Blackwaters

The journey to the Blackwaters family was a quiet one. The convoy was made up of three black cars, and the car carrying Lakan and Tara was in the middle of the others. The guards were in the other two cars.

On the way to the family house, Tara tries to remember her experience in during the welcome party but it was without success. It was both frustrating and sad for her. She wondered why that particular detail was being blocked from her memory. She couldn't help but feel anxious about the whole thing.

Beside her was seated Lakan who remained quiet observing her from the corners of his eyes. He was wondering why she was so quiet in the car as it was unlike her to be quiet. She was on a leash talking even if he was not responding. The fact she was quiet was a source of concern for her. One good thing was that this time she agreed fo be dressed in the color of the Blackwaters. A total black gown, without any complaint. That to him was a good sign. He was also dressed in a black suit.

"I hope you are not planning to do anything silly" Lakan spoke out trying to know if she had any plans but she said nothing as she was lost in her thought.

One look at her and Lakan could tell she was not even listening to him. He had to snap his fingers in front of her face to get her attention.

Tara quickly got back to reality. Trying to remember the past event completely made her unaware.

"What have you been thinking about? Lakan asked looking at her suspiciously as he hope she was not plotting anything

" It's nothing I am fine " Tara replied with a fake smile on her face.

"I hope you are not planning to do anything silly at the party," he asked her

"No, I promise to behave myself " She replied assuring him of good behavior.

Tara meant to keep that promise as she had plans to make friends with members of the Blackwaters family, as many as she could and she will need to be on good behavior to do so.

The family house was what she was expecting when she got there. It was a mansion that was bigger than the one she was staying with her parents or the one Lakan have. Colored in dark brown. Tara guess that Blackwaters maybe had plans to make it black but because of the awkwardness they must have decided to use dark brown color which gives a similar feeling.

They were so many cars around already when they arrived.

"From the look of things, it seems we kept others waiting for us" Tara noted making a mental note of the cars in the compound.

"And who's fault is it that we are coming by this time? Lakan fired at her slightly upset.

Tara kept quiet when he said that. It would be early to resume another quarrel. They had first had an argument when she was taking her time to prepare. Lakan had been pressurizing her to get ready quickly and she had lost her cool. He had even threatened to go without her saying she would join in there but he killed the idea when he remembered it would be the joy of his family members to see he was not getting along with his new bride.

With Bishop behind Lakan and Sarah behind Tara, they walked inside the mansion with others taking their stand outside with other guards.

Some memories of her first experience here began flashing through her mind of Tara as she walked in to see the exact decorations as at the first time. But in that first one, they came early but now they were coming late so she didn't know how things would start.

" Lakan is finally here" a female voice announced with excitement immediately after they stepped into the dining hall. Tara could tell that was the voice of Martha his sister. She was the only one who could have spoken that way.

Lakan walked in front of Tara as he heads fo his patients first to greet them.

" I am sorry that we came late. It was all my fault " Lakan said apologizing to them.

Tara had a grin on her face when she heard him say those words.

"He was surely a good husband," she said to herself.

"It is no problem, you can have your seat" Mr. Blackwaters replied waving him to his right-hand side. Lakan immediately took a seat beside his father with Tara moving to the opposite end to have her seat beside his mother as per the custom in which men and women sit facing each other.

It is an age-long tradition that has been kept in the mafia families. Many times some people have tried to change it but they have never succeeded.

"Welcome my dear, you look so lovely" Mrs. Blackwaters complimented Tara which left her blushing. It was the kindest word she have heard since she got married into this family.

"Thank you ma'am she replied with a broad smile on her face. Her smile quickly vanished when she discovered on her other side was Jezebel with a quiet look on her face. She pretended like she didn't know Tara as sitting beside her as she never tried fo exchange greetings with her.

" Good evening " Tara greeted as she looked towards Jezebel, a fake smile on her face.

There was no response from Jezebl which made Tara really angry as she felt bad that she was snubbed. She looked at her face and saw that her focus was one somewhere else. She followed fhe gaze and discovered it was fixed on Lakan and his father who seem to be speaking in whispers.

Tara could swear at that moment that she could see pure hatred in her gaze. It was like she was planning so many evils to do to them in her heart. Tara was determined to get her attention so she tried again