Evergreen Eyes

Chapter 7: Family Fiasco

The host showed Laiden and I into a private dining room. Our families were just getting seated, and greetings were being made between them. A man who I guessed to be Heinrich Ulbrecht was sitting at the head of the table. His family aligned the left side of the table, while on the right starting with my father, my family aligned the right. Consequently by seating arrangements, Laiden and I sat diagonally across from each other.

"Here they are and my, she is a beauty," Mr. Ulbrecht stood up to greet me formally.

"I will get your chair for you," Laiden said walking over and pulling it out for me as I sat. He then proceeded to his own seat.

Everyone was silent as Mr. Ulbrecht spoke, "The best place to start I believe, would be with introductions. This is my wife, Adelina." He pointed to a woman who looked to be in her late thirties maybe early forties. She had Laiden's gorgeous blue eyes. I was certain her hair was blonde, but looked as if it was beginning to turn gray. Her smile was definitely one of a mother's. It was gentle, warm and comforting. She was beautiful. "My eldest son Laiden." If only words could describe his handsome qualities. His eyes were so tantalising. Whenever I looked into his eyes I couldn’t look away. He looked comfortable sitting, yet still held a good posture. I could not help but to smile when he glanced my way. "My second son, Felix." Felix had the family's blue eyes and blonde hair, but nowhere near the masculine qualities Laiden possessed. He tried to sit as tall as Laiden, but his shoulders weren't as broad, nor did his chest seem to be as muscular. He looked to be my age give or take a few years. I watched as his eyes steadily rose upon me. "My daughter Gertrude, but please call her Trudy." Trudy was as cute as a teddy bear. She looked much younger than Laiden and Felix. I am guessing she was an "unplanned" child. The family eyes and hair were blossoming on her marvelously. She still held the captivating innocence that most father's wish for their daughters. "The beautiful lady next to her is Eva Braun." Beautiful was definitely an overstatement. Her hair was gray and thrown up in a bun. Her eyes were a muddy water, weathered blue. Her face seemed strict and was decorated with wrinkles. She sat completely straight up. A board could have been attached to her back, and it would not have improved her posture. "Next to Eva is her daughter Svenja." Svenja on the other hand was as beautiful as a goddess. She probably would have put the goddess Aphrodite (Venus) to shame. She had long, flowing, dreamy blonde hair. Her eyes were a clear summer's day blue. Her face showed no imperfections or blemishes. Her boobs, though I hate to mention it, looked to be more satisfying to a man than mine would ever be. What made me the most envious, is when she smiled. Every head, whether man or woman, turned to see her radiant beauty.

"My family and I," My father started. "Are very gracious to meet all of you."

Laiden's family including the Brauns smiled at him with approval.

"Next to me is Ana, my wife". My mother's smile was beautiful, but I could see right through it. She was not happy. Her blue blissful eyes were not twinkling as usual, and her blonde hair did not seem as lively. Although the Ulbrechts may have not noticed but she looked as though she was doing everything to keep herself from bursting into a billion pieces of anger. I just hope she doesn’t do anything to ruin this. "Then, my first daughter, Olesia." I had no idea what to do. I blushed and smiled at everyone, praying there was nothing in my teeth. When I glanced Laiden's way he shot me an encouraging smile. Then, his little nickname for me began to echo in my head... beautiful eyes. "My second daughter Anka." Anka's features were a mix of mine and Tola's. She had my dark brown "exotic" hair, and Tola's innocent blue eyes. My mother often claimed she looked like Adriana Lima, only prettier; and that had nothing to do with the fact that she was my mother's favourite *sarcasm*. Anka smiled with her captivating blue eyes glowing. I quickly noticed who she was smiling at, Laiden. "And my youngest Tola." Tola gave out a slight giggle when the attention was focused on her. She looked like she was twelve, but often acted younger; which was probably my doing. Just looking at her gave me the urge to go to her, hug her, and strike up a conversation. Her blue eyes were constantly focused downward. I wanted to tell her to look straight ahead, because shyness was not an amiable quality. I loved her too much to say anything though.

"You have the most beautiful children," Adelina Ulbrecht complimented.

"Thank you," My mom smiled. "All of them accommodated with perfect Polish breeding."

Oh God, she was already whining.

"And soon to be German," I tried to hide my mother's rudeness, but I think I sent a different signal to Laiden; who immediately got a devilish grin upon his face.

"So," My mother said staring at me, "You are already planning to have children?"

"Well," I had no idea what I was getting myself into. "I thought grandchildren would be something you would want?"

"Yes, but I never expected them so soon," She tried to make me sound like an i***t. "Olesia, you are only eighteen."

"What drinks can I get for you all?" A waiter interrupted our conversation. I shot Laiden a glance saying "Can you believe her?". He inconspicuously held out his hand, indicating for me to calm down.

"It will be a few minutes," The waiter said graciously leaving once he had everyone's order.

"Have you even planned your wedding date?" Eva Braun spoke up. She had quite a snooty voice.

"No," Laiden said it as if he was daring her to challenge the fact.

"Why are you two already planning on children when you haven't even decided if you are going to get married yet," She did challenge him. "If you ask me..."

"I am not," Laiden interrupted her. "Maybe you misunderstood Olesia." I was extremely pleased with the way he was taking over for me and guarding me. I guess he expected criticism from both sides of the table.

"I don't think I did," She defended.

"Ms. Braun, Ola never said we were already planning when to have children. She was simply implying that when we do get married, they may come in the future," He looked at her as if he wanted her to continue to argue with him, but she buckled her snout and kept quiet out of embarrassment.

"Does that mean you agree to the arranged marriage?" Mr. Ulbrecht asked Laiden with a surprised brow.

"Yes." I could have melted into a pile of pure happiness. I was going to marry Laiden. 

My mother rolled her eyes, "You can not be serious. You just met her."

"I like what I know," He stuck up for himself. "Do you not want me to marry your daughter?"

"Of course I do," She lied. Of course she doesn’t. She was against it from the start. 

"I think what my mother is trying to say," Anka graced the table with her seductive ways. "Is she knows there are other fish in the sea, and doesn't want you to sell yourself short". I quickly glared at Anka. How was being with me, selling himself short... the b***h.

"What other fish could I possibly be interested in right now?" He asked.

"Fish, like me," Anka sounded like a little slut.

I let out a laugh, but regained myself, "I am sorry, please continue Anka."

She glared at me, "Plus, don't you want someone with your family's traits? I may not have blonde hair, but my eyes are as blue as yours."

I think I could have smacked her.

"Sometimes, Anka," My father finally stepped into the conversation. "The most beautiful flowers are the ones that bloom like none of the others."

"Very nicely said," Ms. Adelina complimented.

"Thank you," My dad is such a pimp.

"What? Are you saying Anka is not as beautiful as Ola?" My mother rose up in her defense.

"No," My father said point blank.

My cheeks began to grow red with embarrassment.

"Then what was your comment about?" My mother was getting snooty.

"I was simply saying that just because Ola doesn't have the classic blue eyes blonde hair, does not mean she is not pretty," My father remained completely calm through the conversation.

"Excuse me," My mother got up and all the men stood for her. "I just need to go to the powder room."

"Have you been to any of Berlin's famous sites yet?" Mrs. Ulbrecht changed the subject as the waiters brought in our drinks.

"No," Tola peeped up. "My mom says Berlin is not a nice city."

The entire left side of the table seemed to choke on their beverage.

"Why would she think that?" Svenja asked. My entire family knew why, but only Tola had guts to say anything.

"She doesn't think anything German..." Tola started to say. 

"No, Tola," My father stopped her, saving our families credibility. "I think you misheard your mother. She said parts of Berlin aren't nice."

"Every city has those parts," Mr. Ulbrecht stated. "How old are you, Tola?"

"Twelve," Tola smiled.

"How many countries have you been to?" He asked.

"Only a couple," Tola sighed. "Once I was born my family stopped traveling, and now only my father, mother, and Anka does."

"Why doesn't Olesia?" Mr. Ulbrecht continued his questioning. I looked directly at my father wanting him to tell the truth. It's because my mother gets her way with my father, and then she takes Anka with her everywhere. I am sure my father would take me places if he could, but he is always gone for business and never for pleasure.

"My wife and Anka possess the same curiosity about cultures and geography," My father said. What a LIE! Why can't he just say the truth? 

"Ready to order appetizers?" The waiter followed behind my mother into the room. Mr. Ulbrecht graciously ordered enough for meals, but you were never expected to eat all your appetizers.

"Olesia shows no wanting of knowledge?" Mr. Ulbrecht asked. Great, now I sound lazy and retarded.

"Olesia's knowledge lies more in the arts," My father tried to fix the mess. "Such as dancing, the languages, and a keen vocabulary from her thorough studies."

"How many different languages do you speak?" Eva Braun asked me.

"Six," I replied. "And I am currently learning a seventh."

"Very impressive," Eva Braun was pleased. The entire left side of the table agreed.

"Which languages do you speak?" Adelina asked.

"Polish, Russian, French, Italian, Spanish, and English." I said counting them. 

"Are you fluent in all?" She asked.

"Yes," I was most pleased with myself.

"And which one are you learning?" Mr. Ulbrecht asked.

"German." I saw my mother flinch at the word.

"I know German," Anka piped in. I wanted to slap her for the hundredth time.

"Really?" Mr. Ulbrecht seemed interested.

"Yes, sir." She peered at him with a big smile. Ugh she was sucking up to them. 

"And how many other languages do you know?" He asked.

"Three," She looked down with embarrassment.

"Polish, English and German?" Adelina asked.

"Yes." Anka answered. 

"Once you learn German, Olesia, do you have any plans for more languages?" Adelina said.

"Yes," I answered. "I am trying to choose between Swedish, Romanian, Czech, Dutch, Danish, and Swiss."

"What a wide selection," Adelina was very impressed. I felt happy.

"I know," My mother said. "I always tell her she needs to be well rounded in her studies. Not to be specialized in one thing."

"I don't believe there is anything wrong with her taking a strong interest in foreign languages," Adelina told my mother.

"Are you serious?" My mother asked as if Adelina was an i***t. I was getting a bad feeling about this.

"Yes," Adelina's voice got stronger. "Communication is a very valuable ability, especially in Europe."

"I would rather have my daughter smart and speak one language. Then, stupid and speak many languages for the world to know of her incompetence," My mother stated.

Adelina looked as though she was disgusted with my mother for her comment, "Learning different languages is a skill not very many can master."

"Learning different languages is only memorization," My mother scoffed. Why is she acting like this?!

"And how many can you speak?" Adelina asked coldly. Her eyes began to squint in anger.

"Far more than any German can learn," My mother attacked. It was only a few seconds before the whole table erupted into a bustle of arguments. My face collapsed in my hands, for I was embarrassed and very disappointed. It was a mess. I heard racial slanders thrown without care, and insults about personal things to cultural things. I looked up to see my mother standing, shouting, and flailing her arms about at Adelina who was doing likewise. Anka was shouting across the table at Eva, Svenja and Felix. I was even more upset to find Trudy and Tola following suit in all the yelling. I looked to my father and Mr. Ulbrecht who were fighting to keep the peace. They were continuously hushing everyone and trying to end the shouting, but it was a lost cause. No one listened. When I looked to Laiden for some type of comfort, he was gone. He had deserted me. I wanted to cry. It was then and there I realized that I was not going to be marrying Laiden Ulbrecht. There was no way our families could sit in a church during a Catholic marriage (Catholic marriages are as long as mass).

I felt a slight tap on my arm and quickly turned. Laiden was squatting behind my chair, trying to hide from our families. I smiled as soon as I saw him, which he returned with a smile. He motioned for me to follow him out the room. I followed his example and squatted down. We quietly began to sneak out of the room. I couldn't help but to stare at his butt the whole time. It was very nice to look at. Once, we were out of the room, we peeked around the corner to see if they noticed. Luckily, no one had. Laiden grabbed my hand and we quickly dashed out of the restaurant.