Dinner Invitation II

Ella's POV:

My mom smiled faintly, and I could see that she was still trying to wrap her head around the sheer size of the place. "I suppose I understand. But it just seems... quiet." She glanced at me, pulling me out of my thoughts. "I can't imagine living here all alone."

I shook my head, taking a deep breath. "I'm sure it's not as lonely as it looks."

A maid greeted us at the door, her demeanor polite and professional as she led us through the grand hallways. She was tall, with a polite smile on her face, and she led us down a long, plush hallway toward the sitting room.

My heart raced in my chest as I followed, my thoughts spinning once again. What if his grandmother didn't like my mom? What if my mom said something that would make things worse?

Ella, stop worrying, I told myself. Just... breathe.

I trailed slightly behind Arec, my mom walking beside me, her eyes taking in every detail of the house with quiet curiosity.