MATERIALISTIC DESIRES

"I thought I was on time. Am I late?" My presence in the dining hall left everyone stunned, the surprise on their faces was quite evident, I had anticipated this reaction, after all, they never expected me to return, since they wanted to hide their sins forever. Their hateful glances made that clear.

As soon as she saw me, my grandmother approached with a warm smile, "Oh dear! You're finally here, I missed you a lot," she exclaimed, pulling me into a loving embrace, I hugged her back and smiled, happy to meet her after a long time, "Yes, I'm here for you, grandmother, happy birthday."

Holding her hand, I glanced at her smiling face just as always, but she is weak than before, wrinkles on her face more visible now, "How is your health, grandmother?"

"I'm fine, especially now that you're back, I'm much happier," she replied, her eyes brighter with full of happiness, her glance shifted at my children, and I introduced them, "This is Abigail, and this is Alexander, they're my children."

She is truly surprised to know about my children, I looked at them by pulling them forward, "Abi, Alex, greet your great-grandmother."

"Hello, great-grandmother, we are glad to meet you," they both said politely smiling brightly at her as they were excited to meet her, grandmother gently hugged them with extreme affection, "You didn't even mention about them when we spoke," she said, her voice filled with emotion glancing at her great grandchildren.

"I wanted to surprise you, grandmother" I explained softly holding her hand.

At that moment, my mother cleared her throat loudly, clearly annoyed, "How long will someone who eloped years ago continue to be welcomed here? Are we invisible here or what?"

My grandmother glared at her, "Shut up!" Then, turning to me with a gentler expression, she said, "Come with me, dear."

She guided me to a seat beside her, since I took the children with me, but the seats next to me were occupied by my sister and mother. They were asked to move by my grandmother so that my children could sit next to me.

With a frown both of them shifted the seats, as my father signalled them not to make a scene, with grandmother around, they would never even think about speaking anything against me.

As we settled in, I felt the tension in the room, but also a sense of relief. I was back where I belonged, and I don't care about anything else.

"Grandmother, Joseph and I are planning to get married, we hope you'll give us your blessings," Natalie said proudly, her glances were over at me as she spoke. It was clear she mentioned Joseph on purpose, thinking it might still affect me as if I've lingering feelings still within me, but she couldn't have been more wrong.

Joseph was not even in a distant memory, a shadow of the past that held no importance in my life anymore, now that she reminded me, I couldn't even remember his face.

Grandmother sighed deeply, rubbing her temples, "I thought we were here to celebrate my birthday," she said, her voice filled with frustration, "Not to talk about nonsense."

My father stood up and tried to divert the topic, "Yes, Mother, you're right. However, to celebrate your birthday, I brought a beautiful painting which was painted by my wife especially for you" As the painting was revealed, I was stunned.

Even to someone like who isn't knowledgeable about painting, it was clearly a masterpiece. How could someone who had never shown any artistic talent suddenly create something so exceptional? This painting wasn’t just good for an amateur, it was the work of a true artist, rivaling even those with years of experience.

What was going on here? Was I overthinking it? Whatever the case, it wasn’t my concern. My mother who is clearly blushing said, "Honey, I drew it for Mother, but it's not necessary to present my humble gift in front of everyone." She acted as if she hates getting praised, but I knew she would do anything to get praised.

Then Natalie handed my grandmother an envelope, "Grandmother, I know it's not much, but Joseph and I want you to have a peaceful trip to enjoy your upcoming vacation, we've booked an entire resort in the eastern mountains just for you, I hope you enjoy your stay."

My aunt, the only daughter of my grandmother, offered a wine bottle, "Mom, this is the finest and most expensive wine. Your son-in-law and I brought it especially for you because we know how much you love wine."

As always she loves to show off her wealth comparing herself and her wealth with her brothers.

The eldest son of the family along with his wife presented a huge box, "Mother, since you love fabrics designed by Xorian Designs, I brought you the finest and most beautiful dress they have."

His wife joined in adding, "Your grandson tried his best to meet with the designer and convinced her to create this dress just for you, Mother." She was a woman with a sweet tongue but poisonous thoughts, an extreme example of why you shouldn’t always trust what you see.

My grandmother accepted all the gifts, whether she liked them or not, its not their concern, everyone's goal was to impress her, hoping that one day her properties and businesses would be theirs. All this politeness and affection were just a facade for their materialistic desires.

"I wasn't informed about your birthday, Great Grandmother, but I wish you a very happy birthday and many more to come," Abigail said with an innocent smile, taking off her brooch she offered it to my grandmother, "This is my favorite brooch, and I'm giving it to you, it has brought me luck, and I hope it brings you luck as well."

Tears welled up in my grandmother’s eyes as she looked at the brooch, Natalie sneered, "Disgusting, who would offer such a cheap gift?" Abigail’s expression became droopy, but before I could react, my grandmother spoke up. "At least she offered me something you never could, her favorite possession, a clear sign of affection. Unlike your gifts meant only to impress rather than affection."

Everyone looked frustrated and angry, but I was used to this, since being adopted into this family, I have always been treated this way.

Britney, my grandmother’s only daughter, sighed, "Well, we all given our gifts, and even your daughter offered something. What about you, Arabella? Did you bring anything for my mother? Don't tell me you're here again for free food without any gift!"

I smiled at her question, instead of reacting, I decided to answer with my actions, I took a box out of my handbag and handed it to my grandmother, "happy birthday grandmother."

All eyes were on it, waiting for an opportunity to criticize, but when my grandmother opened the box, everyone's eyes widened in surprise.

"This... this ca...can't be re...real," Natalie stammered, barely able to speak.