Page 44 of Delilah In Discretion

Delilah

“Minimize interactions with them; no need to prolong any unnecessary conversations. Be attentive, make sure you follow along in all discussions to find any loopholes we can discuss later—” my father began, but I cut him off as I sighed.

“I feel like you give us this same lecture every time we’re going to see anyone, and because this is Calvin in particular, I feel like you’re preparing us for an upcoming war.”

My mother entered the room with Tyler on her hip and nodded. “Which is utterly useless because this lunch is met for you two to calm these differences you both have, not create more.”

“Exactly why I’m trying to prepare the children for what lies ahead.”

“Killian, nothing is going to happen—” my mother started, but my brother cut in, quickly dismissing it.

“You don’t know that for a fact, Mother. For all we know, Calvin could be trying to plot against us as we speak,” Zachary said, entering the room as he fixed his tie.

“What have I told you about encouraging your father, Zachary?!” Mom asked, growing irritated, and Zach shrugged.

“When you feed his ego, you get places in life. After fifteen years of marriage, Mother, I’m surprised you haven’t figured that out.”

My father shrugged his shoulders as he stood up. “He’s not wrong, love.” My mother sighed, exasperated, and I watched as my father placed a small kiss on her head. “But if you really want me to, I’ll make eye contact with him and make an effort to hold a conversation.”

She rolled her eyes and walked away. “God, at least it’s a start,” she muttered, and Zachary followed her out of the room.

I leaned back in my chair and smoothed down my dress. “I don’t mean to be rude, Dad, but you and I both know it’s not in your character to actually make conversation with Calvin willingly.”

“You must know me more than your mother does. At least you can see through my friendly façade.”

“For me, Dad... Can you please not stress her out today?”

“Darling, you don’t think she’s stressing me out?”

“You stress her out mentally and, not that I want to mention, but... physically sometimes. This ‘stress’ you’re feeling right now is nothing more than the feeling of pettiness.”

Dad looked at me for a moment in thought before he cleared his throat and looked away.

“George should be waiting for us outside. Gather your siblings and mother so we can get going.”

He walked away, and I laughed.

“You know I’m right,” I said, and he didn’t say anything as he walked into the next room.

Eventually, my mother had situated the twins with Reginald and Benjamin as Ivory, Zachary, and I were on our way to thecar. We entered the car, and we pulled off in the direction of the restaurant.

Once we reached the restaurant, my father’s face turned emotionless, and he was the first to get out of the car. My mother looked over to me and sighed heavily. I knew that look, which was basically begging for my help. I gave her an encouraging smile, and she grabbed my father’s hand as he outstretched it to her. She stepped out, and Ivory, Zach, and I followed suit.

We were directed to the restaurant’s entrance, and I noticed Uncle Blaine and Uncle Masahiko standing with Calvin and Andrew. Uncle Eugene was one of the people in our family who didn’t want anything to do with all the drama. He and his wife only came to events when necessary, but he mostly kept to himself and stayed with his family.

“Say hello, children,” I heard my father say, trying not to sound annoyed, and I looked up to see Archer with his eyes aimed at me.

I cleared my throat. “Hi…”

Archer tilted his head slightly. “Hello… Delilah,” he said, and my father looked over to us for a moment, causing me to avert my eyes to look at anyone but Archer.

I felt a hand on the small of my back, and I quickly looked to see Luca with a cocky smile on his face.

“Hello, Delilah. Don’t you just look absolutely beautiful?” he said, and I wasn’t able to say anything as he lifted my hand and placed a small kiss on it.

I felt my arm being pulled, and I looked to see Uncle Blaine glaring at Luca, who just had a sarcastic “apologetic” smile on his face.

“Control your son, Crawford,” my father said to Andrew, and only then did I notice that Archer had disappeared. Luca chuckled, and I followed my uncle to the table where we were going to sit.

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