Brenda exchanged a gaze with Margaret. Although there wasn’t even a subtle change in the old woman’s expression, still it was like Margaret understood what she was intending to say. She blinked once and the old woman turned to look back at Arwen, saying a meaningful tone.Margaret, did you hear her? Brenda said, eyeing Arwen with narrowed gaze. She now feels stuffy and suffocating here. Alas, how easily girls forget their homes after meeting their husbands. They couldn’t even think of the place being the same. Instead without their husband, they feel everywhere suffocating.She then paused and asked in a quirky tone, What? Have you replaced oxygen with your husband? So now that he is not here, you are feeling suffocating?Arwen blinked speechlessly …After a brief pause, she nodded and spoke, Is that how you plan to switch the subjects now, Granna? Then shaking her head, slow and deliberate, she added, Sigh, over the years I thought one would only upskill themselves. How did you start deteriorating in your ways?Arwen didn’t need to ponder another minute to know what her grandmother was trying to do. Even if she hadn’t seen the small exchange between her grandmother and Aunt Margaret, she could tell what she was upto.And earlier when she had entered the house, she had felt the tense air too obvious. At that time, she just wanted to ease the atmosphere, but that never meant she wouldn’t inquire about the reason behind it. Hence, after a brief while, she rephrased her words and asked again, What had happened, Granna? You know that even if you try, you won’t be able to hide it from me for long. So, tell me without waiting for long.Arwen was right and Brenda knew it as well. No matter what she tried to hide, Arwen would know it sooner or later. It just that she wished that when that time came, the young lass wouldn’t hate her too much. She might have taken her daughter’s hatred, but she wouldn’t be able to bear her granddaughter’s.’It’s about — Brenda opened her mouth to speak but Arwen read her thoughts too well.So, before she could say anything, she interrupted her saying, Granna, you better don’t tell me it’s regarding business if you really want to weave a story. Make it something believable even if you want to lie.Given since the last few years, Arwen has been handling everything regarding the Davies Empire Hotels, she was sure nothing regarding the business would have stirred such reaction from her grandmother.But then if it’s not about the business, what else could be?After all, there were only two things that could stir her grandmother’s mood. One was the business and the other was Catrin Quinn.Suddenly, Arwen’s expression hardened and she asked, Was it her?Even though Arwen hadn’t mentioned the name, Brenda knew who was she referring to. She didn’t respond and her silence like that only made Arwen frown more. Her fingers clenched into fists.So, it was her, she grunted. Did she blame you again?Brenda shook her head. You are exaggerating your mother, Wennie. How can it be her? Do you think I will sit back and listen to her?Arwen shrugged, ready to retort. Well, you have always done that.What?You always sit back and listen to her ramble as if you owed her this, Arwen reasoned.Well, didn’t I? Brenda quirked her brows. I mean since a young age, you always ran to me. No doubt your mother has gotten more and more insecure.First of all, she is not my mother, Arwen said with more emphasis so that she makes herself clear on that. And then pausing, she added, And the second thing, she doesn’t have the right to blame or grow insecure when it was her who always left me behind. I just ran to you because I didn’t want to stay alone.Brenda’s eyes teared a little in adoration but before her tears would have become visible, she blinked it off and nodded. Oh, it’s like that, she said. I understand. After all, even I like the young lass following me everywhere.The small silence ensued in the air and neither of them spoke for a while. After some time, Arwen’s voice cut through it as she said, Granna.Hmm?You don’t always have to listen to her, Arwen spoke softly. Her words weighed more than she has intended them to. You don’t owe her anything. At least, in nothing that involves me.Brenda paused but then nodded. After a while, she asked, By the way why are you here today, leaving your husband-oxygen behind? I am sure you are definitely not here for getting suffocated. Or, are you truly here for that?Arwen hadn’t expected the subject to return back to that. Her face flushed and she awkwardly looked at Margaret, before speaking, Granna, what are you even speaking? Of course, I am here to see you. And since when does a woman have to take her husband everywhere? Can’t I come here alone, on my own?What can’t you? Brenda said as if she couldn’t understand. You can always, of course. But I won’t take it if you come here and flaunt your man. After all, I still live here in this stuffy place, and it’s not at all suffocating.Arwen was rendered speechless …Could she even say anything after that?Knowing that she could, Arwen didn’t even try. She simply reached for her back and retrieved a velvet box from inside. Turning back to her grandmother, she handed it to her and said, Of course, I understand. And I am not here to flaunt ‘my man’. She then gestured her to look at the box. Rather I am here to flaunt this. Check this out and tell me how is it?Brenda took the velvet box in her hand and then slowly opened it. Contemplating the earrings inside, she slowly nodded appreciatively. It’s not bad.Arwen hadn’t expected much of the reaction. So, when her grandmother didn’t give an exaggerated one, she took a deep breath and said, Great, that you didn’t dislike it. I got it for you the last time, but I forgot to give it to you. So, I thought I would make a round here and deliver it to you personally. Sigh, no one appreciated my good intentions, instead, you found ways to tease me.
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