Chapter 452 Apology
Amelia, who was busy dealing with her blueprint design in the company, rushed to the washroom when she received Tiffany’s message.
When she called Tiffany, the latter sounded as though she was about to cry. “I didn’t heed your advice at all, Babe. I had another argument with Mrs. Hisson. It’s all because I’m an impulsive and impatient woman. I really tried my best not to get angry, but looks like it was a pointless endeavor in the end.”
“Calm down and tell me what happened.”
Tiffany briefly explained the incident that had taken place.
Amelia wasn’t sure what to say, but she still asked, “If you’ve endured it for hours, why didn’t you hold back for a little longer, Tiffany?”
There was silence on the other end for a dozen seconds before Tiffany spoke up again. “I wanted to. It’s just that… I couldn’t stand her bullying after hours of following her around like her maid.”
“I don’t think we can talk properly on the phone. How about you come to my company half an hour later? We’ll have lunch together and we can discuss your next move,” Amelia suggested.
“Sure.”
After hanging up the phone, Amelia couldn’t help but furrow her eyebrows. Mrs. Hisson is harder to deal with than I thought. Ever since Tiffany became a freelance author and was no longer restricted by a workplace, she became used to doing things her way. Her impatient personality certainly isn’t a helpful trait against someone like Mrs. Hisson. I wonder, is Derrick really going to be the right man for her? If she marries into the Hisson family, can she really handle the social interactions she’ll have to partake in upper-class gatherings? Will she even like it?
Amelia was getting unsure of what she should do because she knew firsthand how terrible it felt to take part in the upper-class society without being used to them. Maybe it’ll be better if Tiffany finds another man. Not having a similar social status isn’t something that she can easily ignore as time goes on. I suppose we’ll just have to see how it goes. It’s her decision to stay with Derrick, after all, and so this is a journey she must go through. As much as I wish to interfere, all I can do is give her advice.
Amelia met up with Tiffany at a restaurant close to her company. Both of them sat by the window and ordered a couple of dishes that they liked before handing the menu back to the server.
Seeing that Tiffany was still looking upset, Amelia asked, “Are you all right?”
Tiffany shook her head. “No. Not at all.”
“Cheer up a little. There’s no point in mulling over something that has already happened. It’s more important to focus on a solution right now.”
A sigh escaped Tiffany’s lips. “When I agreed to stay with Derrick, I thought it wasn’t going to be complicated. I can’t believe how wrong I was, Babe. Only now have I realized how simple my view of things was. Rich families value manners and rules above almost all else. Even Derrick can’t protect me forever or else his relatives will speak badly about him. He can’t win even if he has a hundred mouths. I was too naïve.”
Amelia’s heart wrenched when she saw how much agony Tiffany was in. Tiffany had been there for her through some of the toughest parts of her life. She never once abandoned her. While they weren’t related by blood, their relationship with each other was tighter than those who were. Their kinship with each other was indestructible.
“Do you regret it?” she asked softly.
Tiffany glanced at her and chuckled. “Of course not. I was just overwhelmed by negative emotions, that’s all. I’ve been in love with Derrick for two years now, and I’ve given him everything I have. There’s no way I’ll give up on him that easily. As long as he still wants me by his side, I won’t leave.”
Determination could be seen in her eyes.
Amelia smiled and patted the back of her hand. “That’s more like it. Now you look like the Tiffany I know. You almost gave me a scare with how down you looked earlier.”
“Sorry for making you worry, Babe.” An embarrassed smile crept up on Tiffany’s face.
Amelia shook her head in a nonplussed manner before she pinched her nose. “I’ll be happy to share your burden, and you certainly can tell me everything that you can’t talk with Derrick about. But to be frank, I do think that you were too impulsive today.”
Tiffany’s expression promptly turned back to a depressed one.
The server served the dishes they ordered and temporarily halted their conversation.
When all the food arrived, Amelia intentionally changed the topic. “You should eat first. I bet you’re hungry after accompanying them for three hours in the mall.”
Tiffany accepted a bowl of mushroom soup Amelia handed her and finished it in a few short seconds.
With the soup in her stomach, she finally regained a portion of her energy back. “You have no idea how scary they are when it comes to their shopping ability, Babe. They could jump from one clothing shop to another without stopping, and they wouldn’t leave until they browsed through the majority of clothes there. I don’t want to go on another shopping spree for at least a couple of weeks.”
“I don’t think you’re worse than them when it comes to shopping. Why didn’t you buy any clothes at all?”
“Nah, they’re on a completely different level compared to me. Besides, I wasn’t really in the mood to buy clothes when they were treating me as if I was invisible. That was until they wanted me to hold their bags. Then they’d treat me as a maid. Even when I spotted a shirt or dress I wanted to try, Mrs. Hisson would just give me a silent look. When she did that, my desire to try a clothing out had completely vanished.” Tiffany mimicked Kate’s behavior as she spoke, making Amelia giggle.
“What are you going to do now that you’ve pissed her off?”
Tiffany paused as she stared at the delicious food in front of her. Suddenly, she didn’t have a strong appetite to eat anymore. “There’s nothing much I can do. Regardless of my actions, she’ll dislike me all the same.”
Amelia placed a piece of meat on her plate and asked, “Have you thought about what happens after your marriage, Tiff? Derrick will still protect you now since you two are just a couple in love. However, marriage isn’t just a matter between the two of you. It’s a matter between both of your families. If you want to live a good life with Derrick after your wedding, you need to maintain a good relationship with his family. If you can’t get Mrs. Hisson to stand on your side, then I’m afraid there’ll be nothing but trouble once you become a part of their family.”
Tiffany stuffed her mouth full of food and chewed with great effort as though she was chewing on Kate.
“You think I don’t know what you’re saying, Babe? I tried to be nice to Mrs. Hisson, but she’s mean. She’s meaner than your grandmother. Do you know why? It’s because your grandmother ignores you while she would do everything to make my life harder. If she keeps this up, I’m afraid my marriage with Derrick won’t last long.” She sounded pretty discouraged because she knew how unhappy she would be without the blessings of her elders for her marriage.
Amelia fell silent.
Both of them stared at each other without a word being spoken.
In the end, it was Amelia who started talking again. “How are you going to explain what happened to Derrick later?”
“I’m just going to tell him the truth. I don’t think that old woman’s going to complain about such a small thing to him.”
“It’s best that you be prepared. Better to have you tell him what happened than her telling him an exaggerated version of the incident.”
“Fine.” Tiffany promptly took out her phone and gave Derrick a call.
When the call connected, she told him about the unpleasant shopping experience she had had with Kate. Before she ended the call, she asked, “Can you help me apologize to her on my behalf? I was too emotional earlier. If I have the chance to apologize to her personally later, I will.”
Derrick comforted in a soft tone, “I know. I’ll explain it to Mom later. There’s no need for you to worry. I won’t let anyone upset you as long as I’m around.”
“Thank you, Derrick. I’m sorry for putting you in a difficult spot again.”
“Silly woman.” He chuckled.
When she heard a woman on his end reminding him that a visitor had arrived, she quickly said, “You should go if you’re busy, Derrick. We’ll meet later tonight.”
After she hung up the phone, Amelia smiled at her. “Problem solved? Heh, look at how sweet your smile is.”
Tiffany shot a glance at her silently.
“Hurry up and finish your meal. Once you’re done, I’ll be heading back to work. As for you, I think you should head back home and rest. You’re rushing to complete your manuscript, right? Don’t get lazy or the company’s gonna grumble about how long you’re taking with the script.”
“I know, I know. I’ll be heading back soon.”
“Also, take some time out to apologize. Try not to put Derrick in a tough spot.”
Tiffany nodded.
