The Return of Lord Bryan

Chapter three

Claire and her entire family arrived at the birthday dinner for her grandmother. The entire hall was beautifully decorated and bright chandeliers hung overhead. The tuxedos and fancy dresses made Claire cringe because she already felt underdressed without being told. 

"We will put our heads down and go throw this party, hopefully after you sign those divorce papers, your grandmother will take pity on us and help with our financial situation," Freya, Claire's mother said as she walked beside her.  

Claire nodded dutifully, her gift wrapped up and clutched by her side. But their plan to get in and out of the party quietly was already crushed the minute their aunt arrived. Aunty Mae was not a very warm or friendly woman and she hated Freya and her family with passion. 

As she sighted them, she wasted no time in coming closer and asking why they'd arrive late. "Why are you showing up now? Huh? Did you guys run out of gas? I wouldn't be surprised," she said and laughed loudly. 

Claire sighed and didn't say anything, neither did her mother or father. They walked quietly to the table and tried to sit but Aunt Mae stopped them. "You can't just sit down, you didn't even show up for the planning and rehearsal of this dinner, you don't care about grandmother, do you?" She stated.  

"You know that's not true, it's just that__" Freya tried to explain but Mae cut her off with a rude wave of her perfectly manicured fingers. "I don't think so, you didn't show up for any of the preparation because you can't even support the dinner? You don't even have any money to spend," she said and then laughed. 

Just then, her daughter walked in with a man in her arms. She was dressed in an ankle-length silver gown and a pair of high heels, clicking as she walked down the dining hall. "Ahhh, there comes my lovely daughter," she praised with a broad smile on her face. 

"Hey, Juliet," Claire said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes but Juliet walked right past her like she didn't exist and kissed Mae's cheeks. "Why are they here? I thought you said they wouldn't show up," she whispered. 

Mae laughed and looked at Freya and Claire condescendingly, "I wish they didn't. With their cheap dresses and hungry faces, they are only going to make us appear tacky in front of the guests," she spat scornfully. "Not to mention that they didn't show up for the preparation and they also arrived late." 

Juliet laughed and added, "I heard they will even be homeless soon, they're putting their house up for sale."  

Freya tried to muster a tight smile and reply politely, "We're just a few minutes late, at least we're here now," she said. Aunt Mae snorted and looked at Claire who was still holding tightly onto her gift. "Is that what you bought for grandmother? Come on, let's see it," she said eagerly.   

Juliet was suddenly interested in the gift, she walked up to Claire and without any warning snatched it from her, tearing it open. Just then, Grandmother called them to come forward and present the gift that they had brought. Claire was very embarrassed, she clutched the dress to her chest and slowly handed it to her grandmother. 

 "Oh, my God! Is that a thrift dress?!" Someone asked loudly from across the table. Another gasped and added, "Did you get that from the trash?"  

Aunt Mae was very pleased that everyone was mocking them. She knew that her daughter's boyfriend had brought the best gift for grandmother and she wanted his to outshine everyone else's. "Oh, Freya, you and your family have no shame. How could you buy such a cheap and tattered dress for your grandmother on her birthday? Can't you see that every other gift here costs at least $10,000? And you brought that piece or rag?" She snapped. 

Claire was hurt, she had spent most of all her money to get that dress and it didn't look bad at all. It was the best offer in the store and it would be perfect for my grandmother. "I saved up all my money to get that dress for $200. You all know my family is going through a hard time and__" 

 "And we don't care! You can't bring a cheap gift that's not worthy of even a homeless person! Gosh!" Mae said and rolled her eyes, "Can't you see that everyone gave Grandmother a first-edition dress? How could you bring a third edition?" 

A nasty lady at the table snorted, "I'm sure even the servants here can afford a more worthy gift, you are disgracing this family," she agreed. 

 "That's enough, everyone. I'm sure she brought what she could afford," the grandmother said and took the gift but her expression clearly said she didn't appreciate it. She tossed it on the heap of her gifts just as Juliet's boyfriend walked to her and presented his gift. 

It was a fanciful jewelry box wrapped with pretty ribbons. He bowed and handed the gift to the old woman. Grandmother took the box and opened it up, gasping as she saw the large and sparkly stone. "This is beautiful, Juliet, you do know what I like," she said, beaming. She pulled out the emerald ring from the box and everyone was awed at it. "It's so beautiful," they all said. 

 The boyfriend looked very proud with a smile on his face. Juliet was so proud of her boyfriend because he'd gotten the best gift in the room just like she'd planned. "It's a real emerald stone, he went all the way to get it," she said proudly and then showed off her pearls which were equally beautiful. "My boyfriend does know how to appreciate grandmother," she said and kissed him on the cheek affectionately, "Thanks, darling." 

Grandmother was just about to put the ring away when Bryan walked into the dining hall. Everyone turned to look at him as she walked closer to Grandmother and said loudly, "This isn't an authentic emerald stone, it's a fake!"