AUTHOR'S POV
The spiraling hostility in inside the room was too bitter to taste that no one found the urge to take a bite of any food delivered on the table. The animosity grew as Priscilla and Stanley walk on eggshells with Alva Woodsworth. "Alva..", Stanley called, as he clear his throat.
"Stanley..", Alva clicked her tongue, shaking her head. "You should blame yourself for raising preposterous children taking actions that would cost you. You know me, I don't give second chances", Alva lowered her gaze at Stanley, not caring about the deal even a little. "Besides, I've come to my senses that I cannot remove my lovely daughter's right to choose who to love and who to marry.", she glanced at Diana with a smirk.
"Well then, Ms. Diana. Please accept the five medical grade drug producing prototypes that I will gift to you.. It's for the shame that I terribly made to put such beauty in a very ugly disposition", Scott said, as he lock his gaze at Diana. Alva was taken aback at his very generous offer. She never imagined that the son of the Devlins have such readiness for unstinted, lavish gift.
"Not necessary, Mr. Devlin! Such grand gesture is too much", Diana casually refused, and squinted to Scott shaking her head minimally signaling to stop.
"No, we'll accept it of course", Alva couldn't hide her elation hearing such generous present for an apology. "I like you. I should've made the deal with you instead of Stanley... Like Father, like Son, Scott", Alva grinned at Scott.
Scott furrowed his brows at her remark. 'Does she know my real father?', he thought. "Then maybe next time, we should make deals personally", Scott raised his glass, as Stanley grunted, while Priscilla awkwardly smiled. Despite in disapproval, the Devlins bestowed their trust on Scott, who made such a huge offer with Alva.
Scott watched Diana serve food on her mother's plate. She was unsure which ones she should get. Alva looked like the food doesn't taste good just by looking at it. She even pointed to Diana which ones she preferred most, seemingly Diana didn't exactly know what her mother likes. On the other hand, Alva never cared what Diana should try. Not even a drink to give her daughter. A certain love that doesn't seem to reciprocate as what Scott observed. However, maybe that's just that. Scott tried to believe.
On other side of the table, Priscilla gave Scott and Stanley their share of food before herself. She carefully chose which delectables fit for Stanley's diet. She skipped the sweets for Scott, for she knows that Scott doesn't eat other sweets aside from his strawberry shortcake. She was specific and all-knowing, unlike the mother and daughter in front of him.
"If I had known that your daughter would have such a compelling sight, I would be more careful from getting drugged by my siblings", Scott break the ice, in an attempt to know Alva Woodsworth better.
"It is a waste, indeed. As you know, sometimes, the people who stabs you in the back are the once you least expect. Too bad, the damage has been made. You better watch out from now on", Alva bats her eye and drank the remaining wine in her glass. She barely ate what's on her plate.
Scott nodded in approval. From the way Alva carries herself, she does know how to take the wheel and steer them with her own hands. A player who knows the game, with an intention of not losing in any way. Silence took over his parents, who seemed in defeat for pursuing the marriage. Wondering what he can do to persuade Alva in favor of the Devlins, Scott engaged in small talks building trust with the intricate woman of very high self-esteem.
"Please excuse me, I'll have to go to the restroom", Diana couldn't bear how her mother was able to put her as a daughter in between business trades. It shouldn't be called either smart or desperate. Diana felt as if she was just there to look pathetic. A rejected trophy bride, indeed.
Leaving the talk between the Devlins and her mother, Diana went to the restroom for a single person at the end of the hallway, washed her face and gaped at her reflection in the mirror. Letting the water flow freely from the faucet, she leaned on the basin wondering when this suffocating dinner would end. Moments later, she heard a soft knock on the door which forced her to hurry. "Just a minute", she finished up washing her hands, shaking them to dry. When she opened the door, she was startled when a pair of large hands grabbed her waist, covering her mouth and pushing her back in the restroom.
"What are you doing??", Diana gasped, as they cramp inside the small restroom.
"I wonder if she's really your mother, she's brilliant but scary", Scott whispered caressing her face, locking the door behind him.
"I'm not adopted.." she chuckled softly. "And sorry about what she said and how she treats your family. She's just like that", Diana placed both of her hands on Scott's chest.
"It's okay.", he mouthed and smiled, trying to be quiet as much as possible. With the small space in the restroom, he kept Diana close to his body.
"You ditched me in the wedding! How dare you.", Diana pushed Scott away and hit him on the chest.
"You heard Priscilla! I was kidnapped by my siblings!", Scott grabbed her hands on his chest, and winced with a teasing smile. "So, you cried because I didn't come, that you runaway to the island?", he was eager to hear her side of the story.
"I did not.. Those were happy tears. Who would want to be married to a stranger?", Diana put her hands down, trying to move away.
Scott tightened his grip on her waist, and pulled her closer to him. Definitely not letting her go from his grasp. "If only I didn't drink with my siblings, we should've been married now", with his arms wrapping around her waist, interlocking his fingers on her back
Diana rolled her eyes at Scott, with a sharp exhale. "Anyway, is my mother a wolf too?", whispering to Scott as she tiptoe to his ear.
"I can't sense anything from her. Not a vampire, not a wolf, nor a nagual. NOT A THING", Scott breathe deeply, confused on figuring out what in the world Alva is.
"How's that possible? I thought you're an Alpha?", Diana furrowed her brows at Scott demanding an explanation.
"Yes I am, and a strong one! But I don't know why I can't sense anything", Scott spoke in a normal tone. "Maybe she's just like you".
"Shh!!", Diana widened her eyes and laughed softly in a low tone. "Can you do something for me?", she took out the tarot card from her purse and gave it to Scott.
"What is it? How did you get this?", he took the card, not removing his other hand on her waist.
"Hendrick found this in my mother's belongings. I want to know if this matches Emilia's deck of cards like if she's missing this particular card... I wonder if she's okay, or how's everything going on in the island", Diana asked as she held on Scott's arms with utmost worry for Emilia.
"Alright…", Scott pocketed the card, despite not knowing what's going on. He grazed the lines on Diana's forehead, and asked, "What are you thinking?".
"It doesn't make sense but.. I think my mother went to see her. Well it's just a hunch. I told her about Emilia warning me about destruction, betrayal and the big bad wolf", Diana worriedly said, as she sigh sharply.
"Emilia said that? Well for one, it needs an invite to go to the island. No one gets in without a proper invitation from the owners", Scott reassured, running in his fingers in her hair lightly. Suddenly, Scott was struck when he remembered a nagual which came to Diana's aid during the attack back in the island. "But yea, I'll have it checked to be sure".
"Really? Well yea, I just really want to know... There could be nothing, right?", Diana tucked her hair behind her ears, getting tickled at Scott's touch. She then suddenly asked, "Your father.. he's unwell?"
"Yes.. and I believe your mother has the cure. Alva is quite uptight about making business deals... I gotta find another way to get it for Stanley. By the looks of it, wedding bells aren't sounding any better", Scott teased.
"She is, and yea, there's go to be a way. Well, I'll see what I can do to help. We're aren't too compatible for a wedding anyway", Diana teased back, with a serious note that Stanley might have been severely ill to be taking her mother as a their best shot.
"You smell good..", Scott brushed her cheek with his nose, tickling Diana on purpose.
"Oh stop it..", she gently slapped his cheek". "Hey, Scott.. the vamps..", Scott was trying to feel her from her arms to her shoulders that Diana tried to pull away from his firm grasp before anything indecent happens in the restroom. "Don't be ridiculous", She wanted to ask about vampires, knowing that Calvin drank her blood, but, given the situation, Diana thought it can wait. She then opened the door and went out only to find Alva waiting on the corridor.
"Diana let's go. The food here is disgusting.", Alva frowned, rolling her eyes in irritation.
"Huh? I should at least say goodbye to the Devlins.", Diana scurried along with her mother who's trotting in her heels. She took a quick glance at Scott, standing by the slightly open door of the restroom.
"No, don't bother. They managed to leave you at the altar, so they don't deserve a proper goodbye. They should be at least thankful that we showed up", Alva said, without turning back. Her disinterest meeting the Devlins fueled her impatience not wanting to stay any longer. Besides, Scott jilting Diana was never a diminution of their status in Alva's eyes. Many investors showed their sympathy extending their support in her business after the incident. So rather than an adversity, the called-off wedding was more like a windfall crashing in the palms of her hands.
Stating her unwavering decision of no wedding for Scott and Diana was her intention after all, and that was what she clearly delivered during dinner. If not for Scott giving her such a great offer, she wouldn't tarry for the main course with a few more glasses of wine. It was something that she expected, but not as generous as such. In her mind, taking Diana with her did served her well beyond everything. People are just like that. When they see what they lost, they come groveling dirt and licking your feet to show regret. And as she take home a great prize, Alva breezed through a facile win out of their failed deal.
Woodsworths 2, Devlins 0.
Scott stayed hidden until Alva is no longer in sight. He closed his eyes and tried to sense what creature she is. Still, nothing.
Diana felt bad for the Devlins. She couldn't just leave without saying goodbye despite starting their relationship at the wrong foot. As she pass the open door of the private dining room where they shared dinner, she stopped and watched how happily the wonderful couple eat their dinner. She couldn't help but feel sorry, so she turned around and found herself knocking softly on the door. "I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Devlin, my mother isn't in good shape to join you further for dinner. We'll take our leave.", she politely apologized.
Priscilla stood up, waved at Diana and kindly said "It's alright, dear. We understand". Priscilla, despite feeling an overwhelming sense of defeat, smiled at Diana. As Diana head out, she made one last look at Scott who's standing at the middle of corridor before leaving the restaurant.