Meeting Her Family

In the study room of Kenneth's house, Tanya vamoosed into the study room with a lump in her throat. Since they both came back from the Griffin's house, Kenneth has been unexpectedly cold to her.

As she sat down on the chair opposite her husband, she silently prayed that he change is mind later.

The study room was silent save for the flipping of the books left by the window side. The long silence made her more nervous.

After some time she began, "Em... Ken you see, I....."

"I don't blame you for anything, you dont have to feel remorseful" he said and paused again. "it's just that Ryan Griffin is not a person that can be with someone for a long time"

Tanya tightened her grip on her wrists. What is she going to say? She could feel her heart shaking in her chest. She could feel that Kenneth was really angry without knowing, tears ran down her face.

"I'm sorry Ken, I'm so sorry. I don't know that your brother will be there. It's my fault, that I entered the wrong room"

Sighing, Kenneth pulled her closer and hugged her.

"It's not your fault Tanya, Ryan and I never had a good relationship, we're bound to have a beef with each other every time. You don't have to blame yourself for it" he said.

"Really?"

"Yes I'm for real"

Kenneth faced the files before him thinking she'll leave the study room but Tanya was still there fidgeting on her fingers.

He looked up slowly and questioned, "Why are you still there? You should go to sleep"

"Em... Ken I think we should visit my family. I mean, with the circulating news and all, my mum will be so worried about me. So let's visit them tomorrow"

Kenneth thought for a moment before agreeing.

~~~

The next morning, Tanya opened the front door of her stepfather's house. Kenneth Griffin bowed his tall figure as he entered.

Tanya entered just after him to meet her mother's worried expression and a rare a sight of her stepfather smiling. She could sight Bianca at the dining table eating without minding her presence.

Tanya wondered what has gotten into her outlandish stepfather to be smiling broadly at Kenneth. Calling off her wedding and appearing on the TV with another man, Tanya expected him to nag and rant.

Catherine Lewiston, Tanya's mother rushed to her daughter as hugged her immediately she entered.

"Where have you been? Did you know I have been so worried because I couldn't put a call through?" She asked with tears.

Tanya also sobbed as she hugged her mother passionately, "No no mum, I don't mean to make you get so worried, my phone was out of battery and alot of things happened since last week, I'm so sorry mum"

"Your stepsister said she sees you at her working place, that's when I know you're fine" she said again have hugging he daughter as if she could disappear from her sight in the next minute.

Seems like she just remembered that Kenneth was still standing there, she walked over to him and held his hands looking at him lovingly,

"Hello Son, I saw yours and that of Tanya's news on the TV, what is that about?"

Kenneth smiled and bowed slightly to Catherine, "Hello aunt, I......."

"Hey, Hey, No need of asking him anything, we have know everything that happened from the news, why should you ask him another question" The stepfather interrupted making Kenneth and Catherine surprised.

She pressed on further, "But he...."

"Who won't know anything about the great CEO of Immortal Firm. Your daughter bring the most eligible suitor home in ages, you shouldn't chase him away with your questions" He quipped.

The woman kept quiet and sat down with them.

She was about to say another thing but the stepfather stopped her again. "Woman, you shouldn't bother him with so much questions"

Then the man faced Kenneth with a smile that seems scary to Tanya, "Dear son-in-law, Tanya's grandparents birthday is coming up in three days time, we hope you can be around"

Kenneth smiled simply in return and replied, "If I'm not busy with work, I'll surely be there"

The stepfather retorted back almost immediately, "No! You must be there at all cost"

Kenneth nodded and kept quiet again. Bianca finished her food and hissed with disgust and made to leave but her father stopped her.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

She shot her father a deadly glance, "Where else dad? Work of course" she wanted to leave again.

"Your sister brought her rich husband home, won't you say hello to your brother-in-law?" He asked again.

Bianca looked at Tanya who smirked at her. Kenneth, just sitting there expressionless looking at the family drama.

Bianca sighed and bowed slightly, "Hello"

"You can't even say hello properly. You should emulate Tanya, she always brings good and rich men home and look at yourself? You got yourself pregnant from a man that's not even half of Tanya's husband worth. You're a failure!"

Hearing this, Bianca's head spark. She looked at her father who was smiling pleasantly at Kenneth and asking him questions like a real Father in-law.

"Dad... Tanya is not your daughter" she said at last.

Catherine stood up and wanted to talk but the stepfather stopped her and faced his daughter again, "And so what? You're my daughter but you never make me proud. Tanya is my child. Only the one with the rich husband becomes my daughter!"

Bianca stood frozen, tears playing at the brink of her eyes as she rushed out of the room.

After sometime, Tanya excused herself and met Bianca outside still crying.

Tanya ignored her but she said, "Why you Tanya? Why did you always get the good ones? What have you done to my dad too?" Bianca cried.

Tanya stopped. She looked at her pitiful sister and smiled simply, "I guess that's because I'm not wishing others bad and I bring the most eligible suitors and not someone else's husband to be"

Tanya turned to leave but Bianca crossed her and said, "Just like dad said, Grandpa's birthday banquet is coming up next week at the old house, Remember to invite your husband then"

Hearing this, Tanya was stunned for a moment, she had thought her stepfather wasn't serious about it earlier.

But with a smilw, she replied Bianca, "Sure, I wont disappoint you"

Before Bianca could regain herself, Tanya left.

She looked at her d through the door and swore evenly: "Just wait Tanya Lewiston. Kenneth Griffin will be mine soon"