“His daughter is so supportive” Nicholas praised walking up to Julie.
“He even has a daughter without us knowing…that man is always by himself… I would love to meet the woman though” rose teased walking pass Julie into the house. The two children were twins, and they waved at Julie shy while she faked a smile.
“Hi, I'm max!” The first say, stretching his hand for a handshake.
“Well, I'm Bella” the second boasted, giving a courtesy bow.
“We're cousins now…how fun!” Max exclaimed and Julie nodded saying
“Partially come on in if you want to see some really cool place” she beckoned running into the house. Perhaps, she might make new friends here as well. Brian groaned from his slumber, he must have fallen asleep deeply but was woken up by the constant made by children.
“They're here” he fussed, standing up to take a shower then miss Lucy called. He wanted to avoid responding but just picked it up.
“Yes?” He groaned, rubbing his eyes gently.
“Hi…are you okay”
“Hmm” he snapped, Hoping miss Lucy would be snappy in what she was saying.
“Well… I wanted to speak with Julie, but it seems you're just waking up” she muttered not knowing what to say.
“You have spoken on phone thrice with her…she fed up miss and I would too if I were in her shoes”. Miss Lucy scoffed on the phone.
“I know her more than you do…she keeps her fears inside but needs someone to pour it all out too” she rants, switching the phone to her other ear since she was attempting to eat.
“Really…why don't you just appear here and take her with you because you can't leave a second without her” he rapped and concluded the call.
“Wasn't she cold towards her? She's just unpredictable” he complained angrily and as he was about to step into the bathroom, Julie knocked on the door calling out to him if he was awake because she guesses Brian should have by this time. He glared at the door, both mother and daughter were taunting him when he just woke up
“I'm in the shower dear… I would be there soon” he yelled and Julie yelled “okay”.
Everyone was seated waiting for the king of the mansion to arrive because it had been an hour since Julie delivered the message that “he would come in a short while”
“It seems like this short while is never” rose began. She was always the first to criticize someone.
“Patience has its role to play at times” Brian replied, walking step by step from the stairs. Julie smiled at him, but he didn't reply her kind gesture.
“Oh Brian, come to dad” grandpa beckoned stretching his arms at him.
“Welcome!” He muttered with a harsh tone. Something tells Julie he's not happy seeing them. Max had opened the refrigerator close to the dinning and when she saw Brian, she closed it immediately and swallowed hard.
“How have you been?” mike asked, faking a smile.
“A phone call would have to do” he replied staring at mike who was feeling uncomfortable.
“Sorry but can we eat now… I'm starving!” Julie said, setting out to ease the tension that was created in the room now. She beckoned on Brian to seat beside her after all, she left a seat for him and he did so. Stood up to serve everyone when she got to Brian, he refused, and she walked pass him to Julie who collected the bowl from her. There were varieties of food on the table, but the one she served was his favorite. Julie folded her lips and drew Brian's empty plate to her while dishing the meal for him. Grandpa wore a smile on his lips at how caring Julie was.
“You understand your father better than we do” Nicholas complimented munching a spoon full of enchiladas. Brian glimpsed at Julie and sighed, then he stared at his plate.
“I hope we remember the good memories and bury the bad ones!” Julie cheered, raising a glass of orange juice that almost poured on Brian.
“Cheers!” The twins chorused while the adults kept silence.
“Cheers” Brian added, raising a glass of wine.
“Let hope for better days ahead too” Nicholas added
“And live as one” grandpa interjected
“And forgive each other” concluded and Julie smiled at their words of wisdom. Brian only nodded, holding firm to his cutlery. There was a long silence on the table as no one was willing to speak, this was getting Julie bored and sleepy too.
“So what's fun in your place grandpa” Julie began stirring up a conversation.
“A lot of places though we spend lot of time at grandpa's place” max replied using a spoon to bang the table like a drummer and Brian ogled at him.
“Yes dear…some of these days you can visit…”
“She's not” Brian cuts in
“It's okay…” Julie responded, how was she going to visit whom she wasn't related to. She wished miss Lucy had a family get together like this, although a much happier one.
“Let's play a game! This hang out is for fun…”
“It's best if you kept silence Julie” Brian sneered, dropping his spoon. He hasn't touched his meal, and this got Julie sad.
“Hero! I say we play a game!” She snapped, glaring at him. At least he wasn't going to kill her but scold her.
“There's no need to cause a fuss…we are all tired and need rest” grandpa beckoned standing up while the rest stood up immediately except the twins who wanted to join in the game.
“Stop acting stubborn and listen to anything I say.” Brian barked, he couldn't control the anger in him anymore. The twins shuddered, stood up, and ran towards the room preserved for them. They just didn't want to be involved in a father and daughter argument just yet. Julie turned her gaze from him as fear was written all over her, maybe she had gone way too far to provoke him.
“I'm sorry… I just wanted to get along” Julie said standing up
“It's okay…go to your room now” he beckoned and Julie ran pass him, then stopped moving and glanced at him.
“Thanks” she responded, hugging him.