Chapter 67 - Sixty-seven

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Alexis was awkwardly looking at the couple in front of her. They were talking with their eyes or maybe it was telepathically. Whatever it was, she didn't really like being left out.

So, what should she do? Break glass or..?

"Ahem." She coughed a bit and they broke apart looking down, here and everywhere else.

"Anyway, " Gabrielle said, "I think you should get ready. You should um..." He moved his hands around trying to find a better word. "Uh.."

"What?" Isabelle questioned. "You always do this. How am I supposed to know what are you saying by these expressions?" She complained. Gabrielle had a habit of forgetting words which he had picked up recently in retirement. He tried to make actions of the words that he wanted to say. Isabelle felt like she had been playing charades for years now.

"Woman, stop." He grunted. "Show off. I wanted to say get ready to show-off." He said, kissing her forehead he said goodbye and then walked out of the kitchen.

"Pre-owned?" Alexis repeated as Gabrielle was out of the kitchen. "Why? I thought it was days away.."

"It was," Isabelle confirmed with a sigh. "But the thing is that it's happening now. And we have to face it and forget whatever the reason was that the whole former was preponed."

"Do you think," Alexis began to unravel a theory? If she had the signature hat of Sherlock Holmes. "That they knew that we knew?"

"As in?"

"Like knowing that someone had informed us. And they knew about it because of which instead of continuing with the original date they hastened it."

"Could be." Isabelle agreed with her possible theory. "It could be. You never know who is on whose side." She shrugged.

"So you have no theory?" Alexis had made a fact at that. Seemed like she wanted to unravel theories.

"Hah!" Isabelle laughed. "You wanted to discuss the theories with me? Do you know why does that?"

"Who?"

"Gossipmongers!" Isabelle wandered laughing. "They love to discuss these controversies and theories."

"That funny," Alexis replied with a straight face. She looked

"Well, " Isabelle sighed. "You heard the man. Let's get ready to kill."

Agatha wasn't here so Alexis was going to choose her clothes and accessories. She wanted to make a bold impression and also be herself. Going to her closet that had been set and some extra clothes which were sent by Agatha, she decided what she wanted.

Taking a pair of black jeans and a black turtleneck shirt, she paired it with a Gucci black belt and purse. For shoes, she took leopard print heels and a nude colour coat. She had beach waves for hairstyle because it was the easiest and the less time-consuming. She looked at herself in the full-length mirror. She looked sophisticated and bold. A woman with a purpose, just how she wanted to look like.

She walked down to where Angelo and her father-in-law, Gabriele were sitting. They both were watching the sports channel which she found quite odd. They looked like normal, civilian people and in total contrast to what they were original.

"Your ready already?" Gabrielle asked as she saw her come down fully dressed. "Isabelle will come down minutes before the time you are supposed to leave." He shook his head.

Alexis smiled. She was never the one to take time for getting ready. She always wanted it to be over as soon as possible and even Agatha knew it. She made sure that Alexis was ready in the quickest time possible.

"Here! I'm done!" Isabelle came in a dress in pretty dress and heels. She looked at Alexis and her eyes sparkled with approval.

"Come on, let's go." She smiled and hugged her husband goodbye. Angelo came in and kissed her farewell even hugging her for a moment. "Be safe." He murmured into her ear. "And confident."

The ladies sat in the back seat of the car with Liam driving them. Isabelle couldn't help but comment. "I love how you've dressed. It's power, elegance and fashion."

Alexis smiled at that. "Thank you, Isabelle."

"I can't tell you how to behave in there because you know better. All I can repeat is, do not trust anyone and reveal anything that you don't want to be known in public. People often just choose to not reveal anything about themselves."

"Why not?" Alexis frowned. "You can't be that mysterious to people." That even seemed suspicious to think about. How could someone be so unknown and if they were, would that not excite people to know more?

"Mysterious was is better than people having to blackmail you for everything. They love airing each other's dirty laundry even if they are sisters." Isabelle replied and turned to look out of the car window.

"Wow, " Alexis whispered. Piranhas were better and more considerable than these people.

They were silent for the rest of the drive, watching as the trees went by. Arriving in a huge villa, Alexis whistled at the decor.

"I know," Isabelle commented. "But the people inside this glamorous home are equally hideous." She leaned in more and said, "Whatever happens, Alexis, do not let anyone put you down." Isabelle then held Alexis' hand and gave it a firm squeeze.

Both of them, after a moment, made a move to get out of the car. They were led inside and told that the dinner was held in the garden so retaining their coats would be a better option. From afar, Alexis could see that most of the ladies here were related by blood by blood to the family.

Nikita had joined them in as well but Isabelle told them to catch up later. They all entered the garden together and made their way to the host; Julia, Angelo's grandmother.

"Mama," Isabelle came up to her and kissed her cheeks. "How are you?" She asked with a sweet smile.

"Yes, yes. Everything's fine." She answered. Julia then turned her gaze to Alexis, the new member of the family. The new lamb for the sacrifice.

"Hello, Darling." She came forward to hug her. "I'm so sorry that we disturbed your honeymoon." Julia looked like she truly regretted it but Alexis wasn't convinced yet she respected her.

"It's fine, grandmother. I hope all is well with you? We were worried about the sudden call." Alexis seemed worried about the onlookers. She looked like a granddaughter-in-law who had accepted this family as hers.

"I am alright sweetie. I just wanted to meet you. I didn't mean to sound like it was an emergency. But what can I say? My age does not give an indicator of what's coming next. " Julia was also a master manipulator. She knew by now most of the ladies were looking at them and she wanted to act in a certain way that made her seem lonely and alone.

"Oh no, it's alright and doesn't say things like that." Alexis chastised and hugged her once more. "Next time, we could plan our next meeting together."

"Yes, we could." Julia smiled. The child was smart.

"Mama, the place is beautiful and well decorated." Isabelle complimented, looking around the garden that was decorated with fairy lights and other decorations.

"I know. Your younger daughter-in-law did it." Julia smiled. "She is a good decorator."

Isabelle knew that already but she said that for Nikita's sake. Julia wasn't the one who would ever praise anyone for anything. Yet in public, she seemed to be the perfect elder. 

"Anyway, Alexis was there any difficulty that you faced while travelling?" Julia smiled, somehow to Alexis that felt nasty. The exact of what Alexis had asked her.

"None. I've had a pleasant trip." Alexis smiled as she said so, she looked pleasant and sweet which she truly was, unless poked. Which she was sure about, it was coming soon.

"I am so happy. Have you met Juliet?" Julia pointed to a girl who came forward and stepped closer to them. She looked Italian and Alexis knew that it was true. She was born and raised here.

Alexis knew who she was. She was Angelo's uncle; Marcus's daughter-in-law. "Yes, we even talked at the reception." She smiled at Juliet, who looked rather unapproachable and cold. Was this how she behaved where people were watching and gossiping about everything they did?

"Good evening," Juliet wished without a smile on her face. Smiling, Julia left them alone. 

Alexis nodded in return and hugged her for a brief moment. Juliet didn't even move to put her arms around Alexis and it shows how cold she was to Donna which of course was an insult. Yet, Alexis didn't take offence to that.

"Well, I hope you enjoy the dinner." She smiled. Somewhere in her mind, she hoped that Juliet would reply to that. 

"I think I will," Juliet said. "The decoration, do you like it?" 

"Why yes, I do," Alexis answered. Nikita from behind her was making engaged faces and Alexis knew what was about to happen. 

"It could have been better." She shrugged. 

"I think I like that idea of yours." Alexis smiled at her. "How about you design it the next time? Personally, remember that. Nikita took the pains to get everything done." 

"Wait what—"

"Well," Julia clapped her hands, "come on, ladies let's have food!"