DINNER WITH THE LACROIX FAMILY 2

📌 Extra Characters:

a.  Uncle Antoine / Antoine Lacroix  - Alice's husband 

b. Aunt Alice / Alice Tan Lacroix - Eloisa's older sister 

c.  Uncle Robert / Robert Lacroix - Antoine's brother / Nicolette's dad 

d. Eloisa Tan - Alice's younger sister

e. Nicolette Lacroix - cousin of the bride (chap 16) 

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Luo Jingyi knew the designer of the wristband and the purpose it was designed. If Yun Jinghan didn't raise his arm to reach for the folder minutes ago, Luo Jingyi wouldn't have noticed it. So the moment she saw it, she was careful as to what to say. 

Never leave a piece of incriminating evidence.  Someone repeatedly told her before. 

The remainder of the trip was spent discussing what they had to do and what to say to others. Luo Jingyi requested that aside from aunt and uncle, she didn't want others to know of their relationship. That they would only act like a couple in front of Aunt Alice. But Yun Jinghan disapproved of it. He argued that they needed to leave shreds of evidence around in case she would investigate. Luo Jingyi refused to believe she would result to that. Aunt Alice could turn into a nagging woman but she wouldn't go as far as having someone follow her around.  Listening to his reasonings, she relented. 

By the end of their conversation, Yun Jinghan was able to convince her to allow at least two days per week for them to meet up. Her assent didn't come easily and it took a lot of convincing before she agreed. He noted that Jingyi tended to weigh things over. She wasn't the type who would tread on something without careful consideration. 

It took almost an hour to get to Aunt Alice's seaside residence. After recognizing Jingyi, the guard opened the gates. As they approached the main house, her stomach constricted into a nervous knot.  She was feeling bad that she had to resolve into something like this.

 "Grandma, did I make the right decision?" Luo Jingyi murmured out of the blue.

Yun Jinghan heard her speak slowly. "Did you say something?"

Luo Jingyi meant to answer but decided to just zip her mouth.

'You have a man standing in front of you Jingyi. You'll be fine.' A voice inside her brain reminded her. She already made a choice so there's no turning back.

Squaring her shoulders, she reminded him.  "Don't forget what we talked about." 

Carrying the gifts, he followed her. "Of course, I won't."

At the door, the family butler curtsied respectfully. "Good evening Miss. And you too Mr. Yun."

"Good evening Fredrick." Luo Jingyi responded with warmth unsurprised to see him tonight. While France was the permanent residence of the Lacroix, they have houses in many places. And Fredrick always traveled with them to take care of the family.

Taking the bags Yun Jinghan handed over, he reported, "Everyone is at the sunroom."

"Thank you." Luo Jingyi led Yun Jinghan to the sunroom passing through the long corridor. But before they entered the foyer that led to that room, she paused feeling puzzled by what Fredrick said.

'Everyone?' She had a very bad feeling about this. Collective laughter and people's voice made her realized something.

"What's wrong?" Yun Jinghan asked.

Luo Jingyi grasped now what Fredrick meant to say. When he said everyone, it was literal.

"The whole Lacroix family might be here." She answered grimly. This family meant a lot to her. And what she was about to do, was considered lying.

Sensing her edginess, he briefly whispered to her ears, "What are you worried about? WE are engaged, aren't we? We already exchanged rings."

His closeness almost made her heartbeat jump irregularly but she bit her lower lip to jolt herself and edged two steps farther from him.

"Hey! The lovebirds are here." Aunt Eloisa got everyone's attention with this mere announcement. She was behind them, carrying a bottle of wine.

All eyes turned to them.

'There's really no going back.'  

Because the ship had already sailed, Luo Jingyi stepped forward. Yun Jinghan matched her pace, making sure to leave a little distance between them without making it obvious. Unless necessitated, he would try his best to avoid touching her. That's what they agreed on to avoid her panic attack. 

After making a quick assessment, Luo Jingyi counted ten people in the room. That included Aunt Alice and Uncle Antoine. A circle was suddenly formed around them.

"Why don't you introduce the man with you Jingyi?" Uncle Robert winked at Luo Jingyi.

Luo Jingyi shifted her body so that she was facing Yun Jinghan and the rest.

"This is my fiancé, Yun Jinghan."

As the head of the Lacroix clan, Uncle Antoine came forward, extended his hand and shook Yun Jinghan's as he welcomed him. Everyone followed suit as they introduced themselves too. Congratulatory words flew in as each greeted them with happiness.

In contrast to everyone's expression, Aunt Alice scrutinized the two closely, looking for subtle hints that they were lying. But she felt disappointed when she found none.

While most were very welcoming, Yun Jinghan noticed that there were three people who were unhappy to meet him. That included the woman who pouted like a child and hooked her arm on Luo Jingyi, pulling her away from them. Yun Jinghan glanced at the two figures before he started answering questions they were throwing at him.

Luo Jingyi stopped Nicolette when the latter meant to drag her out to the deck for privacy.  "Let's stay here." She was uneasy leaving Yun Jinghan alone with the family.

Nicolette crossed her arms over her chest. "I hate you. Now, Mother will surely force me to go on dates."

Luo Jingyi said nothing.

"Is he really your fiancé? Or is it because Aunt Alice pestered you a lot so you decided to pay a guy to pretend as one?" Nicolette quizzed with raised brows.

Instead of answering, Luo Jingyi waved her hand in front of Nicolette to show the ring on her finger. She clasped Luo Jingyi's hand and squinted at the engagement ring.

"Damn it! It's real." Nicolette muttered with disappointment.

"Of course it is." 

'It's expensive too.' Luo Jingyi just couldn't let go of the fact that she spent millions on props.

"You've been avoiding all sorts of matchmaking that mom and aunt arranged for you. So I thought, you simply got tired and hired him. You know—like those in dramas." Nicolette explained herself.

Luo Jingyi flicked a finger on the other woman's forehead.

"You are watching too many dramas." She scolded her to conceal what she was truly feeling at the moment. This charade was making her nervous. She was afraid of being found out.

Luo Jingyi's eyes darted to the man across the room. The corner of his lips was curved up with whatever Nicolette's twin told him. When he caught her staring at him, he winked.

Embarrassed for no reason, she looked away. Nicolette noticed this and patted her on the arm.

"You are blushing," Nicolette commented nonchalantly.

"I'm not!" Tugging Nicolette's arm, they sat on the L-shaped sectional sofa.

After some time, Nicolette complained, hitting her Luo Jingyi's arm. "I hate you, baby. Now, it wouldn't be just mom. Aunt Alice would no longer be busy matchmaking you so she will definitely put all her attention on me now."

Luo Jingyi let the woman be because her force was too light and barely inflicted pain.

"Go on a date. Find a boyfriend. Don't you have a list?" Luo Jingyi reminded her of all the guys chasing her.

Nicolette pulled a face. "I don't want to get married."

'Me too.' Luo Jingyi blurted out inside her head. Wondering as to why there were more people than she anticipated, she popped the question, "Why is everybody here? I thought most have returned to France already."