Chapter 266: One step at a time

''What?'' Lucy felt that Kristine was an unfamiliar person in her eyes.

''You heard me. Since I got here, you have tried to sabotage and make my relationship with grandpa bad, but you could have just tried to make your relationship with him good instead of targeting me. I don't know what I've done to you but this has got to stop. Today is grandpa's birthday. Do you really want everyone to leave here knowing every little detail about our family?'' Kristine asked her and she kept quiet.

''I don't care whether you hate me or not but you should really go right now and look for your boyfriend and apologise to him for hurting him. Being here, fighting with me isn't going to solve anything. Do you understand?''

''He broke up with me already. I don't have anything left'' Lucy sounded dejected.

''He hasn't left yet. What makes you think you have nothing left? We are your family and if you just stop been unreasonable, you will realise how much everyone loves you''

''Do you think; George will accept me back. I am a terrible person''

''He is here already'' Ronald said to her as he walked towards them. Lucy's makeup was ruined because of the tears on her face.

''George is here?'' she looked around anxiously.

''Yes, he is here and you need to stop acting so petty and apologise to him'' Kristine said and pointed at a distance. George was standing with Nelson.

Earlier on, Nelson had approached Kristine to talk to her about what happened and after making sure she was ready to make peace with Lucy, he went to look for George and bring him back.

''Why are you so nice to me? Don't you hate me?'' Lucy asked Kristine.

''I hate you, but in the end, we can't choose who we want our family to be. We are not getting any younger, there is really no use in fighting all the time. Lucy, I really want to make things work between us, but that will only happen if you agree to stop been a brat''

''You just called me a brat. This is why we can never get along with each other, but if you give me back my 5%, I might consider you as family''

''I never took that shares. Ask grandpa, I told him to keep for you since it's yours''

Kristine's words brought tears to Lucy and she pouted her lips, this was why she could never really hate Kristine because the latter was always good to her. At that moment a swell of emotions took over her and she couldn't help but hug Kristine.

''Listen, I'm sorry. I admit, I've always been jealous of you but as you said, all this fighting isn't worth it''

''You better go to George now''

''Okay'' Lucy smiled and went towards George.

The scene attracted a lot of people and they couldn't help but applaud especially Old Mr. Amanfo, who clapped his hands first proudly. He was getting tired and didn't know how to make those two reconcile. It seemed he didn't have to worry about that, because they had resolved their problems themselves. He turned to Uncle John and Aunt Meg who had solemn expressions of regret.

They had pampered and given in to Lucy and always felt that their family wasn't showed the love they deserved. So they made their daughter compete for attention, filled her mind with things that weren't exactly true. They turned their own daughter into an insufferable person.

Had it not being the family reunion, they wouldn't have realised the extent to what their actions had produced in their daughter. Everything that happened the past two days made them realised they had been wrong.

Uncle John and Aunt Meg walked up to Mrs. Kate, they felt bad that they had always attacked her for no reason and she had always been quiet.

Now that they were thinking about it, ever since their elder brother died, Mrs. Kate had taken up the family business together with Nelson and Uncle Max because Uncle John didn't know how to manage businesses. All they did was be at home and still ask for money from the people that worked hard to get it.

''Sister in law, I just realised how selfish I have been. I didn't think about how you feel, losing your husband and having to work so hard. I also didn't train Lucy up well. I always thought that she needed to be better than Kris in order for Grandpa to love her more. I'm sorry'' Aunt Meg said and Mrs. Kate shook her head.

''It's alright. I am glad that all the misunderstanding between us have been resolved. With family, there is no need to be sorry for anything''

''Do you remember, when we first got married? We were so close back then. I wonder what happened and why I changed so much'' Uncle Meg hugged Mrs. Kate. When they both got married, they liked each other but drifted apart after some time.

''Father, I am the eldest now but I didn't do my part and contributed to the hate and misunderstanding in this family. I have failed in this aspect and you must be disappointed in me, right?'' Uncle John said to his father.

''I don't hate you. Actually, I asked everyone to come this time around because I knew that our family could be saved. Kristine is someone who loves to be at peace with everyone. I knew she would be able to help this family. I know, I have been hard on her all these years but that is because I love her. I knew with her around, our family will definitely one day, return to its peaceful state once again. but she suddenly left and I felt disappointed that's why I tried to sabotage everything she did. In this, I have wronged Kristine. Everyone has done one thing or the other to hurt one or more people but it is good that we can resolve our issues. Even if my party is ruined'' the old man said.

''The party isn't exactly ruined. We are together in the end, grandpa'' Nelson said and others agreed.

''Everyone, I'm sorry that the party will have to end on such a short notice but I will throw another party soon and invite everyone. I want to spend the rest of tonight with the people that mean the most to me'' the old man said and the people applauded.

The said their goodbyes and soon left one after the other. It was now the family in the compound.

Lucy returned with George by her side. She walked to her grandfather saying, ''grandpa, I'm sorry. Now, I promise to be a good human being''

''Silly girl. You were always good. You just didn't realise it'' the old man looked at her and George adding, ''it's good to have you back George. I was really fond of you and you too, Ronald. I hope that your relationships with my granddaughters will be a fruitful one so that we can become a real family soon''

''We will work on it, right Kris?'' Lucy turned to look at Kristine.

''Oh'' Kristine flushed.

''Oh'' Lucy furrowed her brows saying, 'why do I feel that you two aren't exactly a real couple. Don't misunderstand, I don't mind it in a bad way this time. Kris isn't showing that she is crazy for you, brother in law''

''I am the one crazy over her'' Ronald said holding Kris' hand. His statement made everyone laugh.

'That's good. Make sure you don't hurt my sister in law'' Vera said at the side.

'Grandpa, let's go inside and continue the celebration there'' Nelson said.

'Sound like a plan'' Uncle Max who was quiet suddenly spoke.

'Let's go inside then''

….

It was late into the night when everyone retired to their room. They had fun and chatted for a long time, told each other stories and finally reconciled their differences.

Kristine and Ronald got to the room. Kristine collapsed on the bed and yawned tiredly. Ronald went into the bathroom and soon returned fully changed out of his formal suit after taking a bath. He looked at the bed and chuckled.

''Kris, are you not going to bath?'' he asked her and she waved her hand dismissing him.

''I don't think I have the energy to move from here. I am so tired''

''Then, change. Don't you feel uncomfortable wearing that tight dress?'' Ronald was worried that she would feel uncomfortable later in the night when she slept in the dress.

''I'm too tired to get up. don't worry, it isn't so uncomfortable'' she shifted her body to one side and patted on the empty space beside her saying, ''would you like to sleep on the bed?''

Ronald looked at her shocked and she turned to look at him smiling, 'the bed is big enough for two people. the weather is a little cold tonight'' her face turned red.

''You are drunk. Tomorrow, you are going to regret this'' Ronald said to her as he laid the beddings on the floor.

''Come on, don't be such a killjoy'' she stretched her hand and pulled him over to her side and he fell on top of her'