CHAPTER 161: FAMILY DINNER AND HIDDEN SECRETS
The next morning was Sunday.
James didn't know how long he had slept, but when he woke up, Diana was nowhere in sight.
He looked around the room, and when he didn't find her, he stood up, ready to step out until he realized he didn't even have what to wear.
He picked up his phone and dialed Beatrice. Since Angelo was handling things for him in his absence and Antonio had gone on a business trip, she was the only one he could rely on at the moment.
Beatrice picked up on the first ring.
"Yes, boss?"
"I need a change of clothes. As soon as possible. Find a way to make it happen."
He didn't have a problem delivering this kind of message to Beatrice. The girl had been with him for years, she knew the kind of person he was. She was the next best thing after Antonio, so it wasn't an issue.
"No problem, boss," she replied, and the call ended.
James then dialed his wife's number. But unfortunately, the phone rang out right there in the room.
He sighed. There was no option but to wait either for Beatrice to arrive or Diana to return.
He decided to shower while he waited.
When he stepped out of the bathroom a few minutes later, he stopped dead in his tracks.
Diana was standing in the middle of the room in shorts and a baggy polo. She held a fancy bag in her hand.
"Here are your clothes, treasure," she said softly. "Beatrice brought them for you."
Without saying a word, James quickly crossed the space between them and pulled her into his arms.
Diana smiled and wrapped her hands around his neck.
"Why didn't you wait for me to wake up first?" he asked, his voice low and slightly playful, like a man who felt robbed of a moment.
Diana smiled and looked at him. "I went to prepare breakfast for you," she responded cheekily.
He stared at her like she had spoken a strange language. "And your mom, my grandma… in fact, the whole family allowed that?"
He had seen the love they had for her and their unborn babies. The way they looked at her yesterday told him everything. He felt she was going to be treated like a porcelain doll from now on.
"Well, I didn't give them much choice," Diana responded.
"How?" James asked again.
"Well, I threw a tantrum. I threatened to starve myself if they didn't allow me to cook for you."
James raised his brows at that as she continued.
"Plus, my father chimed in. He said, 'For what it's worth, she's still a wife to her husband, and it's her responsibility until things get too hard for her.' It was only then they relented."
"Wow, babe," James said as he kissed her lips lightly.
"I also don't want you doing chores at home from now on," he said more seriously. "The maids and I can handle everything. Just let us take care of you, hmm?"
"But I can't just sit around and do nothing, can I?" Diana asked, frowning.
"Yes, you can. You just have to go to work and come back. That's all," James said, still trying to convince her.
"No babe, I don't accept that," Diana replied firmly. "You'll have to respect my decision on this and not try to make one for me."
"Okay," James agreed immediately when he saw her face turning dark. "I'm sorry. I'll respect your wishes but on one condition."
"What?" Diana asked, pouting.
"You listen to me from now on."
Diana: ...
She knew exactly what listening to him meant. It meant doing everything he said whether she liked it or not, except for this particular matter. She bit her lip and sighed. The man was truly evil and cunning.
She rolled her eyes at him and started to leave his embrace, but James quickly pulled her back and held her tightly.
"Okay, I'll compromise for now. How about that?"
Diana nodded quickly and smiled. "Thank you," she said, beaming up at him. "Oh—and breakfast is ready. You should dress quickly."
James nodded, and Diana stood by, watching as he got dressed. After he was done, she held his hand, and together they walked downstairs, straight to the dining room.
The family was already seated at the dining table. James paused for a second, completely marveled at the sight before him. The table was full—breakfast potatoes, turkey bacon, toast, eggs, and several other delicacies neatly arranged and still steaming. It was a proper spread.
"Good morning, Dad. Mom. Grandma," he greeted as he stepped in.
They responded with warmth and cheerfulness.
Phoebe beamed at him, "Good morning, brother-in-law."
James blinked, stunned for a second. It was the first time she'd ever called him that.
"Good morning, Phoebe," he said, a smile creeping onto his lips.
Rebecca, Jason, and Jackson also greeted him in unison—yet another surprise. But he didn't miss a beat; he replied with grace and sat down, only after pulling out a chair for Diana.
That small gesture didn't go unnoticed.
Raymond let out a low grunt of satisfaction, while Katherine watched the couple with a soft, motherly smile.
"You prepared all this?" James asked Diana, still amazed.
"Mhm hmm, I did," she answered sweetly. "You're in my family home, and this is your first time spending the night. If I don't take care of you well, who will? That's why I'm your wife."
"That's my girl," Katherine said, beaming with pride.
Grandma's face lit up with joy, her eyes shining.
"Diana, just keep serving us dog food without remorse, okay?" Rebecca added sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
Laughter rippled around the table. James reached out and ruffled Diana's hair, chuckling.
"I better eat everything then, since you went through all that stress."
"You better," Diana replied immediately, smiling at him.
As the family dug in, light-hearted banter circled the table. James kept his word, eating every bite and praising Diana loudly and proudly.
Through it all, Diana could barely stop blushing.
After breakfast, she took his hand, and the two slipped quietly back upstairs.
Inside the privacy of their room, Diana collapsed onto the bed with a heavy sigh. James followed, lying beside her and pulling her into his arms.
"When do you leave?" she asked him softly.
"Tonight," James replied.
"I've got an important meeting by 7 a.m. tomorrow. I can't miss it."
The words hit Diana like a stone to her chest. She looked up at him, her eyes immediately glossy. She didn't want to cry, but the emotion was hard to fight.
James noticed it immediately and smiled gently. "Or… would you rather come with me?" he offered.
Diana sniffed and shook her head. "Babe, you know I can't. The event we've been planning for is this Saturday. If anything, I need to be around now more than ever."
"Well, I could just tell Toby Champion to go fuck himself," James said with a playful smirk, clearly trying to lighten the mood.
But Diana froze.
"What! No. Don't do that. You can never do that." Her voice came out sharp and anxious as she sat up and turned away from him.
James blinked, startled by her sudden shift. "Honey, I was only kidding. Why the strong reaction?"
"Nothing," Diana replied quickly, already standing up and avoiding his gaze.
But inside, her heart was pounding.
She felt guilty. His joke had hit too close to home. Toby Champion, her boss, the man who had offered her the job because of his interest in her was part of a secret plan she and the girls had been weaving. A plan James knew nothing about. A plan that might crumble if Toby got the wrong idea about her being married.
And now, she couldn't even face her husband.