Chapter 4 Surviving the Wilsons

Venice opened the door of their hotel room and was relieved to see Mike already dressed. She chased him out of the room to allow her to take a shower and get dressed for breakfast with her family. As Mike stepped out of the suite, she shed her clothes and stepped under the warm water, allowing her racing mind to feel some calm for the first time in hours. Venice was looking forward to seeing her younger brother Harry, the only member of her family that honestly got her. They had not seen each other in a while but they had remained in touch, always communicating over the phone.

Venice stepped out of the refreshing shower, the warmth of the water still lingering on her skin. She wrapped herself in a plush hotel robe as she anticipated the impending family drama. As she dried her hair with a towel, she couldn't help but smile when she thought of her younger brother, Harry. He was a beacon of positivity in their tumultuous family. According to her, he was the only one who had failed to inherit toxic genes. While Venice was lost in her thoughts, the sound of her phone's notification broke the silence. It was a message from Harry, sent with all the enthusiasm only he could muster. "Can't wait to see you, sis! I'm bringing Desire with me. She's so excited to finally meet you all!"

Venice's heart warmed with the anticipation of seeing Harry again and meeting Desire in person. She had heard so much about her, and their phone conversations had been full of laughter and positivity. Desire seemed to be the perfect match for Harry, and Venice couldn't wait to welcome her into the family.

"I'm excited to see you and also to meet Desire in person. Hope you told her that your mom, dad, and sister are all crazy. I think I am the only one close to normal." She quickly responded to his message.

After she finished drying her hair, she moved to the mirror to start applying her makeup. As she carefully blended her foundation, she couldn't help but mimic her sister, Keke. "Do you know, Bryan's my boyfriend? How can you not know Bryan? the Bryan Gonelli, Oh Bryan! Aww Bryan! Oooh Bryan! Bryan, Bryan, Bryan."

Venice rolled her eyes, chuckling softly at her own imitation. Keke had always been so proud of Bryan, the famous basketball player. It seemed like every family gathering revolved around him and his larger-than-life presence. She sighed, realizing that another day of enduring Bryan's stories and Keke's adoration lay ahead, she was definitely not excited about seeing Bryan.

Her makeup was flawless and her outfit was carefully chosen, Venice checked herself one more time in the mirror. She looked confident and well put together, she took a deep breath and left the room, locking the door behind her. In the hallway, she found Mike waiting patiently. He flashed her a warm smile. "Ready for breakfast with the family, Venice?"

She rolled her eyes and responded, "Well, do I have a choice?"

Venice knew that they had to get into character so she reluctantly allowed Mike to hold her hands as they walked in the restaurant.

The usually bustling restaurant was now quiet because it had been specially reserved for the Wilson's family dinner. With its grandiose chandeliers, silk curtains, and white marble floor, it was a beauty to behold. Despite the beauty of the restaurant, Venice felt a little uneasy as she and Mike entered. She noticed her younger sister Keke already seated at the large table. Keke looked up from her seat and smiled. "Here comes the beautiful couple," she said, "one a well-known head of marketing and the other a budding actor that has starred in no movie known to man."

Venice tried to ignore her sister but Mike responded, "A pleasant morning to you too."

Venice sighed and muttered under her breath, "Here we go again."

Keke's grin widened as she motioned for them to take their seats. Venice quietly settled into her chair, while Mike sat beside her, his gaze occasionally darting between the two sisters, sensing a dynamic he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Keke continued, "Since you are here sis, it would please you to know that my Bryan has arrived at the airport and he ran into Harry and his girlfriend Desire, they are all on their way here as we speak.'

Venice couldn't help but smile at the news. 'Great news.'

Keke leaned back in her chair, looking pleased with herself. "Oh, it gets even better," she announced with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Our parents have insisted on waiting for Harry, Bryan, and Desire to arrive before they have breakfast. They're relaxing in their suite right now. Once the trio arrives, the butler will notify them, and they'll join us for breakfast."

Venice responded with a nod trying to reduce conversation with her sister.

The wait was tense as Venice nervously anticipated meeting Harry, and Desire for the first time in person. She was nearly at the point of pacing when finally the butler announced the arrival of the guests.

Venice watched as her parents strolled into the magnificent restaurant chatting vivaciously with Bryan Gonelli, with her brother Harry and his girlfriend Desire following closely behind them. Keke immediately sprang up from her seat, assuming an excited stance.

"Oh baby, I've missed you so much!" she squealed with happiness as she brought Bryan into an embrace and planted a kiss on his lips. Venice smiled broadly immediately after she spotted her brother, she also got up to welcome her brother and his girlfriend. She hugged Desire first, complimenting her outfit, and then exchanged a warm embrace with Harry.

"Let's have a seat," Venice motioned Harry and Desire to sit beside her. She made all the introductions. Mike, the person Venice was sitting with, seemed particularly interested in Bryan Gonelli. He sprang up from his seat and bolted across the room.

"Sir, can I shake your hand? You are a legend," he exclaimed, requesting a photograph.

Venice glanced away in embarrassment at Mike's behavior. She watched as Keke chided him, "Mike, he just got off a long flight. Let him sit down."

Bryan smiled, "It's alright. I understand how people feel when they meet with someone they admire. I'll shake your hand, and then we can get the picture."

Mike smiled with satisfaction and thanked him before returning to his seat. Venice sighed, she noted that this was just the beginning of more embarrassments to come.

They all settled into their seats as they waited for the cook to serve them breakfast. Mike began the conversation, "Good morning Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Wilson." The couple merely grunted in response, with Mrs. Wilson giving him a contemptuous look. They all started chatting amongst themselves, with Venice chatting with Harry and Desire and Keke's parents chatting with Bryan and Keke. Keke, who was always brimming with excitement, began to tell her dad about Bryan winning a game in Germany before he came to join them. Mr and Mrs Wilson congratulated him. Bryan immediately brought out some special gifts he had bought for Keke's parents. They were custom-made designer watches from the Audemars Piguet brand. Keke, speaking with pride, informed the table that these watches were unique pieces, the only ones available in the world. "You know," she said, "Audemars Piguet is one of the most prestigious and expensive watchmakers in the industry. And look at these – they're gorgeous!" Venice sighed as she finally agreed in her heart that Keke had taken up the role of favorite daughter, she could not compete with her on this one.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson thanked Bryan, they were proud of their daughter's choice. As Keke's parents thanked Bryan, she motioned for the butler to come and carry the gifts. However, just as they were about to dive into their breakfast, Keke put Mike on the spot. "Mike, what is it that you do again?" she asked. Mike responded that he was an actor, to which Keke replied sarcastically, "What's your last name so that we can check out your wonderful movies?" Mike was confused about whether to tell her his actual surname or make something up. Without thinking, he responded with his actual surname,

"Riceland."

Keke immediately typed in his name on the internet, but there was no record of him. She smiled wickedly and said, "There is no record of you as an actor. Is there something you're not telling us?" Bryan tried to divert her attention from Mike to save him the embarrassment, but she was not buying it. Venice was already sweating profusely, and Keke fired at her sister, "I know people might have told you to be more compassionate with the poor, but that's what charities are meant for. You can set one up. When you find a stray dog, you don't pick it up, place it on your lap, and take it home. You call animal services." Keke was referring to Mike in the most demeaning way, and Venice was embarrassed.

Harry finally spoke, defending his sister, "Keke, that's totally uncalled for. This is not nice of you."

Keke responded, "I never intended to be nice." Their parents watched quietly.

A deafening silence enveloped the table with everyone passing weird glances at Mike, making him uncomfortable. The awkwardness hung in the air for a while as everyone silently ate their breakfast.

Tia and Mr Wilson were visibly disappointed, and everyone was trying their best to focus on their meal. Keke's comment had really hit a nerve.

After the awkward silence, the meal continued normally with everyone talking and catching up with each other. Mike was enjoying the food so much that he began to make some loud, irritating noise as he ate; slurping sounds, smacking his lips, and even emitting an occasional contented sigh.

Mike made everyone around the table stop and look at him in disbelief. Venice felt her face flush with embarrassment, wishing she could just disappear. Venice, who had been trying to maintain her composure throughout the awkward dinner, couldn't ignore the mounting discomfort any longer. She paused mid-bite, her fork suspended in the air, and shot a stern glance at Mike. However, her expression of irritation was nothing compared to the incredulous looks on the faces of her family members. The restaurant fell into an eerie silence, and the only sound that could be heard was the noise coming from Mike's enthusiastic biting and grinding. Venice's embarrassment grew with each passing second. She wished the floor would open up and swallow her.

Mike was oblivious to the fact that everyone was now staring at him. Keke, Venice's sharp-tongued sister, couldn't resist the opportunity to make a sarcastic remark. With a sly smile, she quipped, "That's it, I've just discovered the name for your next charity event, Venice. It should be called 'Feed the Hungry.'" Her words cut through the tension, and everyone at the table except Venice couldn't help but smirk. Venice could no longer contain her frustration. She attacked her sister verbally, yelling that she had had enough of her insults. Keke, not one to back down easily, retorted by asking Venice what she had expected when she showed up with a nameless and disheveled-looking fellow like Mike. She further made her point with condescension "We all know who Desire is and who her parents are. The same goes for Bryan. But Mike here..." Keke paused for dramatic effect, "Mike is the only one out."

The tension in the room had reached its peak, and their mother, Tia Wilson, finally spoke. "Venice, she's right honey. Your father and I have been embarrassed since we got here, watching you galivant around with this phony. If you need help finding love, we would be glad to introduce you to our large network of responsible people."

Unable to bear the judgment and humiliation any longer, Venice pushed her chair back abruptly and stormed out of the restaurant, her footsteps echoing down the hallway. Mike, realizing the gravity of the situation and also looking for a way out of there, hastily pushed his chair back and followed her, leaving the Wilson family in silence. As they walked out, Keke made another sarcastic remark, "And there goes Bonny and Clyde, teaching us to fight for love." Harry gave her an irritated look and excused himself to check on his sister.

Venice was in tears when Mike found her. She was frustrated and she imagined that things would have been different if Richard Harmony, the famous actor had shown up as planned. As Mike approached her, Venice yelled at him, "Get out! You have no simple etiquette. You're hell-bent on disgracing me before my family. You're so disgusting."

Mike was equally frustrated and blurted out, "Do you think I'm happy being here? I was only pushed to help you by my boss, Richard Harmony, because he had a last minute engagement. Even though I am being paid, I still find it difficult to continue staying here. When you come down from your high horse, you will realize why you are still single."

Venice was speechless. She had never been spoken to in such a manner, especially not by an assistant. She was so embarrassed and angry that she could barely form words. She eventually managed to respond, "You hungry human, eating like a pig. You have the guts to talk to me in that manner? In fact, go in there, pack your miserable things, leave out the clothes I got you, and get the hell out of here. I'm done with this charade."

Mike was infuriated. it wasn't his fault that she had a crazy family, he thought. He had done nothing wrong and yet he was being treated like a criminal. He stormed out of the hallway and headed to the hotel to pack his things and leave.

Meanwhile, Venice's brother, Harry, had witnessed the whole ordeal. He heard his sister's silent sobs and rushed to her side. He held her in his arms and comforted her while she explained what had happened. She told him how she had tried to impress her parents by showing up with Richard Harmony, the famous actor, who had agreed to pretend to be her boyfriend for the week, but he canceled last minute due to an urgent engagement. So, he sent Mike, his assistant, in his stead. Harry shook his head as he listened to her story. He told her that she would have been better off showing up alone than pretending with Mike. Venice agreed and thanked her brother for his support. The whole incident had been so humiliating for Venice. She hadn't realized how much her charade had cost her, especially in the eyes of Desire and Bryan, who were not part of the family, now they had stories to tell, thanks to Keke. She thought about her reputation and the embarrassment she had brought to her parents, this made her heart break.