19.
************

Well well well, it seemed like there was more awkwardness to come since John had invited everyone to his home after I was discharged, the time read 2:15 pm on a Wednesday on my phone, and we're were on our way to the Robertson's house.

(Interesting)

Nick and Zoe, together with both my parents were driving on their own car which they hired this morning when they landed, steadily following John and I on one of his dad's cars. Apparently, when his dad heard about the accident he had to compromise and give out one of his cars to John.

(My mother, Mr Robertson, the choking, the hug-)

Suddenly I was brought back from my anxiety-ridden when John's phone started ringing as he instantly answered it "dad, yes she is, oh ok, why, hmm but, alright then, ok bye" after he said his goodbyes to whom I already knew who it was, his dad. He put the phone back where it was before the call, While focusing on the road.

His expression didn't look delighted about whatever he spoke about, with his dad over the phone, because it suddenly changed from the cute to the frustrated face. "Are you alright," he didn't answer or more like he ignored me "babe" I politely raised my tone as his eyes were still stuck to the road.

It seemed like he was deep in thoughts, away from this car but snapped out when he heard me raise my voice bringing him back to the car, "huh, uhm yes Princess uhm no, my dad won't be home" he said, not looking at me still. "Why" out of my curiosity I had to ask, though I knew his dad was running away from what might happen when my mom gets in his home while his wife was there, "he said he has a meeting to attend but he might join us in 2 or 3 hours " he murmured.

(Meeting indeed)

I wondered if my mother was also going to change her mind too. For sure he has told her about his 'meeting'.

My heartbeat raised from the thought, thinking about it got me mad increasing the pain on my neck, why on earth would she do this to dad.

(Why)

The car trip going back to John's parent's house was as smooth as my fiance's chest-

I mean it was smooth and safe. We all arrived with no scratch, both cars parked down the street as we all headed up to the entrance of the big house. "Sweetie I was worried" my best friend Zoe murmured as she held my hand stopping me from walking up to the house, to face her.

My parents, John and Nick passed us two while standing at the walkway.

"I know, but I'm ok now," I said softly, tilting my head to show that I was fine though my neck was still having a tiny bit of irritation "please promise me you'll be out of this polo neck this weekend, because I have invited some of our old friends to my house for a party"

She stretched the word 'party' pointing at my cervical collar with her phone on her hand, forming an annoyed expression on her face.

I laughed "it not a polo neck, but yes I promise" she chuckled "whatever it is, it doesn't look good on you" she pinched my cheek with her free hand like I was a little cute girl. "It's not meant to look good on me Zoe," I scoffed, rolling my eyes still laughing at her silliness, as we both followed everyone to the house.

John welcomed everyone in after Matilda had opened the door, his mother was up on her feet fixing the dining table, I see she was expecting the visitors or more like her future inlaws. instantly when she noticed us getting in the front door she stopped whatever she was doing to welcome us in. With her beautiful face, she smiled as she strolled towards the kitchen where everyone was.

All The formality and introduction were done before I excused myself to my room, no scratch that, I went to the guest room with Zoe following me as we went up the staircase. "My God, is this a home or palace," Zoe with an amused expression asked as she kept touching everything we came across heading to my guest room.

"My first reaction exactly, well as you can see it's a home dear" I murmured as I grabbed the doorknob, twisted it and the door swang opened, to the guest bedroom.

Again her jaw dropped to the ground when the grey and red big room appeared in our vision. The same way I felt on my first day was the same as Zoe now.

I must say, this house was extremely breathtaking.

"Hey, come here, sit" I whispered, as I patted the bed calling Zoe to come and sit next to me on top of the bed, disturbing her from admiring the decorative arts on the walls. She turned her head back to me as she strolled towards to sit at the foot of the big bed. "What, why are you whispering " With a frown but curiosity on her face she asked, she climbed up, adjusting her body to lay on her back while balancing her head on the big cushions by the headboard.

(Should I tell her)

She was my best friend and I never hide anything from her, "something is fishy here" I whispered, she turned around on her laying position as she now lay stomach flat facing me as I was leaning on the big pillows with my feet stretched straight on the bed. Relaxing.

"They might be preparing it for dinner" sarcastically she said, I punched her shoulder playfully and we both chuckled, "wait, I'm not joking, seriously something isn't right," I said in a murmur but low enough not to be heard, "ok spill it out already" she placed both her palms on her jawline as she blinked her eyes like a little girl waiting for a bedtime story.

Without further ado, I told her every single piece, starting from Monday when I arrived, I told her about John's father's facial expression when he laid his eyes on me, then the choking moment. I also told her about yesterday before the incident.

I swear her brown eyes could look through my brown ones, that is how deep was her gaze, she gaped sharp in silence, because of the shocking news I just told.

"What a coincidence" she said, raising an eyebrow, that was her and her sarcasm. I rolled my eyes at her, before I could say more, a light knock at the door destructed me.

I raised my voice to let the person in, the door opened slowly, I saw Matilda's face showing in. "Miss Peterson, miss Zoe dinner will be served soon" she uttered her words smoothly with respect "thank you, Matilda, we will be there shortly," I said before she nodded her head positively then shattered the door.

With no waste of time, I rushed in the shower after Zoe had gone out to meet up with everyone. I needed to shower first before dinner because the last time I had content with water was yesterday morning.

From the thought of that, I got sickened.

As I was washing my sore body the images of my mother and Mr. Robertson disturbed my relaxing moment, I struggled to push it away because of my health, with no luck.

The doctor had said that I shouldn't overthink myself due to my current condition otherwise it might turn into something more than just a whiplash injury.

After a quick but unrelaxing shower, I changed to my black high waist skinny jeans with a white V-neck T-shirt and my black pumps with a bow on top of them. I peered at the mirrored closet door to examine my reflection before I headed downstairs to join everyone.

When I reached downstairs no one was inside the house, and the dining table had no sign of food, but then I heard Zoe's laughter outside at the back yard and that is where I headed too. Out of my surprise, I noticed that they had dinned on one large fancy table with fancy chairs around it.

Next to this big fancy table was an enormous swimming pool with green trees around and blossomed flowers of different colors.

(she likes her flowers huh)

It was pretty with all the wall climbing trees, stem trees, palm trees and all sort of flowers, I can actually say this was a garden with a fancy garden table on the side of it, barely far from the tall yard barrier.

I was surprised to see that John's father was back. (I sense drama) I took my seat on the empty chair next to John. I could sense John's father's awkward stare but I brushed the thought of that with a smile as I greeted him after I was fully seated. Surprisingly, he replied, cheerfully addressing me by my name.

(Someone's in a good mood, not me)

"Did I keep you waiting, I'm sorry" I said trying to broke the awkwardness that was filled in the atmosphere. "No dear, Matilda will bring few stuff before we begin" Jennifer, John's mother declared with a smile, but this smile was more like being forced. While we waited on Matilda, we were all having random conversations, I can say each couple was having their own conversation seated next to each other.

On-time, the table was filled with all sorts of meals and desserts, bottles of wines, water, and other drinks. Everyone was peacefully enjoying their meal, John kept asking how I was feeling, actually not just John alone but everyone seemed to be more concerned about my neck than their food.

But then we discussed weddings and all the trivial stuff. Though it was not as fun as it was supposed to be.

I was expecting my dad to bring out some of his jokes but he seemed to be out of this world, he looked stressed. I didn't like the look on his face, he was cold. Usually, he was a cheerful guy but not today.

Did he know about my mother and John's father. I wondered.

Out of all this mingling, I still sensed awkwardness filling the table. For a moment everyone was quiet, only the sounds of the spoons and plates were heard, until my mother decided to break the silence off, after what it felt like forever since she had said a thing.

"excused me, everyone, i -" she was cut off by a cough, no one else but Mr cough and that was John's father.

I rolled my eyes internally.

But this time it didn't go as far as last time.

"Uh, I need to say this-" she reached for a glass of water in front of her, she took a longer than usual sip out of it. She then put the glass down and continued with her speech, stuttering a bit.

This moment everyone's attention was now only on her.

Spoons down all eyes on her.

***
"Mom! Stop it, geez. STOP BOTH OF YOU" John yelled at his mom who was now on both her feet after she flew her glass of wine across the table.

The glass landed on the grass. Luckily, If my mother didn't dodge, it would have landed and broken on her pretty face.

_______🚏

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