[ Rain ]
I take a few deep breath as I prepare myself for the dinner night with our families on the same table. I wish it would pass quickly as pretending to be something which I am not nor the equation I share with my husband.
I wish it would be over soon for better or for worse.
"Relax dear, you're over thinking. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood already like you and the siblings will understand it soon." Elle places her hand on my shoulder.
"I can't, Elle. I can't forget the last encounter between my brother and Nicholas. They were ready to kill each other. Rainard has a short temperament when it comes to me. Unfortunately, Nicholas shares the same attitude." I sigh in exasperation.
"Nicholas is a nice man, Rain. He's heartbroken but I am sure that you'll mend it and invade it forever." She smiles and the confidence she has in my abilities, surprises me.
"I think we should head downstairs now. They'll be here anythime." I say giving myself a last glance in the mirror to ensure I look like a rich wife.
Nicole and my Mom will surely point it out if a single hair on my head might be not on a proper place.
"I'll go and look after the dinner arrangements. Just be yourself, Rain because you're perfect." She says before heading out of my room.
"I wish my husband could see this perfection and give me a chance to prove my love and loyalty to him." I murmur to myself and make my way in the living room where Breece and Nicholas are already present.
My prediction was right, I find them playing video game. They're too engrossed in their own world that they don't sense my presence.
"May I join you two?" I clear my throat to gain their undivided attention and it catches his eyes.
He stilled for a moment. His eyes zeroed on me, they only falter when he rakes them horizontally on my body making me uncomfortable by the intensity of his stare. I can't collect myself to look at him. He is wearing a crisp cotton shirt and black slacks, his thick hairs combed perfectly like he has taken a shower recently. He's the definition of perfection.
The door open saving me from the awkward moment. I can hear familiar voices of our family. He too realizes that he stared at me for more than two minutes.
"Let's welcome them." He ruffles Breece's hairs and stand up on his full height.
I just nod my head in agreement and we together walk at the door step to welcome them as a couple. Our families come together. Our parents look happy but our siblings have a scowl on their faces.
Apparently, they hate their sibling's spouse and it's evident in their eyes as they glare at us.
"Rain, my baby." Dad is the first to rush towards me and gathers me in his arms.
"Dad, I missed you." I nuzzle my nose on his chest. His warmth gives me a certain kind of solace.
"We met three days ago, my munchkin." He laughs on my words.
"Can't I miss my favorite person on the earth?" I pout.
"Mr. Anderson, please give us a chance to see our daughter in law." Nathan Blackwood pushes my father aside and pulls me in a hug.
"How are you, Rain?" He asks in my ear and I can't miss the worry in his voice.
"I am good, Papa, trust me." I reply in whisper and it isn't a lie. Nicholas treats me well. I mean he doesn't abuse me or torture me.
He pulls away and I can see his frown line disappear.
"Good evening, Mr. Anderson." Nicholas forwards his hand for a formal shake.
"How are you young man?" Dad shakes his hand firmly.
"We're good." Nicholas replies briefly but he isn't rude like last time. That's a relief.
"Oh Nicholas, my dear son-in-law. You have a beautiful house." Mom exclaims, I can easily tell that she's speculating the market value of this mansion.
"Thank you, Mrs. Anderson." He nods his head.
On the other hand, his mother pulls me for a tight hug.
"You're looking beautiful, my dear." She says and she actually meant it.
"Thanks, Ma, you look prettier than me." I compliment her and it's not a lie.
She looks regal and beautiful in her simple yet sophisticated fashion.
"Can we walk inside, Dad? Or we're going to stand here for the night." Nicole scoffs rolling her eyes dramatically.
"Oh sorry, my bad. Please come inside." I l slap my forehead and we step aside to give them space.
They all walk inside but Rainard pull me back. Shit! I have been dreading this moment.
"How is the douchebag treating you, Rain and dare you lie to me." He warns me in a whisper only audible to me while Nicholas is busy talking to our parents.
"He's trying to adjust, Rainard. It's not easy for him either. Our sister destroyed him for her own selfish motives. If someone should be blamed, it's Roselie. She eloped with her lover and left us to suffer the consequences of her selfish act." I defend my husband who treats me not more than a doormat at his doorstep.
"He's grown up man, Rain. You don't need to defend him who only sees us as gold diggers and you're his scapegoat to seek his revenge on us." He says.
I don't like my brother misjudging my husband. I know I am very stupid to choose a man whom I hardly know over someone who has been with me since we were only two cells.
"Kids! What are you doing there, come here and join us." Mom shouts for us thus putting a full stop on a tensed conversation.
"Please, try to give him a chance, Raindard. He invited our families to start over fresh. Please be civil for me. I really want to make this marriage work from my end." I whisper and quicken my pace to join our family at the dinner table.
"What you two were discussing?" Mom arches her brows at us suspiciously. She never trust us or our behavior in the public like we're five years old toddlers.
"Nothing, just the sibling stuff, Mom. Don't worry, we are not planning to puncture Mr. Blackwood's car." Rainard replies her in same pun which makes everyone laugh and from the corner of my eyes, I notice Nicholas smiling and a grumpy Nicole beside him.
Meanwhile, Breece runs inside but instead of rushing to her mother or grandparents, she hugs my legs.
"Hey Princess, where have you been?" I scoop her in my arms and walk upto the dining table. The only vacant seat I find is next to my husband.
"I am hungry, Cindrella and Elle isn't giving me my chips." She pouts.
"Breece, come here." Nicole's stern voice startles the little girl in my arm but I can't do anything. I don't have a right on her daughter.
"We have a lot of food here, see." I point my finger on the various dishes," You should eat healthy food if you want to grow bigger and stronger." I say to her and the little girl immediately nods her head in obedience.
"Breece, I said come here." Nichole says in a higher pitch, her eyes are shooting daggers at me.
I gently put her down on the floor and she runs to her mother.
"Don't mind her, Rain. She's only an overprotective mother." Sophia whispers to me.
"I understand, Ma and I am not hurt." I assure her. The last thing I would want is friction in my new family.
"You look good with a child, Rain. Why don't you and Nicholas plan a baby of your own?" My Mom says out of blue and I choke on my food.
Did she really drop a baby bomb on me?
I dare to tilt my head in Nicholas's direction and his own face has a phantom expression.
You screw the little I built with my husband, Mom.