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"Really!" Desmond was a bit stunned by Pearl and Regina's remark. He never knew his wife to be the type that loved spicy food. Or could they be over-exaggerating?
"They don't call it spicy chicken pot pie soup for nothing." Harriet gave them a sly, playful smile that suggested she was teasing them. "I've added a few special spices to make it flavorful and healthier. But if you can't handle the spice, you can always try another dish."
Elsie and David both lowered their heads, stifling a chuckle and bumping fists under the table.
Pearl felt insulted by Harriet's unapologetic remark, while Regina took up the challenge, thinking she could handle the spiciness.
"It's fine. We love spicy food. Moreover, it really tastes nice. Right Pearl?" Regina's slightly teary eyes trailed over to her sister.
"Sure, Harriet." Pearl gave a tight-lipped smile. "There is no pain without gain. The intensity of the heat can only make a meal more attractive. Right, Desmond?" She boldly flashed him a coquettish smile before his family.
Desmond froze briefly. He could already see a storm brewing above the dining table and he had no idea of what to do. Sensing his wife's gaze on him he quickly replied. "I don't know about that."
Harriet grip on her spoon tightened. But she managed to keep her emotions in check knowing that in a matter of minutes, Pearl would no longer have control of her actions.
"Daddy, are you alright?" Claudia asked innocently, staring at his paled face.
Desmond gulped down the huge lump that was already forming in his throat, while averting his mistress gaze. "Why do you ask honey?"
"Because you're acting like me when mommy is about to get mad and scold me," Claudia noted, pointing to his trembling hands.
"Stop talking nonsense, baby, and eat your meal." Harriet cautioned her last daughter.
"Maybe the little girl is telling the truth after all. Maybe daddy has really done something bad, and Mama is going to spank him real good." Pearl drawled the last part.
"Pearl!" Regina glared at her sister.
"What? Don't I have my freedom of speech anymore?" Pearl dropped her spoon after taking another scoop of the inferno. Her mouth was on fire and so was her body. She couldn't explain what was happening to her, but she knew the room felt so hot, and she needed to cool down.
"Auntie, you should really try this beef stew. They are really delicious too," Gwen said, pinching Pearl from the side, worried by her uncontrolled behaviour.
"There is no need for that, Gwen." Pearl flashed her niece a disgruntled look. "I can manage this spicy food."
"Let's not quarrel on the table," Harriet spoke calmly while grinning devilishly at the way Pearl was already sweating. "Let's just enjoy our meal." She tilted her gaze to her husband who was yet to eat his own meal.
"Honey, is something wrong?"
"How do you mean?" Desmond raised a brow, still holding his spoon down.
"You haven't eaten your food or don't you like your favourite lasagna soup anymore?" Harriet gave him a half-hearted frown, a forced expression that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Yes, Dad. You haven't touched your food since we started eating." Elsie pointed out taking the attention away from the mistress.
"Mom went through a whole lot preparing that pasta soup just for you. She didn't even let me taste it." David pouted as if he wanted the lasagna soup.
"Of course, I love your mother's cooking, children. She's the best chef in the whole world and I'm going to prove it to you all by finishing this bowl of lasagna soup."
"Mmmm...." Harriet beamed in satisfaction as her husband took a scoop of the soup into his mouth.
Immediately the fiery flavour connected with his tongue and throat; his eyes almost popped out from the burning sensation.
"So...do you like it?" Harriet asked, beaming at the way her husband's eyes instantly turned moist.
"Mhmm..." Desmond nodded going for his glass of wine to cool down the inferno in his mouth, while wondering if his wife emptied a drum of pepper into the lasagna soup.
"Great! Eat up I have something even more delicious for dessert." Harriet resumesld eating her lentil soup.
"Can someone please turn on the AC. This place is hot." Pearl suddenly blurted out, hitting her fist on the table, causing everyone on the table to flinch.
"Pearl, what has come over you?" Regina took this golden opportunity to stop eating entirely.
"Are you just going to sit down there and pretend bloody soup is not excessively peppery?" Pearl yelled at her elder sister, standing up
"Shut the f*ck up, Gwen." Pearl completely lost control as the drug in her system slowly kicked in.
"Ah!" Claudia closed both her ears while Elsie and David glared at the shameless mistress of their father.
Harriet just folded her hands across her chest, her expression cold and dangerous.
"Pearl, watch your language." Desmond stood up, the scraping sound of his chair almost deafening. "If you haven't noticed, this is a family gathering and there are children here."
"Children!" Pearl guffawed loudly like an insane lady on spring break. "What bloody children are you talking about?"
"Sweet heaven!" Gwen cupped her mouth, her widened eyes almost popping.
"What did you just call my children!" Desmond's hands balled into a fist. He was about to move away from his seat but Harriet stopped him.
"Elsie take Claudia to her room now and stay there with her. Take your food too." Harriet finally stood up ready for the show she had prepared.
"Yes, Mom." Elsie quickly carried her dumbfounded youngest sister out of the dining room while eying Pearl with disgust.
"David, go." Harriet gave her son a nonverbal signal to activate the next plan.
"Yes, mom." David stood up from the table flashing his father and Pearl a grim look before leaving.
"Desmond, Harriet, please." Regina abruptly stood up clasping both hands. "I think my sister is high on something. She doesn't normally act . Please forgive...."
"Oh shut up, Gina," Pearl growled, kicking her chair backwards with her heels. She angrily slapped the plate of hot, peppery soup on the table, causing it to spill on Gwen's lap and pink blouse.
"Ahh!" Gwen cried out in pain but Pearl didn't show any form of empathy or remorse as she continued insulting her sister.
"Grow a spine already and stop acting dumb just as you did before Greg threw you out of his house like a rag doll."