Chapter 4

In the morning, Hannah had already gotten up early with the maids to prepare breakfast before being stopped by Martha and ordered to go put her on best clothes and get ready for a family meeting later with Henry and Esther. She assumed that a dull looking girl like Hannah would require much more time and effort to make her look presentable. Although Hannah was quite unable to spoil herself financially, she was given a small allowance from Martha frequently. After realizing she did not have much proper clothes for going out, she called her friend Rose to shop with her at the mall.

“I’m not sure what I should even wear. Is It casual or not?” She expressed cluelessly.

Rose, a short, petite, and duller girl answered, “You’re always safer to overdress than to be underdress.”

“Hmmm,…Maybe you’re right.”

***

Ah. Have people already arrived? Darn traffic!

Hannah grunted in her head and made her way into Uncle Henry’s majestic home of which was maintained while they were living in France. When the front door maid walked Hannah to the gigantic, chandelier filled dining room, everyone was already present and seated. She stopped at the door a little flushed while the maid made known of her tardy arrival to the rest. An outburst came from towards the end of the table where the young people were seated.

“Wow! Sister-in-law, you’ve grown and changed so much. So beautiful!”

The family suddenly stopped their chitchatting and gazed over at Hannah who was neatly put together in a simple blush knee length dress. Her long, black hair fell behind her back and her bangs gave her a youthful look. Across the table, James, who was dressed neatly in black, gazed at Hannah not realizing his heart fluttered a little even with the flawless Sherry sitting next to him. He silently gave Hannah some credit from freshening up from last night’s filthy appearance. Even then, he told himself how pitiful and dull Hannah made the dress.

Phillip, equally tall but slightly less striking, jumped out of his seat and made his way to Hannah. He wrapped his arm politely around her shoulder and gave a quick, tight squeeze. “Sit by me. We have much to catch up on.”

Martha sneered over at Hannah while Esther warmly smiled to welcome Hannah. Phillip pulled her seat and they sat side by side across from James and Sherry. Hannah politely looked quickly at Sherry and mouthed “hi” to welcome her. Sherry gently nodded her head in acknowledgement while James continued to secretly look at Hannah, tapping on his dish impatiently.

There were all sorts of conversations around the table. Even though Phillip was older than Hannah by two years, the same as James, his personality was a lot less serious and he was very engaging. The two had so many stories to exchange and while the funny ones caused them to have some outbursts of laughter over the other conversations at the table, they could only apologize and do it again. James looked coldly at Hannah criticizing in his heart how not lady like she was flirting with his own cousin! It was only when a pair of warm, petite hands touched his under the table that he felt like a hypocrite.

“Teaching, huh? Are you afraid you’ll get bullied by the other students? You’re so petite, Hannah.” Phillip blurted.

Martha couldn’t help but overhearing and interrupted, “Are you trying to work, Hannah? A good daughter in law should stay and make the home.” She thought that by saying this she’d earn support from Henry and Esther.

Esther looked to Hannah, who was now embarrassed, and calmly said, “Martha, in this day and age, it is more beneficial for the children to make living for the sake of building character. Besides, you have enough servants to help around the home, don’t you?”

Henry nodded in agreement leaving Martha even more outcasted.

Hannah faced the elders and respectfully explained, “Actually, mom, I wanted to ask you for permission to look for a job. I don’t want to put my education to waste.” She thought the rest to herself, “…and I need to make a living for myself since this marriage is so unforeseeable.”

In front of the others, Martha could only agree even though she disagreed in her heart. James and Sherry sat quietly while James would glance at Hannah from time to time indifferent.

“Sorry, please excuse me for a moment.” Hannah up and left to find the restroom.

In the long extravagant hallway, Hannah purposely strolled slowly so as to avoid going back to the suffocating atmosphere back in the dining room. She would walk pass and take her time staring at every family portrait of Henry, Esther, and Phillip. Hannah came across a painting of a beautiful, youthful Esther in an elegant cream dress and she couldn’t help but admire how timeless Esther’s beautiful seems to be. She must have been standing there long and lost in her admiration enough that she didn’t notice the tall figure enclosing from behind. His chin was nearly resting on her shoulder when he asked, “Lost?”

“Ah!” Hannah jumped frighteningly.

Behind her was the handsome James with his hawk eyes and casual hair tossed so effortlessly to look a little relaxed. James backed up a little, crossed this arms casually and leaned on the wall behind him. He almost provocatively looked at Hannah up and down with a sly smile. “Hannah, you’ve sort of cleaned up.” She saw his eye movements and naively responded quickly, “James, you scared me. Uh, thank you. Your friend, she’s very beautiful as well. Ha-ha.” Hannah was getting nervous. Oh my gosh, Hannah! Did you really just say that?! She scolded herself.

“I better get going. I’ve been out here for a while.” James watched her figure disappear down the stairs and let out a chuckle shaking his head.

When everyone was back at the dining table, Esther questioned Sherry, “Dear, how long do you intend to stay with here? Surely you’re family is eager to see you, right?” Hannah could see James getting uneasy and Sherry smiling with a bit of difficulty.

“Er,…That depends on James.” Sherry dashed quick eyes at James who looked calmly at her.

Martha had already found favor with Sherry. That’s obviously with anyone other than Hannah. So Martha was glad and excited to get to know Sherry. Henry already had an unsettling intuition so he nudge Esther’s foot slightly under the table to let him take lead of the conversation. He pretended to be less foreseeing of the conversation and asked, “Martha, have you relocated Hannah in your home yet?”

Upon hearing this, Martha was caught off guard and only said, “We are making arrangements as much as we can.”

He snorted, still cutting his food on his plate. “Now, James, this young lady Sherry here…is there some significance you’re withholding ‘til now? Is she just a classmate or more?”

Sherry’s beautiful and nervous face turned towards the indifferent James with confidence. Hannah could only sit nervously and listen to her own heartbeat race. But, why? Why am I so nervous? It doesn’t matter. It was always a one way street between James and I. I can’t expect too much when it’s always been me who’s like me. Never the other way around.

Finally, James sat up taller and said courageously, “Mom, Uncle, Aunty,…to be honest, my relationship with Sherry is beyond friendship. We’ve been courting abroad for a few years now and have wanted to settle down, but again, the marriage here has hindered us.”

“YOUR marriage, James. Yours!” Henry raised his voice at James. Phillip lowered his head already seeing where this was headed. He continued, “For the past six years that you’ve been running around abroad with someone else your wife became a MAID in her own home. And today you’ve brought your girlfriend here in front of your her. How do you think she feels?” Henry shouted and slammed his hand on the table. Sherry, who’s face turned apple red got up, said “excuse me”, and ran outside suddenly crying from embarrassment. James shouted behind, “Sherry!” And ran after her disregarding everyone else.

Hannah lowered her head and stared blankly at her lap shocked at what just happened.

At home just after entering the front door, Martha turned to Hannah who followed with her head low and scolded her, “YOU! You are such bad luck. Already you are finding trouble for my James. I tell you, get yourself situated out of here and sign that divorce paper over to him so he can be with who he wants.” She exhaled, looked at Hannah who still have  not responded and continued, “And for your sake too. Maybe you can find someone who will truly love you…eh?” She stormed off to her bedroom upstairs. In the lobby, Hannah slowly made her way to the maid’s quarter with a dark cloud over head and eyes filling with tears. How is it my fault? Why is it always my fault? Mom, Dad,…I wish you guys were here.

“Hannah,” a low, husky voice suddenly said behind her from the entry way.

She turned a little startled. “James.” Wiping her tears quickly, she said, “Is Sherry Okay?”

“She’s fine. Don’t worry. Are you okay? Did my mom say something to you?”

“I’m fine,” she quickly shook her head to diffuse the atmosphere.

“Listen. If you are free tomorrow, will you go out for a cup of coffee with me?”

Hannah smiled a little and nodded.