The Light in your Eyes

Chapter Ten.

CHAPTER TEN

James savoured the warmth of being part of a family dinner for the first time in six years. He was overwhelmed by the happiness that radiated within him, having longed for gatherings like this during his time of solitude. The only nuisance at the dinner was the continuous glare he received from Jade. Funnily enough, they ended up sitting directly across from each other and continuously clashed as they both reached for the same dishes on the table.

Little did they know, Loveth had observed their interactions and a clever idea began to form in her mind.

"Alright, everyone," Loveth announced. "We've indulged in the delicious meal prepared by Jade and the self-proclaimed best chef in the world, Jake. Now, who will generously volunteer to handle the dishwashing duties?"

As everyone around the table hesitated, Loveth noticed that none of them wanted to do the dishes, a reaction that fit perfectly with her agenda to matchmake James and Jade.

"Since no one is willing to volunteer, then James and Jade should kindly help us with the dishes," Loveth suggested with a beaming smile. George understood that smile and knew the underlying intentions behind it. He was curious about the potential outcomes of his wife's plan.

"Mom, how can you pair me with him? I shouldn't have to do the dishes, especially since I helped with the cooking. Besides, staying at home and doing nothing is tiring too. I am exhausted," Jade rambled, faking a yawn to emphasize her point.

"As much as I appreciate this meal, ma'am, I am afraid I cannot go along with such an arrangement too. If you can pick someone else, that will be better," James said politely, resistant to the idea of teaming up with her. He wasn't going to entertain the thought of doing something with Jade, whom he did not get along with.

The tension in the air was palpable, reflecting the strong dislike both James and Jade had for each other. The situation was sensitive and everyone could sense it.

Loveth raised her hands to pacify the tension and attempted to engage James and Jade by making eye contact with them. She then sought support from Jake, silently asking for his assistance. "Now, now, both of you, I understand your reluctances, but don't you think this is a great opportunity to bond and get to know each other better?" she said, mischief twinkling in her eyes.

Jake picked up on the hint and chimed in, "Come on, guys, it will be fun! We can all help out, and then we can all enjoy dessert together afterwards."

George, realizing his wife's plan, decided to intervene as well. "It's only fair that everyone pitches in, and this can be a chance for both of you to put aside your differences. You might actually enjoy each other's company."

However the two protagonists were clearly not buying into the idea. Being in the same space as the other party was nauseating enough and yet they had to do the dishes together.

The atmosphere was in a stalemate for a little while and things got even more awkward. Loveth knew she couldn't rush things and decided to compromise a little.

"It is fine if you guys don't want to do things together, but I do not understand the enmity between the both of you. You are both adults engaging in a kindergarten cold war." Loveth sighed and felt that the future of the two of them looked bleak. One was an extremely lazy person and the other is a workaholic that rests and eats in his shop. She had thought that if they both got to know each other, they might be able to influence one another.

Charlotte observed the unfolding situation with slight indifference, unable to comprehend why their mother was meddling in their affairs. She felt no inclination to witness what she considered an embarrassing display of interference. The sound of chairs scraping against the floor shattered the silence, drawing everyone's attention to her.

"I will take care of the dishes so, Mom, just put an end to this. You might be jeopardizing their future by forcing your involvement in their relationship. It's evident that they don't care for each other, so why are you trying to intervene?" Charlotte paused, her distress apparent to everyone in the room. If they all didn't notice before that Charlotte was upset, it became apparent now.

"You did the same with me and Daniel, and do you know where that got me? Pregnant and on the verge of divorce! You thought we were a perfect match, pushing ahead without our consent. You even went behind my back to plan a wedding, and look where that landed me!" Charlotte was on the brink of tears at this point.

"You...just stop, Mom. I...I... never loved Daniel, but you assumed I did. I...just went along because you seemed so thrilled." The weight of her words hung heavily in the air, leaving an uncomfortable silence in their wake.

"What! You're getting divorced?" Loveth exclaimed, as if only just comprehending the gravity of Charlotte's words.

"No! That's not the point right now, Mom," Charlotte whispered. "Mom, that's not the point right now!" Overwhelmed, she shouted with her hands covering her ears and eyes shut tight.

"What do you mean that is not the point? You are getting a divorce with your husband and you say it is not important? Then what is important?" Loveth said angrily

As the implications of Charlotte's words sunk in, Loveth's eyes widened in disbelief. She had always been under the impression that her interference in her children's lives was a positive force, guiding them toward what she believed to be their best course of action. Now Charlotte was telling her the perfect marriage in her eyes is now going to be dismantled. She wasn't going to accept it.

Bertha, who had been silently observing the emotional turmoil unfold, felt a wave of compassion toward Charlotte. She had always admired Charlotte's strength and determination, but now she saw a vulnerable side of her that begged for understanding and support. Taking a deep breath, Bertha stood up from her chair and stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Charlotte's shoulder.

"What did you do Charlotte? Why would Daniel want to divorce you? I finally found a man capable enough to cater for the rest of your life and you are going to mess it up." Loveth was practically screaming at this point. She looked at George hoping to get support from him but the other just pretended to know nothing.

“George, won't you say anything. You are going to watch her ruin her whole life.”

George knew his wife and also knew she had a strong tendency to control the life of the rest of the family.

"Mom! How could you say that? She is already suffering as it is. I am also tired of how you like to control us. Why do you think we all choose to live independently after our eighteenth birthday, because we were getting choked with everything. Honestly mom, I don't blame Scarlett when she started ignoring us after knowing of her origin.” Bertha didn't know where the courage came from but she just wanted to say it all out.

“Can you guys do this some other times? I get there's a problem but there's still a guest around. So shouldn't you guys keep things under wraps for now till later.” Jade interrupted the chatter. She didn't understand what was going on. Someone wanted to get a divorce, then they should get the divorce. The fuss felt very unnecessary to her.

“Charlotte looks very uncomfortable and tired right now, so mom can't you let her rest first before talking down to her. She hadn't really done anything wrong. They fell out of love, who cares.” She continued.

“I can understand that there was no one to teach you manners and the ways of the world but shouldn't common sense dictate to you that you have no place to be a part of this discussion. Who the guest is, shouldn't you be clearer on that Jade, huh!” Loveth picked a plate and threw it at Jade while breathing heavily.

There was silence as the plate shattered on the floor beside Jade’s feet giving her a little cut. Jade flinched from the unexpected pain and froze as a scene from the past flashed past her eyes

“Loveth!!!”

“Mom!!!”

George and Jakes shouted at the same time. James was a little taken aback by what was happening right before his eyes. His eyes saw red as he gazed at the bleeding feet of Jade. He hastily got up from his chair and looked around for anything to stop a bleeding feet.

“Don't you know how to dodge when something is thrown at you?!” He shouted at Jade as he bent to check her leg for any other affected area. He looked even more panicked than the injured party.

“As she said, there was actually no one to teach me anything.” Jade replied nonchalantly.

“Jade, I am sure she didn't mean that. Mom was just angry and..and…an just don't take what she said in anger to heart. I..I..am sure she is already regretting it too.” Jakes tried to salvage the situation.

“Right mom?” He looked pleadingly at their mom hoping she would try to at least offer some sort of explanation. He really wanted Jade to fully integrate into their family, he liked everything about her and didn't want to lose her again. He looked around at anyone that could possibly calm the situation. Charlotte was sobbing silently while Bertha was trying her best to console her. George looked utterly defeated, James wasn't family and Steve looked as if he wanted nothing to do with the circumstances.

“Do you have bandaids in this house, her bleeding won't stop. She needs to be taken to a clinic. I don't understand, wasn't it just a small wound so why are you bleeding this much.” James couldn't understand how a thin woman like jade could bleed out so much blood in a few minutes. Despite his initial effort to stop the blood with tissues, a box of newly opened tissues has almost been used up yet the bleeding won't stop. There was blood everywhere.

“Oh my God! Why are you bleeding so much?” Charlotte forgot her problems and was really surprised by the amount of blood on the floor. She hastily tried to look for the first aid box.

“Why didn't you say anything? Dad! Where is the first aid box? At the rate she's is bleed a blood transfusion might later be needed.” George scrambled to his feet feeling scared, he had never seen someone out so much from a small cut in his whole life. Jade was feeling exhausted from all the talks and blood and just as she was about to tell them her condition, she leaned forward and fainted.

“Jade!” James shouted her name in panic as he tried to make her comfortable in his arms.

“Jade!!” He called out to her again while tapping her cheeks gently.

“What is going on? Why did Jade faint? You bastard! What did you do to her?” Jake roared at James. He was almost crying at this point.

“Dial the emergency number right now!”

“Okay! I am already dialling it.” Everyone was in complete chaos.

“Can someone explain to me what is wrong with her?” Loveth shakily asked with fear in her eyes. She could have sworn she meant no harm when she threw the plate.