Exquisite Romance

Chapter Four

Brianna.

The laughter coming from inside the house got to me. Maybe Lucas was right and I really am the problem. My presence. My pride. My wealth. Everything about me was the problem. I should probably leave.

I turned back ready to leave when the door swung open and Michael, Lucas little brother showed up.

"Brianna" he squealed excitedly forgetting that the last time he saw me, he dropped my Samsung fold and his mum still hasn't paid for the damage caused.

"Hey" I said forcing out a smile.

"Is someone there, Micheal?" Mr Rodriguez thick voice came on. Taking a deep breathe I stepped into the house. This house has so many ugly memories I don't want to remember.

"Oh hii, Daniel" I greeted Mr Rodriguez back making every head in the room turn towards me. Ugh! This people.

I walked in graciously, giving literally everyone a small gesture to acknowledge their presence. Some responded well, some didn't. Most of my cousins and step cousins were present, just a few aunt's and uncle could make it. No single one from my Mum's family came. Not like I was expecting any one of them but you know, just saying.

Just then, Tina, one of my step cousin, walked into the room and yeah she's pregnant. Oh my gosh she just reminded me of everything that's been happening. Ugh!

"Oh, heyy Brianna. It's so good to see you, so sorry about your Dad." she greeted coming in for a side hug which I wasn't expecting but yeah.

"Thank you. It's been like how many months now since we last saw each other. You look good girl." Damn that came out so naturally and very fake.

"With a baby bump? You can't be serious." She replied rolling her eyes while pulling out from the hug and going to settle down beside her husband, Ted or something. I took a seat next to Lucas who was doing great at ignoring my presence.

Just then Sophie alongside Jade, her little sister, who I barely know walked in. Sophie was dressed in a black leather gown that stopped right below her knee. She had her hair in a bun and looked like she had been crying.

"Hey, Brianna" she greeted her voice coming out gruffy.

"Hii step-mum" yeah that came out weird.

Finally everyone settled down and the maids started dishing out dinner. It was my Dad's favorite meal. Toasted bagel, topped with smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and onions.

My eye caught Aunt Katherine who was looking really pissed, you'll know when they don't want you here.

So after dinner, we all gathered in the living room for deserts and to also have a chat about Dad's life in general. Everyone had a lot to say, except me.

"Peter was a really good man with many flaws, yes but he still left a big impact in my life. I mean I was just his sister's husband. So many times when things got rough and I needed a drink buddy, he'll always find time out of his busy schedule to be there with me. He'll be there and we'd scream at the world together like some immature teenagers. I'll miss him a lot. That's a given. May his soul rests in peace." Daniel said sipping from his strawberry lemonade sparker. Katherine squeeze his hand in a comforting way.

I saw Tina dab furiously at her eyes. She's been crying all night, must be the hormones. I really can't imagine myself in that state. Whew!

"I actually have something to say about Mr Anderson too." Jade announces her voice breaking a bit at the end of her sentence as everyone turned to her.

" Oh, I experienced what my sister was like when she hadn't met Peter. I mean she was a raging b***h on the loose. Pardon my choice of words and close the ear of the unborn child...." She added making everyone chuckle a little. I almost laughed too.

" I mean one evening, they met and I must say, he influenced my sister's life positively, girl wouldn't stop doing you know drugs and all...."

"Oh goodness" Sophie sighed a little embarrassed but her lips still curved up and that was more than enough to tell Jade to keep going.

"..I mean a man was able to change her life in just 13 years of marriage. Peter's a legend and he'll forever be in all our hearts" She said, smiling tightly.

*

Everyone had a whole lot to say about my Dad and I had just sat there and listened. He wasn't any of that to me and I'm definitely not going to stand and lie to all this people.

"Brianna, won't you say something?" Someone who knew how to perfectly get me in the spotlight, Katherine, asked. I'm sure everyone must have wondered the same in their heart.

"My Dad was there for everyone but not me. Want me to say more?" I shot back, my voice came out hard. The whole room went silent. It was a very uncomfortable one. They all knew all the bullshit I said at the church was an outright lie.

I stood up, ready to leave.

"Bri.. Congratulations. I heard about your promotion." Sophie said trying to lighten up the mood a bit. Promotion that's not official yet? This woman.

"Which only happened as a result of your Dad's untimely death..." She added. I hated her gut. What was Jade talking about, Dad didn't have any impact in the life of this woman apart from his sperm floating in her barren female part, she's still bitchy as ever.

"Suck it up, Sophie. You'll never get a position at the company. Not when he was alive and not when he's dead either." I retorted defensively before stalking out. Tina followed me for some reason I didn't quite know until I got to where I had parked my car earlier.

"You want me to lend you 30 million dollars? Come on now girl. We both know you're never paying back. That's why you came this evening right? Not because you cared about some family ritual or my Dad's death..." Her silence confirmed my answer. My eyes slowly trailed down to her protruded stomach. "... What unlucky mother you chose." I got into my car and left her standing there, whatever reply she had for me, I didn't want to hear it.

That's my family. More like a political world where everyone is fake and just make a move on anything that'll benefit them.