rissa didn''t pay any mind to Malia''s expression as she greeted her with enthusiasm, "Malia, it''s been ages! You look younger every time I see you. It must be because you don''t have any worries keeping you up at night. Look at me, always stressed about Jason, and I''m aging fast. Just look, crow''s feet and a few grays already."
The message was clear: Malia didn''t have a son to worry about. rissa was a pro at using her words like a gentle jab.
They say you can''t hit a smiling face, but Malia was caught off guard. She felt like she''d swallowed a fly but kept herposure.
rissa continued her smooth tactics, offering Malia a cake. "Just a little something from me. Hope I''m not being a bother by dropping by unannounced. You don''t mind, do you?"
"Not at all,e on in and take a seat," Malia replied, her smile hiding the irritation beneath.
Malia wasn''t one to back down either. She smiled back and said, "We''re all family here. No need for formalities. I was just thinking about having Alisa call you over for dinner. It''s always livelier with family around."
By "family," she meant that Alisa and Jason were a pair, hinting that their families would eventually unite.
Their conversation was a verbal chess match, polite on the surface but withyers of tension underneath.
Jason, usually great at solving puzzles, struggled to keep up with their pace.
Truly, where there are women, there''s a battlefield.
Round one between Malia and rissa ended in a stalemate.
As rissa walked in, Alisa emerged from the kitchen, apron on, smiling warmly. "Oh, Auntie''s here! Jason, everyone, please sit down. Dinner''s almost ready."
Although Alisa and rissa had once shed, Alisa knew she had to keep things friendly today.
rissa, with a grin, said, "Malia, you''re lucky to have such a capable daughter- inw. Alisa is a real gem-not showy, but dutiful. Women like her are rare these days."
Then, pulling Alisa closer with mock warmth, rissa added, "Alisa, you''ve been single for a while now. Time to think about your future. The kids need a father. How about I introduce you to someone? There''s a handsome guy in our town, tall and charming, with a big farm. He''s getting divorced soon, has a son. He''d be perfect for you. Once he''s divorced, I''ll set you two up."
rissa had taken on the role of matchmaker, making it clear she wasn''t in favor of Alisa and Jason being together.
Her words made everyone in the Brown family visibly ufortable.
Daniel walked in just in time to catch this, his face darkening.
Jason, getting the hint from his mom, tried to ease the mood. "Mom, why don''t we all sit down and eat first?"
"Alright, everyone, take a seat. Malia, Daniel,e on, let''s have dinner
rissa said as she found her spot
at the table. "Oh, where''s In
Just then, I came bounding out of her room, happily calling Jason, "Papa
Jason!"
rissa quickly corrected with a smile, "I, you meant to say Uncle."
The Brown family members looked even more displeased.
Jason didn''t step in, letting his mom carry on with her antics.
rissa''s visit was clearly meant to remind the Brown family not to get any ideas about Alisa and Jason.
To her, Alisa, a divorced woman, was only fit for someone in a simr situation.
I, puzzled, asked, "But Papa Jason said I could call him that!"
"We mustn''t get things mixed up, dear. Your uncle isn''t married yet. How will he find a wife in the future?" rissa chuckled, handing I a little envelope. "Here, sweetheart. Happy birthday and may you always be happy."
rissa knew how to y her cards. Just as she stirred up trouble, she soothed it
with a gift, like a p followed by a sweet treat.
Alisa protested, "Auntie, we can''t ept this. You shouldn''t spoil her."
rissa, with a knowing smile,
replied, "Take it. Jason''s given plenty over the years. Look how well I''s
baised, such a lovely
girb"
The implication being that Jason had been financially supporting the Brown family
all this time.
Every word from rissa was a veiled jab, leaving the Brown family feeling quite ufortable.