Even though I was curious, I didn't bother asking Neil, 'cause it was not like he would spill the beans anyway.
I didn't know when I dozed off. I didn't get much sleep last night, so now all I wanted was to hit the hay. When I woke up, I found myself not in the car, but on a bed. The surroundings clued me in that it was Neil's room.
Holding my forehead, I couldn't recall how I ended up on the bed, but Neil walked in at that moment, asking me, "Did you get enough sleep? If you're good and rested, come on down for food, my mom and the others are waiting.”
"I'll be there in a jiffy." I replied, feeling a tad embarrassed.
Then Neil left the room.
My phone buzzed at that moment. It was a call from my mom, telling me that today was Faith's birthday. Mom had already called her to wish her happy birthday, and she hoped I could send Faith a birthday wish too.
Usually, our parents would just send a simple message on their birthdays. It was our generation who took care of the whole gift-giving thing.
I immediately agreed to it, not mentioning to my mom that Faith and the others were waiting for me downstairs for dining. After hanging up, I hurried downstairs, wanting to find a hiding spot as soon as I reached the dining room.
Aside from Neil, Ryan and Faith, all of Neil's uncles and aunts were there, sitting around a large table.
When I came down, all eyes were on me.
Except for my wedding day, I had never seen all his family at once.
"Irene, come over!" Faith, dressed in red and looking elegant, beamed at me. She didn't seem mad that I overslept and missed the meal. She waved at me, indicating an empty seat next to Neil.
His uncles and aunts all smiled at me. I didn't have much interaction with them usually, so we weren't close. I quickly put on a smile and greeted all the elders. None of them were ordinary people, all being influential figures in the business world.
In my past life, Neil and this bunch of family of his ruined my family. But I didn't blame them. They didn't force Neil to divorce me to marry Bonnie. It was Neil who forced them helping him. Neil and I didn't have a kid. Any person in their shoes would have chosen to help their kin.
I wasn't stupid. If I let what happened in my past life affect my attitude towards them now, showing them hostility, they would only be wary and disgusted by me.
After they all responded to my greetings, I told Faith, "The gift is still in the car. I'll go get it."
"Neil brought it in for you. I've already put it on." Faith said with a big smile, then turned her head, showing off the exquisite gemstone necklace around her neck. It was a cluster of flowers made of gemstones, each with a hollow center filled with precious spices. Any slight movement from the wearer would give off a faint, elegant scent.
The necklace was elegant and the scent was heartwarming. Faith naturally loved it, or she wouldn't have put it on right away.
"It's beautiful. It goes perfectly with your outfit today." I complimented sincerely.
Faith grinned even wider, "You have a great sense of style. I love everything you've gotten me. Let's sit down and eat."
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