Chapter 118 - DISTURBING THE MIND
Chapter 118 - DISTURBING THE MIND
In the dining room, two families had gathered there to have dinner. As usual, it was Ellena who prepared their meal. After everyone got their share, they immediately ate the food.
"Oh yes, Mrs. Briana, what a coincidence tonight I was able to take the time to stay at this house. In fact, I've been wanting a time like this for a long time, hanging out together, it's just that my husband is too busy taking care of his work to forget his own son," said Veronica. at length, in the middle of their dinner.
"That's right, Mrs. Veronica. I'd really like to talk to you too." Briana replied a little stiffly. Maybe because it was too awkward to be faced with big people like Lucas' parents.
"Honestly. I'm so glad you and your son can be here with Ellena and Lucas. At least your presence can enliven this big house," said Albert, who immediately stopped his eating and looked at Briana and Martin who were sitting next to each other on the bench. In front of him.
"Thank you, Mr. Albert. I and my son are also happy to accompany them in this house." Briana replied with a faint smile.
On the other hand, Ellena, who sat to Briana's left and opposite Lucas, occasionally glanced at Veronica, who sat to her husband's left. The difference in attitude from her mother-in-law was still clearly visible, which made her feel uneasy. Oh, I don't know what will happen.
"Oh yes, Mrs. Briana what business are you doing now?" Veronica's voice suddenly made Ellena and Lucas stop their activities, then looked up and looked at each other.
Not only Ellena and Lucas, but Martin was also taken aback by such a question. Even his family doesn't own any business, even though his mother often sells cakes around the village. Can it be called a business? Even the cakes that are sold are only in small quantities.
"Bu-business?" Briana was slightly taken aback by the question from Veronica.
"Yes, Business. Isn't Mrs. Briana doing business in abro—"
"Oh ... that, Mom. Ellena's family does run a culinary business." Lucas answered, cutting off his mother's conversation.
"What cuisine?" Briana enthusiastically turned to Lucas.
"Cake and cookies." Lucas answered simply and casually. "Just look at Ellena, how good at baking cakes." He added later and managed to make Veronica nod, as if she understood this.
"That's right, Madam. My mother and sister produce cakes and we sell our halis," said Martin, paying heed to Lucas' words, even though he knew that was not what his brother-in-law meant.
Hearing Martin's answer, Lucas gave a faint grin. Of course he was happy when there was someone who strengthened his words. However, Veronica is still at war with her mind. Between believing the explanation of the child and son-in-law or the words of his friend.
"No wonder Ellena is very good at making cakes. It turns out that these are all talents passed down by Mrs. Briana." The woman smiled faintly at her daughter-in-law. However, for some reason that smile looked strange in Ellena's eyes.
They resumed their dinner in silence. Ellena glanced at Lucas and at the same time her husband did the same, making eye contact inevitable. After staring at each other for a moment, Lucas blinked once, as a sign that everything would be fine.
A small smile graced the woman's face. Feel lucky to have a husband like Lucas. She was sure the man would protect her from anything. Veronica is no exception.
Veronica tried to ignore the family behavior of her daughter-in-law. However, their table manners really caught her attention. Asking something is a basic thing that people with their class should know. No matter how well they hid, she still saw the gap between them.
"Um, then where exactly is the cake shop you run, Mrs. Briana?"
Veronica's question suddenly made Ellena and her family stop their eating activities. This time Martin and Briana looked at each other, not knowing what to say. The reason is, that the business that was discussed by Veronica dan Lucas is a job that his mother is really doing to help the family's economy.
However, now the man was even more sure if it wasn't selling cakes that Veronica was referring to. The proof is now that the woman is asking for a shop where she sells, even though his mother has only been selling cakes by walking around the village and that is enough for their food costs. Luckily they owned a house and didn't rent it out, though its size was of course very far in comparison to the Fidells' residence.
Martin now turned to look at Ellena and Lucas who also looked confused. Ellena was silent, her tongue was numb unable to say anything. Meanwhile, Lucas tried to rack his brain to find the right answer to his mother's question. The reason, of course, was so that the woman would no longer discuss his wife's family business.
"Mom, their shop is currently under renovation. So, Mommy won't be able to visit there for the time being." Lucas replied as soon as he got the idea, assuming that Mommy would immediately end the discussion.
"Mommy just asked where the shop is, Lucas. Didn't mean to visit there, unless Mommy had a visit there one day." Veronica replied with a short sigh.
The middle-aged woman put down the cutlery she was holding, then looked at Lucas and Ellena's faces in turn.
"Oh come on, Mom. You know that's not what I mean. I just wanted to say that their shop is closed because they are focusing on changing the interior design. After all, they are trying to find and develop a new recipe that will open at the reopening. I'm done, I'll ask Ellena to take you there and try her new recipe. I'll make sure Mommy is the first to taste it." Lucas tried to find the quickest answer that came to mind.
"Is that so?" Veronica squinted at her daughter-in-law. It's as if he still doesn't believe his own son's statement.
"Y-yes, Mom, of course. You will be our guest of honor on the day of the store's reopening." Ellena also confirmed the husband's statement.
"Oh come on. Can we eat in peace without talking about business at the dinner table?" The question from Albert silenced everyone. "I just want a quiet dinner with the family. Not a business dinner." He added later.
"I agree with Daddy," Lucas said enthusiastically. Finally the papa managed to save the fate of his marriage.
Everyone who was there couldn't argue with the middle-aged man's words. They then resumed their dinner quietly, without any more business talk. Only the occasional conversation is heard, of course without any business element in it.
Ellena breathed a sigh of relief hearing that. At least for now her mother-in-laws wouldn't ask about the shop and her family's business. For the cake shop business and the reopening, you can think about it later.
***
In the room, Ellena seemed to be lying alone on the bed. Even though it was already 11:30 p.m., she was still awake. Of course not without reason. Something was bothering her. Yes, what else if not the attitude and words of the mother-in-law that made her feel uncomfortable.
The woman looked restless. Don't stop moving and turn your body to the right and left, occasionally lying on back. Until the sound of the bedroom door opening, made her flinch. She immediately woke up, when she realized her husband had appeared from behind the door.
"Honey, you haven't slept yet?" Lucas asked as he approached Ellena with a surprised look.
The man crawled onto the bed and sat down next to Ellena. Now they are sitting opposite each other.
"Lucas, I can't sleep." Ellena complained.
"Why? Is something bothering you or ... because you can't sleep without me?" Lucas teased trying to lighten the mood, because he knew very well what was bothering Ellena right now.
"Lucas." Ellena whined slightly annoyed and managed to make Lucas laugh.
"Okay. What's wrong? Tell me!" Lucas asked, after he had stopped laughing.
"Mommy." Ellena whispered, frowning slightly.
"Mommy?" Lucas seemed certain, even though he knew exactly where his wife was talking about.
"Yes. Did you not see how Mommy treated my family earlier?" said Ellena starting to put on a worried expression.
"Oh ... have you thought about what Mommy said at the dinner table?" Lucas asked again to make sure and was only answered with a nod by Ellena.
"Never mind, Elle. Mami is like that. She just wanted to know, didn't mean anything." Lucas explained trying to calm her down.
"But didn't you see how she acted earlier? Mommy looked so cynical, I became restless. What if Mommy finds out that—"
"Shh!" Lucas pressed his index finger to Ellena's lips, hoping she wouldn't say another word.
"Everything will be fine. Trust me!" Lucas said emphatically.
"Are you sure?" Ellena asked as she removed Lucas' hand from her lips.
"Of course. I know who Mommy is." Lucas replied.
"Okay."
"Okay, now let's sleep." Lucas laid Ellena down and put her head in his arms. He then hugged his wife's body facing him.
Instantly silence dominated the atmosphere. However, not long after, Ellena spoke again.
"Lucas, how do you feel about me now?" asked Ellena a little doubtfully. She just wanted to confirm what Lucas had said when they had their tussle last night.
A wide smile appeared on Lucas' face. Finally, Ellena dared to ask him that.
"What do you think? What have I done for you that still doesn't convince you of how I feel for you?" Lucas asked without looking at his wife's face.
"Then what about the agreement?"