The Bad Tea Party

Ever since Adrian threatened to report Cecillia and Zoey to jail if they dared to contact Avians, the two of them had stopped contacting her.

However, Avians also felt like Adrian was avoiding her. He often came home late at night and rarely spoke to her even at breakfast. Normally Adrian would always ask Avians about her daily life when they had breakfast or kiss her on the forehead when he was leaving for work.

But since that day, Adrian never did it again. It made Avians feel distant from Adrian even though he was her husband. She didn't know what to do, nor could she ask about it. Worried that Adrian would be even more unhappy with her questions.

She felt lonely because the attention her husband always gave her was no longer there. She became moody again and just spent time in her room all day.

Jonnah, the head butler who noticed this, engaged the Avians in conversation to cheer her up.

"Mr. Adrian must just be tired from being so busy, Ms. Avians. I heard there's going to be a new technology release at TechNC. Mr. Adrian must be very busy taking care of it so that it can come out to its full potential," Jonnah said as he placed Avians' favorite chocolate blueberry cake on the table to cheer her up.

"You think so? I hope so. Maybe I'm taking it too far," Avians replied.

"I don't think that's true, Ms. Avians. You feel this way because you feel lonely without Mr. Adrian. Moreover, Mr. Adrian rarely pays attention to you due to his busy schedule, so I think it's natural for you to feel this way," Jonnah explained.

Avians nodded her head and ate her cake, trying to comfort herself with the sweet treat. She kept wondering if Adrian was like that because he was busy or because he was angry with her.

But... Why?

"Jonnah, do you think someone can stop loving because of a mistake their partner made?" Avians asked.

"From what I know, of course they can. That's why a lot of divorces happen because of their partner's mistakes. Maybe it's cheating, violence or something else. Feeling that they can't take it, they decide to go their separate ways," Jonnah replied.

Avians fell silent again, what Jonnah had said was true. What if Adrian is no longer take it anymore with her? All this time Adrian tried to hold himself back but because of her previous mistakes, Adrian stopped loving her. That's why he...

"But Ms. Avians, I am sure Mr. Adrian will not be like that. I'm sure Mr. Adrian still loves you," Jonnah said trying to snap Avians out of her negative thoughts.

"Mr. Adrian just needs time to himself because of his busy schedule, that's all. He wouldn't cheat on you or do anything bad behind your back," the middle-aged man continued.

The woman nodded, trying to reassure herself.

*****

Later that evening at almost midnight, Adrian had just arrived at his residence. He went straight to his room and took off his suit and tie. He saw the Avians already fast asleep on their bed. His gray eyes stared blankly at Avians before finally entering the bathroom to freshen up.

While soaking in the bathtub, Adrian drank a glass of whiskey to unwind. His mind had been a bit muddled lately, coupled with some things that happened in his company. Making Adrian drink his alcohol again.

The next morning when Avians woke up, she saw Adrian who was still asleep with his back to her. She sighed softly and got out of bed to go shower and have breakfast.

She didn't know whether Adrian had to go to the company or not that day, but she didn't want to wake her husband as he must be exhausted.

"Good morning, Ms. Avians. How did you sleep?" greeted Jonnah.

"I slept well, thank you for asking. Ian is still asleep, does he have any company appointments today?"

"I don't know about that, it's outside my job," the man replied.

Avians asked Jonnah not to wake Adrian as he must be exhausted. Jonnah did as Avians said.

"Then I'll go out first," she said.

"Are you sure you want to go, Ms. Avians? I have a bad feeling about this, you'd better not go."

"It's okay, I'll be fine. Please don't tell Ian about this."

She walked out of her house with her two female bodyguards to the car that was waiting for her.

That day Avians was going to a tea party with Sarah, her mother-in-law, and Sarah's friends too. She said she wanted to introduce Avians to her friends. Although Avians was a bit hesitant to go at first, she chose to go anyway.

Thinking that way Sarah and her could have a good relationship.

After almost 30 minutes of traveling, they arrived at a luxurious place. Avians were directed to the backyard which turned out to be vast and beautiful. Green grass, neat bushes and colorful flowers all around.

In the center of the garden, there was a large and luxurious gazebo with very beautiful architecture. Avians approached the place and found it crowded with people.

"Oh here comes my daugther-in-law. Say hello to my three friends first. Hannah, Diara and Michel and their daughter-in-law," Sarah said.

"H-hello... Good morning," Avians greeted the six of them.

She sat down next to Sarah. Her eyes looked at them who were dressed very luxuriously and beautifully. Especially the daughters-in-law who were so beautiful and so charismatic, making Avians a little inferior.

"So your name is Avians, right?" asked Hannah.

"Y-yes, my name is Avians, ma'am."

"We watched your wedding back then, you were beautiful. But you looked nervous," said Michel.

Avians nodded, she was indeed so nervous that she had trouble saying her wedding vows.

"Where did you last go to school?"

"Ehh?" She was quite surprised to be asked about her schooling. "At... Castellia High School," she replied.

"Castellia High School? You're just a high school graduate?" asked Diara in a rather condescending tone.

"Y-yes, I'm only a high school graduate."

"Then after that, you didn't go to college? Or maybe work?"

The dark-haired woman shook her head. She did not go to college nor did she go to work because of the housework that was delegated to her.

"My daugther-in-law graduated from a famous university in Zondalia. You know that big, famous city? The university there is very expensive but well ranked. My daughter-in-law Melody even got the highest grade in her class," Diara said as she held both of her daughter-in-law's shoulders.

Melody smiled with pride at her accomplishment.

"My daughter-in-law Dorothy is the same, she graduated top in the city's famous Corsta University," Michel replied proudly.

They all talked about their daughter-in-law's merits in front of the Avians. Avians could only smile silently listening to them boast about their wonderful daughter-in-law.

She tried to remain calm and patient even though she was already very insecure. Until finally, Sarah started to open her mouth too, commenting on it.

"Ah your daughter-in-law is amazing, already beautiful, smart and charming. Unlike Avians who can't even do anything, even high school is only limited."

Hearing that, Avians' chest instantly became tight. She was already insecure enough being among them, now her own mother-in-law was putting her down.

Her eyes dropped and she could only hope that all of this would end quickly.