Chapter 5 - Dinner With The Byrnes

"Yes, I promise," Anna said while looking straight into his blue eyes. Those were the same words Dave had said. A promise in calm they tried to show even though their eyes couldn't hide their nervousness. However, their gazes seemed to comfort each other and reassure them that everything would be fine.

Yes, that was what they needed.

"Now, I pronounce you husband and wife. May God bless your marriage with happiness forever." The priest ended the vow with the inauguration. That was the end of the sacred process in the wedding. "You may kiss the bride." And the sweet ending. A kiss.

Dave looked doubtful. Usually, the groom would kiss the bride's lips, right? But somehow, he felt he shouldn't do that. No, it was not a matter of sincerity. It was about how marriage worked. Supposedly, it started with love, so the kiss would be a lovely closing to complete the process. However, his marriage was not like that.

So, he decided to change that. He kissed Anna's forehead instead of her lips.

Just as the kiss ended, applauses were heard. It came from the guests, or rather, the witnesses. Actually, they were just Grandma and Chelsy and their assistant and Dave's. His family should be there too. But Grandma couldn't wait any longer. After all, it was so sudden that they couldn't attend it right away.

"Congratulations, dear. And welcome to the Byrnes." Grandma said as she hugged Anna. It was warm. As warm as her acceptance of her. "You have my support. So don't worry about anything else." Her voice was soothing.

Anna smiled awkwardly. She still didn't know what else Grandma meant. But, presumably, she understood the source of her anxiety.

The Byrne family.

Yes, that was the name of the hotel she visited last night. And her brain could quickly connect everything. They were from the same Byrne. The Byrne that owned dozens of businesses under Byrne Corp. One of them being the wealthiest man in the world, David Byrne.

And the one she married was none other than him.

"Thanks, grandma."

She honestly didn't know if it was the right thing to say. Grandma supported her as well as trapped her in this situation. That was ultimately the opposite. And he had never said that he was David Byrne! It was like the second bomb had dropped on her.

But, the thrilling part was not over. After being nervous about the wedding vow, that night, she had to prepare herself for the actual battle. Dinner with the rest of his family. Of course, Dave's parents would be there after the long journey from New York.

"Are you nervous?"

It was a useless question. Who was not nervous about this situation? She was going to meet her in-laws.

But she was lucky that Dave understood and accompanied her instead of welcoming his family. She really needed him by her side. He was the only person she could rely on.

Anna nodded. "I've never been introduced to someone's family before," she said honestly.

"When was your last relationship?"

Her nervousness paused for a moment to think about that. "In senior high school." She was pathetic, wasn't she? All her life, she had idolized Matt so much that she closed the door on other men approaching her. Even when he was dating Rebecca, she still couldn't stop loving him. So, she was a little unsteady when they decided to get married.

"Why not find someone?"

She had difficulty swallowing. Not that she couldn't, but she didn't want to do that. "I have someone I love." Her eyes longed as she said that.

Dave saw that. He also saw tears building up in her eyes. How she said it showed a deep feeling. "I'm sorry."

Anna gasped. She immediately changed her expression and turned her head only to find him staring at her regretfully. It reminded her of their morning conversation.

"You should be able to live happily with him, not get married to me." He said again before Anna responded to his first sentence.

Anna looked closely at the handsome face beside her. She thought all tycoons were arrogant and misbehaved. Oh, she had had some unpleasant experiences with them. Being a celebrity's assistant indirectly introduced her to that world. And that made her skeptical of them.

But Dave broke it. He had a rare tenderness she found on them.

"It won't happen. He'll get married tomorrow." She tried to ignore it, even though it was not in line with her heart. The wound had not healed and seemed to have been sprinkled with salt. But, she did not want to bring her problems into their relationship. It was something she had to solve herself.

Dave opened his mouth, about to say something. But then he got ahead of her.

"Don't say anything. I'm heartbroken, but I'm okay. And don't worry. I'll keep my promise."

He let out a soft grunt. He didn't seem to like how Anna was trying to look alright. "Don't push yourself too hard. This is just the beginning of our marriage. You can cry if you need to. Remember, we promised to share everything, right?" He reminded her. The marriage she offered was not hiding each other's wounds but sharing them to heal them together.

She smiled at seeing his reaction. No. She wasn't laughing at him. But she found it was cute and sweet at the same time. "You really want this marriage to work, do you?"

"Sure. I always take it seriously when I make a decision."

She understood. So, Dave was a man of his words.

"I can accompany you tomorrow."

"No," she blurted. "I'm the bridesmaid. Also, our situation is confusing to tell."

But, apparently, her explanation raised a question because a frown appeared on his forehead. "Wait. You said you had feelings for the groom, right?" He repeated the information he had got. It didn't fit with her last sentence. Why bridesmaid?

"Yes. I'm also a friend of the bride."

He nodded in understanding. All made sense. "You took the risk," he commented.

Anna grimaced. He was right about it. "Yeah. I dug my grave."

The conversation no longer continued as the ones they had been waiting for arrived. Grandma and Chelsy appeared behind the door with Dave's parents and a few other people. Instantly, it brought back her nervousness.

"It must have confused you this morning. I'm sorry for my mother. She went too far sometimes." Adaline said while holding Anna's hand. The way she said that and acted didn't show any objection. It relieved Anna and took away her nervousness and fear.

"I did it for Dave. He couldn't be alone forever." Grandma chimed in quickly. She sat at the end of the table, showing that she was the elder in the family.

"Could it be that you intend to force me to marry too?" Chelsy joined the conversation. In order, she was the second oldest grandchild after Dave. After Dave got married, it was her turn. Right?

"You have a boyfriend. So I'm not too worried. Unlike Dave being single for a long time."

Yes, she had a boyfriend. Parisian fashion businessman. However, that was not a guarantee of escaping being the target. What if their relationship ended? Would Grandma match her up as she did to Dave?

"Did you hear that?" Dave spoke up. He looked at his cousins sitting in front of him. The youngest was still in the first year of high school. "You might end up like me if you're single for a long time." It was clearly a satire of what had happened to him. Sudden wedding. Maybe only he experienced that.

"She did it to me too," said Dave's aunt. "She wouldn't stop until I got married."

Anna could draw a conclusion. Marriage was something mandatory in this family.

"Only your mother could be free from it." It was Dave's uncle or his mother's sister.

"Della got married before I was worried about her future."

No response. Everyone seemed choked by her words. Indeed, her influence was significant to the family.

"After this, what? You want them to have a baby?" Deborah said it nonchalantly. Though the two subjects of the conversation glared at her and almost choked on hearing her words. Having a baby had never been as easy as saying that.

Grandma mumbled but clearly showed her interest. "It would be lovely if they had a baby soon. But I don't want to rush them. They need to get to know each other first."

Dave and Anna breathed a sigh of relief. That was good news. They couldn't take it anymore if Grandma suppressed them with her will.

"But, Anna, I'm really looking forward to a baby in the family. I haven't heard a baby laugh in a long time."

Or not? There was no such peace in their marriage.

"Grandma!" Dave exclaimed in annoyance. She couldn't ask more than this, especially from Anna. "She's already granted your request. Don't go far than this." Yes, he would not let Grandma bother his wife with another request.

Grandma looked at him and Anna meaningfully. Then a wide smile spread across her lips. "How good it is to see you've protected her! Relax. I won't ask for it again. At least for a year."

"Grandma!"