Taken aback, Angela took the invitation card from Daphne’s hand. She then ripped open the girdle, revealing a handwritten note inside an enveloped card.
“Dear Miss Meyers, The Golden Peony Charity Dinner cordially invites you to join us for our annual dinner celebration. We eagerly await your arrival and thank you for taking the time to meet with us.” The simple invitation was signed by a person named Scarlet Husson.
“Mom, this is the name of Richard’s mother.” Angela gasped with one hand covering her mouth.
Daphne noticed it as well and could not help but ask, “Have you met his mother?”
“I’ve never seen her,” Angela replied while shaking her head.
“That’s probably because she knows you’re Richard’s girlfriend and specifically invited you to this dinner.”
Has Richard told his mother about me? Why else am I invited?
Daphne looked intently at her daughter as a sense of worry surged within her. She hoped that Angela’s future mother-in-law would adore her and generously accept her into the Lloyd Family.
“Angela, show your best self at this dinner party. It’s possible that this is a test from your future mother-in-law.”
To that, Angela could not help but clench her fists and nod, “I know, Mom.”
She then dialed Richard’s phone number as she left the reception area.
“Hello,”
“Did you bring up our relationship with your mother?” she inquired, clearly intrigued.
“What’s the matter?”
“I just received a dinner invitation from your mother and I’m perplexed.”
“My mother appears to be very eager to meet her future daughter-in-law.” Richard, on the other end of the phone, was clearly unsurprised because he had told his mother at the base that he would bring his girlfriend home.
Angela reluctantly expressed her concern to him, “I had just gotten out of your car when my mother saw me carrying a bouquet of flowers! When she asked about our relationship, I told her everything. Now, I’ll have to spill all the beans to everyone in my family.”
“I’ll do it,” he uttered quietly as if he was willing to withstand all blame and criticism by himself.
However, she flatly refused. “You are not allowed to speak. I was the one who got it all started, I owe my family an apology.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“They are my family. They’ll never hurt me and I only hope to receive their blessings. Don’t worry, I’m going to be fine.” promised Angela.
Richard wanted to protect her from being hurt and criticized, but she had the same thoughts-no matter how serious the mistake was, she would take on all of it and never involve him.
It was the evening and Angela had invited Annie out to dinner. Coincidentally, Annie was also getting ready for a trip and she gladly agreed to accompany her. At around 5.00PM, Angela drove to pick up Annie, who emerged in a casual outfit as she opened the door of the passenger seat and smiled. “Angela, my luggage is all packed. I’ve already booked a flight and I will be leaving in two days.”
“Are you traveling by yourself?”
“No, I invited a few of my classmates to join me. I’ll have many companions there!”
Nodding, Angela then drove to a well known western restaurant. She did not want to spoil Annie’s dinner appetite, so she refrained from saying anything before their meal.
After dinner, she suggested a walk in a nearby park and the two went there. Despite the fact that Annie was usually a lighthearted character, she could tell Angela was full of thoughts.
“Angela, are you having any troubles? Why do you look so down this entire evening?”
At last, Angela led Annie to a bench and raised her head before saying, “Annie, I have something to tell you. What I am about to say may possibly hurt you, and you can blame or shout at me all you want after hearing it, but you must remain calm and rational.”
