Chapter Five

​"Are you okay, President Catherine?" A concerned guest asks. Catherine remembers she has esteemed guests in her presence. What would they say if she slapped her son in law for this embarrassing mistake, that is if it is one and he did it to make her a laughing stock.

The anger in Catherine quickly subsides. With her hand still in the air, she tugs her short black hair behind her ear.

Catherine feigns a smile, "Don't worry, Francis. Stand up. You'll stain your clothes."

Louis extends his arm at Francis which he takes as he stands up, "I'm sorry it's my fault. I didn't know." Louis knows what he did exactly. He has to see how Catherine treats her son in law when he makes a mistake if he is to infiltrate into the Viva family.

​"I'm so sorry mother. I'm sorry." Francis apologizes sincerely. He was so concerned about making it right with Catherine that he's not bothered about those around him.

​"Let's go inside and clean up." Catherine says lovingly. She turns to the invited guests, "Thank you all for coming today." The birthday party has been ruined for her, there's no need to continue.

As soon as Catherine backs them, her smile turns to scowl as she returns to the house. Francis follows her timidly expecting the worst. He knows Catherine just pretended to be fine in front of her guests.

Catherine opens the door of the house and walks in. She takes a few steps towards her bedroom and stops. She turns around and sees Francis coming in and closing the door.  

​"I'm sorry, mother." Francis apologizes.

​"Do you even mean it?" Catherine crosses her arms, "If you wanted to humiliate me in front of everyone, you got your wish."

​"That was not my intention, mother. I really wanted to make this day special for you. I wanted it to be perfect." Francis never wanted to humiliate Catherine. She's his son's grandmother and his wife's mother. He would never.

​"A wrongdoing should be punished, shouldn't it?" Catherine threatens. She has to pay him back for this. That's the way life is; an eye for an eye. She can't just forgive him to embarrassing her in front of her investors and directors in her company.

​"I'm sorry, mother."

​"Don't forget that I never accepted you as my son-in-law. For as long as I live, you will never be the son-in-law of this family." Catherine threatens. Any time she looks at Francis' face, she remembers how Melissa threatened to give up on Viva Foods company if she didn't marry Francis. She could have lost her heir to her company because of this low class man.

Francis' face turns gloomy. He is really trying to his best not just to impress Catherine but to make Catherine like but with every attempt, it seems to pull Catherine further away from him..

​"Are you angry? Do you feel wronged? If you really want to be accepted into this family, you have to kill me." Catherine says in a challenging tone. She knows he does not have it one bit to harm her.

Fear clouds Francis' face. There's no way he could that. Despite the abuse he has faced in this house, he has never once felt like harming any member of this family, his family.

Catherine smirks before she goes to her bedroom. What a weakling.

Francis goes to his bedroom dejectedly. What a ruined birthday party for Catherine. When he gets to the bedroom, he removes his stained suit and trousers and puts them in the washing machine in the bathroom. He changes into a casual wear and goes to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

​Francis stirs the oatmeal to keep it from burning. He has an apron tied around his waist. Though the cooking is left for Francis, he still finds it calming and joyful to do. Besides he wanted to be restaurateur before he got married and became a member of the Viva family. He turns off the burner and covers the oatmeal pot with its lid. He looks at the opened carton of egg on the table in the middle of the kitchen. He thinks of what to make with it.

​"What are you doing?" Louis walks in.

​"I'm preparing dinner." Francis replies politely.

​"Aren't there enough maids to handle the cooking?"Louis remarks. Louis probes Francis seeing if he badmouths Catherine.

​"it's no problem. It's what I enjoy. Do you need anything?" Francis asks. He needs to get back to his cooking and Louis is taking his time. Catherine is very strict about keeping to time.

​"I want water." Louis replies.

Francis turns around to the kitchen sink behind him. He turns on the tap and rinses his hand with the gushing water. He goes to the refrigerator at a corner and opens it. The light in the fridge turns on revealing the canned drinks, bottle water and some foods preserved in plastic plates. He takes a bottle water and gives it to Louis.

​"I believe I haven't introduced myself properly, I'm Louis Hapkins."

​"I'm Francis Armitage."

​"I have always wondered what Melissa's husband would look like. It's nice to finally meet you." Louis says. He has already made his research on the Viva family. He knows enough information about every single member of the family but little detail about the company.

​"Likewise. I heard you came with mother from New York."

​"Yes. Actually, I have been in Japan where I first met president Catherine. She must be the strict type since you're the one cooking."

​"I do it because I want to. She's a good person."

​"I'll leave you to your cooking." Louis says.

​"Miss Rose will call you when dinner is ready."

​"Thanks." Louis leaves the kitchen with his bottle water. Louis has gotten enough to know that Francis is being maltreated in the Viva family.