Chapter 18 - The Unexpected Turn of Events

Alex drove himself, so April had to seat beside him in the passenger seat. Along the way, they didn't talked. Alex wasn't sure how to break the ice about his parents, he didn't even know the real reason of their invitation. He didn't believe their excuse, they were more busy than him! They were constantly in parties for fundraising, meetings, volunteering for the needy and etc.. Both his parents hated to stay at home. What for? They said. Nobody was in the house, no kids around or anything to do. They feel bored.

Alex looked at the silent April. He was used to it by now. Other than the time they talked that night, they didn't usually have long conversations.

April was nervous, she didn't usually like meeting new people. But Alex's parents is a different issue. She had to gather her courage for her son's sake. They are going to be part of Sky's life from now on, she had to at least get to know them.

There was only silence all the way to the Hawthorne's Mansion. When April and Alex arrived, Alex's parents were standing by the front door waiting for them. Alex's brows lifted up, Since when did his parents personally welcome guests? That had never happened before.

Alex got out the car but before he could open April's door, she got down herself. She didn't let him open the door for her. It's not like he needed to anyways, she thought. She was perfectly capable.

"You must be April!" Phoebe exclaimed as she and her husband walked down towards April. There were a few steps by the front door. The Hawthorne's Mansion was much bigger than hers. This one extremely spelled RICH in all aspects.

"Yes, hello. My name is April. Alex brought me here saying that you wanted to meet me." April extended her hand and smiled to the both of them. She didn't know how to socialize that much, especially to rich people. Even though her family was well off and the Smiths tries to always invite her to parties, April really didn't care and she mostly stayed in the corner. Even though her parents and the Smith's tries to give her company, she always sends them away.

"Nice to meet you April. My name is Theodore Hawthorne, I'm Alex's father. You can call me Theo and this is my wife Phoebe." Theo introduced themselves as they shake April's hand.

"Nice to meet you two as well." April replied.

"Pleasure is ours April. Right, how about we talk inside?" Phoebe let go of his husband's hand, grabbed April's hand and ushered her inside.

Theo and Alex looked at each other. Alex shrugged his shoulders to his father and followed Phoebe inside.

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April was shocked but didn't say a word. For some reason, she didnt hated being touched by Phoebe. Even though they were still considered as strangers. She followed Phoebe towards the back of the house. In there lays a huge garden. Alex mentioned to her that April likes garden. It was the reason April gave Alex, on why she chose the Burghley Mansion.

Phoebe's garden was bigger than April's, Phoebe had a bunch of exotic flowers as well as imported ones. She also had a lot of trimmed bushes and a rose maze. In the middle of it all was a big greenhouse. The whole way, Phoebe explained the flowers and the bushes that April was looking at. She could already tell that her and April would get along. Phoebe smiled towards April as they went inside.

Inside the greenhouse, there was a fountain and a sitting area. There was also a coffee table full of snacks, deserts and drinks. It was cool inside the greenhouse, the whole place was maintained to a certain temperature.

"So April, I heard from Alex that you are engaged?" Phoebe let April sit down on the couch and she sat beside her. They didn't wait for the boys to arrived, they seems to be having their own talk, April thought.

"Engaged? Oh, you mean Malcolm Smith Jr.?" She sighed. I guess the news was still there, even though she already told Colm not to marry her.

"Yes, that's right. So, are you? Sorry for being nosy." Phoebe rubbed her nose. She couldn't help but ask, there might be a chance that her son and Francesca would get divorce soon. Her and Theo was hoping for it.

"Uhmm.. It's hard to explain. Colm felt guilty to what happened to me, so he wanted to be responsible for my future. I just had a talk with him before I left. I told him to stop feeling guilty about me and that he don't have to marry me." April shrugged, she still don't know how to go around it. She didn't wanna marry someone, just because of an obligation.

Phoebe nodded and smiled, that was a somewhat satisfactory answer. "Oh where are my manners. Please eat. I have prepared all of this for you. I wasn't sure what you liked, so please forgive this old woman. I heard you can't drink coffee, so I have a variety of tea here and Juices. Let me know if its not to your liking, I can order more from inside." Phoebe patted April's knees. She wanted April to feel at home and to open up to her. She didn't ask anything about her past, she knew how traumatizing it was.

She had dealt a bunch of children who had this issues as well. Her and her husband had learned a lot on how to properly help someone with traumas, during their Charities and Voluntary events.

"Thank you, You shouldn't really have to." None the less, April appreciated the Hawthorne's kindness. It was contrary to her expectation. April didn't know that the Hawthorne's were nice people. No wonder Alex was that way as well, It was because of his upbringing. She smiled to Phoebe as she grabbed glass of juice.

Phoebe smiled back and told her stories about herself and her husband. What they do now about their workshops and foundation. April felt astonished, she greatly admire people who does this kind of stuff. She was extremely thankful to her benefactors, the Smiths. But in a way, it was different for them. In the Hawthorne's case, the people they help were unrelated to them. It was inspirational and she could feel a warm feeling inside as she listens to Phoebe's stories. She had never thought that Alex's parents were so down to earth, especially how rich they were.