CHAPTER 78: THE DINNER INVITATION

[Carter Mansion]

The evening sky was painted orange when Evelyn stepped out of her room, fixing her earrings with trembling fingers.

Her pulse had been unsteady the entire afternoon after Margaret Reid had invited her to dinner.

And then Pauline messaged her, politely saying Alexander would pick her up, made her more nervous.

Patricia sprawled dramatically on Evelyn’s bed while watching her panic.

"For someone who said yes to marrying the man," she drawled, "you look like you are being taken for sacrifice."

"Patricia," Evelyn whispered, "this is the first time I am meeting his family formally after the wedding announcement. What if they don’t like me? What if I say something stupid? What if—"

Patricia sat up straight and flicked Evelyn’s forehead.

"Ow," Evekyn frowned, rubbing her forehead. "That hurts."

"Relax, drama queen. Margaret Reid invited you herself and you know she adores you. I mean if she didn’t, she wouldn’t have convinced Gregory to give Alexander a green signal," she scoffed, "Trust me, that woman doesn’t do fake smiles."

Evelyn groaned into her palms. "I don’t know, Pat."

Before Patricia could respond, the doorbell rang.

Patricia peeked out the window. "Your Greek God has arrived."

And Evelyn’s stomach twisted.

....

[Outside]

Alexander waited by his car, leaning against the door in a dark shirt and slacks.

The moment Evelyn stepped out, his expression softened like she was the only thing he could see.

"You look beautiful," he said quietly.

She swallowed. "I am nervous."

He smiled, stepped closer and cupped the side of her arm gently. "There is nothing to worry about, Evelyn. You are with me, I will handle everything."

The firmness in his voice made her chest loosen and she nodded, breathing a little easier.

He opened the door for her. "Shall we?"

Evelyn smiled and stepped inside the car.

....

[Pauline’s House]

Pauline was the first to greet them at the entrance and she looked warm and elegant as ever.

"Evelyn, dear," Pauline said with genuine affection, pulling her into a soft hug, "I am so happy you are here."

Before Evelyn could respond, a familiar cane tapped sharply against the marble.

Margaret appeared from the dining hall, eyes sharp but lit with excitement.

"There she is," Margaret declared proudly. "My future granddaughter-in-law."

Evelyn flushed. "Good evening, Mrs. Reid."

"Oh, none of that," Margaret waved off. "Call me grandma like Alexander does or anything grandmotherly as you prefer

She then looped her arm around her and began talking immediately.

"I have already spoken to the decorators. We will be having the grand engagement at The Imperial Hall and the wedding, well, the garden venue can only take a thousand people comfortably so I suppose—"

"A thousand?" Evelyn squeaked.

Margaret looked mildly offended. "My dear, I even narrowed it down. You know how Alexander dislikes too much chaos, so I reduced the list."

Reduced to a thousand? This made Evelyn wonder what the number in the original guest list was like and what made her nervous but she still managed to force a tight smile.

Alexander, who was standing a step behind them, noticed the way Evelyn’s expression tightened and her shoulders tensed. He didn’t interrupt in front of his grandmother but his eyes followed Evelyn the entire time.

Pauline cleared her throat. "Mother, perhaps we should let them share what they want too."

"They are children, Pauline," Margaret waved her hand. "They don’t know what they want."

When Margaret didn’t stop talking about her wedding plans, Pauline turned towards Alexander.

"Dinner will take a while, Alexander, why don’t you show Evelyn the garden? She might like it," she suggested, subtly gesturing him to rescue his bride.

And Alexander immediately took the chance and guided Evelyn towards the garden.

....

[Outside—The Garden]

As soon as they stepped away and were alone in the hallway, Evelyn finally exhaled.

Alexander stopped walking, took her hand and asked, "What’s wrong?"

Evelyn bit her lip and hesitated at first before answering, "It’s just the wedding, the venue and the plans—" she sighed.

"Yes?"

"It’s all so big and so much," she added. "I have never wanted an extravagant wedding."

She had always dreamt of having a small intimate wedding surrounded by people who genuinely loved and cared for her. But with how Margaret had described her preparations, that wouldn’t be the case.

When Alexander did not say anything, she immediately started panicking.

"I mean—" she rushed out, "this has nothing to do with us or you. I just—I am not the kind of person who wants a grand event. It feels overwhelming and I know it’s your family tradition and—"

Alexander suddenly laughed, interrupting her.

She blinked. "Why are you laughing?!"

He stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Evelyn," he said gently, "you don’t need to justify wanting something simple. I want you to be comfortable and if a small wedding makes you happy then that’s what we will have."

Her breath caught.

"You don’t mind?"

"Not at all," he murmured. "I will talk to grandma and let me worry about her."

Evelyn’s shoulders finally loosened and a wave of relief washed through her.

"Thank you," she whispered.

He only smiled softly in response.

....

Dinner was served in the refined family dining room. The long table was set with silver, crystal glasses and all kinds of dishes one could think of.

Margaret took the head of the table, naturally.

Halfway through dinner, she resumed discussing arrangements.

"We will need at least three designers and seven functions. I have already shortlisted the invitations—"

"Grandmother—" Alexander said suddenly.

Margaret looked up.

"We want a small wedding."

Silence fell like a dropped plate.

Margaret stared at him. "Small?"

Alexander nodded calmly. "Just close family and friends."

"Close?" Margaret scoffed. "Your grandfather’s ghost alone needs at least twenty seats."

"Mother" Pauline interjected gently, "it’s their wedding. Shouldn’t they choose?"

Margaret shot her a look of pure betrayal but Pauline smiled sweetly back.

Evelyn, quietly hiding half behind Alexander’s shoulder, watched the all three of them simultaneously.

Eventually Margaret threw her napkin down dramatically.

"Fine," she declared. "Have a small wedding. A tiny, pitiful little ceremony which will be completely forgettable. Perhaps held in a backyard with plastic chairs. Why not."

Alexander gave her a patient look.

Pauline laughed softly. "Mother, don’t be dramatic."

Margaret glared at all three of them, then muttered under her breath, "Children these days have no ambition."

Evelyn tried very hard not to laugh.

Alexander’s fingers discreetly brushed against hers beneath the table, grounding her.

Finally, Margaret sighed dramatically and waved her hand.

"Fine. If you want a quiet wedding, have your quiet wedding. But I am still planning the banquet we will be throwing for Evelyn after you both are married and settled."

She then pointed her cane at Alexander. "One event, I get one event and you both are not complaining."

Alexander looked at Evelyn for her approval.

When she nodded, he said, "Fine, you can have that."

Margaret’s face lit up in excitement. "My banquet will make everyone forget how cozy your small wedding was."

All three of them burst into laughter.

"Alright, now let’s focus on dinner," Pauline said as she started placing food on Margaret’s plate while Alexander did the same for Evelyn.

.....