Chapter 2.

"Austin!" Everyone screamed at the intensity of the slap. George staggered, biting his lips. His eyes turned red but he held his calm. No one was expecting that to happen. Especially not from Austin.

Anna released her hand slowly from George's clothes.

"Son of a wretch. Bringing this family name to the floor. In my family we don't have poor people. My sister is suffering because of you," he poured out all his angry words on George. He had been keeping all these inside of him and now it had reached its elastic limit.

"That was wrong, Austin," madam Patricia intervened, hitting the table with her hand. A beautiful glass cup fell off the table and shattered into pieces.

Ignoring it, she got up from her seat and moved to where George was standing still in shock.

"To hell with that, Grandmother. I can't believe you are comfortable being under the same roof with a church rat. Someone who can barely eat," he lamented pacing around the corner. It was as if he was looking for sharp objects to fight with.

Everyone started panicking and thick sweats surrounded Anna who stood in front of George, her husband.

"What has gotten into you, Austin? Have you gone nuts?" Anna yelled at him. Her legs were shaking and she was scared to the core. Her grandmother placed her hand around George's shoulder trying to take him out of the scene.

"You should be ashamed of yourself. I can't believe you are defending someone who can't take care of you. Since when did you start doing that?" He thundered and Anna trembled. His voice echoed through the walls of the house and Anna could not answer.

She was convinced she didn't know what also came over her. This was not the same person who never defended her so-called arranged husband. Everything felt weird.

"Have you all forgotten why we are here? Do you all want me to die before stopping this nonsense?" Madam Patricia asked and the chaos died down immediately.

George moved away from her as his thoughts overwhelmed him. His wife was secretly stealing glances at him and she could tell that he was so worried.

That slap was not necessary and it pricked her that he has the audacity to slap her husband. But, what are all these soft spots she is suddenly having for him?

Austin returned to his seat and brought out a big package that was wrapped beautifully from under the table. With all smiles, he presented it to his grandmother who turned her face away.

"You almost burned down my house, Austin. I won't accept this," she said, pushing the gift box away. Austin could not take a no for an answer. As far as he is concerned, she has to accept his gift.

Geroge was watching all these. He knew when Austin gave his grandmother keys to an expensive car. Now, he is giving her something expensive and precious. There was also an expensive antique vase beside it.

He felt like a lump of thrash. A waste and someone who couldn't do up to five percent of what Austin has done. His tongue suddenly turned bitter and he noticed Austin giving him funny faces.

His wife has all the reasons to hate him. He was a loser. Someone who has been deafeated and mocked several times.

"Everything I got is from my heart, grandmother. They are the best of the best. This vase is the only vase that was produced," he said, pleading with his grandmother.

Madam Patricia's eyes widened when she heard that statement. She became keen into what he was saying and a spark of hope appeared on Austin's face.

"This must be really expensive," she commented, rubbing the vase.

"Of course, they are. They cost a million dollars," he bragged and George gasped. It was loud enough that Austin knew it was from him.

"I bet you haven't seen that amount of money in your life," he threw a shade at George and George looked away.

"A million dollars!" Madam Patricia exclaimed. "This is a whole lot, Austin," she added, almost in tears.

"They are made from the precious stones and metals in this world. Anything for you grandmother," he bragged even further. Everything made George uncomfortable and the aroma coming towards them made him more uncomfortable.

The chefs brought in varieties of food and placed it on the table. Another round of celebration was about to kick start.

"I just wish your son-in-law did better. From the look of things, I know you are very disappointed in him," Austin shaded him again and Madam Patricia nodded.

"My husband may not be rich but I am quite sure he got that gift from his heart," Anna chipped in.

"The gift you threw away, Anna? Who are you trying to deceive?" Austin asked.

Anna buried her head in her hands. This was the first time she spoke out for George Melmer and now this was what she got.

She was the architect of her own problems and she knew it. She had started having mixed feelings towards George Melmer. She hated him with her guts but what could she do? He is her husband after all.

The rest of the family members enjoyed the show that was playing in front of them. They made up their mind not to interfere in their businesses. Afterall, none of them brought in any cheap looking gifts.

"Can you see how you made a fool out of yourself? Besides, why is your poverty stricken husband not talking?" Austin asked and George coughed.

"I think he may have a cold," one of the family members pointed out. She was only trying to save George from the deadly claws of Austin but that was a wrong move.

"A…," Austin wanted to say something when his mouth was left hung open. The table was set already and his grandmother now had everything under her control. She was getting really old and these noises had a major effect on her.

"Let's enjoy ourselves. My son-in-law and his lovely wife should sit beside me," she requested and they did as she said.

George grabbed a spoon but the more he stared into the food, the more he could not dig in. A lot of things were running through his mind and the rate at which his heart beat suddenly changed.

Something had to be done to stop all these insults thrown at him. Why is it that right from birth, he has never been accepted by anyone?

"George…," his wife called out and he jolted back to reality. He gave a weak smile and he noticed that everyone's eyes were on him.

"I'm sorry," he apologized, not knowing if he did anything wrong. The only thing he heard were sighs and murmurs from various angles.

What was going on again? He was the only one whose food had not been touched. Suddenly, he lost appetite and he stood up from his seat.

Austin took his chance again and picked on George. He has sworn to make sure George never had peace. Especially when he was there.

"I will advise you to sit down. You should be the last person to leave this table. You will help the maid's to clear this place off. After all, what use are you?"

"I will do that," George humbly accepted and took his seat. His wife stared at him in horror and shook her head. Once more, she was embarrassed by this man but couldn't do anything about it.

"There are some vital questions I need to ask you, George. You don't even seem smart enough to answer them so I will give you the cheap ones," he mocked George again.

"Austin!" Anna yelled at him but he placed his finger on his lips, informing her to keep shut.

"Don't involve yourself in this," he warned her.

George nodded, urging him to bring in his questions. He has faced worse scenarios and he didn't die.

"Have you ever bought your wife an ear ring? Even if it's a cheap one?" he asked and Anna stood up from her seat, trying to cause a commotion.

"I haven't," George answered calmly and the rest of the family members were in shock.

If he couldn't buy a pair of earrings for his wife, he was no way capable of providing. He knew everything he had to say.

"Austin, let this slide. This is my family. This is my business," Anna said, defending her husband and Austin rose to his feet.

"If you take a look at this closely, you will see that I am at the receiving end. I have to provide for everything your husband should be able to do," the words rushed out of Austin's mouth and Anna looked away for a few seconds.

"If you are tired, why don't you stop it?" Anna asked and he laughed sarcastically.

"I can't watch my sister suffer. You married a loser, this makes you a loser too. Poverty makes my body inch," he answered.

Anna was speechless and dumbfounded. She could not find any words to fight back her brother. She became really embarrassed and George rose from his seat, taking a look at the vase.

"Take your eyes off that vase, George . You want to break it on purpose. If anything happens to it, you can't replace it," Austin scolded him but George turned around calmly.

"This vase is fake!" he exclaimed and a tiny smirk appeared on his lips.