THE DINNER

LOIS' POV

I was so glad, when we alighted the car. Derrick and Harrison didn't stop teasing me about my dilemma. Atleast I could have some fresh air now. My brothers could be a handfull.

Jake wasn't able to make it, because he had a business dinner with a client today. Mum and Dad were so relieved when I returned home. Mum was already contemplating calling off the wedding, Until I told them my decision.

Yeah, I accepted the damn wedding. Dad and Mum were really relieved and happy. Deep down I knew that was the best decision I made. I had to fulfill my Grandparents' wish and make my parents happy. We were family by the way, with or without this marriage pact.

We walked towards the very familiar garden. It's been a long while since I last came here. We normally held most of our get-togethers at my family's guest house or at the garden in The Grants' family mansion.

The garden even looked more beautiful now. Aunt Ashley, Oliver's mum, had really done a nice job tending to it. The corner of my lips twitched slightly and finally turned into a smile as I recalled a very funny and embarrassing moment during our childhood days.

It was our families' get together as usual. I was just 11 years old then. There was a certain white lily flower which Aunt Ashley groomed in the garden.

She loved that flower so much. She never allowed santiago, the gardener water it. She always liked to water and tend to it herself as she weirdly spoke to it. 

That day, we were left to play in the garden, while our parents discussed some business issues concerning the joint company, owned by both families.

Justin, Oliver's younger brother, decided we do a drama. As usual, Oliver acted uninterested, Of course he was 16 and was 'too big' to involve himself in a drama with 'kids'. 

I was given the character of the wife in the drama, and Justin, the husband. It was our wedding and I had no bouquet as the bride. Justin immediately cut his mother's white lily flower and gave it to me. The action was so reflex, which made everyone shocked.

'Justin what have you done!?' Harrieth screamed.

Justin realised what he did and quickly put his palm on her mouth to prevent her screams from getting louder. Before I knew what happened next, the flower was pulled out of my hand by none other than Oliver.

'Give it back!' I shouted at him.

He immediately threw the flower to the ground and smashed it under his foot.

'Wait till mum hears of this' he said to Justin, looked at me with a smirk on his face, as he turned and started walking away.

But I was never the type to accept defeat. Ignoring the tension everywhere, I ran jumping on his back, while lunging my arm to the side of his torso. 

He went down, and I took the opportunity to get atop him. We struggled with each other, while the rest came over trying to separate us.

Though it was really clear he didn't want to hurt me, he just tried his best to avoid my blows, but I managed to give him a bruise on the neck. It was a huge one because I had golden bangle on my wrist, which actually caused the bruise. Little amount of blood had already started surfacing. Finally Jake, my eldest brother was able to pull me away.

'What is wrong with you?' he scolded 

I frowned my face as I looked around, trying to see everyone's reaction and that was when I noticed he was bleeding. Immediately I started crying, I was already feeling remorseful over my actions. By then, our parents had come out due to the noise we were making.

Mum and Aunt Ashley asked what happened in unison, and Matthew told them. Aunt Ashley was so pissed with Justin, but put her anger aside as she tried to tend to Oliver's injury and at the same time calm me from crying further, while mum kept scolding me.

Uncle William immediately asked Matt to get the first aid kit. Well the summary is that after that day, I and Oliver weren't as close as we used to be. But trust me, Justin didn't go unpunished for cutting the Lily.

Aunty Ashley gave him a coporal punishment that made him pee in his pants 😂😂. Harrieth gave me the full gist. 

"Hello!" Aunt Ashley's tiny voice rung out as she came towards my mum. 

"Hi!! Ashley how are you doing?. It's been a while" Mum replied   

"Oh dear, I'm doing great"

I quickly glanced around, as I noticed, the garden had already been set for dinner.

"Oh my! Sweetheart how are you doing? It's been a long time dear. Come give me a hug" I smiled as I hugged Aunt Ashley, she looked younger. Uncle William has a sure been taking good care of her.

"Hello Aunt! It's really been a long time. You look amazing". 

"Awwwn, thanks hun. You look so grown and really gorgeous" she stressed.

"Hey mate".

"Justin!" I screamed happily as I jumped into his waiting arms, and he twirled me around like I weighed nothing.  

"Baby girlie!" Harrieth called. 

"Hey Harrieth" I greeted with a wide smile as I pulled away from Justin. Harrieth had always been my best friend. She's practically with me all the time because we started working together just recently. 

Well I actually came back few months ago, and decided to accept the job offer at the Grants' hospital. It was owned by Oliver's family.

"C'mon, lets go to the garden and sit" Uncle William Suggested after exchanging pleasantries with Dad. I glanced around, looking for Oliver but I didn't see him. 

Matt wasn't there either. We all walked over to the garden, as we took our seats around the table, and everyone started chatting.

****************

It's been over an hour, and we've all been catching up. It was fun being around them, it had been so long I was part of this wonderful unions. Harrison and Derrick were chatting with Justin, while I and Harrieth were talking with Mum and Aunt Ashley. 

Aunt Ashley kept hammering on the fact that I was looking so beautiful. well everyone also complimented me. She expressed her joy, concerning the fact that I was going to tie the knot with her crazy ass son. It had always been so noticeable that Oliver was Aunt Ashley's favourite right from time.

"Good evening Dad" It was so clear that Oliver had arrived, as a different fragrance of cologne hit my nose. He walked towards his parents who were sitting directly opposite me on the table, so I practically couldn't see his face.

I was suddenly itching to take a look at him. He bent to give his mom a kiss, which took foreverrr! And then he turned to my direction. I was.....wow! He's good. I had to admit the fact that he looked much more handsome compared to six years ago. He unbuttoned his suit and dropped it on the seat beside him. He looked so good!

"Honey return his greetings" Mom nudged me by my arm. I was quite confused.

"He said hi" She clarified. 

"Oh!" realisation hit me hard. I had been busy drooling while he was trying to exchange pleasantries. How unladylike.  

"Hey" I gave an awkward wave.

I looked up and my eyes locked with his Ever dark orbs. I scanned lower and then, I noticed the right side of his neck.

He had tatoos on that whole side. It looked hot tho. I for one, didn't really fancy Tatoos, but his looked great on him. My eyes traveled further below to his chest, which was revealed as he left two buttons of his shirt, undone. 

'Lois get your head back in the game' my subconscious muttered. I waited for him to say something, but he was obviously as tongue tied as I was.

Now everyone's eyes were on us as if we were award winning Bollywood actors.

Uncle William came to the rescue as he announced for us to get ready for dinner."

So who's up for dinner? Let's make our selves comfortable please" He said with a knowing smile. LORD!!

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OLIVER'S POV

Wow! I was completely and utterly speechless when I saw her. She had changed a lot. She had grown so beautiful. The wavy blonde hair had disappeared, her hair was now dyed jet black, which gave her an aura of maturity.

Her blue orbs were now icier. Her chubby cheeks were now replaced with a set of slightly high of cheekbones. And her body was so beautiful with curvy hips which were clearly visible even as she was sitted.

"Hi" I said to her but it seemed she was lost in her own world.

Aunt Debbie nudged her and told her to reply my greetings.

"Hi" she said, and waved quite awkwardly. I just stared, I was short of words. The lady in front of me was a Demi-godess, not the teenager I used to know. Dad broke the silence by inviting us to dinner. When we took our seats, I couldn't help but let it out.

"You look really gorgeous...Lois". 

I heard a tiny gasp from Harrieth as she blushed sheepishly. I didn't miss the smile on Uncle Jonathan's face. Mum gave me a wink!.

All this reactions just because I complimented her!? I tried my best to stifle the laughter that threatened to burst out.

"Uhmmm...thanks Oliver" She replied, to which I nodded.Dinner went on well, during which Matthew and his wife Laurel arrived.

He walked over to Lois, gave her a kiss, and did the same with Aunt Debbie and Mom. They greeted Everyone and took their seats.

Harrieth started chatting them up on the 'scenes' they missed out on, while Laurel laughed in between their conversations.

Soon enough, the night came to an end and It was agreed that Lois and I would go ring shopping the next day.

They were walking towards the parking lot, after everyone said their goodbyes and I called Lois.

"Lois." I scratched my brows "Have a good night" How much more awkward can this night be? I was supposed to give such gestures as her Fiance right?  

"Good night Oliver" she replied. As usual all eyes were on us. Making the atmosphere more tensed and awkward.

"Okay then, till we see again" Uncle Jonathan said as he walked towards his car, hand in hand with his wife, and the family following behind. 

It had been a hectic day. I went in took a shower, and once my head hit the pillow, sleep took over.