16. Solicitors

3RD PERSON POV

Knox family house….

The smell of money was almost in the air.

The Knox family house stood elegantly giving a subtle touch of royalty..

In the dinner hall sat Mr Knox and his wife as they entertained their visitors for dinner in their fortune-worthy dress.

Mr and Mrs Reyes are not less dressed either as they effortlessly oozed out practiced elegance and courtesy.

Dabbing the corners of his mouth with the servette, Mr Knox dropped his cutlery and reached for his goblet.

“It's quite an honor to have you for dinner once again, Mr Reyes” he let out a hearty laughter while his wife smiled bedside him.

“Oh please. I'd rather say it's an honor to get hosted by you instead” Mrs Reyes said, sipping her juice.

“Quite considerate of you, if you ask me” Mrs Knox smiled at the other older lady, her eyes squinting way too much. “You two have been all around for business trips and all, but to still find it in you to pay us a visit once in a while.”

“Of course, we should. I believe we are more than just friends. How and when the word ‘business partners’ even blurred between us over the years, I still can't understand.” 

Mr Knox let out another laughter at his friend, this time short. “I believe we could even be more friends as time goes on. We never can tell what could happen in a few years, right? Even our kids have bonded so well. Would you look at that?”

And just like that, they were right on the topic the Reyes had been dying to talk about all evening. Vienne was their only child, and for the past three years, they could tell having Ryan in her life had made her feel better. And less lonely whenever they were gone. But their break-up news some nights ago had somehow disturbed them. They knew it would somehow have affected her emotionally and they're going to do whatever they could to help her.

Mr Reyes cleared his throat, “talking about our kids, I had hoped somehow their relationship should even be closer than ours”

At that statement, the atmosphere around the table became a little serious.

“They are. They should. From what I can recall, they seem to be in a relationship. Aren't they?” Mr Knox asked in slight confusion, turning to his wife who only shrugged.

It was common knowledge between the two families that their kids are dating and perhaps could lead to marriage later on.

“Do you want to talk more about that Mr Reyes? Mrs Knox gave a skeptical soft laughter.

“Well, I had also believed they were until some days ago. Well you know, these kids. It's normal to have a little fall out in a relationship once in a while which I believe is the situation between them now”

“They broke up?” Mr Knox blurted this question in surprise.

“I would not want to call it that,” Vienne's mother said. “I believe it's just for the moment”

“Ryan never mentioned that?” Mrs Knox said “He isn't home right now though”

“He doesn't have to be. Well, I believe they would sort themselves out later but there is no harm in helping a bit.” Said Mrs Reyes, earning a grunt of approval from her husband.

“They are kids, trivial matters could have caused the misunderstanding. And I'm pretty sure their pride would be getting the best of them and it could worsen whatever the issue is.” 

“Mr Knox, your wife mentioned earlier that it's a matter of time and they could short themselves out, which I believe. They are not really kids or dense.; they should know what's good for them now too. They would be fine” Mrs Knox dismissed with a slight air of haughtiness. 

Were the Reyes coming to solicit on behalf of their daughter?? Ha! Almost pathetic.

Her last comment seemed to have set an uncomfortable sensation in the hall, but she decided to be oblivious to their reaction. She merely reached for her glass of juice.

The tiny jab and change in energy had not gone past Mrs Reyes though. It wasn't their fault. “Right but there is still no harm in trying”

“Ease your worry. When Ryan gets back from school, we would have a chat” Mr Knox attempted to ease the tension.

*************

Mrs Knox watched with a sneer as the Reyes drove off and out of their compound. Her facial expression had taken an unbelievable change from all smiles to a dark contemptuous look. It was almost mainly directed at the other lady. 

Subtly she'd always envied Mrs Reyes who gets to follow her husband to business trips and sit in boardroom while making contributions unlike her, who's is always home, planning stupid parties.

“I knew they had a motive in coming over tonight” she said to her husband

“Is Ryan back though? he should have mentioned about his break up with Vienne”

“Leave Ryan alone. It isn't compulsory he ends up with Vienne. There are other girls. Who knows what she might have done to provoke my son. Let him do whatever he wants, please.” she hissed lowly.

And her husband only raised a brow at her, his hands clasped behind him as he assessed her.

His wife had that seemingly calm sweet look that deceives people. It would take a while for them to realize she could be worse.

“I never really fancied her anyways…” shemuttered sashaying her way into the hous