VICTORIA ~
From my parents' facial expressions, I must say they were displeased to see Brandon in their house, let alone having him sit down with them and have a meal together with them—their own meal, to say.
"Mom, are you both going to let us settle down or..."
Dad could not hold it any longer, and he almost lashes out, but Mom was fast to calm him down.
"Let's assume this is the last super; it would not happen again."
I could overhear her whisper that in his ear, which made him calm down.
"Please let's get settled," I said to Brandon. We proceeded to the dining table and settled down.
Shortly after, Mom and Dad joined us, and then the chefs began presenting the delicacies.
As we started eating, Mom and Dad were constantly throwing glances at Brandon in a way that should have made him uncomfortable, but I doubt it made him given how relaxed he was while eating.
He acted as if he didn't realize he was not welcomed in this occasion.
When I could not bear it any longer, I had to pretend I wanted to ease myself.
"Excuse me," I said, stood up, and went outside.
Out there, I took out my phone and dialed Brandon's phone number. As if reading my mind, he didn't answer the call but walked out to meet me.
"Are you so uncomfortable with me in front of your parents that you had to bring me out to say what you have to say?"
I let out a sigh, forcing myself not to reply to that.
"Please, I need to go. There's something that came up that required my immediate attention. Could you drop me off?"
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
In honesty, nothing actually came up that warrants me going home. I just wanted to use this opportunity and get him out of the event so the dinner banquet would not resort to a brawl.
"It's fine," he finally admitted. "I guess that would be the end of the dinner then." He tightened his belt and headed towards his car.
"Let me get my bag," I told him and then went in to meet my parents.
"I'm really sorry for everything," I said to my father, who was more enraged that I came with Brandon.
"Believe me, I never told him about this; I just met him here upon arrival, and he insisted on going in with me."
Their eyes widened in surprise. "You mean you never told him?" Dad asked with a stoic expression.
I nodded with affirmation. "Absolutely, but it's not necessary anymore since he's leaving already."
I reached for my bag and turned to leave. "I need to go; he's waiting for me in the car."
Walking out of the gate, Brandon was leaning against his car, his gaze glued to his phone.
He was so concentrated that he didn't even notice my presence until I walked closer.
"We can go now," I said with a low tone, walking over to the passenger's side, opening the door, and settling in.
Without saying anything, he entered and we drove off.
A few seconds later through the drive, my phone pinged in sign of a new message. I didn't hesitate to check, thinking it was from my friend Benita, but it turns out to be Mom.
Mom: You have to return after escorting him back; you know we're yet to discuss.
Immediately, I responded with "Okay," then locked the phone, and concentrated my gaze on the road.
**
I spent almost two hours with my parents, who were asking me to stay with them just so I could have peace of mind while the lawyer works on finalizing the divorce; however, I hesitated.
I wanted to stay with Brandon and observe how everything goes in the house just so he and Elese do not play me, making the years I've been with him a waste.
There are properties we achieved together, so I'd need my fair share of them.
When the discussion was about to turn into an argument, I looked for a way to leave.
"I think I'll come other time for this discussion," I snapped, standing up to leave.
"It's left for you to decide," Mom said with a sigh. She was clearly tired of convincing me.
"I've heard all you said; I'll think about it." With this, I opened the door and walked out.
By the time I got to our house, it was already dark. I was already worn out.
Given the time, I concluded that Brandon must have gone to sleep.
Swinging the door open to walk in, I was surprised not only because Brandon was still awake but also by who he was with.
Noticing my presence, Elese walked directly to meet Brandon and eagerly dove into his arms.
"Brandon, I missed you so much," she said and pecked him on his cheek.
Brandon's expression was a bit awkward, probably because it was in front of me.
He quickly stopped Elese's attempt to kiss him further.
"That's enough. How old are you? Why are you still acting so childishly?"
Elese looked at me triumphantly, speaking coquettishly.
"Does age matter? Am I not still your little sister?"
Although I felt a surge of bitterness welling up, I didn't make it known to them. I simply made a move to walk into my room.
As I swung the door open, I saw several cozy photos of Brandon and Elese littered on my bed.
There was even a photo of the two passionately kissing.
Who could have arranged these photos for me to see if not Elese, just to get me jealous and sad?
Since the door wasn't locked, Brandon noticed what was happening and quickly ran to my side to explain.
"Victoria, these photos are all fake, believe me." He had said.
I turned to look at him and saw a flash of guilt in his eyes.
I nodded and forced out a smile. "Well," I huffed a sigh and said, "The photos are quite nice."
A frown crept onto his face when he heard that. "Is that what you are saying?" Aren't you angry?"
"I don't need your explanation, Brandon. I'm not a kid. Please get them out of my room; I need to sleep."
"You can do whatever you want with her; I don't care."
For a brief moment, he said nothing. He later began taking down those photos.
When he was done with them, he cleared his throat and began, "I have made an arrangement for a party tonight, so I thought you'd love to be present."
"What do you think?"