billion book
The Family Dinner
Chapter 25 The Family Dinner
PRAWNS & SHRIMPS RESTAURANT, NEW YORK. Asher got out of the car, checking out the restaurant space. He has always heard about the Prawns and Shrimps but never got the chance to visit. Not because he couldn’t afford it; it was just never on his bucket list. Rumor has it that Chad Davis owns the place, and only VIPs are allowed to eat there. He chuckled to himself at hitting the jackpot. Leila pushed past him. “Will you quit looking around like you have never seen something like this?” She hissed. “You are always so impatient, Mum. Sometimes it’s nice to take it all in without being in such a hurry every damn time.” He said. Darren cleared his throat loudly, “I understand we need this person. But that doesn’t mean I will be so low to please them. I am a pioneer of packaged foods in the country. I deserve to be as regarded as anyone else. So respect yourself, son. Don’t make me lose my patience.” Asher groaned inwardly. He would never understand his parent’s ego. Even though they are at a terrifying loss, their pride doesn’t seem to have depreciated. “Let’s all go in. They are expecting us.” He urged. Andrea ran towards them when she sighted the Taylor Family. “Hey, baby.” She cooed at Asher, hugging him. “Welcome, Leila and Darren. My parents are eager to meet you.” She said. To their disappointment, nothing about Chad or Julia says they are delighted to meet them. The introduction was cold, and Leila wasn’t taking any of the disregard. Halfway through their meal, Asher tried to chip in some business ideas quickly to break the ice. “Sir, how is the software market lately?” Asher asked Chad. Chad made a grumbling sound, but the pleading touch of Andrea underneath the table made him get himself together. “It’s doing fine. How about the food business? I hear M&M Foods has been facing serious competition lately.” “I didn’t realize the software businesses are now nosediving into the food package business,” Darren stated, his words heavy with sarcasm. Chad didn’t fail to catch on. He had something to say in return. “Of course, it will be news to all business sectors since someone got greedy and almost ran it down. Thanks to brilliant minds like that of this young man.” He did a proud nod towards Asher. Darren gritted his teeth but maintained his cool. His financial derail seemed to have caught the attention of everyone in the business sector. He made a foolish decision, of which he is very much aware. What he does not need is a mere stranger pointing it out to him. Leila gave him a side eye to not even think of saying a word. “We are doing just great as it is. Our products are topping the market.” Asher chipped in quickly. The tension seems to be getting tighter with each passing moment. “Sure, they are. I have a favorite. The peppered chips are amazing. It’s something I love to snack on whenever my brain is busy.” Chad smiled for the first time since they all sat. Asher thinned his lips. That idea was solely Nina’s. The entire company was shocked at the massive sales they made. And it is still one of their best sellers amongst the many others she made. Andrea cleared her throat. “So, Dad, what do you think about Asher?” She said, already tired of the dull evening. Chad wiped at his lips with a napkin. “Asher, you want to get married to Andrea.” “Yes, sir.” He smiled brightly, extending his hand to Andrea. While holding her gaze like she is the most beautiful thing he has ever set his eyes on. “She brightens up my world.” “Do you feel the same too, Andrea?” Chad asked. She nodded eagerly. “You see, I never oppose anything Andrea does as long as Andrea is happy. Suppose starting a lifelong journey with you is what she wants. Then so be it. I will support you two all the way. Julia, what do you think?” He called out to her. Julia, who had been quiet since they gathered, only tilted her head to the side, making a nod. “Like you said, as long as she is happy.” She mumbled while smirking at Andrea. Andrea gulped, wishing she could snatch the smirk off her face. “Thanks, mum and dad.” “I have to leave now. It’s nice meeting you. Let me know about the wedding date.” Chad said, standing up. “I should join you too,” Julia added quickly. Asher stood to see them to the door, but Andrea stopped him. “Don’t worry, baby. I will escort them and come back. Please enjoy yourself, Darren and Leila.” She said, hurrying off. They had parked their cars at the back of the restaurant so no one would notice that both parents came in separate cars. “Can’t believe I had to sit through that!” Julia hissed as she put on her shades and headed for the car. If Andrea hadn’t been so adamant and Chad had told her to be reasonable, she wouldn’t have come. Andrea and Chad watched as Julia got into her car and drove off without batting an eyelash at them. “She always does this. Always unbothered about everyone.” Chad coughed and made their way to his car. Andrea ran after him. He reached into his bag and wrote out a check for ten million dollars, handing it to Andrea. “Here, this is all I have to give you. Remember I said I would take responsibility until you do get married? It’s nice to know you are marrying into a good one that fits the taste you were born with. I don’t think I will make it to the wedding but trust that I will send you a gift. Have a good life, Andrea. It was nice being your father while it lasted.” He said, getting into his car. Her eyes filled with tears that covered it heavily as she folded the check into her purse. Andrea can’t help but curse at her mother for being so wayward. Her parents had a huge fight when she was rounding up college. None of them would tell her the reason behind their determined separation. Until one day, when she was making demands from her father on the shopping, she was determined to go. Chad must have been tired of pretending. She didn’t expect his outburst that day. He had always treated her like an egg. He said to her then that he was not her father. Andrea’s world came crumbling down on her that very day. Her title of the heiress to a multimillion-dollar company vanished at that point. When she confronted her mother, Julia admitted to the truth. Andrea felt shattered. However, Chad didn’t push them away, just like that, being the good person he has always been. He gave them a house to their name and also kept sending monthly checks to Andrea with the promise to stop when she fell in love and got married. He was also determined to help her set up a business if she brought a proposal to him. She could not think of any business and felt too lazy to work. Andrea thinks the best thing is to put up the facade of being a heiress until she finds a wealthy family to marry. Also, her trust fund was all hers to keep. And since rich men up to her taste were hard to come by. Snatching one seemed like the best option. Inhaling deeply, she tried not to think of the worst. All this is until she gets married to Asher, and she would never have to worry about anything in her life anymore. The excellent life sure was made for her. Dabbing at her face, she smiled broadly and returned to meet her future family.