Chapter 45 A Call From ZandraDo you truly wish for me to stand Jayden inquired calmlyElyse nodded earnestly Absolutely You were once ablebodied Wouldnt you like to stand up againThen adopting a serious tone she added Truly You looked so striking in my dream I was captivated by youJayden lightly stroked his chin a faint smile playing on his lips She was indeed naive and easily swayedShortly after Driscoll returned with warm milk and placed it in front of ElyseThank you Driscoll said Elyse Settling into her chair she savored the milk relishing its warmthObserving her enjoyment Jaydens appetite was piqued He had eaten alone earlier but seeing her delight in the milk now made him somewhat hungry Could I have a serving as well he requestedwmDriscoll aware of Jaydens lack of appetite earlier was pleased to see his newfound interest He promptly headed to the kitchen and returned with another glass of warm milkDid you eat breakfast today Elyse queriedI woke up too early and had no appetite Jayden explainedElyse chuckled Then youd better join me for breakfastJayden glanced at her issuing a reminder We have a dinner party tonight Try not to overdo it with the drinks You were so tipsy last night that it took two maids to carry you back to your roomElyse was startled That cant be I havent been eating much lately I couldnt have gained weightHow do you think you made it back to your room then Jayden proddedDidnt you carry me she ventured tentativelyIn your dream he quippedElyse struggled to accept the revelation Trying to change the subject she playfully fed Jayden some grapesAccepting the offering with a faint smile Jayden remarked Looks like youve gained a bit of weight but you wont let me say itStop it I dont believe Ive gained some weight Elyse protestedAs Driscoll approached with the breakfast witnessing their playful exchange he grinned and offered Mr Owen please enjoy your breakfastOnce the food was served Elyse turned to Driscoll anxiously Did I really gain weight Jayden said it took two maids to carry me back to my room last night
Driscoll interjected Hes teasing you Youre quite slender In fact the chef mentioned wanting to help you put on a bit of weight a few days backRelieved Elyse shot Jayden a glare Jayden simply grinned and teased You really are gullible Youll believe anything I say wont youJayden she exclaimed feeling a pang of embarrassment at being duped How could he undermine her like that It was a blow to her selfesteemAfter their breakfast as Elyse gave Jayden a massage she couldnt resist pinching him a few times venting her frustrationOnce she left the room Jayden winced rubbing the spot where shed pinched him Shes getting bolderAs Elyse was engrossed in studying a music score in her room her phone suddenly rang Seeing Zandras name on the caller ID she was visibly surprised Why would Zandra be calling herAfter a moment of hesitation she answered the call Hello what can I do for youThere was some background noise on Zandras end as she spoke Do you have some free time Id like to treat you to a mealmElyse hesitated Cant we discuss it over the phoneIts better to talk in person Zandra insistedAfter some consideration Elyse finally agreed Alright Ill come over to see youZandra replied Ill send you the address shortly You can come directlyoAfter hanging up the phone Elyses expression turned serious She couldnt predict what Zandra wanted to discuss and doubted it would be a pleasant conversationRecalling her past encounters with Theos parents particularly Zandras disapproval during their first meeting and their abrupt departure when Theo ran out of his wedding Elyse felt uneasy After deliberating for a moment she decided to seek out JaydenJayden engrossed in reading a document didnt notice her approach Quickly adjusting himself in his wheelchair he turned to face her Whats on your mindZandra called me Shes Theos mother She invited me to lunch Elyse informed himRaising an eyebrow Jayden remarked So youll meet your exs motherElyses expression darkened I doubt itll be a pleasant discussion I suspect she has ulterior motivesWill you still go then Jayden inquiredIt would be impolite not to Besides I owe Zandra an explanation for calling off the wedding with Theo Elyse replied with a somber tone