CHAPTER 91
Elena
A few days passed, and Cornell kept to his word, reaching out to me to prepare for his family dinner.
To my surprise, he also sent a dress, matching jewelry, and a bouquet of flowers.
The action melted my heart as well as ignited the budding feeling that I had for him.
My heart was confused.
On one hand, I wanted to be angry with him for abandoning me for so many years, but now, he's doing everything to apologize properly as well as stir up feelings in my heart.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I quickly got ready since he was supposed to be here in ten minutes.
By the time I heard the knock on the front door, my feet were sliding into my shoes so I crossed the distance to the door, picking up my purse.
I opened the door and there he was, looking as handsome as ever with a wide smile.
"Wow, you look breathtaking." He breathed, leaning in to kiss my cheeks.
My heart fluttered at the action but I tried to keep my cool.
"Thank you."
"Shall we?" He extended his elbow and together we walked over to his car.
Ever the gentleman, he opened up my door and even helped me in, holding the edge of my dress so it didn't get dragged along the ground.
Twenty minutes later, he drove up to a majestic mansion that looked ethereal in the night.
I've never been to this house and I'm a bit blown away by how expensive and clean everything looked.
The expansive driveway, the trimmed garden, the exotic cars lining the driveway.
At the entrance, Cornell's mother, Rose, was smiling, talking to someone else, and all of a sudden, I got nervous, clinging tighter to Cornell's arm.
"Mother…" Cornell greeted, pulling away slightly to hug his mother. "As always, you've outdone yourself."
"Oh, thank you, baby." She gushed, her cheeks turning pink.
Cornell moved slightly, and her eyes strayed over to me, and for a moment, a mixture of surprise and disappointment crossed her features before quickly being masked by a smile.
"Mom, Elena." Cornell introduced, oblivious to what I just noticed.
She leaned forward to hug me but the movements were very brief and seemed stiff. "Oh, hello! It's night to meet you… Cornell didn't tell me he's bringing a plus one."
"Wanted it to be a surprise, Mom."
"Uh-huh… please come this way." She took us past the foyer and living room and to the dining room.
Already, there were a bunch of people milling about.
I recognized Victoria and briefly wondered what she was doing there but I got distracted by the clinking of glasses.
Rose held a glass of champagne, smiling widely. "Can we move to the dining area? The meal is ready."
Since there were some unfamiliar faces, I expected Cornell to stick by my side, but he immediately migrated to an older man's side, talking animatedly with him.
Feeling awkward, I grabbed a glass of champagne and poured half down my throat.
I also kept receiving looks from Rose, and I don't know why, but I had this feeling that I wasn't welcome here.
I shoved down the mixed feelings I had, making polite small talk with the person next to me.
Thankfully, Cornell came around, grabbing my hand under the table.
I let him, instead of pulling away.
"Are you okay?" He muttered under his breath, his eyes roving over my face.
"Yeah, sure." I smiled, masking my emotions. "Your family seems so nice."
"Not really, my uncle is a huge pain in my behind." He chuckled but the sound was affectionate as he looked in the direction of the man I saw him with earlier. "You know, I think I can-"
That damned clinking of glasses came again but this time, it came from his uncle.
He was seated at the head of the table, next to Rose, but I noticed his eyes kept straying to Cornell and Victoria.
"It's so great to have everyone gathered here today, not because it's been a while but also because today is quite important."
Picking up a half-full glass of champagne, his uncle tilted it in Cornell's direction.
"I will use this medium to appreciate you, Cornell. I took a chance on you several years ago and you have never let me down. I have to say, I have never been more proud of you or the decisions you make to grow the company. In that light, I also think that it's time for the next phase of your life."
The phrase rubbed me the wrong way and my stomach fluttered with unease, but I kept quiet, watching Rose stand up from her seat, beaming at his uncle.
"Behind every great man is a greater woman and your uncle and I have discussed that for you to properly step into your role at the company, what better way to do that than to have a powerful woman by your side?"
I felt Cornell stiffen beside me, before he pulled away.
"Mom, what are you trying to say?" He bit the words out but Rose was oblivious to the tension rolling through his body.
Rose smoothly glides through the room and stops by Victoria, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's been arranged that you and Victoria are to get married with your uncle and my blessings."
Married?
My mouth fell open before I could stop it, my eyes straying over to Cornell, betrayal gleaming in my eyes.
How dare he do this to me?!