A Family Gathering

The car parked in front of the Anderson's mansion, and Hazel was still in deep thought, trying to understand everything that was going on.

Why was this man being nice with her, and why did he make her family believe that he was comfortable with the marriage when from the first day he wanted to marry Nady?

"I have some urgent work at the office; you should go in." Coyle brought her out of her trance; the driver had already pulled her side of the door open, patiently waiting for Hazel to step down.

"Mr. Anderson,"

"Coyle," he corrected. Hazel was confused for some seconds before she got to understand that he wanted her to call him by his name, but that felt so wrong to her.

"Have a nice day." Hazel had to refrain from what she wanted to say; it was better than calling his name; they weren't so close.

She hurried down the car and walked into the mansion. She was visited with the loud clattering sound of dishes from the kitchen.

"What's happening?" Hazel walked to the kitchen, where she found an older lady going through the dishes.

"Where did these maids keep the salt?" She had a frustrated look. The old lady was Muna, Coyle's grandma, who had come to visit her grandson and new granddaughter-in-law but was welcomed with an empty home.

Then she decided to make a meal for her grandson but couldn't find the salt where last she kept it. "I warned those maids not to move things all the time, ah God," she sighed heavily, and Hazel hurried to her.

"Excuse me, ma'am, can I help you?" Hazel noticed the woman looked pale and was sweating a lot.

"I want salt," she scolded and pulled the kitchen stool and sat on it. Hazel filled a glass of water and shoved it to Muna's lips. "Have some water first; I will get the salt for you."

Muna drank all the contents in the glass before she stared at Hazel; her image matched the picture shown to her by their family butler.

"Hazel," Muna's face immediately lit up; she stood up and pulled Hazel into a tight hug.

"Ma'am.." Hazel was confused. Who was this woman?

"Grandma, you should call me that." Muna chuckled, and Hazel nodded without asking why.

Her Innocence amazed Muna; she had met a lot of people in her 80-year journey of life, and she was also an excellent judge of character.

Just by seeing Hazel, she could tell Hazel was the angel Coyle needed in his life.

"I am Coyle's grandma; didn't he tell you about me?" Muna questioned, and Hazel got all nervous; she slightly bowed in apology for not recognizing her.

"I am so sorry; it's all my fault."

Muna burst out in laughter; she turned off the gas and held Hazel's hand before they both moved to the sitting room.

"How are you, child? Did Coyle treat you right?" She asked once they were comfortable on the couch.

Hazel had a smile-a confused one, though. She was wondering if to explain the situation to the old woman, who was obviously oblivious.

"She called me Hazel." Hazel thought, it only meant the old woman knew her grandson was married to Hazel and not Nady. Why isn't this causing any trouble?

"Did he mistreat you?" Muna asked worriedly once she noticed Hazel hadn't said anything.

"No, not all," Hazel quickly refuted. A sound of a ringtone echoed around the room. Muna retracted her phone and accepted the call.

"I know about the doctor's appointment; don't pressure me," she snorted and ended the call.

Staring at Hazel, a warm smile formed on her face. "Child, tomorrow we have a family gathering. You should come along with Coyle; it will be good for you to meet the other members of the Anderson family; what do you say?"

Hazel didn't know how to answer that; of course it was a good idea, but it wasn't her decision to make.

"You will come, right? Promise me," Muna kept insisting, but Hazel didn't want to give in; she didn't want to agree to something that wasn't okay with Coyle.

"I understand. We are not Coyle's parents, and you probably don't find us important and..."

"No, we will come." Hazel butted in at once. What did Muna mean by she didn't consider them important? She will never think that just because they weren't his biological parents.

"You promise, right?" Muna asked excitedly, and Hazel nodded. Well, it was just to tell Coyle about it, and since it was his family, then he will surely buy the idea.

Muna bid Hazel goodbye before she got to her car and her driver took off. Hazel sighed and returned to the kitchen to complete the cooking Muna had started.

Hazel spent the day familiarizing herself with the mansion and also admiring the structure. It was around 9 p.m. when she heard the revving sound of a car engine outside.

Hazel stood by the kitchen door with her gaze stuck to the door, her heart pounding hard across her chest.

Coyle walked in while on a phone call; he stopped his gaze when he noticed Hazel, who was wondering if she was to approach him and greet.

"Good evening Mr. Anderson," Hazel muttered, and Coyle walked towards her. He ended his call and nudged his head. She gave him a questioning look. What was he nudging his head for?

"Is that the way to greet your husband?" He had a teasing look; she bit her lower lip nervously, oblivious to her. This petty act of hers had made Coyle's eyes darken a little. His body was filled with desire, but he knew he had to go slower with her; he needed her to love him genuinely.

"I will freshen up." He walked towards the stairs, and Hazel hurried behind him.

"Your grandma was here," she stated. He halted his steps and turned to her; he was waiting for her to conclude her statement.

"She is very nice," Hazel said, and Coyle nodded. He knew that already. Besides, he had grown up with that woman.

"She also asked us to come to a family gathering tomorrow; of course, I had objected because I didn't know how you would feel about it."

"A family gathering?" Coyle asked, and she nodded. He thought for a while and said, "My grandma could come over and we could have a meal; is that okay?"

She shook her head at the negative; Muna had mentioned some other relatives of his that she needed to meet.

"I mean your uncle and..."

"Stop, I will consider it a bother if you mention this again." He had a warning gaze, very different from his initial calm look.