19. LE DÎNER

The whole family was notified of the engagement the very next day. Maja was overjoyed to share this happy news. Jace also shared the news with his family... Only the dogs didn't understand the excitement at all and played with the dust bunnies. 

Jace: So, my dad invited us for a dinner this Tuesday. I'll finally introduce you to the whole family.

Maja: This Tuesday? The whole family? Can't I just meet your sister first to break the ice? That's terribly little time to prepare! 

Jace: Hey! Don't worry, it's just a dinner.

Maja: Just a dinner?! Do you know what you're talking about? Your family doesn't like my family. I have to show them my best side!

Jace: Hun, they'll love you right away.

Maja: And if not, what then?

Jace: Uh...

Maja: Why did you stutter? WHY?! 

Fortunately, the stress caused by the upcoming dinner was temporarily gone when Maja visited Izi and Enue to share the news with them. Izi was also moved when she heard that the ring was made by grandpa Akito. 

Girls of course agreed to be Maja's bridesmaids. Date was set up - Love Day, just like Maja's parents' wedding. Izi and Enue will be back from their honeymoon just in time.

Enue: So that's why you suddenly disappeared during the wedding.

Maja: Oh well...

Maja: And there is this dinner at the Laurents'. I'm a little bit stressed.

Izi: Why?

Maja: I just want them to like me and not to destroy my perfect wedding. Please, just help me choose something appropriate to wear for this occasion.

Izi: Shopping? Always!

Meanwhile, Maja returned to work. She has a strong New Year's resolution to get promoted, but Leinani still stands in her way. Maja chose sabotaging. So when Monika asked for an opinion about Leinani's work, Maja left no stone unturned. She also stole Leinani's ideas to publish them herself!

Pleased with her little "successes", Maja began to say out loud what she thought about Leinani. But it backfired - Monika didn't like this behavior. Maja was made aware that she acted very self-absorbed lately! Well, maybe that's how she is, and maybe she's just getting started!

Izi: Are you sure you want to buy a dress for dinner here?

Maja: Of course! Thrift stores hide so many treasures. For example this orange one is extraordinary. Oriental style from the last EP!

Enue: Someone is trying it on.

Maja: Pretend you're not interested, maybe she'll put it down..

Maja: Maybe I'll even find here a vintage wedding dress?

Izi: Hmm...

Maja: I can always modify it a bit! Good morning, for now I'll only take the orange one. Are there any deliveries of wedding dresses planned?

Seller: You have to check it daily, sweetie.

Izi: Hmm...

Tuesday it is.

Maja: So this is your family home? How many floors are there?

Jace: Three.

Maja: We didn't bring anything. No wine, no flowers. What a lazy Watcher. Oh well, I have to win them over with my personal charm.

Jace: You've got this!

Hector: Come in, come in. You haven't been here for a while, son. And you must be Maja, nice to meet you, call me Hector.

Maja: Actually, we could say that we already know each other, although last time I could barely reach the table.

Hector: Oh really? I don't think I recall...

Greta: Brother! Long time no see! And this must be famous Maja Drozd!

Hector: Drozd... that tells me something...

Maja: Ha! Not that famous yet! Greta, right? How about a hug? After all, we will be sisters!

Greta: Well, well, let's not go overboard with these sisters. And hugs.

*A small brief about Greta: She is unemployed, but thanks to MCCC she got married to Bjergsen's grandson. And (also thanks to MCCC) she was automatically assigned to my High Society Wives club 😂

Greta: Jace said you're on social media, but I don't recognize you at all. What industry? I guess we can rule out fashion.  

Maja: I...

Greta: Don't get me wrong, it's a really... cute dress. But hey, not everyone can wear Sentate. But let's not stand at the door, dinner was served. We'll have time to gossip.

Now just the rest of the family got presented. So there's Hector's current wife, Lara, whom he married after Hilary's death. Wojtek, Jace's younger brother (but looking as older one...).

And Przemek Bjergsen (blue shirt), Greta's husband (grandson of Clara and Bjorn, which was not hard to achieve, as my save is flooded with Bjergsen's kids and grandkids lol). 

Maja: Everything looks great, Mrs. Laurent.

Lara: Oh, thank you, dear, but call me Lara. And I'm not Mrs. Laurent. Out of respect for Hilary, who was my friend, I did not change my name after marriage.

Greta: Now that we're all here, Przemek and I would like to announce something. But first... let's pour everyone some wine!

Lara: So, what are the good news?

Greta: Don't worry, you won't be disappointed. But maybe hold off on drinking for a moment.

Greta: So, Dad, I'm pleased to announce that you'll soon have an heir! I am pregnant!

Maja: Congratulations! What great news!

Greta: Thank you. Of course, we also congratulate you on your engagement.

Hector: The heir! Excellent! So let's drink to this news.

Hector: I can now sleep peacefully knowing the house won't be lost to some NPC or commoner.

Maja: It's great your house is inherited through generations and you live all together. This wouldn't work for us; I can't imagine our entire family living in a small house in Sulani.

Hector: Sulani?!

Greta: That's right, you're from Sulani! Wonderful views, but I don't get the culture. Are you getting married there?

Maja: Actually, we haven't planned yet anything, just set a date—Love Day, like my parents.

Greta: I can help with preparations!

Jace: That's nice, but I think we'll be fine.

Greta: And what do YOU think, Maja? You could have your wedding here in Tartosa! I would help you with everything. I can see it with my imagination, it would be perfect! Perfect wedding!

Maja: I think it's a wonderful idea. And a great way to get to know each other better.

Greta: Well, it's settled then! Wonderfully. And now, my dears, let's eat! I don't know about you, but I'm already starving!

The rest of the dinner was quite uneventful, with simple, friendly conversations. Only Hector spoke very little.

Maja: I guess it went well? Your dad seems to have forgotten about the whole situation with my parents. And your sister was strange at first, maybe due to her pregnancy, but then she was very nice! I think wedding prep will bring us closer. I can’t wait!

Jace: See, I told you everything would be fine. I’m glad Greta will help. Despite my family flaws, they have experience in weddings.

Hector: This wedding can't happen! I don't want any of those foolish Drozds in my family!

Greta: Don't worry, I have a plan. This wedding is already history.

Hector: You'd better be right.

<<<Previous chapter: 18. SAY "YES"

>>>Next chapter: 20. SAY SOMETHING