Davis looked at Jessica lightly, a smile on his lips "Are you angry?" He queried.
Jessica let go of his hand, glared at him "Aren’t you happy she is drooling over you?"
Jessica felt her emotion all over the place. She had also praised herself for her composure but that gaze has rattled her up. She felt uncomfortable that Vera’s has never left Davis for a second since they entered.
"Okay, don’t be angry. I wouldn’t let her look at me again", Davis mumbled. He didn’t know why but he felt himself in a good mood seeing her angry because of Vera’s gaze.
"How will you do that? Shut her eyes or shut yours?" Davis was stumped. He will never be able to keep up with her thinking.
"Okay, can we leave. At least she won’t be seeing me then." He smirked, Jessica huffed and shut her eyes again.
A slow footstep with the rattling of a walking cane made Jessica open her eyes. Elder Allen with the support of the butler Alfred entered the living room.
His gray hair had turned as white as wool, his face wrinkled with age, his hand shaky on the walking stick, his usual cold and stern feature now frail. The sight of him triggered so many complicating thoughts and emotion in Davis heart as gaze rested on him.
Though, the Allen family had disappointed him. His grandfather had always loved and cared about him.
He was angry with him, just couldn’t accept him allowing Desmond take over everything he has laboured for over the years, he was unreconciled with the result and his possible silence over everything that had happened but —that was all.
Looking at him now, he felt conflicted. Elder Allen walked step by step and stopped before him. His gaze on him warm.
He has always imagined how he is coping with his new status but seeing the glowing young man before him, he felt relieved. His eyes flickered to the lady beside him and rested there.
Jessica felt his gaze on her. She stood up, took a few steps toward him, and curtsied in greeting. Elder Allen patted her back lightly in appreciation.
He had refused Desmond idea of getting a wife for Davis but Desmond had gone ahead to complete the marriage proposal, acceptance, dowry and conditions leaving him with no option than to accept the fact.
But now seeing his granddaughter in-law and his grandson, Elder Allen felt relieved. If only he didn’t lose his legs may be he will look forward to seeing his great grandchild.
Elder Davis gaze lasted longer on Jessica that she felt uncomfortable at the scrutinizing gaze. Her eyes narrowed lightly as a thought crossed her mind.
Slowly she walked over and held his hand offering to lead him to his seat, Elder Allen was very happy and hurriedly asked Alfred to let go which he promptly did.
Desmond stared at Jessica warily, with a slow steady step she lead him to the couch while she subtly checked his pulse. Her brow furrowed lightly.
After settling him down, she turned around to go back to her seat —"Nora", he called contemplatively, his voice low but clear enough to be heard.
The air froze, Jessica spurned around. Her shock evident on her face. Desmond and Aaron gasped while Davis stared at him incredulously.
"Do you know my mother?" She asked. Elder Allen stared at her for a while before averting his gaze in silence. Jessica looked at him and couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to him.
"Dinner is ready", Vera’s voice filtered through as she and the maids set up the dinning room.
When she didn’t get any response, she glanced back to the sitting room. The tension in the air palpable, their faces and expressions aren’t right.
She wondered what might have transpired, her gaze flickered to Jessica not missing the contemplative gaze on her face as she stared at Elder Allen whose gaze is also locked on her with emotions swirling in his eyes.
"Grandpa, dinner is ready", she smirked as she went over to him, her shoulder intentionally bumping into Jessica.
Jessica’s eyes turned cold and as she made to pass her by, she fell forward landing face down on the floor. Eliciting gasps from everyone in the room excluding Davis who watched on with a cold face.
Jessica hurried to help her up but she swatted her hand away "Don’t touch me", she snarled.
Jessica glanced around their faces. "Sister-in-law, don’t be angry. I’m only trying to help you up since your husband is stumped by your fall to help you up" she said with a wronged expression.
"I... I...was just... surprised." Aaron stammered as he glared at Jessica.
Vera’s fall had taken him unaware because one second she is standing but the next she is on the floor no matter how quick, his reflex is he couldn’t have saved her from falling down from that distance he was.
"Help your wife up, Aaron." Desmond instructed angrily. He couldn’t understand what this young man is thinking.
Vera had never been this embarrassed all her life, when had the Louis family daughter suffered any loss. Pamela standing at the side snickered. She didn’t expect the gods helping her.
Vera glared at Jessica, their eyes locked in a battle of wills and wits. She wouldn’t let this slide easily, recalling the meal she is setting up on the table, she sprang on her feet ignoring Aaron stretched out hand.
"Who wants him to help her up? Isn’t he happy of her fall? Isn’t he gloating at her embarrassment?"
Aaron clenched his fist in anger. Vera had totally ignored him, an insult to his ego and pride.
"Sister-in-law, I hope you aren’t hurt?" Jessica asked as Vera stood up. "How come you fell so heavily when there is nothing on your path?"
This question had been on everyone’s lip. Hearing her ask this question made their curious gazes fall on her.
Vera glared at Jessica who raised her brow in challenge. She dare her to say why she fell down. Vera huffed and walked out angrily.