Chapter 5: don't cause trouble

Cali was invited for dinner at Klan's house, so she had gone to this luxurious modern mansion where he and his two paternal grandparents resided.

This house was so huge that it needed at least thirty employees to maintain it; including chefs, cooks, servants, gardeners and security. Whenever a member of the family arrived, they all gathered to welcome him and, Klan was no exception. Cali, who accompanied him a few times before, also, should had descended this glorious path.

This caused a strange feeling in her, there was no one who didn't know what background she came from and these employees were mostly better off, able and older than her. To be the recipient of such an act of respect, for her, was like the world was turning upside down.

Thinking that this act of deep respect was meant only for Klan comforted her somewhat. She was just taking advantage of that respect just because she was there at that time.

'They would never have done it if I had come alone'. Cali thought, to ease her discomfort.

"Why are you so nervous?!", Klan interrupts her musings, "...yet, it's not the first time you've been here." he adds, opening the front door for her.

Klan and Neil often visited her in her "not so fabulous" house unlike theirs, which were more outstanding. Yet Cali didn't feel more embarrassed or belittled because she knew that the boys weren't the type to care about such details, so in return, she made sure to do the same: not consider the social differences between them.

…

Inside the house, Cali wasn't at ease either. During all her visits, she felt like an elephant in a glassware shop. She was nervous about doing or saying something wrong and not only that.

Mr Wilson Artus, Klan's grandfather, the current president and founder of the Artus group, was an eminent character, he was the tangible example of success after hard work. He, who had started with nothing but, with perseverance and well-seized opportunities, has established himself as an economic pillar.

Cali thought highly of him and wanted to appear as well-educated as possible in front of him, hence her nervousness.

…

At the table, the atmosphere was a bit tense, and this garrison of appetizing dishes could not change that, probably because of the look the president was giving Klan. Even him who was relaxed in all circumstances also seemed tense, so it was not Cali who was going to feel less uncomfortable than before

Finally, the old man breaks this heavy silence

"What happened yesterday at your school?" he asks his grandson.

In fact, it was only a rhetorical question because he already knew what had happened, since he continued

"I wouldn't tolerate another Beryl in my house," he said firmly.

"I'm sorry Grandpa, I promise it won't happen again." responds Klan who looks overwhelmed

It was a very rare scene that Cali had just witnessed, this sad and guilty expression that Klan wore reminded her of a dark memory concerning her friend and it gave her cold sweats.

"Argh! Stop it!" finally, Klan's grandmother intervenes, "it's not because Klan is Beryl's son that he will necessarily take the same path. stop your disparaging remarks, you're embarrassing the kid and you're making our guest feel uncomfortable."

Everyone's attention turned toward Cali

"Cali, am I making you uncomfortable?". asked the old man.