The reception continued for a long time. Everyone was in a fantastic mood, especially with the Wilson sisters around. Bryan had grown tired of smiling and chatting with everyone throughout the course of the reception.
And before that, he even had a 'battle' with Claudia, which caused much strain on him mentally. Claudia astutely noticed this, and as a way to make it up to him, she temporarily took the position of the host.
Everyone gathered was really surprised by this. They couldn't help but wonder just what Bryan's relationship with the Wilson sisters was. And the most surprised of them all was in fact, Grace!
She had seen how condescendingly Claudia had spoken to Bryan at the entrance of the house when she entered. And now when she saw her sister helping out Bryan, she couldn't help but wonder just what had happened between the two that caused such a change.
Grace walked toward Bryan who was sitting at a table in the corner of the living room and having dinner with Benny. Her lips twitched when she saw this scene. 'Does he really not care about his image at all?' she thought.
After all, just where would you find a person having a meal at the same table as their pet? Especially so in such an affluent and grand setting. But she knew Bryan well enough to know that he really didn't care.
She walked toward him and spoke softly, "Bryan, can we talk?"
"Hmm?" Bryan saw Grace through his spiritual sense and asked, "what is it, Grace? Come sit."
Grace looked around and saw that there were quite a few people standing and chatting around Bryan's table. Some of them were even casting secretive glances at her.
"No… let's talk outside in the garden." She spoke, feeling a little uncomfortable.
Bryan nodded, "All right, just give me a few minutes. I'm really hungry."
And soon, about five minutes later, Bryan wiped his lips with a napkin and got up from his seat. He then walked out of the house with Grace.
Meanwhile, Benny was caught up in a serious dilemma. He looked at Bryan's departing back and then at the food on the table. He then turned around and saw the maids bringing in even more food. In the end, he chose food. Obviously.
Bryan and Grace went up to the newly made gazebo that the former had instructed the workers to build. They sat down at the small table and began chatting.
"What is it?" Bryan inquired as he sat lazily on the chair.
Grace fidgeted with her fingers for a few moments, thinking about how to say what she wanted to know. Bryan looked at her and couldn't help but smile, "It's about your sister, isn't it?"
"Yes…." Grace nodded meekly. "Just what happened between the two of you? Ever since she came back after meeting you, she's been trying to strike up a conversation with me.
"I mean… she's never acted that friendly with me. So, I was taken aback. And not just that, she's even willing to host your reception in your stead."
She looked deep into Bryan's eyes—although they weren't visible because of the sunglasses—and asked sincerely, "Bryan, tell me the truth. What happened?"
Seeing Grace's solemn expression, Bryan sighed, "We… had a talk."
"Huh?" Grace was puzzled, "what did you guys talk about?"
Bryan then recounted everything that happened in the study room between him and Claudia to Grace. Of course, he didn't tell her about their battle. However, he did tell her about everything else.
Including the personal things that Claudia had mentioned while being under the illusion. Grace listened to everything patiently and silently. Her emotions ranging from anger, to resentment, to confusion, and finally helplessness.
When Bryan stopped recounting everything, she remained silent for a very long time. Bryan didn't say anything else, he simply gave her time to digest everything.
Grace's palms balled up into fists and drops of tears trickled down her cheeks, "If she really felt that way… then why did she treat me like that all my life?"
Bryan sighed, "I don't really know myself. But if I had to guess, then it's probably because she didn't want you to go through what she did…. Ehhh, actually I don't even know what I'm talking about. You women are really hard to understand."
Grace couldn't help but stifle a peal of laughter, "You really are silly."
"Hehe, I guess so." Bryan chuckled, "anyway, what I'm saying is perhaps you should give her a chance?"
Grace stayed silent. After a few moments, she wiped her tears and nodded her head, "I will try."
Bryan smiled and got to his feet, "Cherish your family, Grace. Oh, how much I wish I had a family to rely on. You know, there's a saying back in the slums of Damascus."
Grace too got to her feet and asked curiously, "What is it?"
"You will only miss the sun when it starts to snow." Bryan smiled.
Grace mulled over his words for a long time. Tears welled up in her eyes involuntarily. She wiped her tears and sniffed, "Thank you… Bryan."
She gave him a warm hug, and as she rested her face on his firm chest, she mumbled, "You can always rely on me, just like how I rely on you."
Bryan gently stroked her head and muttered softly, "Of course."
'Is this what they call love? Nya~' Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed inside both their minds. They separated and turned around, only to see Benny sitting on top of the table and looking at them with an amused expression.
"You little…." Bryan ran toward Benny to catch him and knuckle him on the forehead. However, Benny nimbly avoided him and continued to laugh. Seeing Bryan and Benny play along with each other, Grace couldn't help but smile warmly.
'You say you have no family to rely on, but Benny has always been there for you… and I'm here for you too.' She thought, her heart beginning to warm.
And within the next hour, the reception had finally come to an end. The guest left Bryan's house in a jovial mood. All of them promised to meet up with him in the future. Some of them were even kind enough to extend him an invitation to their houses.
In the end, only Grace and Claudia were left. The former gave Bryan a warm hug and spoke with a bright smile, "I'll see you sometime soon, Tony."
Bryan nodded, "Good night, Grace."
She then turned around and walked toward her car. Claudia looked at Bryan and simply nodded. And the latter did the same.
She too walked to her car, but right when she was about to open the door, she heard Grace's voice, "We can… go together if you'd like."
Claudia was taken aback. She hadn't expected Grace to offer her to ride home together. At the reception, she had tried many times to strike up a conversation with her, however, Grace always ignored her.
She didn't blame Grace for this. After all, she'd been ignoring Grace and acting cold toward her all her life. But now that Grace actually invited her in her car, she was surprised.
She then looked toward Bryan who happened to be looking at her as well. He smiled faintly and nodded at her, and then he turned around and walked back inside his house.
'Thank you…' Claudia thought in her mind. She then looked at Grace and smiled, "Of course."
The two sisters then got inside the same car and departed for their home.
…
Saturday, 27th July 1582.
It was a fine afternoon in the city of Nadir, the sun was high up in the sky casting its warm glow across the lands. But the weather wasn't overly hot or humid. Since fall was around the corner, the weather was quite pleasant.
The Carla Bazaar was a very famous and crowded market that was known throughout the city. From food and groceries, clothes and fabric, and even herbs and medicine, here, one could find almost anything.
A young lady who seemed to be in her mid-twenties was currently shopping in this bazaar as she went from one store to another, going around buying meat.
She had long, wavy black hair and brown eyes. Wearing a yellow sundress, she drew the attention of most of the people in the market. She was a pretty-looking lady, after all.
Everyone she met eye contact with, she would always smile at them, especially young men. Whenever she laid eyes on young men, she would smile brightly. However, her eyes would glint like those of a predator. Naturally, regular humans would never notice this.
As she was going around buying different types of meat, she suddenly bumped into an old homeless tramp who was wearing ragged clothes. This caused the lady's grocery bags to fall to the ground and its contents to spill out.
She gritted her teeth in frustration and was about to scream at the tramp. However, before she could, the tramp had already started to berate her, "You little lass, are you fucking blind!? Or do you think just because I'm old and poor you can do anything to me, eh!?"
Seeing the nearby people cast their gazes at her, the lady displayed an apologetic smile as she struggled to control the rage inside her and prevent her eyes from turning red!
"I'm sorry, good sir—" She stated, however, the next moment her words were cut off.
"Ohh, you don't mean it," The old tramp got up to his feet, "you young people these days have no respect for the elderly. Get lost!"
With that, he stomped away without casting another glance at the lady. The lady on the other hand bowed in his directions, picked up her grocery, and walked away as well.
'Bastard, I'll drink all of your blood and eat you alive if I ever see you again.' She thought in rage but displayed a gentle expression on the surface.
Meanwhile, the old tramp suddenly slowed down his footsteps and finally stopped. His lips curled up into a mischievous smile, "Found you!"
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