Chapter 13

"Restaurant", said Luke.

"Restaurant? Your mother has made your lunch" I said.

"I don't feel like dining at home. I enjoy Italian food for lunch," he explained.

"Sounds delish! I'm in", I said

As soon as we walked in, the server directed us to the VIP table.

"Did you reserve the table?" I inquired.

"Well, I used to sit in the VIP section," he explained.

"Looks like you eat here a lot," I observed.

"Once a week", he said.

"No wonder they reserved the seat for you," I said.

"Welcome to Trattoria, may I take your order, sir?" The server said as he passed us the menu.

"I'll have Grilled Chicken Wings with Summer berry Agrodolce"

"I'll have pasta all amatriciana", I said.

"Along with two glasses of lemonade," Luke said.

"Your lunch will be ready in 10-25 minutes" The server

I leaned back, surveying the crowd, then to the center, at him.

"Is there something in your mouth? You don't talk at all", he said.

"Do you want me to talk?", I asked.

"No, I'm surprised, you're a woman with many questions," he replied.

"Do you want me to ask you?", I asked.

"I'm not ready with your questions. It takes time to open up", he said.

"Okay, we can talk about something else", I said.

"You've been living with me for quite some time. How do you feel about my presence in your life?", he asked.

"Hard", I said.

"I'm sorry for being such a monster," he said.

"Finally, you admit it", I said.

He smiled.

"So, what changed you that night?" I inquired.

"Something smacked me in the chest. Those old memories," he remarked.

"Memories?" I inquired, my lips slightly apart.

"Yeah, I'm not going to get into it," he said.

"What caused you to become such a nasty person?" I inquired.

"Everyone, them, all my feelings are muddled up when the past springs to mind. I'm not myself", he said.

"A deep wound embedded in your heart", I said.

He averted his sight from mine.

A woman in your life. It hit me when I learned there was a woman, it punched me in the heart when I realized I don't have a place in your heart like that woman does.

(My eyes began to tear up)

I'll help you if I have to leave your life.

I dried my tears before he noticed.

"Time will mend the wound," I remarked, with a smile.

He looked back at me, "I don't know if it could happen."

"I assure you, he will heal. There's a way to achieve it" I said.

"Fill me in" Luke

"Steel yourself to speak," I said.

"How?", he asked

"Gather all your emotions, all the things that have broken you, and speak out loud," I said.

"Easier said than done", he said.

"The toughest thing is to do. But, it will be the best thing you do for yourself," I said.

"Best thing..." He mumbled.

The server breaks up our deep talk. We put the conversation on hold and dug in. We got back in the car shortly after completing our lunch.

"Are we going somewhere?", I said.

"Yes. To hospital", he said

"You seem healthy," I remarked.

"Not me, my best friend, he's injured", he said.

"Injured? Why?", I asked

"He had an accident, luckily minor injuries", he said,

On the way to the hospital, he stopped at a supermarket to buy fruit and other foods.

We arrived at the hospital. We went up by the elevator and took a short walk to his room.

"Hey buddy!", said Luke, as we entered his room.

"Hey man! welcome Sarah", Jack greeted his bestie back.

"Welcome both of you", his bestie girlfriend.

She gave me a warm hug.

Jack was lying in bed with his leg bandaged and a little cut on his cheek.

My husband and his bestie began to have an exciting conversation. It is full of laughter and joy. I haven't seen him this joyful in a long time.

"Hey", Emma pressed my shoulder.

"Hey", I said

"How's your life?", she asked.

"We are doing great, how about you?",. I asked

"So we are", she said.

"Btw, I'm Emma"

"I'm Sarah", we shook hands.

"I didn't see you at the wedding, all of his friends were coming", I said.

She chuckled, "I'm not a friend of your husband, I'm just his bestie's girlfriend."

"My boyfriend introduced us once. This is the third time I've seen him," she explained.

"Oh, I thought…"

"How does it feel to be part of a powerful family?" she inquired.

"Same as the family in general", I said.

"Really? I think such families have their own set of rules," her eyes widened as she moved closer to me.

"They have, but I go against their rules", I said.

"Oh, you're that rules-breaker!" she exclaimed as she flashed her party teeth.

"It's a fun job", I said.

"Can I ask you something?", she asked.

I nod

"I'll be married someday. How is your life now that you're married? With in-laws? Is your life..? Or vice versa? Frightening?" she inquired.

A lot of questions.

I said, "It depends on how you handle the situation. Indeed, there will be ups and downs."

"You just have to play the game."

"Play the game? Means?", she asked

"If they create an issue, the best thing you can do is sit back, stay calm and think", I said.

"Say the truth", I smirked.

"Sometimes people don't like the truth. They'll label us as bad, rebellious, and disrespectful," Emma explained.

"Who cares what others think? No one likes the truth, and there is no cure," I explained.

"Don't ever beg them to listen to you, say whatever you want to say and move on, live your life", I said.

"Sounds complex," she remarked.

"It is never easy", I smiled.

We had a wide range of conversations while barely keeping track of time. I peered out the window and noticed that it was already dark. I got up from the couch and headed over to my husband, who was still chatting with his closest friend, as if they hadn't seen one another in years.

I touched his shoulder.

"It's dark, wanna go home?", I said.

He checked his watch.

"Time flies so quickly, I'm not done yet," he explained.

"Same here, buddy", said Luke.

"Anyway, I have to get going. Keep up the spirit, and get well soon". He patted Jack's shoulder as they hugged.

"We'll meet again, sooner", said Luke

"I'm happy to know you, Sarah," she said.

"So am I, Emma", I said.

We hugged.

"Take care both of you", Jack

We walked out as we waved at them.

Silas and Delores were alone in the living room. He was on his laptop and she watched the series.

They were both looking up when Sarah and Luke entered the house.

"Welcome back, dearest, where have you been?", Silas said as he welcomed us.

"We went to see Jack, unwinding with an old friend," Luke explained.

"I heard he had an accident. How's he doing now?", asked Silas.

"He's alright, just a small injury; he'll be discharged in a few days," Luke explained.

"That's good news", said Silas.

"Do you enjoy the day, Sarah?", asked Delores.

"I had a good time and look forward to this day again," I added.

She grimed. Like always.

"We are off to our bedroom. If you need anything, you know where to find us", said Luke. He suddenly threw his hand around my waist and lit fire to my mother-in-law.

The doorbell rang a moment later.

"Someone at the door, go look", said Silas.

"My dear husband, why don't you go look for yourself?", said Delores.

"Don't you see, I'm working.", he stared at her.

"Fine!", she turned off the TV and walked towards the door.

"What a delightful surprise! Come on in", Delores gave Sarah's mom a big embrace.

"Who's that, Dee?", asked Silas.

"Our lovely family", she shouted.

Silas promptly cleared all the files, immediately joined Delores, and greeted Sarah's parents.

"Come in, please have a seat", said Silas.

"What would you like to have?", asked Delores.

They laughed a little.

"We don't want anything, we are so full", said Sarah's mother.

"We must have a drink, then. I take no for an answer", said Silas.

"If you insist", said Sarah's father.

Silas stepped over to the wine counter, he poured four glasses of red wine. With his assistant at his side, he entered the living room carrying a tray with four wine glasses and a bottle of red wine. They sipped their wine.

"Anyway, we're thrilled to see you. We've been expecting your visitation", Delores replied.

"If you don't mind, may I ask what brought you here?" Silas inquired, turning to his wife, remembering Sarah's domestic violence.

Sarah's mom and dad looked at each other, and the smiles on their faces melted.

"Any problem?", Silas appeared stiff and uncomfortable.

"We miss Sarah", said Sarah's mother.

"We were so devastated by what happened yesterday that we decided to pay a visit," Sarah's father explained.

Silas and Delores were relieved, and wondered, "We felt the same way, we were so tense at the time", said Silas.

"It was a bad day for us", said Delores.

"Do you mind us coming?", Sarah's father

"Of course not! You are free to visit Sarah whenever you wish," said Silas.

"We wouldn't mind if you came by every day," Delores added.

"By the way, Sarah and Luke are in their room. I'll call them right away", said Delores.

"Ruth... inform Sarah and Luke, Sarah's parents are here", said Delores.

"Yes ma'am", said Ruth.

She dashed upstairs and knocked on their door.

"Yes?", Sarah stood at the door.

"Sarah, your parents are here, they want to meet you and Luke", said Ruth.

"I'll be there", said Sarah

"You just call your boss by her name", I smirked.

She patted my upper arm, "As long the big boss doesn't hear me call you by your name."

Ruth went back downstairs. I powdered my face again.

I knocked on the bathroom door.

"What?", said Luke.

"My parents are here, they want to meet us", I said.

"Oh, my body feels like hitting the hay", he sighed, "Never mind", said Luke.

I went to the living room and smiled at my parents while ignoring my in-laws.

"Mom, dad, have you been waiting for so long?", I said.

"Welcome Sarah, they have been waiting for you. Take a seat beside us", said Delores.

"With pleasure", I sat beside my parents-in-law.

"No, we just came, and while we waited for you, we gossiped for a bit," she laughed.

"I guess we should leave you. You certainly want to have parents and daughter time", said Silas.

"No problem, you..." said Sarah's father.

Delores cut my father's words, "If you need anything, we'll be in the other room."

They left us alone, they departed the living room.

"Mom, dad, is everything OK?", I asked.

"Everything is fine, Sarah, we miss you", said mom.

"We wanted to see you", said Dad.

"Wanted to see me? I thought you didn't want me anymore", I said.

"We know you're still mad at us. We're sorry", said mom.

"We shouldn't have done it," Dad said,

"I've forgiven you, mom, dad", I said.

Their eyes lit up.

"But..."

"But?", asked mom

"I need to get over the disillusion", I said.

"We understand your feelings, please take your time. We are grateful that you have forgiven us," dad remarked.

"Big relieved you want to talk to us", said mom

"You are my parents. I won't do that to you. I would never treat you the way you treated me," I said.

They dropped their heads in shame.

"We know..."

"Sir/Ma'am"

"Sorry, I was in the bathroom," Luke abruptly emerged into the living room.

"It's fine, son", said dad.

We're back to our chitchat. Silas and Delores also joined us, until my parents returned home.

"Happy to have you here," Silas said,

"Bye, take care", we said.

Luke and Sarah head back to their room after Sarah's parents leave.

(Silas and Delores POV)

Delores is back to accompany Silas in working on his files.

"Dee, didn't they see the bruises on Sarah's face?" Silas inquired,

"She covered her face well", said Delores.

"I was shaken by their presence, and when I saw their faces, I realized they were coming for something else," Delores explained.

"I wonder why Sarah didn't report us to them?", asked Silas.

"Would you like her to report on anything that happened in this house? including our son?", asked Delores.

"No way! I didn't want that, it would have an impact on our family," Silas explained.

"Then leave it that way. Luck is on our side", said Delores.