The room went silent, every head, from Eleanor to Jake, even Bri turned,
startled. How did he know that? She hadn't even told him what she liked.
Eleanor's face lit up instantly. Her joy was impossible to contain. "Why are you all so surprised?" she said cheerfully, clasping her hands together. "They're husband and wife, after all!"
Kate hesitated for a second before recovering her composure. Without saying a word, she placed the roasted chicken on her plate instead, and moved on as though nothing had happened, as she thought I'm not going to serve a lowlife.
The awkward silence that followed was short but heavy. Trying to ease the tension, Eleanor cheerfully reached for the serving spoon and placed a generous piece of roasted chicken on Bri's plate.
Just then, Richard, ever the diplomat, smoothly filled the silence.
"It's nice to finally meet your friends, Bri," he said kindly. "Are they also part of Stars Entertainment?"
Before Bri could answer, Anna jumped in. "Well, I am! I'm an assistant fashion designer for their current drama," she said proudly. "But Jake here.." she nudged him lightly "is a smart one. He's in med school. UCLA."
Richard's face brightened with interest. "UCLA Med? That's impressive, son. Which field are you hoping to go into?"
Jake straightened slightly, his tone respectful, but beaming in pride. "Surgery, sir. Hopefully, neurosurgery."
There was a murmur of approval around the table. Even Susan gave a small, approving nod.
"Ambitious," Richard said with a brief smile. "Good. We need more young men like you."
Jake smiled politely, eyes on his plate, but his gaze was briefly on Bri, a quiet moment William didn't miss.
The conversation faded again until Vivian spoke up.
"So, Brianna," she began gently, "forgive me if I'm being too forward, but… what about your parents?"
Bri paused, her fork halfway to her plate. "It's alright," she said softly. "I was mostly raised by my grandmother. My mother passed on when I was Nine."
There was a ripple of sympathy around the table.
"My mother was an actress," Bri continued. "I don't remember much about her, but I've always looked up to her."
"I see," Vivian said kindly. "And your father?"
"He passed on before I was born," Bri said quietly. "When my mother was still pregnant. I don't know much about him, or about his family."
Vivian nodded slowly, her face softening. "I'm sorry to hear that, dear."
"It's okay," Bri said with a small smile. "My grandmother made sure I never felt alone."
"And where did you grow up?" Vivian asked again politely.
"Westwood," Bri replied.
"Do you still visit the neighbourhood?" Susan asked this time.
Bri hesitated. "Not often. Since Grandma passed away three years ago, I have only visited once."
"That must've been hard, losing your Grandmother." Susan commented.
"It must have been. How did you survive after that?" Vivian asked.
Bri admitted, "It was, but I was already eighteen then, almost joining college. I moved in here for a while to be with Grandma Eleanor. Later, she helped me out with college tuition and rent, then after college, I moved in with Anna. We rented an apartment in the city."
Eleanor smiled proudly beside her. "And look where you are now. Following your dreams."
Bri smiled back, grateful for her support.
Across the table, William's gaze lingered on Bri. He had never heard her talk about her family before.
Still not done with the questions, Vivian set her fork down, curiosity in her eyes.
"So," she began lightly, "did you and William meet while you were living with the Whitmores before college? Is that how you two got to know each other?" She asked, genuinely.