Oh, so this was their way of asking for money?
“What gift?”
“You didn’t forget what we talked about yesterday, did you?” Nicolas‘ face darkened.
I put on a look of sudden realization. “Oh! Right, I remember now.”
Pulling out my phone, I pretended to take a call. “Yes, okay Just leave it at the door.”
Nicolas‘ mother immediately assumed I had brought more gifts and broke into a delighted smile as she hurried to open the door.
“Oh, you’re so thoughtful! Coming all this way and still bringing gifts.”
I smiled politely. “Just a little something, ma’am. No need to thank me.”
A few seconds later, Nicolas‘ mother returned, her expression sour, carrying a carton of milk.
When Nicolas saw what she was holding, his face fell as well. “This is the gift you prepared?”
I casually crossed one leg over the other and replied with a shrug, “Yep. What did you think it was?”
The three of us stared at each other in tense silence, broken only by Nicolas‘ little brother, who came running over, beaming as he grabbed the milk.
“Yes! My favorite!”
At that moment, the front door opened again, and a tall, thin middle–aged man walked in, bearing a striking resemblance to Nicolas. I immediately guessed he must be Nicolas‘ father.
Before his mother could say anything, the door opened once more, and a group of people flooded in.
“Well, look who’s back–our eldest nephew!”
“Doesn’t he look different now? You can tell he’s got the air of a big boss.”
Two men, two women, and a handful of kids squeezed into the small room, instantly filling it with noise and chatter.
I could already feel a headache coming on. I’d planned to confront Nicolas tonight, demand my money back, and break things off. But, of course, it just had to happen on the night his family decided to visit.
Then again, blood ties truly worked in mysterious ways.
This bizarre family’s relatives were no better.
“Well, now, who’s this? Nicolas, is this your girlfriend?”
Nicolas nodded. “Yes, Aunt Ruth, this is Claire.”
