“Is it the key to your heart?” She joked and Maxwell laughed.
“No, love… You already have those.” He smiled.
“So what are they for?” she asked anxiously, the impatience eating her up.
“Well, I purchased and renovated your former house, it is legally in your name now as I had you sign the papers a while ago without your knowledge. You are free to do whatever you want with the house.” He announced.
Anna’s jaws dropped. “What?” she muttered. She couldn’t believe it, she was a house owner in the United States at the age of 23; this was the American dream!!
“Yeah, and about cars, there are already two parked in front of your house, you will find them waiting for you.” he informed her.
“Oh my God…” Anna gasped, unable to find words. She squealed in excitement and jumped into his arms, hugging him passionately. “Thank you so much!” she said in appreciation.
Their little moment of happiness was disturbed shortly, Anna heard someone loudly clearing their throat and she pulled back immediately. She was expecting it to be her intrusive friends but as they turned to the left, dripping in designer outfits was the Forbes family.
Peter Forbes, Maria Forbes and two of their kids, Simon and Abigail Forbes were all standing there in the hall. Accompanying them were two servants carrying wrapped boxes containing gifts.
“Mrs. Forbes!” Anna immediately composed and swallowed hard as she saw them. “You are here.” She added and went for a hug.
“Of course dear, you didn’t think I would miss your big day, did you?” she replied as she hugged her.
“Thank you so much for coming. Hello Mr. Forbes, nice to meet you again.” Anna smiled as she stared towards old Forbes, he had more gray hair than the last time she saw him, it was obvious he had been stressing a lot.
“Yeah, I don’t really do parties but my son sent an invite, it would be rude to turn him down.” Mr. Forbes said with a small smile.
Anna laughed softly and nodded. Maxwell let out a little growl, he had only invited the old man out of respect for Anna.
“Welcome mom,” Maxwell said as he hugged his mom, and then he patted his younger brother Simon on the shoulder, before proceeding to hug Abigail. He was hesitant about shaking hands with his father but he eventually extended it.
“No war tonight, but just tonight.” He muttered to Peter’s ears as he pulled closer for a shoulder rub. That was more of a threat than a warning, perhaps Maxwell was never going to forgive the old man.
“Anna, we collectively brought these gifts for you. It was difficult thinking of a gift idea befitting a wonderful lady like you, but I think you would love what we have presented.” Mrs. Forbes announced.
Anna smiled. “Thank you so much, I am certain that I would love whatever you picked, I can't appreciate it enough.”
Maxwell immediately signals the maids with a snap of his fingers to come pick up the gifts, he whispers to them to take it straight to Anna’s room, unlike the other gifts that were taken to a store room.
“Bro Dave, I love your place.” Abigail said with a smile as she admired the grand hall.
Maxwell was so not used to getting called Dave again after so many years. He smiled at her. “Would you two like a tour before the party begins?” he asked, he was low-key excited to reunite with his sister.
“Sure… I would love that.” Abigail replied.
“Come on then, I will show you around.” He said and pointed up the stairs. He kissed Anna on the cheeks before leaving with them.
As Maxwell and his siblings left, it was now Anna and the Forbes standing. Mr. Peter Forbes immediately took his leave, announcing that he will keep himself company with a few shots of whiskey upstairs.
“Oh, I will join you shortly.” Maria said to him and he hummed, he then nodded at Anna before walking away.
As the two ladies are now left alone, Maria pulls Anna into a hug. “Thank you, Ann.” She spoke softly.
Anna creased her eyebrows in confusion as she hugged her back. “What for?” she queried.
Maria smiled. “For everything… Please come with me, let's get away from prying ears.” She giggled as she drew Anna by the arm excitedly and walked towards one end of the hall.
Now Anna was starting to get curious, what did Mrs. Forbes want to talk about?
As they got to one end, she stopped and turned to face her. “I am tired of waiting, when do you guys plan to reveal it?” Mrs. Forbes fired the sudden question.
Anna scratched her head, genuinely confused. “Reveal what, Ma?” she asked.
“Really Anna? Did you really think I was oblivious to everything? I know about the baby, in fact I knew you were pregnant from that day you helped me in the kitchen. I had watched you since you became nauseous around milk, and now your tummy is also starting to show. However I would give it to you, you did a good job at hiding it.” She laughed.
Anna stood there frozen, she couldn’t believe it. She had tried so hard to keep this a secret but Mrs. Forbes has known since the past few weeks?
“Ma, I am really sorry… There were some complications surrounding the pregnancy and that is why I had to keep it a secret, I didn’t mean to…”
“Shhh…” Mrs. Forbes hushed with a smile. “You don’t need to apologize to me; I understand where you were coming from. So these complications, have they been resolved?”
Anna tried to hide the smile. “Yes Ma,” she replied.
Mrs. Forbes laughed. “So we would be having a baby shower soon, wouldn’t we?”
Anna blushed. “Hopefully ma.” She tried to keep it short, she hadn’t even said yes to be Maxwell’s girlfriend, maybe she was waiting for him to ask again.
“I am glad to hear that, nothing would make me happier than seeing you together with my son for the rest of my years, but regardless of what happens, you will always be my daughter.”
“Thank you, Mom.” Anna smiled.
**
As Maxwell showed Simon and Abigail around, they went into the cinema room where Abigail was nothing short of amazed. She might have grown up in a luxurious home but her family was old fashioned, they loved their vintage cars and castle-like mansions.
“What do you think, Simon?” Maxwell asked, trying to get his brother’s attention as he had earlier noticed that he wasn’t showing much interest.
There was no response and the both turned around simultaneously, only to find out that Simon was gone. When did he leave? where did he wander off to?
“Of course, he wandered off.” Abigail chuckled, knowing her brother too well.
“Come on,” Maxwell muttered and turned back, he needed to keep an eye on the prodigal son.
TBC!!