Granny felt the tension in the air, an awkward silence, she smiled and waved them towards the grand dining room. "Come, come, everyone is waiting. Dinner is served."
As they walked into the dining room, Ava kept her head low, she couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched, a pair of eyes watching her every move like a predator stalking its prey.
Everyone was already seated, heads turned towards Ava as she entered. Until her gaze landed on the man in a dark green suit, the one who had helped her that night, her breath seized.
Micheal hugged Nathan, "So good to see you! Granny told everyone to come back to celebrate your marriage. l was surprised because you didn't inform me."
He shifted his gaze to Ava and smiled, "What are brothers for?" he asked Nathan, in a teasing tone, the corner of his mouth quirking.
Ava stared at them, speechless. "Brothers? If they were close, would he ruin her plan? She pressed her palm on her head, lost in thought.
They all sat down. Ava served herself some veggies and meat, the fork trembled against her fingers. While a pair of eyes kept watching her every move.
Nathan didn't look her way, keeping his gaze safely above the table. He leaned towards Micheal, his voice low whispering something to him and chuckled.
Granny frowned, as she watched Ava's bowed head, the silence, small bites she was chewing on. She tapped her fork against the plate, loud enough to grab everyone's attention.
"Nathan, introduce your wife to the family!" Granny shouted.
"What is there to introduce? Everyone here knows she's my wife," Nathan muttered, his voice flat.
Granny smacked the back of Nathan's head, hard enough to cause a headache then fixed her gaze on Ava, "Do you have any siblings?'' Her voice softened.
Ava scanned the room, as she saw all eyes on her, patiently waiting for her reply.
Her palms rubbing nervously against each other below the table, unsure of what to say, she answered, curtly. "No." Then added, "I need to use the bathroom," her head bowed slightly, as she stood up walking towards the exit.
After a few minutes, the lady in red excused herself and dashed to the same direction that Ava left.
Inside the restroom, Ava splashed water on her face, trying to compose herself. She hadn't even been there for an hour and she already felt like leaving.
This is not what i expected, she muttered.
"Tell me, what exactly were you expecting?" The lady in red walked in, swaying her hips, her hands crossed.
Ava turned towards the voice, her mouth wide open . "Nothing," She answered, with her head bowed.
Matilda smirked, "So you're the one that married my cousin? She narrowed her eyes, walking around Ava, scanning her like a predator assessing its prey.
Ava's smile didn't reach her eyes, knowing where this was heading. "Aunt, do you have any grudge against me?" she asked, unbothered, while drying her hands.
Matilda leaned forward, placing her palm on Ava's shoulder. "Do you know what will happen when she comes back and finds out you stole her lover?"
Ava frowned, curiosity got her as she met Matilda's gaze, "I don't know who you're talking about, but I do know that i am Mrs Walton for now," She took a deep breath, then continued, "I appreciate it if you would warmly welcome me to your family till whenever."
Matilda smiled coldly, "You seduced him! You are just a temporary wife, by the time his mother recovers, you will be out of here!" She said, walking away with her hands clenched.
Ava returned to the hall a few minutes after Matilda left. Nathan noticed her expression and frowned.
Sensing something wasn't right, he quickly told granny they would be leaving.
Remembering the promise they made to her, Granny's eyes lit up as an idea popped into her head.
"Sleepover! lt is getting late and we have plenty of rooms here enough for everyone," Granny announced, her voice filled with warmth, gesturing for the maids to come.
Ava and Nathan exchanged a quick, uneasy glance. .
Granny smiled knowingly.
Ava, ready to go against the idea, glanced at Matilda whose eyes were filled with malice. What is it with this woman? Could it be that she likes Nathan? Ava wondered.
A slow smile spread across Ava's face, as she thought of something. "Granny, thank you so much," Ava said sweetly. " We would love to spend a night here, that way I get to know more about my husband's family."
"Am I right, Aunt?" She sharply met Matilda's gaze, noticing her bite onto her lower lip suppressing her anger.
Observing the tension between Matilda and Ava, Granny smiled. She never liked Matilda for once, at least she finally met her match.
"Nathan, take your wife to the room, she looks tired." Granny said, waving her hand dismissing everyone to rest, as the maids cleared the table.
"What do you think you are doing?" Nathan frowned, trying to keep his voice low as Ava linked her arm through his, her fingers digging lightly into his bicep.
"Granny is watching us," Ava whispered, her warm breath against his ear, while her fingers tightening on his arm, silently warning him.
They arrived at the bedroom , Nathan immediately removed her hands from him, his eyes filled with irritation.
Ava smirked, "You will sleep on the couch while I sleep in the bed," she announced, her hands clasped behind her back, fingers crossed silently praying he would resist the idea.
Nathan hesitated, his gaze locking on Ava before agreeing to her idea.
Ava frowned as she watched Nathan take the pillow and blanket towards the couch.
She turned away, feigning a yawn, and began zipping down her dress, with her back facing him. She could feel his eyes boring into her back and smiled.
She let the gown slip from her shoulders, sliding down close to her waist.
Nathan's eyes darkened, slowly clearing his throat. "What are you doing?" he asked, his gaze locked on hers.
Ava turned to him, her smooth cleavage exposed to him. "Obviously removing my dress," she muttered with a smile spread across her face.
The sound of his feet dragging against the cold tile towards the bathroom. He then turned back to Ava, his eyes filled with uneasiness and self control. "Nina," his voice breaking the sudden silence.