Chapter 178
Aileen
After seeing the Richards’ residence just from outside, the last thing on my mind is relaxing and with Liam holding my hand and leading me inside the mansion, my nerves only get worse as I look around at his family home. I can’t help but feel a wave of intimidation wash
over me as I look up at the towering ceilings and crystal chandeliers.
Just so I don’t make it too obvious to the staff lined up, I lower my gaze but the gleaming marble floors equally grab my attention.
It’s only when Liam squeezes my hand that I compose myself.
“You’ll be fine.” He gives me a reassuring smile.
After a long passage, there they are, Mr and Mrs Richards and the sight of them makes me swallow hard. Even from a distance, their faces are polite but formal.
Liam’s father’s tall and imposing figure makes me steal quick glances at his tailor made and his black shoes are so polished that they gleam like the marble floor he’s standing on.
His mother, on the other hand, looks like she’s just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Her hair is styled in a sleek, elegant bob and her designer gown shimmers like diamonds in the light.
The closer I get to them, the more I begin to realize they’re not just watching me, but observing me and constantly looking at me from head to toe.
I clutch Liam’s hand tightly, reminding myself why I agreed to this – I actually began to like him when he showed me his true personality.
Now close enough, I can’t take my eyes off of Mrs Richards. She has a diamond necklace around her neck and I recognize it. It’s still considered the most expensive diamond necklace in the entire world. From what I know, she never wears it unless on very special occasions, so why now? I tell myself that this must be a very special occasion for her.
While the thought of it warms my heart, I notice her eyes sparkle with a hint of curiosity and…disdain? I don’t even have time to think about it further as Liam finally speaks.
“Mom, dad, this is Aileen, my girlfriend.”
“Aileen,” her voice is like honey, but with a subtle undertone of condescension. “It’s so…enlightening to finally meet you.”
I smile back, trying to hide my intimidation especially when I glance at Mr Richards.
“It’s nice to meet you, too, Mr and Mrs Richards.”
“Likewise,” he says, his voice deep and commanding, but with a hint of coolness. “Although, I must say, we’ve heard so much about you. It’s almost as if we already know you.”
I quickly sense the subtle hostility, making me feel a surge of unease as I know how this might go, but this isn’t the part where I back down. Firmly holding Liam’s hand, I stand up straight with my head high, meeting their gazes head-on.
Mrs Richards seems to understand the meaning of my body language and her smile never wavers, but her eyes narrow slightly, as if sizing me up. What didn’t Liam tell me about his parents?
“Let’s go into the living room, shall we? I’m sure we have a lot to…discuss,” she says.
As they both lead the way, I keep stealing glances at Liam, wishing I could ask him why I feel so unwelcome despite the smiles on his parents’ faces. But the reassuring smile on his face, telling me it’s alright, fuels my determination.
Just as we turn at the corner in the living room, my jaw drops at everyone else waiting on the same couch. It’s his older sister Charlotte, his Uncle Jake and Aunt Sophie, all elegantly dressed. I look over at him and he seems just as surprised. “Good thing you’re here because I was wondering what was taking so long!” Charlotte cheerfully says. “By the looks of it, you’re fashionably late.”
It’s obviously directed at me and despite her bright smile, I can’t help but feel like she’s in the same boat as her parents.
“I didn’t know the rest of you would be here.” Liam forces a chuckle as he sits with me while looking around.
“How could we miss something like this when Vanessa invited us?” Uncle Jake chuckles, looking at me the same way Liam’s parents did.
“Aileen, I’ve heard so much about you,” Sophie says, adjusting her diamond earrings.
I chuckle. “I’ve heard so much about you, too.”
“Of course you have. I mean…why wouldn’t you?”
Everyone bursts into laughter except Liam and I, it’s clear that they all feel the same way about me. I just want to storm out, but another part of me wants to stick around. Liam also doesn’t seem to let go of my hand. This isn’t how I thought things would be over here. Sitting beside me, he tries to ease the tension when the constant condescension doesn’t seem to end, but no matter how hard he tries, it’s just not enough.
“So, Aileen,” Mrs Richards says, crossing her legs. “I heard you have no idea who your biological parents are.”
“That’s right.”
“Still no luck in finding them?”
I sigh. “No luck at all, but we keep trying.”
“And I’ve heard your relationship with your adoptive parents isn’t so great.”
“To be honest, it’s absolutely awful.”
“If you don’t have family close, what do you have?”
“Mom-”
“I’m sure we’re all curious,” she cuts Liam off.
She’s obviously trying to hurt my feelings and it makes me chuckle in disbelief.
“I have nothing and I don’t mind starting from scratch again with a different outlook on life.”
She nods, her eyes narrowed. “I see. Which university were you at?”
Liam sighs with frustration. “Mom, I already told you all that.”
“I still want to hear it from Aileen, so tell me.”
“I haven’t gone that far in my education.”
“And why’s that?”
“I didn’t have the financial support necessary for that.”
“There’s always financial support, especially for bright students, could it be that you’re not one of them?” “Mom! Enough!”
Poking my cheek, I gently squeeze Liam’s hand, a sign that I can handle myself.
“I’m never one to self-praise, but I’ve always been one of the brightest students. I just had a lot going on at the time.”
The thought of what led me to stop focusing on my studies at the time makes the side of my mouth twitch a little. Clearing her throat, she changes the subject and says, “My son tells me you’re good with animals.”
“Yes, there’s a small farm back home and I usually do most of the work.”
“By most of the work, does that include walking in all that filth?” Aunt Sophie grimaces.
I firmly nod. “Of course. How else will I get the job done?”
Mrs Richards raises the corner of her mouth. “It’s pretty clear that you’re a small town girl.”
“Of course I am.”
“But did you really not know who we were when you first met Liam?” Uncle Jake chimes in, eyeing me suspiciously.
“I had no clue.”
Mrs Richards scoffs. “You do realize that’s hard to believe, right?”
“When you’ve lived the kind of life I
have, obsessing over influential and powerful people, who are still just human beings, isn’t on my list.”
swny
My response doesn’t seem well received by her as she narrows her
eyes, but Charlotte giggles quietly
while covering her mouth tent
Suddenly, Mrs Richards rises to her feet and says, “Before we have dinner, I’d like to speak to Aileen in private.”
“What? Why?” Liam’s eyes widen.
“That’s no one’s business. You, follow me,” she says to me, leading the way.
I look around, everyone shocked by this as they all seem to wonder what this could be about. It’s only a few seconds ago that I felt like I was being interrogated by her, so what now?
“Hey, you don’t have to go there,” Liam says to me.
“Actually, she does,” Mr Richards chimes in.
“Your father’s right, I have to go there. Don’t worry. I can handle myself.”