Thomas squirmed within himself as he heard Ariana mention his name. He felt like the ground should open and he should go in and swallow him whole. He was used to being invincible in the house. It was a miracle his father had even remembered to call him for the reunion. Most times, everyone just chose to ignore him and his family.
His wife was no better. She walked with the precision of an ant during their match past. She walked behind her husband as carefully as ever so as not to draw any attention to herself and the baby in her arms.
"Uncle Thomas," Calhoun picked up sternly glaring at his youngest uncle.
Sweat broke out on his forehead as he stared at Calhoun as if he was speaking a different language. He had been in the dark for so long that being in the spotlight was shaking his very core.
"My fiancee greeted you like twenty seconds ago but you didn't reply, why?" Calhoun's voice boomed in the dining and everyone —including the maids stopped shattering and moving. They all faced him wondering what was going to happen. This was like the first time, Calhoun was having a face-off with his youngest uncle.
Thomas froze as he didn't know what to say. He was obviously not used to situations like this. His wife was the saviour as she nudged him to move. He snapped out of his trance and nodded awkwardly. "Oh, good morning, Ariana," he managed to say.
"Good. Now that everyone has said their mornings, can we eat?" Grandfather groaned.
Calhoun wanted to comment on that as well but Ariana held his hand. The meal was done in silence as everyone tried to focus on the delicious meal in front of them rather than the looming tension above the air in the room.
Lily was itching to retaliate. She didn't realize that Calhoun was coming home today. Her sources hadn't informed her. But she had backup plans. Since Ariana was proving to be a pain she had gone and backup even her backup plan.
Matt and Noah kept looking at the door for they knew their mother had invited someone but they couldn't tell who it was. But whoever she had called was going to cause a lot more complications than they had.
"Grandfather," Calhoun said as soon as he had finished his meal. "Ariana and I have stayed here long enough. It is time for us to leave," he said wiping his mouth.
The room fell awfully silent again as everyone stared at Calhoun.
"But Calhoun dear, you just got back?" Grandmother's voice pierced the silence.
Calhoun cleared his throat, "yes, I did grandmother but I have heard the news and I have seen how Ariana is being treated here. It doesn't matter if she stays for five years. Those who wouldn't like her, just won't." As he spoke his cold authoritative eyes were fixed on Lily who acted like she wasn't even in the room.
Ariana noticed this behaviour and she felt a worry begin to grow. Naturally, Lily would have done something. If not anything, she could have mentioned the incident that had happened just a few hours earlier. Yet she wasn't saying a thing. She was satisfactorily just eating her meal like she had no care in the world.
"Calhoun, I asked you to let Ariana stay with us, and so far, I have seen how she has been getting along with your aunts, Bianca and Elsie. Even my little Rosa adores her now. I say you are wrong when you make it seem like we are all monsters in this house," Grandfather said with a steady tone.
"I myself, find her to be an intriguing person. I think we all need more time. Isn't that right Lily?"
Lily raised her eyes from her plate and smiled brightly. It was so fake, that even a blind person could feel it from a mile. "Oh father, you are always right. We do need Ariana to stay here a bit longer. Especially if Calhoun would be staying here too. We have guests," she said with a wave towards the door.
Even her boys were shocked as they all stared at the door. Initially, Matt and Noah thought they were only expecting one guest but now that their mother mentioned two, they became curious.
"Hello, Mr Lawson and the rest of the Lawsons!"
Calhoun who had been sneering at Lily all the while was forced to check who had said those words for there was only one person he knew who said that.
"Good morning everyone!"
There were two of them and Calhoun frowned.
"Hello, Sofia. How are you?" Grandfather said with a small smile on his face. "Nikita, you came as well?" He beamed brighter.
Nikita... the name echoed in Calhoun's mind and he searched for her behind Sofia. There was a hush of her blonde hair as she walked into the dining Hall to greet the family.
"Grandmother Lawson!" She screeched happily.
Calhoun felt his heart skip a beat.
It was really her.
Nikita Benson his first love.
"Aren't you going to hug me, Cally?" She asked as she walked to his side.
Lily could not contain her excitement this was the ultimate game plan. There was no way Ariana could marry Calhoun now that Nikita was back into his life.
Calhoun got up from his seat and hugged her. She squirmed into his arms, ignoring Ariana who was sitting by his side. "Oh, Cally I missed you so much! Why didn't you ever visit?" She asked almost glueing her mouth to his cheeks.
"Nikita, why don't you sit down and join us?" Aunt Bianca said trying to save the situation.
Ariana was confused. She didn't know who this Nikita was but who ever she was, Calhoun was truly affected by her presence and as for her, she didn't seem to like her any bit. Who the hell had a nickname for her boyfriend? Why call him Cally? Who the hell does that?