Ex-convict to Executive

Chapter 2

“Audrey listen to your father!” Mrs Xanros chipped in, she didn’t want her daughter

to shoulder all the responsibility like she was doing because she married out of love. As if love could foot the bills, instead Dante was the one taking money from his wife.

“Father, it’s okay” Natty interrupted as she tried to calm her father down “You don’t want your blood pressure going high because of a worthless thing like Dante”

“Especially now that it’s about to rain, it wouldn’t be good for your health so stay calm father in law” Jaden, Natty’s husband added, he was the ideal husband material that Mr Uriel wanted his daughters to get married to, a wealthy medical doctor who was living a comfortable life with Natty, if not so how would they travel from the country him and his wife stays using business class ticket to come to Mr and Mrs Xanros marriage anniversary celebration.

Dante Willow  just stood with no words to say, each and every one of his in-laws made him feel as though they were not related by marriage even, they saw him as a loser, a waste just because he is an orphan who lost his parents at an early age. He had nothing to offer his wife because she already had it all, he wasn’t like Jaden the other son-in-law who came from a high profile family, he came from nothing and still remained in nothing.

“What is your final decision Audrey? Your poor husband or the success of your career?” her father asked with an arched eyebrow, making Audrey breathless, it was a tough decision to make but she still had to do the right thing for her future “You know you want the land, you were willing to pay thousands of dollars, now I am giving it to you for free, choose wisely” her father smirked

Audrey looked to her husband, he was too ashamed to look back at her so he looked down at his wrist watch instead, as if he could read her mind that she would betray their love. That moment it started raining heavily outside the mansion.

“Audrey think about your daughters” her father said again, as he waited for Audrey response.

Mr and Mrs Xanros, Natty, Jaden, Neon, Ellie and Samantha stayed quit waiting for Audrey to finally speak up.

Dante breathed as he tried to calm himself, today he might just as well loose his marriage and also his job if he doesn’t make it in time because of the rain.

Audrey cleared her throat, ready to give up on Dante or the chance of getting the land property she always wanted.

Everyone was looking at Audrey who had a sober facial expression of pity for her husband Dante.

“I am sorry that I didn’t follow your instruction to marry a rich man. I’m willing to grow with Dante, I value love more than money-”

Audrey’s family members disappointed by her decision hissed out loud, Dante surprised at what she just said, his face lightened up.

“Oh shut up” her mother shouted at her  “You can still have love and money, look at me and your father celebrating thirty four years of being together, my husband isn’t a peasant like your husband and we both love each other”

Audrey and Dante first met in the university, they fell in love. Dante dropped out from his scholarship program as a Law student and started working multiple jobs. After a year, Audrey graduated from the university they eventually got married although her family didn’t like Dante, her father reluctantly gave them his blessings and they have been married for six years with two daughters.

Mr Uriel wanted Audrey to marry a man from an influential family whereas he got an orphan for a son in-law, with no reputable background, a university drop out and to make matter worst Dante couldn’t secure a high paying job.

“Since that is your final decision, I hope you don’t regret it when your daughters ask why their father is poor” Audrey father said laughing and the rest of the family joined him in laughing even if it wasn’t funny at all.

Audrey hated whenever her family made her husband a laughingstock, it seems as if she was the one, she defended aggressively  “He won’t be underpaid forever, he is hardworking!”

“There is a thing called working smart not hard sis” Ellie replied sarcastically

“Soon enough, Dante would be paid in higher figures. Is all about climbing a ladder and not rushing the process” Audrey kept defending Dante who couldn’t even say a word for himself

“You have been saying that for six years now, even Jaden who was in medical school has graduated and is now practicing as a medical doctor, he is being paid heavily in our country” Natty added

“Gold digger, men attaches their self to a wealthy wife while they pretend like as if they are working hard” Neon Xanros, Audrey brother added and the rest of the family laughed out again.

“Well that aside” Mr Uriel cleared his throat “I would like to make another announcement” Mr Uriel said loudly as everyone clapped waiting in anticipation to hear it.

“Our family heirloom art canvas would be shown to the world on Thursday at the exhibition in the north-way art gallery” Everyone applauded 

Dante gulped nervously, he works at the north-way art gallery, he didn’t know what to expect if his in-laws would be there at the exhibition.

“We have never done that in the past years” Neon said skeptically

“Yes. I know that, but exhibiting our family art on Thursday would make our family to gain more fame when people finds out how much the art piece cost” Mr Uriel replied

“True, every influential family in this country with valuable treasures and arts would be at the exhibition” Jaden the son in-law seconded as he nods his head, even if he didn’t live in the country he was up to date with news happening in the country

“In that vein, I want someone to volunteer to convey the art piece to the gallery today afternoon against Thursday event”

“Dante works there so he can do it” Audrey volunteered cheerfully but instead the rest of the family looked at her direction with angry faces

“So what? He works at the gallery” Ellie asked rudely

“You should watch your tune, I am your elder” Audrey replied angrily at her little sister who rolled her eyes with disrespect

“I would have given you much of a respect as my elder if you didn’t marry a good for nothing husband who can’t contribute a penny to this family but he can bring cheap wine as gift” Ellie replied in the same tune without any atom of respect for Audrey

“Father, you should warn Ellie because of the way she speaks to me-”

“She is right!” Mr Uriel interrupted the argument as he thundered on top of his voice, making the room go quite save for the calm music playing in the background “This family is!” In the next micro second he choked on his words, while talking further. Mr Uriel started coughing uncontrollably while he gasp for air to enter his lungs.

“Father!” Natty was the first to notice he was having a panic attack and it wasn’t just an ordinary cough.