Questions

Crystal's POV

'I know you dread this dinner as much as you dread a live snake but you and I know what the result of your refusal to go can be ' Karen said as I looked at the cloth Eric had handpicked for me to wear to his family dinner like an abomination

'Sometimes, I feel Eric is just out to embarrass me for no reason. This dress is too revealing, Karen,' I said, picking up the dress and turning it around for a better view.

It was a beautiful gown, no doubt, but it was backless. The front was beautifully designed with a small cut on the chest area to give a glimpse of cleavage. Another problem I had with the dress was that it was too short for my liking

'You need to get dressed. I am sure that Sir Eric is almost through. You are going to get us both into trouble if you are not dressed by the time he is through,' Karen said, looking pleadingly at me.

Eric had instructed Karen to help me get dressed as if I was a toddler. It was Eric's pastime to make me feel brainless most of the time. Picking out the clothes I wore whenever I was going out with him was another way of showing me how little he thought of me and my dress sense.

I had prayed all week that something would come up and the dinner would be canceled. I wasn't ready for his mother and sister's nasty remarks about my background and self-worth.

Eric knew how much I hated being in his mother's or sister's company yet he forced me to their presence at every given opportunity.

I didn't know the essence of the dinner but I was sure that Eric's mother must have brought up the idea probably to give me one million reasons why I couldn't attend the annual Christmas party the Conners organized every year for employees and their family.

Ever since I had gotten married to Eric, I had never for once attended any party that had to do with the company. I attended a few fundraisers with him after Netizens came after him for flaunting other women when he was married. The fundraiser I attended with him was just to make him look like a dedicated husband.

I was brought out of my reverie by Karen's grunt. I rolled my eyes and picked up the dress, giving it another disdainful look before putting it on. Karen said it looked good on me but I didn't believe her. She must have been saying that to make me feel better.

After I got dressed and complimented the dress with black high heel sandals. I didn't see any reason to use any other color but black since the dress was black and it depicted my mood at that moment.

Karen and I rushed downstairs just in time because we were barely in the sitting room for three minutes when Eric came downstairs.

He looked at me for some seconds like one will look at their car to be sure there are no dents on it or as one will look at their shoes after a near mud stain disaster.

'Couldn't you have added some colors to your dress? Red lips and a red shoe would have complemented the dressing appropriately,' Eric said, looking at me as if I were a piece of trash.

'You took the color out of my life ' I mumbled to myself

'You said what?' Eric asked, looking at me intently, and my heart skipped a bit. I could only hope he didn't hear me

'I said that I didn't realize. I can go back and change the heel' I lied

'You expect me to wait while you change into another ugly heel. We are almost late, and I am not as tacky as you,' Eric said and matched out of the door, yanking it so hard that it hit the wall. I winced at the sound before following him

'Best of luck,' Karen whispered to me when I was about to close the door.

Yeah, I needed it to deal with the Conners that night even though I knew that my luck ran out the very first day I had the misfortune to be married to Eric.

Eric was behind the wheel by the time I got to the car. He barely allowed me to close the door before he zoomed off. I quietly sat beside him all through the journey.

When we got to his parent's house, he didn't wait for me to get out of the car before walking off. I got out and gently closed the car door. I had received hot slaps on my cheeks twice before because he said I closed the door too hard.

I walked to the door with my steps heavy with dread. I didn't like his family except for his father and I was not ready to change that. They hated me, I guess it was only necessary that I reciprocated the feelings.

Eric was still at the door ringing the bell when I got to him. The door opened, and his sister stood there in a blue gown that would have made a nun blush.

'Hey bro. You are late,' Cassidy said, grinning at her brother. The bond between them would have been enviable for me if they were not just two sides of a bent coin.

'Yeah, some tacky idiots delayed me,' Eric said and walked in. Cassidy's smile slipped when she set her blue, almost ocean-like colored eyes on me.

I had been standing behind Eric on purpose so she had noticed me when Eric walked into the house.

'No matter how much you are dressed up, you are still the same pig that was picked from the slum. How is it possible to wear a designer gown and still look that ugly? Yuck!'

'CC be nice' Eric's dad chided her as he came to the door. Cassidy left the door and sashayed in, leaving me by the door

Yeah, that is CC, my sister-in-law. Rude, uncouth, no brain filter, and mannerless. Cassidy Conner, CC for short. She walks around half naked all in the name of owning a fashion brand that was not yet known.

'Good evening sir' I greeted Eric's father

'My dear girl. How are you doing? Come in.' Eric's father said and pulled my hand taking me to the dining.

Eric's mom was already at the table with Eric and CC. The house staff were already serving the food. I greeted Eric's mother, but she paid me no mind, so I just sat down where Eric's father pointed beside Eric.

We started eating, but I didn't have an appetite. I just wanted it all done so that we could just leave the presence of his mum and sister. Eric's mum was sending glares my way. Sometimes I wondered if I offended the woman in my past life and she was taking it out on me in my present life. To avoid her gaze, I refused to raise my head while eating.

'I asked Eric to bring you to dinner so that I can warm you myself,' Eric's mum said, and I almost smiled. I had guessed so too.

'Darling' Eric's dad called at her in warning

'No, darling, she needs to hear this,' She said to her husband and then turned to me. ' You will be attending the Conners company's yearly Christmas party with us, but you must be warned. If you dare carry yourself in a way that will bring disgrace to this family, then consider yourself dead' She fumed

'I don't want to go, ma'am,' I said. I wasn't interested in her party so she could just relax.

'You...' Eric's mum started but her husband laid a hand on her arm to stop her from talking

'Crystal, there is a man I would like to do business with. He will be flying in from Paris and he will be attending the party. He likes responsible men and family units. I want us to present a united front' Eric's dad explained to me.

'Is he that important?' I asked him and I could hear CC snort.

'Yes. Mr Midas Anthony St. Clair is the CEO of St Clair Conglomerates. He took over from his grandfather recently. We want him as a partner' He answered

'Midas Anthony?' I asked with a frown. How can he be Midas Anthony.?

'I guess you might want to see a picture as well', CC said sarcastically and then got up from her chair and showed a picture to me on her phone, but it was just for a second or two. I didn't see the pics very well but it looked familiar.

I was sure that if I saw Midas I would recognize him anywhere. At that moment, I wished I had a phone was could connect to the Internet or preferably a laptop computer I could use. I made a mental note to ask Karen for help. I needed to find out more about this Midas before the party.

'You know a St.Clair?' Eric's dad asked after CC went to sit down

'Where will she know a St. Clair from' Eric's mom said laughing lightly. We all returned to eating after I told Eric's dad that I understood him but my mind kept going back to the name.

My Midas was Midas Anthony Ranchers but something about the name Midas Anthony St.Clair makes me uncomfortable. Could it be Midas? My own Midas? But how was it possible?.

I couldn't sit still anymore. I became unsettled. What would I do if it was Midas.?How would I deal with the disappointment if he was a different Midas altogether.?I guess I have to wait till the party. But until then I knew I would not be able to rest easy.

I wanted to meet this Midas even if he was not my Midas; it would be good to have someone with that name around, even if it is just for a few hours. I just hope he is as nice and welcoming as my Midas. Until then!