A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE THIRTY SIX

THEME: Meeting the Crawford Clan

CONNECTICUT, UNITED OF AMERICA

CRAWFORD MANSION

The ride to the Crawford’s home was in total silence with each person lost in their own thoughts. They had nothing to say to each other.

When Christopher drove into his family’s mansion, Raven couldn’t help the shock that grazed her face. The expression showed that it was like the fairy tale sort of mansion she grew up knowing as a fantasy lover. There was a water fountain in the middle of the compound and on the other side were different exotic cars parked in place.

Raven could smell and feel wealth, riches plus sophistication at the same time. She would have never dreamt of entering such an eloquence and luxury in her life. She wanted a good life for herself and family but this was beyond her imagination.

Telling her not to open the door herself like she used to, he came down hurriedly, walked around the car and opened the car door for her. Christopher held on to her wrist as she stepped out of the car causing Raven’s breathing to hitch at their closeness.

“Relax. Relax. Relax.” She said internally and also reminded herself that it was only acting.

Christopher smiled brightly at her, interlocked their hands and walked his fake bride to be towards the door. She wondered how long he must have been rehearsing this scene because of the way he switched so easily and always catching her off guard.

“Are you always this sweet or it is just you being desperate?” Raven teased.

Christopher shot her a glare but still keeping up the feigned smile. He wanted to say something sassy to her question but knowing how poke nosing his family can be, they could be watching from any angle of the house and he didn’t want to be found suspicious and wanting. So he decided to let things slide.

“Welcome to my family’s humble abode.” Christopher announced trying to open the door.Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

However someone who was dressed in a butler outfit opened the door. “Welcome Mr Christopher Crawford. Welcome Miss…” his words trailed off not knowing what to call the woman next to him.

“Raven. Please call me Raven.” She responded sharply.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Raven. Welcome to the Crawford’s home. I am Carlos. Let me have your bag please. And do you mind to tell me what is in it?” He asked.

Raven disentangled her hand from Christopher’s. “Cookies, cakes and cream. I brought it for dessert.” She answered with a light grin.

Without saying a word, the butler took the bag from her. “Shall I lead the way?”

Christopher shook his head. “Of course please. Thanks Carlos.” He answered and held on to Raven’s hand again as they followed closely behind the butler.

Raven stared with her mouth agape at the massive foyer, everything in the house screamed of money. The walls were embedded in expensive looking art works, the chandeliers were made of gold. She couldn’t believe she was going to have a taste of this much luxury in six months.

“Oh my God! This is about to get lit!” Tiana’s voice rang in her ear.

“Just about time!” A voice said as Carlos paved way for them to the dinning area. And the voice fumed out to be that of James Crawford.

Christopher was a miniature of him. James Crawford was just as fit and as good looking as his son but just a bit older.

“I thought you were about to bail out on us.” His eyes drifted to the woman next to his son. “Wow! You are so beautiful.” He complimented her.

Colors touched her prominent cheekbones. “What’s keeping you waiting? Introduce her to us, Chris!” The woman who seemed to be his mother said in excitement.

Christopher knew his parents would act so impatient. “Oh sorry, pardon my manners.” Christopher apologized.

“Everyone, meet my fiancée, Raven McKenna. Raven meet my family, this is my dad, James Crawford. My mom, Hope Crawford. Ashley King, my older sister. That’s Matthew King, her husband. My cute nephews and niece, Liam, Adam and Eisner. Say hi to my woman kids.” He gleamed at them.

“Hi!” The three kids said in unison.

“And lastly this is my lovely and cute little sister, Ava Crawford.” He introduced almost out of breathe.

Even before he completed the introduction, Ava already jumped to her feet and she hugged Raven tightly.

“I have been wanting to meet you for so long. I can see why he hid you from us. I don’t mean to flatter you but… you are so beautiful!” Ava commented. She withdrew from the embrace and offered her a seat.

Ava Crawford smelled so nice and Raven liked her fragrance.

“Thank you so much. It’s really nice to finally get to meet you all. I have heard so much about everyone.” Raven smiled shyly as she took the seat offered to her.

“Carlos said you brought dessert, that’s so thoughtful of you.” Hope said. The butler had mouthed a few words to his bosses before he paved way for the soon to be couple.

“Thank you ma’am.” Raven nodded her head.

“Christopher told us you are a great cook… I mean a chef at that.” Hope added.

“Yes ma’am.” Raven replied.

“Oh please feel free to call me, Hope. We are family now.”

“I wanted to know the lady that got my boy smitten and I must admit that I see why. You have done a great job, son.” James laughed after winking at his son.

They all joined in the laughter except Ashley who seemed not to appreciate Raven’s presence.

“I got my charms from you dad. I learnt from the best.” Christopher winked too. He took a seat next to Raven after kissing her lightly on the cheek. His gesture made everyone in the room smile brightly at them.

“I guess you all are starving as much as I am. Let us get to it please.” Christopher said.

Dinner went well with no hitch. And when it was time for dessert, Hope ordered that Raven’s dessert be served instead to everyone. And Raven was so pleased and touched at her soon to be mother in law’s kindness.

“This is so yummy!” Eisner said.

“Did you make this… aunt Raven?” Liam asked.

Beaming with pride, Christopher helped out a hair strand back in its place on Raven’s head. “Of course my woman did it. It’s delicious right?”

“To be honest, it is great! I would love to eat more of your meal too!” Adam replied.

“Dad, can we visit Golden Restaurant next weekend? I want to have a taste of aunt Raven’s meal.” Eisner pestered.

“Yes dad!” Liam and Adam supported their sister’s point.

“Alright. I will check my schedule over the week and then get back to you.” Matthew replied.

“Yay!” The kids cheered.

“I am coming with you guys too. This is so good!” Ava also commented as she stuffed more cake into her mouth.

“Thanks guys. I am glad you all love it.” Raven said, smiling happily. She had been so worried it might not be up to their taste.

“You and Christopher look so perfect together.” Hope added and her husband nodded in agreement.

“Doesn’t seem so to me.” It was the first thing Ashley ever uttered since the dinner began. She has been unusually quiet all through the meal even as they discussed Raven and Christopher’s love story.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” James asked, giving his daughter a stern look.

Christopher panicked a bit, hoping that his elder sister hasn’t through their facade.

Ashley shook her head. “Never mind dad.”

Her response made Christopher let out a breathe he has been holding.

“How old are you, Raven?” Ashley pressed on.

“Twenty six.” Raven responded.

“You are twenty six and you already have a seven years old son?” She snorted.

Raven exchanged glances with Christopher, her eyes demanding if he hasn’t made things clear enough to his family yet.

“Where is his father?” Ashley asked.

“That’s enough, Ashley. Do you mind not embarrassing my woman like this? And the question you are asking is none of your business.” Christopher spat. He was getting pissed at his sister’s uncouth attitude.

“I am only wondering why she gave birth at a tender age. She must be around the age of nineteen when-”

“Ashley! Your brother is right! It is none of your business.” James warned.

“Why are you trying to bury her? We do not judge anyone in our family. All we wanted to do was to get along with Christopher’s woman and have a peaceful dinner. Can you respect that please?” Hope interfered.

“Fine! I was only looking out for him.” Ashley mumbled as she stood up from the table. “If you will please excuse me.” She left the table obviously in annoyance.

Matthew excused himself too and went after his wife. The others stared at each other wondering what went wrong. Everything would have been cool if Ashley hadn’t brought up ridiculous questions.

“Just ignore her, Raven. She acts like a snob most times.” Ava consoled with a light giggle.

“You should come around some time soon so we can bake together.” Hope managed a smile on her face. She hoped that Ashley’s spiteful attitude doesn’t get to Raven.

“Yes. You should come around soon. I would love to eat more of your handiwork.” James added.

“That shouldn’t be a problem since she is getting married to Christopher soon. Expect me often at your matrimonial home because I would love to learn from you. Seriously, cooking interests me but I hardly have time to prepare a meal for myself.” Ava giggled.

Raven forced a smile on her face with her head bowed slightly. She shook her head slowly. “I would love to teach you.”

“Yay!” Ava cheered in excitement.

“Stop acting childish, aunt Ava.” Liam’s called her to order sticking out his tongue to her. She got out of the chair but he was quick to do the same too as she ran after him.

“It is time to play hide and seek!” Liam called out.

Adam and Eisner ran off from the table to join in the game. And Raven couldn’t help but smile heartily at Ava’s cheerfulness.

“We would get going now dad. Mom have a good night. And thanks for hosting us.” Christopher announced as he stood up from the table.

In his attempt to help Raven out of her seat, she stood up in a hurry forgetting she was on heels and it resulted in her losing her balance.

Christopher was quick to help her and he pulled her to himself before any harm could be done.

“Easy there baby, are you okay?”

Raven breathed out in relief. She could have sprained her ankle if she fell hard to the ground.

“I am… fine.” She stuttered.

“You sure?” Christopher pulled away to check her out.

“Yes… yes… I am fine.” When she affirmed, Christopher kissed her on the lips, making it longer for his parents to take note.

“I am glad you are fine.” He said.

Raven was taken off guard again and Chris was quick to notice her dazed look.

“We will leave now. Bye dad! Bye mom!” He waved at them.

“See you soon, Raven!” James called out.

“Bye sir.” Raven replied.

“I will see you to the door.” Hope stood up and accompanied them both to the door before bidding them a final goodbye.

Raven heaved a sigh of relief when they got into the car while Christopher let out a short laugh.

“That’s wasn’t bad honey.”

Tired from all the fake smiles she had put up in the past few hours, she nodded in response.

“Please take me home.” She said in a sad tone.