shuhaige
Chapter 10: Belonged
To Love You Again, My Husband
Chapter 10: Belonged
Airina looked at the notification from her phone and then tilted her head. It was a text from Matthew saying that she was invited to a dinner with the Halton family. During the ten months of negotiating with them, the Halton family had kept their privacy from her, and even when they invited her to dinner, it was only with Matthew and her mother.
Thus, if this dinner was with them again, it doesn’t feel appropriate to be called ‘Dinner with Halton family’. A family contained parents and their children if they had, if not, Airina felt she was being picked on. Was it because she had never contacted her mother previously, so they thought she was merely using her?
Airina had contacted her mother a few times but when her stepmother got to know of it, she banned her from doing so as it would ruin her marriage life.
Airina, still dubious, headed inside the restaurant and took a deep breath. She is working in Halton’s company so it wouldn’t be a question if she shared a meal with them. Her stepfather, her mother’s new husband, had kept his neutrality towards her – he didn’t show his hostility or affection. He also seemed to be keeping an eye on her. Nonetheless, if she were in their position, she’d possibly do similarly.
The waiter led her to the VVIP room and before going inside, she again took a deep exhale. Something felt off, somehow. Was it because after she announced being an exclusive shareholder of the company?
The waiter opened the door for her to which she faintly smiled and what greeted her took her by surprise. It was a sight to behold since… the room wasn’t only occupied by her mother and Matthew, but the whole family of them. Airina was momentarily in a daze and when she got in, she hastily bowed her head towards the elderly with an awkward smile. She had never expected this.
Matthew amusingly grinned at her and then asked, “Took you by surprise? Was it so shocking?”
Airina dazedly shook her head, “Ah, n-no. But yes.”
Matthew stood up and then extended his hand to her, “Mind sitting beside me?”
Airina held his hand and responded politely, “Oh, s-sure.”
Her mother smiled at her gleefully. Since Airina had never met the rest of Halton’s family, her shock was understandable, but it was also adorable since a young woman like her, who was appointed as the exclusive shareholder could make an expression like that.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
Airina bowed her head for the second time. She began, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Grandpa. You didn’t attend the Founding Anniversary.”
Her grandfather smiled at her, “Indeed, alas we met. Matthew has been spoiling me with facts about you. He even admired you far more than he did to me. Ha, young men these days.”
Airina giggled, “It’s an honor to be admired by the honorable CEO. Thank you, Matthew.”
Matthew flushed and defended, “He always wanted to see you because he said his granddaughter looked like him.”
In all honesty, Airina doesn’t have any relationship with the Halton family since it was only her mother she was connected to. On the other hand, they were the ones who said that she belonged to the family. It felt… foreign.
“Thank you for inviting me to this dinner. I didn’t even… bring any gift. I am ashamed of my shortcomings.”
Her mother shook her head, “We called you here out of this old man’s grumbling. It’s only fair that you don’t bring any gift for him, anyway.”
The grandfather cleared his throat, as if shy about this. The family never wanted to invite Airina without beforehand notice, and because she also had never met the whole family before, her mother assumed her shock but her grandfather didn’t want not to see her. And helpless against his wishes, her mother gave in the end. It was futile, anyway.
Matthew helped her cope with consoling pats on her back.
“I wanted to see you to congratulate you for being the official exclusive shareholder of the Company. Once again, thank you for joining in and offering your abilities.”
Airina humbly shook her head, “I am also getting paid for what I do. It is nothing. If ever, it was Matthew who gave me an opportunity. I’d like to work for a long time in the company. I hope you’ll take me in.”
Her grandfather agreed, “Even without you asking, you’re already permitted. Actually, what you should be asking is your permit for not working in the Halton Company again. A wise woman like you is a talent we’d chase for eternity.”
Matthew approved. “Indeed. It was your whole decision to work under us and it’s also our honor to get to cater to your expectations from us.”
Airina smiled, “I’ll then lend my hand in any way I could.”
Matthew beamed, “I’d help.”
And they both nodded their heads as though they’d already agreed to a plan unknown to the rest of the people in the room.
“That night, Jackson… invited you out on the balcony. Right?” Her mother, Wendy, coldly asked as she had been hiding her hatred for Jackson.
Airinna smiled, “Indeed. We exchanged a few pleasantries.”
Matthew scoffed, “I doubt that. That man is competitive, worse was if he was charmed by your appearance that night.”
Although she wanted to hide that fact for a moment, it was still in vain because others had seen through her.
Grandpa Halton stated. “Don’t let that man near you again, Rina. Or I’d crush his balls in the most excruciatingly painful way.”
Airina nodded her head without hesitation and assured kindly. “You don’t need to worry, Grandpa. I’d make him pay for what he did.”
“Haha, that’s my favorite Granddaughter.”
The room was filled with happy laughter and an enjoyable feast. Ever since Granpa Halton saw her, he instantly proclaimed her as his favorite because they looked alike and he admired her cleverness. Especially her firm standing of cutting ties with Jackson, her ex-husband.