?

.......

Anyone would think that he was extremely angry, well.. he was, but behind the rage, was guilt. He saw her fitting in, into his world and that scared him. He needed her to stay away, he wanted to keep their strange relationship the way it was. Truth was, he also had his own share of guilt, and seeing her fitting well into his world scared him.

His words weren't just to remind her, it was also a reminder to himself. He needed to always remember, to see her as an enemy.

She was chained down by guilt of his sister's death, while he was chained down by a greater lie that could threaten the fragile balance between them. Each time he thought of how she'd react when she found out the truth, but then again, he couldn't be bothered by such thoughts.

Even if it was not really the right way to go about things, he still had to do what he had to. What she'd think could fit in later, but this time, he had to do what he had to do. And that was hurting Casey, there wasn't any other options.

' it's a life for a life.' he tried convincing himself.

Just as he headed to the bathroom, there was a knock on the door. He opened it, to find the butler, Mr. Brown, is ho informed him that his grandfather wanted to have a talk with him. " Hmmm.. I'll be there." He replied. Mr. Brown nodded, after getting his response and left.

Xavier closed the door, with his back against the door, a tired sigh escaped his lips.

.........

Once again, they gathered together, only, this time Casey was absent, and they were in the study, not the relaxing room.

Old master Blackwell sat in his swivel chair, technically, they all sat on swivel chair,black leather swivel chairs.

Just by the window at the right end of the study, there was a rectangular table there, with eight black leather swivel chairs around it. As usual, old master Blackwell sat at the table head, while Mr. Alexander Blackwell sat at the old man's right-hand side and Xavier on the left hand side.

Completely different from when Casey was around, both older men had stern looks plastered on their faces.

" Xavier, it's enough that you didn't inform any one about this matter, but did you have to propose to her in such a way?" The old master started.

Xavier who was expecting some important business related conversation was surprised.

" You called me here for this? Just this?" His surprised tone clear, he asked with an absurd look.

" Xavier, this isn't time for drama. I'll have you know, Casey's the only daughter in-law I'll accept." Mr. Alexander added.

" Xavier, I think it high time you make a formal proposal to Casey." Old master Blackwell said with a serious voice.

" A formal proposal? What do you mean?" Xavier frowned.

The old man leaned forward, resting his hands on the table.

" Xavier, like your father has said, I also have already accepted Casey as my granddaughter in-law, so I want you to propose formally.

I can't have my granddaughter remembering the day she got married as a day when you threw her some papers to sign. That's unacceptable." Old master Blackwell spat in a dissatisfied tone.

" You want me to propose to Casey? Formally?"

Both older men nodded.

This time, Xavier's father spoke.

" When you've properly proposed, we can head over to her family."

" Yes, grandson Casey's a good girl, so I'll definitely support you."

The absurdity of the situation was somewhat strange to Xavier, who was very well aware of the twist and turns in his marriage.

He thought over it, looking to find a loop hole.

" Well, I can't right now. You know Casey's still in college, busy with internship. I want her to have a free life from all the craziness and buzz the news would bring."

" That's right, we can't suffer the little one." Grandpa Blackwell nodded thoughtfully.

Like they always say, ' strike while the iron is hot' since he got their attention..

" I know that all of these things are important, but Casey might not be used to the ways things play out here. I want her to first get accustomed, then other things can fall in place later. What do you think?" Xavier gave both his father and grandfather some time to think about it.

Finally, they both nodded in agreement.

" Okay. This time, I'll let you off." Grandpa conceded.

" You are free this time." Since grandpa let it go, Mr. Alexander also agreed.

Like he had scored a good deal, Xavier put on a smile and walked out of the study.

.....

Just as she had finished taking a shower and dressing up, Xavier walked in.

" Why are you here?"

She sat on the king size bed, her back against the frame, she placed the white pillow on her leg.

Her hand in the air, making an ' I don't know' gesture.

" Well, maybe it's the fact that married couples sleep in the same room, that's the reason why I was led here." She rolled her eyes, and said in a clear sarcastic voice.

" That doesn't matter. You can't sleep on my bed."

" Ha! Xavier aren't you being absurd right now?" As she said that, she laid down, covering herself with the quilt. " You can sleep at the other end." She added as she closed her eyes to catch some sleep.

He stood still like a statue, watching her. As for Casey who was tired after a long day, she fell asleep the moment she placed her head on the pillow.

After brushing his teeth, he slowly stalked towards the bed. She was sleeping soundly on her own edge of the bed, she wasn't someone who moved in their sleep, which he knew after having to watch after her the night of the dinner party.

With a silent sigh, he walked over to the other end of the bed and laid down as well, covered himself, turned off the lights and slept off, just like that... .... .... ..

......

Male lead's thought,

Casey I'm sorry, but I have to do this.