11. Family meeting

GIANNA

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I didn’t want to attend a family meeting, especially one where the three people I currently hated the most would be present; Brandon, Bailey, and Bernice. It was called a family meeting but somehow, Bailey was invited. When did she become a part of the family?

Fuck, I didn’t even know why I was referring to him as my family.

“Gianna, why aren’t you dressed yet?” My mother scolded me when she came into my room and saw me in the sweatpants I’d been wearing all day.

“I’m not going if Sheila isn’t going,” I told her honestly. Sheila wanted to be in attendance but my parents said it had nothing to do with her. Sure, my mom would be supporting me but she could easily be swayed. Sheila could stand her ground, especially as she hated Bailey and Bernice.

“Don’t be a child, Gianna. This has to do with your marriage.”

“What marriage? It’s over already. Or do you think meeting with his family will make me change my mind?” Even if I was reluctant to finalize the divorce, I couldn’t imagine going back to him, knowing nothing had changed. Bailey was still pregnant with his child and he was still going to father the child. I didn’t see the point of the meeting but my parents did. My mother wanted to scold Brandon while my father wanted to know what went wrong between us despite how many times I explained what happened.

He had been eager to marry me off to the Bakers and he definitely wanted us back together. That wouldn’t happen in a million years though. I didn’t want my child to be stuck in such a toxic environment. Bailey was a bitch and I’d be crazy to raise my child around her.-

“Gianna!”

“I’m not going if Sheila isn’t,” I repeated. My mom didn’t want me to get divorced. To her, it was shameful, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to beg for Brandon’s affection. I wasn’t going to deny the fact that I still loved him but I had respect for myself and wasn’t going to reduce myself to begging for the bare minimum.

“Fine.” She said through gritted teeth. “You can bring your younger sister with you but hurry up and get dressed.”

“Sure thing.”

My mother left my room after that and I went to Sheila’s room to let her know the good news. She was eager to put Bernice in her place, which was why she was so happy to return to Brandon’s family house. She hadn’t been there since I got married. It was a literal mansion and I was reminded of their wealth whenever I visited with Brandon.

As we got dressed, my mother kept on rushing us. I let her know we were going to go in my car but she insisted on us going together because she was certain we’d be late. That was true but I didn’t tell her that.

When we were ready to go, Sheila and I rode in my car anyway. The driver took my mom and dad in their car and I drove behind them. I left Brandon’s house in anger almost a week ago and I’d be seeing him for the first time since we fought.

I could only hope I was able to maintain my stance when k saw him. Noticing my nervousness, Sheila placed her hand on mine, squeezing gently. I glanced at her, smiling briefly to assure her I was fine.

A few minutes later, we drove behind our parents into the Baker mansion. They didn’t even have the decency to welcome us at the front door. One of the maids opened the door for us and led us into the dining room.

The five of them stood up at our arrival and they all greeted each other while Sheila and I stood off to the side. Against my will, my eyes were stuck on Brandon. He looked handsome as usual but his five o’clock shadow was present and his eyes were quite dull. Good. At least, he was suffering as much as I was. I acted tough on the outside but I cried myself to sleep every night. I low-key wished Brandon would abandon Bailey and beg for my forgiveness.

Brandon was avoiding my gaze. Bernice, on the other hand, looked straight at me, a small smirk decorating her lips. I gritted my teeth. She had played me and I was stupid enough to fall for it. I didn’t even know what I did wrong to her but she hated me at first sight.

“Hey, Sheila. I wasn’t expecting to see you today.” She addressed my sister.

“Well, my sister is present. How couldn’t I be? You’re here with your brother, aren’t you?”

I saw Bernice’s eye twitch at Sheila’s words. It was her house which was a good enough excuse but she was too angry to think about it. Sheila implying that she was following her brother around was enough to set her off.

My mom nudged Sheila, warning her with her eyes to stay quiet.

“Take your seats, please.” Brandon’s mother suggested and we all did.

Nine of us sat around the table and I didn’t know why they thought it was a good idea, but they started serving food. I didn’t come to eat with them at the same table. I came to get things over with. Unfortunately for me, I was sitting opposite Brandon while Sheila was opposite Bernice. Bailey was opposite my mom and my dad was opposite Brandon’s mom. His father sat at the head of the table.

“Let’s have lunch first.” Brandon’s father said. “We can discuss after.”

“I don’t have an appetite,” I spoke up, not caring about how awkward the others would feel.

Bernice snorted, taking the liberty to respond to me. “Then don’t eat.”

“Shut up, Bernice. Treat her with respect. She’s older than you.” Sheila reprimanded her on my behalf.

Bernice opened her mouth to retort but Brandon cut in. “Sheila’s right. G is older than you.” I narrowed my eyes on him at the nickname and he was quick to look away. I didn’t know why he was pretending we didn’t scream at the top of our voices to each other.

Bernice would be shooting fireballs through her sockets if she could. She gripped her fork tightly and lowered her gaze, holding herself back.

Sheila nudged my leg underneath the table, chuckling silently. I held back my laugh as well. My favorite pastime was seeing that little brat being put in her place and I almost forgot the reason I was there in the first place.

“Let’s be respectful at the table.” My father spoke.

But my mom was having none of it. “Gianna is right though. There’s no appetite. Let’s go straight to the point and talk about how Brandon embarrassed the family by getting another woman pregnant.”