Chapter 9 whole family

As soon as Jenny settled into her chair at the dining table, she sensed her father was in a celebratory mood. The kitchen staff brought out an array of his favorite dishes: broiled lobster, caviar, filet mignon, and fresh heart of palm drizzled with white truffle oil. Jenny avoided the lobster's beady eyes and quickly glanced around the table before focusing back on her plate. The sheer volume of food could easily feed ten families, and she hoped the staff would enjoy the leftovers.

Jessica sat silently beside her, swirling the golden liquid in her glass, lost in thought. Despite once being close, their relationship had grown distant, and Jenny avoided Jessica's gaze as she smoothed her skirt.

"This is a remarkable night," their father declared, grinning as he accepted a small plate of caviar from the staff. "We're celebrating a significant success for our family and the business. I won't go into the details, as it might bore the ladies," he added with a knowing glance at Julius, who wore a smug smile while savoring his lobster. "Just know that luck has been on our side lately."

Their mother looked captivated as she listened, raising her champagne glass with a glimmer in her eyes, as though she might cry. If she was bothered by being excluded from the details, she didn't show it.

"That's wonderful, Eduardo," she said, nodding at each of them as they lifted their glasses. "A toast to our family's good fortune."

Father raised his glass and drained it in one gulp. Jenny watched as his large fingers gripped the stem, wondering if he might snap it. She glanced away, only to catch Julius's eyes through the flowers, and she quickly redirected her gaze to her lap.

Gracefully, a staff member placed a small salad before Jenny, and she nodded in appreciation. Beyond her mother's gentle urging to select lady-like foods in company, Jenny struggled to eat meat at most meals. The staff tried their best to accommodate her preferences.

"Yes, dear," her father continued, smiling. "And on Sunday, Julius and I will be traveling to finalize some details with our business partners. I'm delighted he's joining me, as it will be a chance for him to meet my associates and learn more about our family's operations."

Jenny blinked, wondering if she'd misheard. It apparently surprised Julius as well, as his smile faltered briefly. She quickly averted her eyes, feeling his attention on her but refusing to meet it. Instead, she raised her hand to get her father's attention.

"That's wonderful, Father," Jenny replied, hoping her voice remained steady. "When will you return?"

She tried to convey an air of missing them already, but Julius's intense stare told her he understood her true intent. Fortunately, her father remained oblivious, quickly downing his champagne as the staff refilled it. He smiled directly at her, an unusual occurrence that left her momentarily taken aback.

"The following Sunday," he replied. "But don't worry, Jenny, your mother and sister will take very good care of you while we're away. And of course, if you need anything, you can always rely on Richard."

Julius's fork clattered loudly against his plate before he quickly retrieved it, clearing his throat awkwardly. Their father, pausing from his filet mignon, furrowed his brow, while their mother gently patted the table in Julius's direction, offering a warm smile.

"Are you feeling alright, darling?" she inquired.

"I'm fine, Mother," Julius replied, his grip visibly tense on the fork. "Just a bit clumsy today, I'm sorry."

"That's alright," Jessica chimed in coldly from beside Jenny. "Not everyone can handle just one glass of champagne."

Julius opened his mouth to respond, but their father resumed the conversation about the trip, mentioning business associates and the opportunity to visit some of his favorite seafood restaurants. Jenny shuffled the lettuce on her plate with her fork, feeling a strange, quiet joy at the thought of Julius being away for a week. She only wished they could leave sooner.

After several minutes, their father paused to finish his third glass of champagne, and Jenny cleared her throat lightly, trying not to seem too eager.

"May I be excused? I have an essay due next week, and I'd like to start working on it right away."

"Of course, dear," her mother replied, smiling warmly. "It's always best to begin early on projects like those, so they don't overwhelm you."

Jenny nodded, thanked her, pushed in her chair, and quickly left the dining hall. She knew she should find Richard for an escort to her room, but the joy of Julius's imminent absence filled her with a desire to skip down the hallway. Although she had an essay to work on, she planned to save it for when she could do it downstairs or in the garden during their absence.

With Julius still at dinner, she took a detour through the garden, savoring her newfound freedom. She ran her hand along the bushes, recalling the scent of roses and how Richard had carried their fragrance when he'd visited her room. She thought of his gentle hands as he tended to her bruises and hoped he would come to her balcony again that night.

She took a moment to sit at the edge of the fountain, which was off, preferring the stillness of the water. Jenny kicked her feet against the stone and took a series of deep breaths. As she stood and walked back up the path toward the house, she imagined a world where Julius and her father never returned. Perhaps an accident during their trip would ensure that. She thought she would feel sadness, at least enough to display grief during the funeral with her family. But alone, in her room late at night with Richard, she would confess that part of her was secretly relieved it had happened. Maybe he would share that feeling too.

So engrossed in her thoughts, Jenny didn't notice Julius until she nearly walked right into him. He stood there, blocking the path to her bedroom, arms crossed over his fancy Italian shirt, his amber eyes narrowed.

"Where have you been?" he demanded, glancing behind her as if expecting to find a boy from school hiding around the corner.