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Although she tried to focus her heart on what Leon was reading, her mind kept drifting and wondering why Marissa seemed unwaveringly focused on her.

It felt as though Marissa was monitoring all her emotional displays while searching for a weak spot.

This made Ella feel breathless and in need of some personal space and fresh air.

‘Why did Leon have to choose a seat opposite his mum?’ she questioned her thoughts angrily. ‘Couldn’t he have chosen somewhere less tormenting?’

As Ella continued to stare into her blank phone feeling two pairs of judgemental eyes weighing and scaling her, she suddenly felt her full bladder push down.

“Shit! Bad timing!” She mumbled and sighed inwardly.

She shifted in her seat and bit down on her lips as she waited patiently for Leon to conclude his reading.

Immediately, Leon said the final salutation, she raised her hand and said; “please, I have to use the convenience.”

.....

Without waiting for any form of a reply, she shot up and dashed out of the room.

“Hmm... Such an uncultured lady!” Yvonne sighed. She was about to cough out more dirt when Leon’s chilly stares and her husband’s soft touch made her swallow her words.

A brief silence lingered due to Ella’s absence as Leon remained silent while patiently waiting for her to return.

“Leon, can we please continue?” Marissa asked calmly. “We don’t need to wait for your wife to return. For all we know, she could decide to take a shower or go to...”

Marissa didn’t get to finish her words when Ella stepped back into the room and apologized for the brief interruption.

“You should be!” Marissa hissed and looked away.

“It’s fine dear, we understand! Please take your seat.” Maxwell said curtly. “Let’s all take a moment to digest all that Leon has read.”

When Ella sat down, a gentle breeze whooshed into the room, through the open windows, engulfing every tension and anger that was beginning to hover above.

It felt as though something mysterious followed Ella into the sitting room.

Everyone felt a nerve-relaxing sensation as the curtain on the window fluttered freely on the wings of the gentle blowing breeze.

Leon felt his drumming heart harmonize with the calmness in the room. His misty eyes slowly roved through the words of the letter in his slightly quivering hand and it felt as though Nana Esther had been speaking through him.

Breathing out a sigh of relief, Leon quietly took his seat and held tightly onto Ella’s right hand. He slowly lifted it to his lips and kissed it tenderly while whispering these words to her; “l love you.”

“I love you too!” Ella whispered back and rested her head on his shoulders while staring into his glistening eyes.

Due to the compelling stillness that enveloped the room, there was complete silence. It felt as though everyone was lost in their thoughts.

After a while, Maxwell cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention.

“Just like my mum wrote, let’s all embrace peace and show love to one another. Fighting within ourselves will not yield any good results. It will only lead to hatred, chaos, and revenge. Together, we are a strong and formidable family. But divided, we can be easily conquered.”

Maxwell looked in Marissa’s direction as if giving her a signal.

“My husband was a great man, a wonderful husband, and an amazing father. It will be difficult for anyone to fit into his shoes. Hence, I encourage everyone to leave and uphold some of his distinct legacies which are; Honesty, integrity...”

Marissa paused and stared at Ella with a condescending and judgemental look as if to tell her that she lacked such qualities. Then she shifted her gaze to her two daughters; who were seated side by side.

“... selflessness, perseverance, and unconditional love. As we say goodbye to my husband and Nana Esther, who I fondly call mum, let’s all refrain from any form of quarreling amongst ourselves, fighting, or stepping on each other toes.” Marissa concluded her last statement while reverting her gaze to Ella as if the word trouble was plastered on her forehead.

After a brief display of emotion and chatting, everyone dispersed from the living room to go prepare for the funeral ceremony.

Ella was in her bedroom, seated by herself on the bed and going through some pictures she got from Nana Esther’s room when someone knock on her door.

“Come in, it’s open!” She sang out.

The door opened and a slender hand slid in a long white flowing dress through the door.

“Do you like it?” Ivory asked in an excited tone before opening the door wide and stepping into the room.

“Oh my gosh! This is beautiful! I love it!”

Ella happily jump down from the bed and walked towards Ivory. She collected the dress from Ivory and slowly admired every inch of it.

“This is so beautiful Ivory! Is this mine?” Ella asked with hopeful smiles.

“Of course! My brother didn’t spare any cost at getting this dress for you. He wanted you to look breathtaking.” Ivory couldn’t stop herself from beaming.

“Aww!” Ella smiled while hugging the dress to her chest.

“It’s just unfortunate that he will not be standing beside you looking this captivating and sexy.”

“Yeah! Your mum made sure of that!”

Ella’s tone bore a hint of disappointment and anger.

“Ugh! Don’t feel bad, Ella! it’s just for an hour or two. Moreover, you will be in the company of Justin’s parents and I know they can’t wait to have you, especially his mum.”

“Yeah,” Ella’s face lit up in excitement. I can’t wait to meet with Mrs. Richmond again. I really love that woman. She reminds me of Nana Esther.”

“That’s true! Justin’s mum is the best! I like being around her! Because of her, I find myself endeared to Justin.” Ivory raised her eyes to the roof, lost in thought.

“Hmm...I can smell sweet romance in the air! Justin’s mum is going to make an amazing mother-in-law.”

“Ella!” Ivory shoved Ella on the arm playfully.

“By the way, is Justin the one taking me to the beach or would your mum permit Leon to do so,” Ella asked.

“I think Justin will be the one taking you there. But, I can’t wait to see the jealous look on my brother’s face when he finds his beautifully glowing wife in the company of my handsome Justin.” Ivory giggled mischievously.

“Well, he has your mum to keep him company!” Ella replied sardonically.