LOVE IN PARIS: Married To My Brother-in-law-Chapter 63: Birthday II
The car came to a smooth stop, and as soon as they stepped out, the couple was enveloped by a heady mix of scents , freshly cut grass, a hint of jasmine carried by the evening breeze, and a faint whiff of woodsmoke from somewhere nearby.
Zeke got down and adjusted his tie before offering Yvette his hands, who took it gracefully, her gaze lifting up to take in the mansion.
"Zeke, this place is... it’s breathtaking". She murmured, her eyes wide with awe.
"Yeah. If not for the bad memories and all, I would consider it a small heaven" . He said and the duo giggled.
The butler, an elderly man with a distinguished air, welcomed the both of them with a respectful nod.
"Master Ezekiel ,Madam ". He intoned, bowing slightly in respect. "Welcome home."
The duo entered the lavish foyer hands in hands, where the severally set chandeliers and candelabra casts warm, golden light across the polished marble floors, and servants bustled discreetly to and fro, preparing for the evening’s celebration.
The moment they stepped inside, a voice, icy and unmistakably disdainful, echoed through the room.
"Oh, so you decided to grace us with your presence today, the almighty Ezekiel" . Rose, Zeke’s stepmother and Manuel’s mother who was dressed in an opulent emerald gown and with a forced smile, she approached them standing up amidst the several guest and family relatives she was seated with.
Her eyes flickered over to Yvette’s dismissively. "And I see you’ve brought along... company . . A goody two shoes who’s bit afraid of flickering in between two brothers." She smirked, her words cutting with the ease of a practiced blade.
Zeke tightened his jaw but kept his composure as he held Yvette’s hand."I don’t think you’re in the position to bother about who I come with instead you should bother about helping your son reclaim his position by advising him to be humble and loyal then it’ll take nothing but time".
"Then lastly, I’ll advise you to mind the way you speak to my woman or it won’t end well ". He replied dismissively and coldly, intentionally making his last sentence loud that everyone in the room could hear.
He then held Yvette’s hand tightly, solidifying her position by his side as his wife. And before Rose could even react, he moved forward , ignoring her to greet the other family members, who had gathered in small clusters throughout the room.
He introduced her warmly, his voice brimming with pride as he introduced her to everyone. "This is my wife, Yvette".
They exchanged polite, if slightly reserved and also slightly jovial greetings. But it was clear that she was somewhat of an outsider in this opulent setting, but her poise and grace won her nods of approval from some, and even a genuine smile from a few.
After a round of introductions, he finally excused them and led her upstairs to his grandfather’s suite.
The birthday boy, as they called him, though he was far from young sat in his large armchair, surrounded by books and ornate furniture. His sharp, aged eyes brightened when he saw his grandson.
"Ah, Ezekiel. It’s been a long while!". Grandfather Lorenzo greeted, standing slowly with the help of his cane. Zeke immediately moved forward to support him, smiling.
"Happy birthday, Grandfather,". He said warmly, and they exchanged a brief hug.
Zeke then turned to Yvette who was standing beside him "Grandfather, I’d like you to meet my wife, this is my wife, Yvette."
Grandfather’s face softened into a smile as he reached for her hand with a smile. "Finally, in a few years I can get to hold my great grandson. This is so great. But you sort of look familiar to me darling, have we met before".
"Yes". Yvette smiled . "I’m Yvette Jasmin, our families were both neighbors in the past, several years ago at Windsor town. Do you remember now, grandfather?". Yvette introduced politely but as grandfather Lorenzo heared her surname, his expression turned to one of surprise and then slight anger, then an almost imperceptible hardness.
Though, he quickly regained his composure, though his gaze was now shrewd and evaluating.
"Ah... I remember now, the Jasmin’s". He murmured, his voice contemplative. He then gave her a thin lipped smile. "Would you mind terribly, dear, fetching me a cup of tea? I suddenly find myself in need of it."
And Yvette gracious as ever, smiled though she knew he was intentionally sending her away perhaps he wasn’t satisfied with her or something of the sort. "Of course, Grandfather. I’ll be right back."
Once she had left, Zeke who had noticed the initial tension in his grandfather’s posture asked. "Grandfather, is anything wrong?"
"Is she the lady you’ve loved all these while. Now , everything makes a lot of sense. No wonder you left home back then".
"You knew about it?". Zeke was gobmasked.
"It was obvious". Grandfather Lorenzo continued. "Ezekiel, I know I owe you so much. This family owes you so much, so much than we could ever afford to give but right now, I can’t even give you this".
"I don’t understand grandfather. I’m kinda confused".
The old man’s astute eyes bore into him and without beating around the bush, he said.
"You shouldn’t have married her, Ezekiel and I don’t accept this marriage. You know her family... their history with us is not something I can simply overlook. We had issues and I don’t think I can ever accept it".
Zeke’s face hardened, but he kept his tone respectful. "I understand, Grandfather, but Yvette is my wife, my rightfully married wife. She is not defined by her family’s past, and neither am I. Whatever happened was in the past and should stay in the past." He added with a tone of finality that made grandfather Lorenzo angry.
Few years ago, there was a major altercation between the two families despite being neighbor for years and since then they fell out quite badly and that was why Yvette’s family was even against her marrying Manuel back then that they disowned her for going against their wishes.
Grandfather Lorenzo gaze darkened as he addressed him. "If you insist on this, then you must know that you are forfeiting my blessing. When you walk out of this room without obeying my wishes, then I will disown you. You may keep your stubborn pride and non-existent love, but you’ll have no part in this family’s legacy and that I will make sure of."
As he spoke, the door creaked open slightly, and Yvette’s soft footsteps were heard as she re-entered the room , a tray of tea in hand. She calmly walked in and placed the tray on the table before him.
Her eyes widened slightly, sensing the tension between the two mens but before she could ask though she could guess what happened already, Zeke took her hand, interlacing his fingers with hers, his eyes filled with nothing but pure , unadulterated affection as he gazed at her. He looked back at his grandfather, unyielding and proudly as he addressed him.
"Then I will gladly forfeit the legacy if it means being with her. Yvette is my life and everything, and no one else."
Yvette’s grip on his hand tightened nervously, but his calm, reassuring smile gave her strength. He turned and led her out of the room, despite his grandfather’s anger simmering in the air behind them.
---
Downstairs, preparations for the evening’s celebration were in full swing. Servants had laid out tables brimming with food, and the grand ballroom gleamed with luxurious decorations in shades of deep red and gold.
Guests and influential personnel from every corner of the room arrived in waves, dressed in their finest attire, the sound of laughter and conversation growing with each passing minute.
Yvette and Zeke stayed together all the time, mingling with guests and exchanging polite pleasantries. While some guests regarded them with curiosity and whispered gossip, the two of them maintained their poise, undeterred.
As the evening progressed, his stepmother approached them again, a glass of wine in hand and a sharp smile playing on her lips.
"Enjoying yourselves?". She asked with mock sweetness, her eyes lingering on Yvette’s. "I can only imagine how overwhelming this all must be for you... dear . "
Yvette smiled, meeting her gaze steadily and before she could complete her sentence, she interrupted cooly. "It’s quite lovely, thank you."
Rose’s smile faltered, clearly not expecting and taken aback by Yvette’s composed response.
Zeke chuckled at her response and grabbed her hands, quietly leading her away gracefully, unfazed by his stepmother’s jabs.
The evening’s festivities continued, and as the guests raised their glasses to toast his grandfather’s health and long life, Zeke’s gaze softened as he looked at Yvette beside him.
The evening’s festivities continued, and as the guests raised their glasses to toast his grandfather’s health and long life, Zeke’s gaze softened as he looked at Yvette beside him.
And finally it was time for the birthday boy to enter and for the event to commence
