Roland sighed again, heavier this time.
"Please, let's go together. Tomorrow, 6 PM,"
he said, then ended the call abruptly.
"Did he just end the call?"
Irene asked aloud, staring at the phone like it had offended her.
"What did he say?"
Esmeralda called from the dining room as she arranged the table.
"The Blacks invited us for dinner or something,"
Irene replied as she walked in and pulled out a chair.
"That's good, you're going, right?"
Justin asked, already digging into the pasta and giving Esmeralda a thumbs up.
"Of course, this is a better opportunity to get close to the Blacks and sleep with Brian,"
Irene said with a mischievous smirk, stabbing her fork into her plate dramatically.
"I said it, the main reason she's going for Brian is because she wants to sleep with him,"
Esmeralda said with a knowing tone, as if she'd read the plot of Irene's life three chapters ahead.
"Can you be serious? This is more dangerous than thinking you want to sleep with someone,"
Justin said, suddenly serious, giving her a firm look as he paused mid-chew.
"I know, of course I'm joking,"
Irene said with a pout, though her eyes twinkled with mischief.
"You are not,"
Esmeralda shot back, not buying her act for a second.
"Can you shut up?"
Irene replied, glaring at her, though there was no real heat behind it—just the usual chaotic love that came with close friendships.
---
Brian's Office
The sky was already melting into twilight outside the tall office windows, the golden rays catching on Brian's wrist watch as he closed his laptop. He stood, shrugging on his coat, when the door swung open without a knock.
Julius entered first, followed closely by Richard. Brian's eyes narrowed slightly, noting the time.
He straightened with quiet authority.
"Why are you still here?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with curiosity.
"I was waiting for you," Richard replied, flashing a boyish smile that Brian met with a raised brow.
Brian gave him a look that screamed "are you okay?", then asked plainly,
"Why?"
"Did you call her?" Richard asked, almost bouncing on his feet like an eager kid.
Brian tilted his head slightly. "Who?"
"Irene of course, who else?" Richard replied, rolling his eyes as if it should've been obvious.
"Not yet." Brian's answer was cool, nonchalant.
Richard's grin vanished. His arms crossed tightly across his chest. "Why? Can you be serious with your woman?"
Brian didn't answer. Instead, he shifted his gaze to Julius as if Richard no longer existed.
"Do you have anything to say, Julius?"
Julius gave a slight nod, eyes flicking from Brian to Richard with a sigh.
"Your dad called and said there will be a dinner party with family friends tomorrow and you should make sure you're there."
Brian's jaw tightened for half a second before he muttered,
"I'm not interested."
Before Julius could react, Richard stepped forward like he couldn't take it anymore. His voice was urgent, nearly desperate.
"And why won't you? Irene might be coming. What if this is a marriage alliance between families… what if Dad asked for Irene's hand in marriage and gave her to Edward?"
Brian looked at his brother now, directly, eyes cold but steady.
"And you think Irene is someone that can be forced to do anything?"
His tone wasn't loud—but it hit like a strike. The room fell silent for a beat.
Richard swallowed, backing off slightly but still holding his ground.
"Still, you should be there."
Brian exhaled through his nose and turned toward the window, the last of the sun's light brushing against his face. His voice came low, almost reluctant.
"I will think about it."
---
The Black House
The grand entrance of the Black family mansion was aglow with warm lights and laughter. Monica, elegant and poised, moved gracefully through the foyer, welcoming their guests.
Tonight, only the Browns and the Smiths had been invited.
"Welcome," Monica greeted cheerfully as her friends, Rosalyn and Gloria, stepped inside. The women hugged warmly while the men exchanged firm handshakes and polite nods.
"Let's have a seat. Welcome to my humble abode," Raphael said, ever the charming host. Laughter followed as gifts were exchanged among the families.
"This is not necessary," Monica said, trying to wave off the gesture with a smile.
"It's not right to come here without bringing anything," Rosalyn replied graciously.
"But we're friends—if not family," Monica said with a fond look, prompting smiles from the other ladies.
They began settling at the dining table, the polished wood reflecting the soft chandelier light.
"Where's Brian?" Daniel asked casually.
"In his room," Richard answered before anyone else could.
"Should I go call him?" Victoria offered, her voice gentle, a shy smile tugging at her lips.
"Don't worry. He's here," Daniel said knowingly, just as Brian stepped into the room.
"Hello," Brian greeted, his deep voice drawing every eye to him.
Heads turned as Brian appeared dressed in a sleek, gray set—tailored pants and a long-sleeved round-neck top. His calm confidence filled the room without effort.
"Wow, Brian, you look even more handsome in casual wear," Gloria said, clearly impressed.
"But I'm more handsome," Richard joked, flashing his signature grin.
"To me, you are more handsome," Monica added, chuckling as she reached for her son's shoulder.
"Thanks, Mom," Richard beamed.
"Eddie's beauty isn't to be overlooked either," Rosalyn added, motioning toward Edward, earning another round of laughter.
Then Raphael asked, "Where's Irene?"
"She's on her way," Victor replied, glancing at his phone.
Mary raised a brow. "She's invited too?" she asked, surprise slipping into her tone.
"You can be invited, but she can't be?" Joshua chimed in mockingly.
Raphael leaned back, voice cool but sharp. "We all know she's family. So why can't she be invited, Mary?"
"I was just asking," Mary muttered, her tone sulky.
"That's enough," Jacob said calmly, cutting through the tension with a diplomatic tone.
Monica cleared her throat. "Let's serve the dish," she told the maid, ready to shift the mood.
"Let's wait for Irene. She's our guest too," Raphael said, firm.
Monica's smile thinned. "But the food might get cold before she arrives." Her tone was clipped, her patience wearing thin.
"We can reheat it when she gets here," Edward said lightly, attempting to soothe the edge in the air.
Just then, the door opened and a voice rang out—cool, unapologetic.
"Hi everyone," Irene greeted.
Richard stood immediately, smile bright as he moved to hug her. She hugged him quickly but naturally.
"Why did you come so late?" Richard asked.
"I almost got lost coming here," she said, then gave a small nod to the others. Her eyes didn't avoid anyone—she simply acknowledged them without concern.
"I would have picked you up if you had told me," Richard said, brushing off her comment with a protective tone.
"I wanted to look cool driving myself, but reality struck where it hurts," she replied, pointing at her chest with a mock wounded expression.
Some of the men chuckled—excluding Brian and Daniel, who remained unreadable and the women,who didn't seem amused.
Gloria's expression hardened.
"Still, that's rude of you. We, your elders, were already here while you stood us up," she scolded.
Irene blinked, then tilted her head slightly.
"And you are?" she asked, genuinely confused.
"That's my mom," Joshua answered with a bemused smile.
"Oh, Mrs. Smith. Sorry for my manner," Irene said, then her eyes glinted with amusement. "But you have no right to scold me. We have no relation. But because you're the wife of the handsome man here," she pointed to Jacob with a sly grin, "and the mother of Joshua, I'll forgive you. But if you were only the mother of this lady—" she motioned at Mary—"it would've been a different story."
"Enough, Irene," Roland scolded, but the warmth in his voice betrayed his fondness for her.
"Okay," she said sweetly and moved to sit, acting like an obedient child—though everyone knew obedience wasn't one of her virtues.
"Let's eat," Richard chimed in, trying to lighten the mood.
As the clinking of cutlery filled the air, Raphael turned to Irene.
"What work are you doing at Country K?" he asked with a polite smile.
"Me?" She chuckled, dabbing the corners of her lips with a napkin. "I don't have a job. I'm just a beautiful girl who goes after rich guys."
The room went cold. Silence echoed louder than any words. Disapproving glances circled the table.
"That's such a beautiful job," Edward said suddenly, his eyes locked on her with a soft grin.
"You know, right?" Irene beamed at him, her voice playful and teasing.
Raphael chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Do you have plans to work in the future?"
"Nope," she said with no shame, "I just want to stay at home and look pretty for my father."
There was a sharp intake of breath from Monica. But then, unexpectedly, a low chuckle slipped from Brian. Heads turned in shock. He never reacted at family dinners—he was either absent or completely invisible.
"Can you stop embarrassing the family?" Daniel snapped.
"Did I?" Irene raised her eyebrows.