Chapter 5 The Family Dinner

Chapter Five

JANE POV

I knocked at the door after taking a really deep breath.

A young lady opened the door and told me to wait for the Young master here.

The first entrance to their house was so wide and big, it was looking like the White House where the president of the UK lives.

A big family frame was hung on the right side of the wall. The Blackwoods are so beautiful, just look at his mother's smile on her pretty face.

"Jane," I heard my name and lifted my head.

Max stood by the stairs, a charming smile on his face. "Hey, you look stunning," he said, his eyes scanning me from head to toe.

I smiled back, feeling a flutter in my chest. He never ceases to compliment me. "Thanks, you don't look so bad yourself," I said.

Max chuckled and walked towards me, his eyes locked on mine. "Shall we go in? Dinner's ready," he said and grabbed my wrist.

I nodded, and we walked into the dining room together. The Blackwood family was already seated, and they barely acknowledged my presence. Max's dad, Henry, was scrolling through his phone, his mom, Sofia, was gazing into space, His aunt Mrs. Rachel was on her phone. None of his siblings were around.

As the trained girl I am, I greeted while Max pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down, trying to shake off the feeling of them ignoring me. The tension in the room was becoming unbearable and I wondered what had happened before I arrived.

Max took his seat beside me, and the maid began serving dinner. The silence in the room was oppressive, with only the clinking of utensils breaking the silence.

I tried to make small talk, asking Max about his day, but the conversation felt forced. His family seemed to be ignoring me, and I wondered if they were still unhappy about our engagement.

As the main course was served, Max's dad, Henry, finally spoke up, his voice gruff. "So, Jane, I hear you're quite the businesswoman."

I nodded, trying to hide my surprise. "Yes, I have my own company," I said with a smile on my face.

Max's mom looked at me with a hint of interest. "Oh? What kind of company?" She asked.

"I make beautiful bead bags and bead clothes and I also have 10 workers I pay monthly," I said with so much confidence.

"Really?" Max's mom said, looking at me like I was actually not on their level.

I launched into a brief explanation of my business more to make them know I make good money from it, but Mrs. Rachel cut me off, her tone dismissive. "That's nice, dear. But I'm sure it's not as impressive as our family's empire."

The tension in the room escalated, and I felt a surge of frustration. Max's family was making it clear that they didn't think I was good enough for him. If not for their son begging me, I wouldn't be here receiving insults from his family, I thought sadly and looked as Max's eyes flashed with anger, but he remained silent. I reached out and put my hand on his arm, trying to calm him down as if we actually love each other. His parents need to believe that we are in love.

"It's okay, Max," I said softly. "I understand."

But Henry wasn't finished. "Yes, Jane, our family has a certain standard to uphold. And I'm not sure you fit the bill."

I felt a sting from his words, but I refused to let them get to me. I smiled sweetly and leaned forward, my voice dripping with sarcasm. I couldn't hold their insult any more.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Blackwoods. I didn't realize I was applying for a job as a Blackwood family member. I thought I was just marrying Max."

The room fell silent, and I could feel the tension pulsing through the air. Max's family was taken aback by my response, but Max himself looked relieved.

"What did you just say?" Mrs. Rachel said with anger.

Max's eyes locked onto mine, filled with determination. "You know what, Jane? That doesn't matter. What matters is that I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And that's exactly what I'm going to do." Max said, totally ignoring the fact that I just insulted the Blackwoods.

He turned to his family, his voice firm. "I don't care if your business partners come, Dad. I don't care if Mom and her friends attend. I don't care if Mrs. Rachel decides to show up or not. Because this weekend, I'm marrying Jane, no matter what." Max said with anger.

Henry's face turned red with anger, but Max continued, his voice unwavering. "I'm not asking for your approval or your blessing. I'm telling you that this is happening, and there's nothing you can do to stop it."

Sofia looked at her son, a mix of sadness and understanding in her eyes. "Max, please reconsider-"

But Max cut her off, his voice gentle but firm. "No, Mom. I've made up my mind. Jane is the one I want, and I'm going to make her my wife. Besides, Dad wants a wife for me. Here is a wife. I have completed my bargain, it's his turn to complete it," Max added.

The room fell silent once again, but this time, it was filled with a sense of resignation. Max's family knew they couldn't change his mind.

Mr. Henry stood up in anger and his wife followed suit.

"Max, what is going to happen now?" I asked him.

"Let's wait for some time. My dad will agree on this," he said with so much assurance.

Mrs. Sofia entered the dining room again and requested my attention.

I looked at Max and he nodded for me to go. I got up and followed Mrs. Sofia slowly.

We got to a room and Mrs. Sofia started.

"You know Max is my only son. Both his dad and I wish him nothing but the best, so we are both scared for him to marry someone who is totally not in his class. Both his dad and I have given him all the love, so promise me you won't hurt my son," she said.

"I understand, ma'am. I promise to love Max with everything in me. I promise not to hurt him," I said and my subconscious mind laughed at me because it's not love but business. "Sorry I was rude earlier, I apologize."

"It's okay," she said and hugged me. "It's not that I hate you, I just want the best for my son," she said as we ended the hug.

"I will fulfill your will, ma'am," I said.

"You can call me mum," she said.

"Okay mum," I said and blushed slightly. She is just a sweet soul, just his dad that is a hard nut to crack.

We both walked out back to the dining room.

Mr. Henry and Max were already sitting on the sofa in the sitting room, so I went there to sit with Max.

"I have heard everything from Max. Jane, I will approve of the wedding," he said. "My son finally wants to marry, I should approve of it," he added.

"Thanks so much sir/dad," Max and I said at the same time.

"So the wedding is taking place this weekend," Mr. Henry said.