C9 A DINNER UNVEILING SECRETS(chapter 9)

"Hello, I'm Beatrice, Carl's elder sister. I've heard a lot about you. You're even prettier in person," Beatrice greeted her with a wink.

"Hi, I'm Hazel, Carl's," she took a brief pause, as if to remind herself of her position. "I'm Carl's wife. Nice to meet you," Hazel greeted her in return.

"Sure, I know my brother has a great eye for what he wants. You're pretty," she smirked as she walked in.

She's so beautiful. Hazel thought, as she stared after her. A vision of elegance and charm. That is what Carl would want in a lady. The charm which Beatrice emitted could steal a man at his first glance at her.

"You forgot your bag again," a masculine voice echoed through the air.

"Nope, she didn't. She's lazy and just wants us to bring it in for her," another voice chimed in mockingly.

"What's wrong with just a little help from my old pals, huh?" Hazel quipped, grinning playfully.

Carl descended the stairs and recognized them.

"Gideon, Brian, what are you doing here?" He asked.

"You toad," Brian smacked his head lightly. "You're welcome. We dropped your sister off. You didn't pick her up when she arrived. So we lent a hand," Gideon retorted.

"Oh my bad," he grinned lightly. "Thanks a bunch. Welcome, sis," he hugged her lightly.

"Oh my baby brother has grown a lot. You're so good looking. I'm sure you're giving Hazel a hard time chasing other girls off," she added playfully, as she pulled his cheeks.

"Ermm," Gideon spoke up irritated. "Enjoy your family reunion, we're leaving now," he added as he turned to leave.

"Hold on, boys!" Roselle's voice halted them. "Why don't you join us for dinner?" She warmly invited them for dinner.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

"How is my baby girl doing?" Roselle began as she set the table.

"Well, aside from the school stress. I'm doing great," she beamed as she pulled a chair.

"Hazel honey, come sit next to me," Roselle beckoned the girl, and she nodded.

"Should I be jealous? You've never let me sit next to you, mother," Beatrice teased, pouting her lips.

"That's because Hazel is my favorite daughter. She listens to me all the time," Roselle shot back, giving her a weird gaze. They all burst out laughing.

Gregory watched them with the corner of his eyes, shooting red signals to Roselle whenever she pampered Hazel. She ignored him and continued.

"So Beatrice, how is the city?" Carl asked his sister.

"Well," she took her cup and gulped half its content. "The city is beautiful, well developed and bustling. It has great infrastructure, places of relaxation, and a great school. Maybe you should come visit sometime."

"Hmm, I'll think about it." He waved it off; he's got a lot of work here.

"What about you Hazel? Ever thought about going to university?" Her eyes sparkled at the thought.

"Ermm..." she played with her food. "No," she spoke and ducked her head shyly. Her unfulfilled dreams still hurt her. She had always wanted to go to school. But since she married Carl, a lot of things changed.

Roselle watched her. "Well, Hazel hasn't thought about it yet. And she'll be busy in the next month making grandbabies for me." She placed an arm on Hazel's back and smiled at the thought.

"Well, that's just nonsense, Roselle," Greg spoke at last.

"That's what Hazel has decided, and it's the best option for us all," Roselle concluded, shooting her husband a piercing stare.

Greg, watching from the corner, harbored strong dislike for Hazel. His disapproving gaze could pierce her soul at any point.

Sensing the tension, Beatrice decided to change the topic, and make everyone feel at home. "You know in the city, it isn't all about work and school, there are a lot of fun places, like the Cinema, bar, clubhouses, and lots more."

"That sounds like fun. If I am there, I would love to visit all the clubhouses," Brian added teasingly, giving Gideon a knowing wink.

"Can you ever change? With your flirtatious attitude?" She asked raising a brow at him.

"I will when I've had my fill." He winked at her. "That reminds me, Carl, we have a party tonight at Sun-town bar tomorrow night," he told him.

As her husband's name was mentioned, Hazel raised her head up, making sure to catch every detail.

"I'll pass."

"C'mon bro, it's an open house club. You might meet a chick hotter than Sasha," he teased shoving his shoulder at him.

Hazel's heart skipped a beat. Who was Sasha? So Carl had been lying to her all along. And he might plan on meeting her again. A knot tightened in her belly. She suddenly lost her appetite. She dropped her spoon and excused herself.

"Where are you going? You barely touched your meal," Beatrice asked her, Concern etched all over her face.

"I... I was not really hungry," she replied with a light smile.

"Are you alright?" Roselle asked, "if you don't like the meal, I could prepare something else for you."

"Oh why go through all the trouble." Greg shot at his wife. "She said she's not hungry. Leave her alone!" His tone was filled with irritation.

"Are you sure?" Carl asked.

His question brightened her a little. "Yes."

"You can go, I'll join you soon." She bowed her head and left.

"You with your big mouth." Beatrice smacked Brian's head lightly. "Why did you have to say that? His wife is here, dude."

"I am sorry," he apologized sincerely, "I totally forgot. I am sorry."

Roselle stole glances at her son before proceeding with her meal.

Greg observed the scene with satisfaction, silently celebrated, as his plan to create discord within the family seemed to be working.

In the quiet of her room, Hazel laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling, grappled with the revelation. Betrayal weighed heavy on her heart, and the realization that Carl might be keeping more secrets left her feeling anxious and vulnerable. She began questioning their relationship. It was one-sided. She had always been the one showing affections which had never been reciprocated to her. It hurts, it hurts so much.

Tears began to roll down her eyes, as she wondered. What she felt for Carl was it true love?

Downstairs, the dinner continued, but the atmosphere had shifted. Roselle sensed the tension and tried to lighten the mood, encouraging laughter and shared memories.

"Beatrice honey, you talked about good schools. You remember how you and your baby brother usually walk to school under the rain? Then you both fall sick after then," she beamed widely.

"Yes mother," Beatrice replied dryly;

.

..

.

her mind troubled about Hazel.

However, the silence wore on, and the unease lingered, each person harboring their own thoughts and emotions.

"Ermmm, I'll go upstairs now, am a little tired," Carl finally spoke up.

"Are you sure son? We could take a walk," Greg told him, hoping he won't go up to console his wife.

"Let him be Greg, he wants to be alone," Roselle stopped her husband.

"Well, we would take our leave too." Brian and Gideon rose up. "Send our greetings to your wife. Thank you for the dinner, Mrs. Roselle." They bowed and left.

As the night wore on, Hazel kept on contemplating the choices she'd made, the sacrifices she'd endured for a love that now seemed questionable. She was grappled with the decision of whether to confront Carl about the statement Brian made or to keep on being dumb by playing an understanding wife.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Carl walked in. Ignoring her, he headed straight to the showers. Coming out, he put on his pajamas and climbed into bed. He noticed she was not asleep.

"You're not asleep yet? Are you alright?" He asked absentmindedly.

Hazel, wondering if the question was from his genuine affection or from curiosity, froze for a bit. "Ermm, I'm alright---" she stuttered.

"Great." He replied flatly and hit the pillows.

There goes her answer. She laid beside him; he seemed distant even though he's here.

Desperately needing satisfaction and curiosity, if not, sleep won't come. Taking a deep breath, she sat up and tapped Carl. "Carl? Are you asleep? Carl?"

"Hmm, what is it?" He grumbled.

"Who is Sasha?"