Broken With My Mother In Law

[Linda Perspective]

When Donald and I came to the hall, we saw that all of the guests were seated. A long table is set with guests, with Diana seated in the middle, chatting, and the people surrounding her was paying close attention to what she was saying, they were oblivious to the sumptuous food on the table which made me feel uncomfortable. 

We both sat on our table and saw that two of my friends Elena and Dylan were already seated with Donald’s mother. Donald sat face to face with his mother, and I sat beside him. 

“I was sitting next to the Sultans of Brunei and Maureen Dodd and Carrie Fisher and Snoopy Dog, you know that story, Donald. I told Snoopy that his lyrics were sometimes masculine and unfair to women, and then the Sultans of Brunei said he had 114 wives who were big fans of dogs.” Diana told the story of her past. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

As soon as she said her story everyone burst into laughter, the two friends next to me laughed from ear to ear. I turned my face and smiled at Diana letting her know that her story was amazing. But with my surprise after she saw that I was looking at her, she quickly put away her smile and looked away. She really does not like me. 

She was getting on my nerves. What have I done to her for me to deserve this kind of treatment? I did not do anything to her that might cause her pain. Does she not approved me to be with his son?  Lot of questions entered my mind. I have had it with this woman.

I thought of the last time Dr. Chamberlain and Diana jointly concealed Diana’s worsening illness, it had me thinking that I should convince Dr. Chamberlain to go here to our party to surprise Diana. That could make her uneasy.

I made an excuse to go to the bathroom, and then I called Dr. Chamberlain and invited him to the party in Diana’s name. It did not take long for me to return to my seat after calling him. 

Everyone enjoyed their meal while Diana kept telling stories on what experiences she had before. I was not thrilled in any of her stories. I was uncomfortable and I was not enjoying any of it. I kept eating my cake.

Donald saw the tension I have around me.

“Linda, are you okay? Is there something you want to tell me?” he was worried about me but I just shook my head telling him that I was fine. He patted me on the head and continue to eat his dinner.

And after a few minutes…

“Ding Dong ~” I heard the sound of the doorbell, and my sad mood suddenly improved. The smile from the bottom of my heart permeated to my face, it was really fast. 

“Honey, can you go and see who knocks at the door?” I asked Donald to open the door.

I knew who was at the door. I casually grabbed a small piece of cake and ate it. I was very happy when I thought something big would happen later.

“No problem, I will open the door.” He stood and approached the door. When he was out of sight, I glanced at Diana and continued to eat my dessert, making myself proud for a few minutes for what I did.

“It tastes really good, Diana.” Enoch took a bite of the meal on the table and praised Diana again and again.

“Oh, Enoch, I am glad you like it. You should eat more.” Diana said with a smile. 

I saw Donald and Dr. Chamberlain walking towards our table.

“Look who’s here. Surprisingly, it is Dr. Chamberlain.” Donald came over with Dr. Chamberlain to say hello to everyone. Dr. Chamberlain’s suit and tie are very different from what he is wearing in the hospital. He looks more sophisticated and it suits him very well.

“Good heavens! It’s Dr. Chamberlain. Hello everyone, this is Dr. Chamberlain, Diana’s attending doctor.” I pretended to be surprised and introduced Dr. Chamberlain to everyone. I quickly looked at Diana’s direction. She looked at Dr. Chamberlain surprised and made an unhappy face, As I saw her expression my mood improved a little.

“Good evening, everyone. Thank you very much for inviting me.” Dr. Chamberlain said hello implicitly, he looked at me and smiled. Tonight, something good is about to go down.

“Oh, we need another seat for Dr. Chamberlain” I pointed to the position next to Diana casually, because I wanted Dr. Chamberlain to go and take his seat beside her.

“Please let me do it, you should continue in enjoying your meal.” Dr. Chamberlain watched me make a hand push, and I knew it was right for him to come today.

“There is another chair over there, so please move it yourself.” I pointed Dr. Chamberlain to the chair beside Diana.

“Come here, you, come on, make room, you move over.” Excited, I asked my friend to move to me, leaving the nearest place to Diana to Dr. Chamberlain.

“Who is he?” A female guest looked at Dr. Chamberlain and whispered silently. It seems that Diana only kept secrets from Donald and me about pretending to be ill. Not everyone here knows about her little secret. So, let’s uncover the truth tonight and hope she would not do anything strange again.

“That’s Diana’s doctor. Move over, you, guys.” I whispered to the female guest and asked them to move their places.

“Doctor, your chair.” The waiter helped with a chair and some tableware, and Dr. Chamberlain sat down gently.

“Hello, hello everyone.” He greeted the people next to him warmly. He fixed his suit and made himself comfortable.

Donald has taken his seat beside me. I thanked him for getting up to get the door.

“Thank you, dear.” Donald sat next to me, and I was happy to kiss him on the cheek.

As I was now enjoying my meal knowing that Diana is uncomfortable. I sigh in relief. But when I glanced at her I noticed that she has a grin on her face while looking back at me. She was holding her phone, which she promptly stuffed into her bag. I squinted my eyes and I was a bit confused. What was she up to? Why did she have that look on her face? I suddenly felt that something was about to happen. 

“Ding dong ding dong…” The doorbell rang again. I was moved back a little bit. I do not know who was at the door this time. When I heard the doorbell, I kept looking at it. Almost all the guests were here tonight. Who rang the doorbell?

Fitz, Caroline’s assistant took the initiative to get up and open the door. Why was she the one who wants to open the door? I think she already knew who was there.  

“Oh, I’ll go to open it. You just got here?” she said to the people approaching the door.

“Are you still waiting for someone?” Donald asked me with confusion on his face. He thought I was still waiting for someone but I was just as curious as him about who was the person that rang the doorbell. 

As we saw the person who came in. I was so shocked that my blood started to boil. It was Caroline. Why was she here? Who invited this psychopath? I greeted my teeth and stared at her with intense eyes.

“Hello, everyone!” she said with excitement while approaching to our table. I am irritated with hearing the sound of her voice. I don’t like how she happily walked towards us. I just don’t like her fully. I don’t like anything about her.

Isn’t Caroline drunk? Doesn’t she have a hangover? How did she come here so quickly with her also specially dressed up for the occasion? Presumably when Donald was holding her earlier, she was just pretending to be drunk at that time. It made me angry while thinking about it. I really could not see why people like her. Fake is all around her appearance. It was like a shit stick. She was everywhere and it made me really annoyed.

I was getting furious with the sight of her and when I glanced at Donald who was beside me, I saw that he was also looking at Caroline coldly. We did not want her to be here which is why we did not invite her.

“Caroline, it is nice to meet you.” Diana smiled at Caroline. She then looked at me and gave me a meaningful look. What was that all about? 

She must be the one who have called Caroline to be here. She was the one who invited her. Now it all make sense, that is the reason why she gave me a grin earlier while putting her phone away.