The meal went by awkwardly. Sophia kept her head down as she ate, all the while fully aware of every single one of her hairs standing on end as she thought that she should find some time to clarify things with Claude.
Everyone hastily gobbled their food, leaving Claude and Michael to talk to each other.
“How old are you?”
“I’m 27 this year, Sir.”
“An older man trying to snap up a younger woman. No go. What’s your zodiac sign?”
“I’m a Pisces, Sir.”
“Your signs aren’t compatible with each other. I don’t approve of this. What do you work as?”
“I’m part of the performance branch in the military…”
“That doesn’t bring in the money. You’re not getting my seal of approval! How tall are you?”
“1.81 meters.”
“Too short. No thank you.”
Claude’s head was beaded with sweat due to his anxiety. It was the first time he was eating with this strict potential future father-in-law.
Michael’s face was as frosty as a primordial glacier, making Claude look as though he was about to ravish the former’s girl.
Then, Claude gave Sophia some food. “Here, Sophia, eat this. You’ll be able to recover faster if you eat more.”
Michael smacked Claude’s fork away with his own fork. “She doesn’t like that.”
After that, Claude poured some juice for Sophia. “Here, have some.”
Again, Michael smacked Claude’s hand away. “She doesn’t like that juice.”
Even when faced with Michael’s deliberate sabotage, Claude remained even-tempered. He simply accepted things graciously. Even Harry was so moved by this ‘future son-in-law’ of Michael’s that he couldn’t resist putting in a word for him. “Hey old chap, this is Claude’s first visit here. Quit heckling him.”
shut up at last, but he still glared hard at
while away. It was expected that Michael would antagonize him. When Claude thought about how Michael’s twenty year-old precious daughter was
time with Michael. The whole party sat in the living room, unsure what to do. They either watched TV, patted the cat, or played
Sophia didn’t dare to speak as she sat next to him, her eyes darting to look anywhere but
find a mutual topic with Michael, but unfortunately, Michael was having none of it. He would simply grunt here and there at
Fletchers had a karaoke machine, he decided to say something bold. “Why don’t I sing something
was up and running, so Claude picked up a microphone and began to pour his
valleys are green, I’ll come back
waiting, the sweeter
darlin’, I promise you
time I hold you,
give up the
Forever I know.”
It was as though he put all his feelings into the lyrics, pouring
look on her face
if a cold wind had blown over everyone. Even though they could feel the chill
However, he had retired from the band and now worked behind the scenes handling paperwork. Occasionally, he would compose a song or write some lyrics, but his singing still remained top-notch. His voice was clear and powerful, and he had a flair to his
ended his song, Michael stood
soulful melody resounded around the living room after Michael selected his song,
microphone and
blows, stinging my
me, of my
like a pickaxe, hacking away at daddy’s
a loss for
Michael’s hawk-like eyes remained locked
him in the end; he felt
when they finished their karaoke session. Claude prepared to leave, but Sophia felt that she should clear things up with him
didn’t seem to be unwilling to let her
like a wolf tracking its prey
walked with Claude to send him off, an expression of pain on her face, for she had no idea how to break it to
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