CHAPTER EIGHT

Gabriel’s mother, Lydia Damasco, was a lot like my grandmother when it came to business strategies but at heart, they were as different as day and night.

I remembered the day she called me a troll and unfit for her son, in fact, she had even brought home another woman for her son to marry. It was a horrible day for me, being ridiculed in that manner.

Now, she was requesting for my presence in her home, initially, I didn’t want to go but after Gabriel pleaded with me, I decided to use this as an opportunity to redeem my worth.

I dressed up for the dinner in an exotic vintage green dress worth millions of dollars, my make up was light and spot on and my hair curly and lush.

I drove out in one of Easton’s Exotic cars and mentally rehearsed for the dinner with my ex husband and mother-in-law.

“Thank you for coming, sweetheart.”

Gabriel tried to kiss me but I dodged it.

“I don’t want to give your mother any impression that we still have something so please respect that.”

I told him, coldly.

He stared at me with hurt in his eyes and forced a smile on his face before leading me to the dinning hall.

“Imelda, didn’t think you’d actually come.”

Lydia, my ex mother in law said with a smile as soon as she saw me coming.

I didn’t even try to fake a smile, she didn’t deserve it.

“Please sit.”

She said, gesturing opposite her.

I sat just as Gabriel sat two seats from me.

I didn’t feel particularly hungry despite the enticing foods on the table, I was already stuffed full with the bad energy around.

“You’ve really changed, dear.”

Lydia told me as the butler poured her a glass of wine.

“Yes. Change is necessary for growth.”

I stated.

I looked over at Gabriel and his face was tight and thoughtful.

“You also divorced my son.”

And?

What exactly was the old witch driving at?

“Yes. Do you have a problem with that?”

I asked and her eyes widened with surprise.

“You’ve grown wings too.”

She chuckled, humorless.

This dinner was going to be a disaster, I could already tell.

“Let’s just eat, mother.”

Gabriel exhaled, tiredly.

“Are you happy with your new husband?”

His mother asked, picking up her cutleries.

“Yes, very happy. He respects me.”

Lydia looked up at me and shook her head.

“A woman should respect her husband and not the other way around.”

She said.

How misogynistic.

“Well, that’s your opinion, Madam Lydia. It doesn’t apply to everyone.”

I shrugged.

“You used to call me Mother.”

She muttered but loud enough for me to hear.

“And you used to call me a troll.”

I bit out.

“Melda, please, let’s just eat like one family.”

Gabriel whispered to me.

I exhaled and took a sip from my wine.

“My son is engaged to Chris Hilton’s daughter. The wedding is in three weeks.”

Lydia suddenly announced and I almost dropped my fork.

“Wedding?”

I blinked, my body temperature increasing.

“Yes, oh, didn’t he tell you?”

“He—

“Well, I guess he didn’t deem you important to tell such news to, somethings never change my dear.”

“Mother please, stop it!”

Gabriel spoke sharply to his mother.

“Why? She’s married and she divorced you, she shouldn’t care if you’re remarrying, am I right, Rosa?”

How dare she call me that!?

I looked down at my dress, trying to hide the hurt in my eyes.

I could not let her win again.

“I don’t care if Gabriel gets married to a hundred woman. I don’t have any feelings for him anymore.”

I finally replied her.

I looked over at Gabriel and he didn’t look quite happy about my reply.

“In that case, I’m sure you’ll gladly receive the first set of wedding invitation cards.”

I didn’t answer to that, I knew she was baiting me. This dinner was my last respect to her but if she pushed me too far, then I would show her just how much I’ve changed.

The rest of the dinner was quiet and with so much tension in the air, I barely ate my food and Gabriel’s food too was untouched, he just kept draining his glass of wine.

“I have to get going now.”

I said, getting up to leave.

“So soon?”

Lydia asked with a witchy smile.

“Yes.”

I replied, trying not to glare at her.

“I’ll see you off.”

Gabriel offered.

“No.”

I held out my hand to him.

“Oh Imelda, there’s no need for that, he’s just seeing you off.”

Lydia said, casually but I could tell she was being sarcastic.

“Fine.”

I muttered.

“Good bye, Imelda.”

I heard my ex mother in law say as I headed for the door and Gabriel following behind me.

“Imelda!”

He kept calling but I didn’t turn back, tears were already spilling down my cheeks.

He was getting married in three weeks!

“Get your hands of me, Gabriel!”

I spluttered, pushing him off me but he grabbed me to himself again.

“It’s not what you think, whatever my mother said—

“I don’t care!”

I snapped.

“You do! You do care! You still love me and I sure as hell will always love you!”

He said, loudly and before I could say my next words, he kissed me.

We were out in the open, kissing deeply, anyone could see us but the moment was too intense for us to care about that.

“What’s going on here?”

Someone asked, surprisingly and I quickly pushed off Gabriel.

“Jane..”

He rasped, breathless just as I was.

It was his sister. She was home and with bruises all over her face.

What happened?