Chapter 8 Slight Truth

Ahh! we didn't spend much time at the party as planned,Dena said staring at her time.

I haven't heard from Owen since I came to your house,he doesn't really want to know if I'm safe or not.

We should go home, Gerald said at the parking lot.

Yeah, and please take good care of Lara, Caleb said, entering his car.

Talking about the family meeting, there should be many things to discuss during the meeting, Dena stated

When should we fix the date for the family meeting? I asked.

I guess tomorrow would be okay, unless they are busy, Gerald said.

The meeting should be made emergency, so there won't be any excuse, and everyone should be there. No exception,Dena said.

We got home,I hurriedly stepped down from the car, leaving Dena and her husband behind. I needed to pull myself together remembering what happened earlier at the party. I decided to make phone calls, to let everyone know about tomorrow's family meeting.

I didn't enjoy this party as planned, Owen and his father would have just waited for us to go before coming to Super hotels, at least I would have gotten a new boyfriend,Dena said coming in with Gerald,as they held hands together.

Really? So your aim for the party was because of that, and you know I won't let that happen, Gerald said, sitting down on the couch.

I'm glad we are home, let me go inside the kitchen and prepare something for dinner,Dena said, as she left for the kitchen

Please prepare something for you two, I'm not hungry,I said and stood up to go upstairs.

Please don't starve the baby in your womb,I won't be held responsible,Dena shouted from the kitchen.

Whatever! Goodnight, see you tomorrow, I responded from the stairs.

I was glad I'm pregnant, and I wouldn't want to starve the baby.

I entered the room, I still had my bread and butter on the table, so I just ate some,then I sat on the bed for a while,then stood up and went to the mirror, I stared at the image I saw on the mirror, and I'm sure I like what I saw.

I know I was really beautiful,then why I'm I treated badly by Owen?

What should I do? Should I end the marriage?

Ending my marriage is too early for me, what can I do? I thought as I sat on the bed.

I needed to shower before going to bed, but let me just rest a little on the bed before going to the bathroom, I said to myself.

I dozed off, only for me to wake up in the morning, I looked at myself, I did not later shower again? I was still putting on the yesterday's party dress.

Dena shouldn't find me this way, else she would finish me with her bad mouth.

I quickly undressed myself and ran into the bathroom to wash up.

Coming out from the bathroom,my phone rang, it was my husband, I picked up the call immediately, knowing fully well how much I have missed to hear his voice, even though he has been of bad behaviour for quite some time, but I still love my husband.

Good morning,he said.

Fine morning,I replied

I received the call about the family meeting from my mum. Are you going to the family house from there,or are you coming back home, so we could go together? He asked.

Why does he suddenly want me to come back home, so I could attend the meeting together with him? Was that just the only reason he called me on phone?

He didn't even ask me where I spent the holiday I told him about.

So without the family meeting stuff, Owen wouldn't have called me on phone.

No Owen, I would be going to the meeting from here,I answered, but I sent you some texts about the family meeting, didn't you see it?

Okay then,I'm already dressed up and would soon leave for the meeting, you should be there too, he said, ignoring my question. He ended the call immediately.

Hmm! What a husband I said out aloud. I picked up my body lotion and applied it gently, how could I have married a man who could suddenly change from good to bad.

He doesn't care to know how I'm doing,or was he in pretence before the marriage.

There was a knock on the door. Come in, the door is open, I said.

The door opened,Lara came in.

Madam this one you decided to knock on the door before coming in, hope I'm safe.

I don't want you to talk much, that's why. Please come down for breakfast, you ate nothing last night, and we need to get going for the family meeting.

Just get going,I will be coming right behind you,I said, wearing my clothes.

We didn't say a word to each other until we got to the family house,Dena and I stepped down from the car, waiting for Gerald to park the car properly.

We quietly stepped into the house together, our parents were already seated.

After an exchange of pleasantries, we proceeded with the meeting.

My father in-law cleared his throat, saying "Since everyone is here, please Lara, can you kindly tell us why you called for the meeting".

I'm really sorry for disturbing and taking your time in calling for these meeting, I began.

But the truth is you all know Owen and I are married, but after since we got married,my life has been in danger. Not allowing me to finish,my mother in-law chipped in immediately,as if she already knows what I was going to say.

My dear nobody is perfect, moreover no marriage is bed of roses, so you shouldn't complain about your marriage because is too early.

Is that the reason you called for this meeting? My mom asked. If yes, then you shouldn't try this next time. I'm married to your father and we also have our own problems, but yet we complains to nobody about it.

You all should have just let me finish with what I have to say, before concluding,mom you should at least hear me out, huh.

We can't get you married and still teach you how to take care of your marriage,my dad commented.

Owen and I were in love, but our parents rushed our marriage, that's why you all should listen to us whenever we have a problem, and try to settle it, and always be there for us, I said.

Just shut up,if you don't have any important thing to say. Did you just call us here to make fun of us? Owen asked in an angry tone. So it has gotten to the extent of taking our marriage outside, really?

The more Gerald tries to calm him down, the more he flares up.

Why won't you get promoted as Executive Assistant by your company after sleeping with your CEO's son? And you want to accept that position in my house? Then you thought I was going to accept it,huh?

Seeing the shock on everyone's face, I tried to explain to them that whatever Owen was saying were all lies, but our parents seems not to care or listen to what I have to say.

Please whatever Owen said are just lies, I didn't cheat on him to get promoted,I might have worked for it. And why the so much hatred on me, where have I gone wrong? My husband beats me like a little child, even children shouldn't be tortured in that way.

I had miscarriage because of Owen.

Please as our parents, you should look into our matter, so you can help us handle it properly and peacefully, I said.

Yes,Lara is right, we are one big family,we shouldn't ignore things that should be settled amicably turn into conflict, Gerald commented.

Hehehe, you must be a joker to think that you can fool me and also fool my family, Owen said pointing at me,I'm not yet done with whatever stupid mistakes your parents made in the past, and you think is over so you can start your own, you know I won't let that happen, not when I'm still alive, not allowing him to finish, his mom put her hand on his mouth, and stopped him from speaking further.

Owen you should learn to control your rage to avoid saying things you are not supposed to say, his mother said to him.

Emm... What's going on? I mean what is he talking about? I asked, staring at my parents for answers. Mom, dad, what is Owen talking about,I shouted in anger, but they paid adamant to my questions.

My mom stood up and left the living room, without saying a word to me.

Dad please speak to me, is there something I supposed to know that you are not telling me?

He couldn't even answer my question, all he could say was;

"my daughter, please quietly go home and take care of your family".

I turned to my father in-law and knelt down Infront of him, placing my two hands on his legs and said; "please can you clarify me on what Owen just said"?

He quietly pushed off my hands from his legs, and cleaned off his legs, making me look like an inferior person.

Please take her away, my father in-law said as he signaled to Gerald,turning his head. Make sure she leaves, and doesn't come back here to disturb us with unnecessary things. I thought she was learned anyway. She should learn to take good care of her family as a married woman, and not bringing up unnecessary subjects as meeting.

No please, please father in-law, don't do this to, I pleaded with him, but he paid deaf ears to my pleading, and turned to his room.