Chapter 27 - Evening among friends

At the sight of the dining room, Lily thought of the dining room in her grandparents' house. The tastes obviously resembled each other. A sumptuous crystal chandelier above the dark mahogany table.

A cool landscape painting in shades of gray and blue adorns the ice-blue wall, to the left and right of the painting hang two mirrors that are reminiscent of silver suns.

The table is already set and looks just breathtaking. Everything is coordinated to the smallest detail.

Only the huge crystal vase with the pink peony blossoms stands out from the rather cool color concept. Nevertheless, matching the rather creamy colors in the room.

"Please, sit down." Loulou assigned Lily one of the beige upholstered chairs beside which a butler waited.

"Does Adrien need pillows to sit?" She asks curiously.

"No, that's alright. He usually sits on my lap. "

"Isn't it uncomfortable for you? There are plenty of pillows in this house, so he can sit down comfortably. For the next time I just ask Phips to get a baby chair."

She looked at Lily and then sighs. "My brother can be a real idiot sometimes. He could have told me a little earlier. Then we would have the right chair for Adrien. I'm so sorry." Loulou smiled politely, but Lily could see the curiosity in her eyes sparkle as well. She felt unwell. Loulou would ask some questions tonight and Lily would have to shake a pair of lies from her sleeves to keep Alexandre's house of cards alive. Couldn't he have warned her?

Restless, she bit her lip. She did not want to lie. Loulou and her fiancé seemed so nice. She did not want to lie to her anymore.

"I have to apologize to you sooner. That was more of a spontaneous action. You know how children could be." She stroked quietly over Adrien's soft hair. The little one was very calm in her arms. That's how it was always when he met strangers. He made no pips and just clung to Lily, burying his head in the crook her neck. "Besides, I do not mind. Adrien is more of a shy child. He would not want to sit in a chair, " Lily explained meekly.

"I would love to get to know him better. You both! Could I visit you in the next few days." Her voice was full of curiosity.

Lily did not know how to answer.

But at that moment, the two men returned to the dining room. "Of course, you are always welcome." Alexandre replied with a deceptive friendliness.

Alexandre adjusted the chair for Lily before sitting down next to her. "Is everything okay?" He asks softly. She nodded. "A few prior warning would have been nice."

"Spontaneous Change of Mind." The corners of his mouth twisted into a cheeky grin.

"You aren't one of those people who are spontaneous." Angry, she sparkled. Why could he never initiate her into his plans?

"Wine, Lillian?" Asks Phillipe.

She broke away from Alexandre's captivating gaze. "No thanks, I do not drink alcohol." She would not touch a single drop. She had seen what alcohol could do to a human being. This drink she was afraid of. "But please call me Lily." His eyes reflected goodwill and joy. "What can I offer you?"

"A glass of water, please."

"And for Adrien?"

"An orange juice, please."

"Paulette, would you please." Phillipe instructed one of the maids. The maid approached Lily with a carafe. Carefully, she poured the juice into a glass. A sweetish scent of fresh oranges floated through the air. Even Adrien did not seem to have missed this delicious smell. Although he ignored all conversations in the background and the evening partly indifferent endured. He was still hungry.

The toddler tugged expectantly on Lily's sleeve.

"Do you want to drink?" Lily asked softly as the conversations continued in the background. Although she felt that Louise kept looking at her curiously. Louise said nothing, and she just watched Lily and Adrien carefully.

Adrien nodded eagerly. Without hesitating she reaches for the glass and handed it over to her little toddler, who began to sip it greedily.

"Where did you meet Lily at all?" Loulou then asked her brother curiously. While the service staff began to serve dinner. Adrien wrinkled his nose when he realized it was not spaghetti. For the first course there was a fine onion soup.

"Didn't you already read that in one of your gossip magazines?"Alexandre asked with mock politeness his curious sister.

"They write what they want. Far from any truth." Lily choked on her water. "What are they writing?" She asked carefully, then she took the empty glass from Adrien's hand. Nevertheless, her attention was on Loulou. Perplexed, Lily grabbed the spoon for the appetizer and dipped it into the clear broth. Louise watched Lily like a predator. Before she answered with a mischievous grin on her red lips. "The usual." Her answer was brief and meaningless and Lily sat like on hot coals. "The usual?" She repeated slowly and began to feed Adrien. The toddler reluctantly ate. But he ate because his Lily fed him.

Looking for help, she peered at Alexandre. What does Louise mean by that? Lily tried to convey Alexandre with her eyes. A mysterious smile appeared on his lips. Lily got a bad feeling in her stomach. She suspected something bad. Lily's hands itched. Never had she felt such a desire to beat someone. Why did he have to hide so much from her? Couldn't he just warn her? But her husband was no help to her. He seemed more delight to enjoy her helplessness. What made her even madder? "What do you know about it?" Lily asked sweetly her beloved husband.

"More than you, apparently."

This man drove her crazy with his games. And that grin. This smug grin. What was his problem? Lily narrowed her eyes and tried to recollect herself. "What have you done?"