Chapter 6 Meeting Her Future In-laws

At Hu’s mansion, everyone was as busy as a beaver. The servants were coming in and out of the house to prepare for the coming of the Lees. “Make sure everything is in proper order!” Vincent’s mother, Mila Hu instructed the servants. “Has Kevin arrived yet?” Old Master Hu asked. “He hasn’t arrived yet, dad,” Mila replied anxiously. “The Lees will be here soon. Where is that brat? He didn’t come home last night,” The patriarch of the Hu family continued to roar while clinging on his cane. He was running out of patience towards his grandson. “Dear, your health. Don’t worry, he will not embarrass us,” Old Madam Yao, Anna Lei calmed her husband. “Although the Lees are lower than us, we should remain graceful in welcoming them. It is already a big sacrifice for Chen to come to our place with his wife,” Old Master Hu said. Among the members of the Grey and Hu households, it was only the Old Master who was respectful to the Lees. The others thought the Lees were nothing but small insects that were easily be squeezed. That’s why when Old Master Hu told them about the agreement they couldn’t do anything even if they were against it. Finally, the Lees had arrived. At Hu’s Mansion, there was a big circular fountain in the middle. The mansion had two big iron gates. The façade of the mansion was a European style. While Old Master Hu’s mansion stood on top of a hill alone and its front views were big villas from different noble families, the back was the wide sea facing the horizon; Old Master Lee’s mansion was in the middle of three elegant villas. These villas were owned by his three children, Richard, Winston, and May. Richard’s villa was the nearest in the mansion and May’s villa was the nearest in the entrance. The mansion and the three huge villas were secured by one wide iron gate and before you could enter May’s villa, you had to drive at least 200 meters away from the entrance. They called their place ‘The Haven’. Old Master Lee’s house was a combination of a western and Chinese traditional design. He was a nature lover that’s why ‘The Haven’ had lots of pine trees, cherry blossom trees, and maple trees surrounded it. Including rare flowering plants, there were some gardens for vegetables and fruit trees, too. Old Madam Mei Lin made sure that the food they ate was fresh from their wide vegetable garden. Old Master Yao’s mansion was more of an open one. Since it stood on top of a hill, people from below could actually see properly the second floor of the mansion. The two mansions were both amazing and had breathtaking views. The designed were envied by the noble families in Brent City. “Chen, Mei welcome!” Old Master Hu greeted the two elders of the Lees family. “Yao, it has been awhile”, Chen politely responded. “Good morning Old Master Hu, Old Madam Lei”, Richard bowed to the elders of the Hu family. “There’s no need for formality. Come to our humble place”, Old Master Hu replied. “This must be your granddaughter, Marielle”, he continued. “Good morning Old Master Hu, Old Madam Lei”, Marielle just repeated what her uncle Richard did. The servants took the gifts from the Lees while the Hu and Grey family walked them to the house. The two old masters were talking while the two old madams listened to them. Mathew and Mila talked to Richard and May while Marielle was tugging on them. Marielle was wearing an off-shouldered pale pink dress which is two inches above her knees and strapless silver colored three inches heels. Her burgundy-colored hair was flown freely to her shoulders. “Marielle, we’ve heard that you had to quit singing and acting for the sake of our grandson”, Old Master Hu said. "Old Master, that's not really the main reason. I’ve been in LA for six years and I rarely come home. I miss my family so much that’s why I have decided to quit my job”, Marielle politely answered. “But we’ve heard you were at the peak of your success. Why did you give up such a great opportunity?” Mila asked. She was testing Marielle’s character. The Lees noticed it and they were just quietly listening to their conversation. They wanted to see how Marielle could handle her future in-laws. Someday, she was going to stay and interact with them from time to time. “Yes, Madam Mila. Sometimes we have to sacrifice a great chance for a rare treasure. My family are always my priority”, Marielle replied. Old Master Hu seemed to like Marielle’s answer but Mila was not satisfied. Old Madam Anna Lei was just quietly listening. She was supposed to say something when Richard interrupted her. “I don’t see Director Vincent Grey yet. I guess he is busy at work”. “Vincent will be here soon”, Mathew who was looking at the main door responded. The Hu family was a bit embarrassed that the main reason of this meeting didn't arrive yet. The elders of the Lees came all the way to their mansion respectfully but the only grandson of Old Master Hu was not even interested in meeting them. “Call your young master now!” Mila commanded the servant. But before the servant took the phone, a strong and intimidating aura entered the main door. “Sorry, I’m late. I’ve been busy with dealing some matters”, Vincent Grey said. His sharp eyes scanned the young woman beside May. “Childish attire”, he thought while raising his brows. “How old is she to wear such outfit?” “Finally, you’re here”, Old Madam Lei said. “What kind of matters you’re dealing with to be late at this important event?” Old Master Hu commented in an angry tone. Vincent looked at the woman behind him. He took and held her hands tightly. He whispered, “Come with me”. The people in the living room were shocked. The woman beside Vincent was no other than Lilia, his current girlfriend. Lilia was wearing a black sleeveless dress and the length of her dress was just three inches below her knees. She was wearing a black strapless three inches heels and her hair was tied in a bun. She was like a woman with a magnificent aura in front of Marielle. “Lilia what are you doing here?” Vincent's mother, Mila gently asked. She had a good relationship with Lilia that she already considered her as her daughter-in-law. “I---“, before Lilia could even speak, Vincent told them with a smirk on his lips. “I brought her”. The people in the elegant living room were flabbergasted. Their mouths were hung open and before they could say something, Marielle stood up. She went directly to Lilia and smiled. She stretched her right hand for a handshake. “Hello! I’m Marielle. It’s a pleasure to meet you”. Vincent and Lilia were surprised. The elders and the children of both families were startled. It took them awhile to realize Marielle’s action. That was a bit brave. She really shook her hands to her rival and greeted her with genuine smile. Vincent was also scanning some pretentious aura in her expression but what he saw were her genuine character. “Well done! We’ll see how far you can handle this”, he thought and sneered. Mathew, who was already uncomfortable, broke the awkward situations. “Vincent why not take Marielle to the garden? Ahm, Lilia--- “Lilia is staying no matter what!” Vincent cut in. “Then Lilia come with me for awhile”, Mila took Lilia’s hands and left the living room. Richard and May were stupefied. They looked at each other and had already a tacit understanding that Marielle could probably had a hard life in her future mother-in-law’s hands. Mathew noticed their reactions and he told them to come with him and show his precious collections. Mathew loved to collect expensive wines. One big room in the mansion was all of his wine cellars. The only people left in the living room were the elders, Marielle, and Vincent. Vincent just stared at her then left. Marielle got up from her seat and followed him in the garden.