While waiting for Alex, the woman was anxious about something. The girl"s decision was difficult for both of them—but especially for her husband. Anytime they were in the same room, things turned sour. It was exhausting to witness... but Mrs. Greenwood wasn"t one to give up. Keeping the previous confrontations in mind, the wife coaxed her husband to lighten his mood. A good atmosphere from the start should minimize any possible casualties.Rubbing her hands on his arm, she said, "Dear, it"s been two years. Nothing completely wrong has happened yet. She only has two years left. We"ll get through it like we did with the first two. Please try not to be difficult? It only hurts you both"
"Angeline, stop making it seem like we"ll have a fight." Mr. Greenwood sighed, remembering the same memories as his wife. He didn"t want her to be worrying about it, "That"s not even on my mind"
She blinked in surprise, "It"s not?"
"No"
Angeline waited for husband to explain further but it didn"t happen. He really is a man of a few words, she thought. She couldn"t help her curiosity and asked, "Then, what?"
"Our daughter and our company needs—"
Alarm bells rang in her head. Instantly, the woman went into battle mode and slammed her hands on the table, "Please, dear, tell me you"re not about to talk about our daughter"s marriage! The word "daughter" and "company" shouldn"t even be in the same sentence on the subject of marriage! What century are we in?"
"Honey, anything can happen at anytime. I just want to make sure—"
"Exactly but that applies to everyone—even Alex. What if she finds someone she likes during this time? And it turned out to be a boy from a simple family, hm? What are you gonna do then? Break them up?"
"Dearest, I"m not—"
"Wouldn"t it be better for her to find such a man than someone from the same social standing? Alex can perfectly take over the business alone. With the countless snakes in our side of society, I highly doubt we"ll find someone worthy of her so let"s not limit our choices based on wealth and power!"
Mr. Greenwood stayed quiet. He had no such intentions. Not anymore, at least. The last time he tried to match his daughter with someone, it ended terribly. He had silently agreed to give the final decision to the girl. After all, it was her who would be spending the rest of her days with the boy.
What he was worried about was not the boy"s place in society. It was the fact that his daughter was spending the prime of her youth as a male. How on earth will she find someone then? Even if she manages to do so, what if the boy turns away once he knows he"s been deceived? Will the girl ever love again after that?
The table was silent by the time Alex reached it. She frowned. The air surrounding her parents was frosty. Her mother was obviously fuming at something while her father was lost in thought.
Alex cautiously sat down across from them, never taking her eyes off their faces. When her mother noticed her, Alex stared back with an arched brow.
"Oh, Alex dear, don"t wear such a face. It"s nothing for you to worry about" the woman said with a sweet smile. Alex didn"t believe her but she didn"t press further either.
"If you say so, mother" Alex relaxed in her seat then, turned to her father, "h.e.l.lo, father. How was the business deal in France? Did they take your pitch?"
He picked up the gla.s.s of wine and took a sip, "Short and smooth"
Alex smiled, "Just like how you like it"
He winked at her which made her chuckle. It was a good start. They weren"t the talkative type but they were strong on their opinions. Sometimes it would lead to disagreements. Since they were the same, in the end, they respect each other for voicing them out. Although most of their pleasant exchanges were short, they weren"t any less meaningful.
Angeline groaned and looked at them pointedly, "Please no business talk during dinner"
"Alright, mom" Alex laughed. Her mother wasn"t clueless about business but family meals were pretty much the only time they can relax. Soon, their food was served. Mr. Greenwood had his usual steak. Mrs. Greenwood went for a cla.s.sic, spaghetti and meatb.a.l.l.s. Alex was having the latest addition to the menu, a baked ca.s.serole. The newest items were always her request. She liked trying new things but the one thing that doesn"t change was her dessert, a chocolate trifle—unless there was a new chocolate dessert then, she"d give that one a try.
The family ate their meal quietly. Alex and her father were comfortable with it but Angeline didn"t share the same feeling.
As she twisted her fork, she broke the ice and asked, "Alex, how"s school? Did you make new friends?"
Alex knew what her mother"s real question was. Still, she answered vaguely, "Things are pretty much the same as last year, mom"
Angeline sighed and stopped eating, "Honey, you need friends"
"And what deceive them until graduation?" The words flew out of Alex"s mouth before she could process them. She took a big bite of the ca.s.serole to prevent herself from talking. This is not good. Why did I have to say that?
Upon hearing her voice out similar thoughts, her father crossed his arms over the table and spoke up, "Where was that conscience when you kept your plans to yourself?"