157 Dinner at the Anderson family villa 4 (1/2)

In the driveway in front of the villa…

Hunter and Mia are ready to get in Hunter's car and head out. Liz, Max, and Sabrina are standing with them.

Liz is not sure what to say, but she hopes that her presence is telling Mia that she supports her.

”I'm sorry Mia…”, Sabrina said. ”I have no idea what got into my parents. They are usually not like that.”

Mia forced a smile. ”I'm sure they have their reasons.”

”What will you do?”, Sabrina asked Hunter.

Hunter waved his hands like he gives up. ”Is there something for me to do? Those two old bats are unreasonable. Right now, I am so angry that I don't want to see them, and if I don't calm down by Monday, I will hand in my resignation and find another job. All my thoughts are focused on Mia and I hope Mia knows that she is my priority and everything else comes second.” Hunter put his hands around Mia protectively.

Sabrina was troubled and she was about to say something, but Max was faster.

”Think before doing something you will regret later. I know that it looks bad, but once the heat settles maybe you can see each other's points.”

Hunter frowned at Max. ”Are you siding with them?”

”No. I am saying that everyone has a point. It all depends on the perspective. And I would tell you this regardless of the topic at hand. We are a family, and bickering happens. You should not be rash and leave your job over this.”

Sabrina agreed with Max. ”Listen to Max, Hunter. He knows from his own experience. Remember how much he fought with Nathan? And look at them now, like two peas in a pod.”

Max didn't like that Sabrina used him as an example, even though she said the truth.

Liz gave Mia a hug. ”Call me if you need something. Anytime. OK?”

”Thanks.”

Hunter helped Mia into the car and Liz, Max and Sabrina watched them drive away.

All three of them sighed at the same time.

Liz looked at the main door of the villa, and she was reluctant to go inside. She knows that the unpleasant talk was not about her, but it still made her uncomfortable. If Andersons are concerned about Mia's family, that probably means that they had their concerns about hers as well. But Isaac is here, so that makes it fine. Or does it? What if Isaac is not here? Would they disapprove of her? What if she has no parents? What if she comes from a broken family? Should she be judged because her family made mistakes?

It's not that she plans to marry Max, but discrimination is bothering her.

Elizabeth believes that everyone should be evaluated based on their merits, what does it have to do with the family? Even if Mia's family are thieves, that does not mean that she is one. This social injustice is what makes it difficult for people to break out of the mold no matter how much they struggle.

Liz closed her eyes and exhaled when she realized that Max is massaging her shoulders. She smiled at the thought how Max noticed that she is tense, and he is doing what he can to help her out.

Sabrina walked toward the villa and paused when she observed that Max and Liz are not following.

”Are the two of you going in?”, Sabrina asked with a smile on her face. She never saw Max being so attentive. Sabrina thought that maybe Madeline is right to think that Liz is pregnant.

Liz let out a low hum, indicating that she is enjoying. ”Give us a minute, Rina. Max is so good with his hands that I need a bit more of this.”

”You should see what I can do with the rest of my body…”, Max whispered only for Liz to hear.

Liz giggled and slapped Max's hand playfully.

”Behave!”, Liz whispered back, making Max burst into laugh.

Sabrina shook her head and smiled. 'Those two are getting along fine', she thought.

…

When Sabrina, Liz and Max returned to the dining room, they witnessed another bizarre scene…

”If I knew that you will be like this, I would not tell you.”, Madeline said to Isaac who was staring blankly at some spot in front of him.

”What did you do to this man?”, Sabrina said in disbelief.

”Why do you think we did anything?”, Nathan asked.

”Because he was fine when we left!”, Sabrina exclaimed. ”You already got Mia and Hunter upset. If I knew that this is your agenda for tonight, I would stay at my place.”

”What agenda?”, Madeline retorted.

Liz ignored their bickering, she rushed to Isaac.

”Dad, are you OK? What happened? Are you feeling unwell?”, Liz asked with concern apparent in her voice. She never saw Isaac so out of it. Why is he not responding? Is he having a stroke?

Max looked at the circus in front of him and could not believe how bad this dinner turned out. Isaac is a levelheaded guy. What did Nathan and Madeline do to him?

”Dad, speak to me…”, Liz persisted.

Isaac turned to Elizabeth and opened his mouth few times, but no words came out.

”Isaac, you promised not to tell!”, Madeline reminded him.

Liz's face darkened as she turned to Madeline. She knows that Madeline is Max's mother, but at this point she does not care. Her father is in distress and the woman is advising him to keep secrets? That is not how Williams family works.