My bedroom 12

Dinner With The Wolves 

~Katia~ 

The headlights of the Bentley Mulsanne Grand Limousine cut through the evening like a blade as we rolled into the familiar circular driveway of the Kingston mansion. 

Sam sat beside me in the back, calm as ever, tablet in hand, checking messages that could wait but made her look busy. Aiden sat between us, legs swinging, eyes wide as he stared out the tinted window 

at the massive house. 

“Mom,” he asked quietly, “is this where you grew up?” 

“Yes,” I said. 

He looked impressed. “It’s big.” 

I smiled faintly. “Bigger doesn’t mean better.” 

The car came to a smooth stop. Two uniformed security men stepped out from the front seats, one opening my door, the other Sam’s. Aiden hopped down carefully, holding my hand. 

The front door had already opened. I knew they’d be watching. 

Mom stood there first, stiff, poised, and trying to look composed. Dad behind her. Delia slightly to the 

side. 

They all froze when they saw the car. Then they saw me, and then Aiden. 

And I watched the realization spread across their faces like slow poison. 

We walked up the steps without rushing. I wore a deep emerald silk gown that hugged my figure perfectly, diamonds resting lightly at my ears, my hair swept back in a low bun that screamed quiet authority. Sam walked slightly behind me in black, professional, and sharp. Aiden wore a tiny navy suit with polished shoes and curls perfectly tamed. 

We didn’t look like guests. We looked like royalty arriving to inspect the kingdom. 

“Hello,” I said calmly. 

Mom blinked first. “Katia…” 

Dad stepped forward. “You look… well.” 

“I am,” I replied. 

Delia smiled softly at Aiden. “Hi again, handsome.” 

Aiden smiled politely. “Good evening, auntie.” Delia smiled at being called auntie. 

We entered; the dining table had been set like it was Christmas. Candles, fine china, and silverware 

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polished to blindness. They had prepared for this, good. 

We sat. Aiden beside me. Sam slightly behind. 

For a few minutes, small talk floated awkwardly around the table like it didn’t know where to land. Then Aiden asked the question no one was ready for. 

“Mom,” he said, looking at me, “why didn’t I know I had grandparents? You only told me I had an aunt.” 

I didn’t answer. I sipped my water and looked at my parents. 

Dad cleared his throat. “Your mom and us had an argument. So she had to leave.” 

Aiden frowned. “You threw her out?” 

They both looked uncomfortable. I still didn’t speak. I wanted them to say it. 

Mom shifted in her chair. “It wasn’t like that-” 

Aiden tilted his head. “Then how was it?” 

Dad exhaled slowly. “We made a mistake.” 

Aiden nodded slowly like he was filing that away. “Okay.” 

There was a long pause. My son has a tendency of asking questions when he doesn’t understand something. 

“So… am I supposed to call you Grandma and Grandpa now?” he asked. 

Mom smiled stiffly. “If you want to, sweetheart.” 

“Maybe,” Aiden said. “We’ll see.” 

Food arrived. We ate mostly in silence. Forks against plates. Occasional glances. No one is daring to ask the real questions yet. 

“So,” Delia said, trying to lighten the mood, “how long are you staying in the city?” 

“I’m not leaving,” I answered. “I’m here to stay.” 

“Oh,” Mom said, her brows lifting. “Permanently?” 

“Yes.” 

“And what about your husband?” she asked. 

I dabbed my lips gently with a napkin. “He’s a very busy man.” 

“That’s all you’ll say?” Dad asked. 

“For now.” 

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Sam passed me another document from her bag. “Your 3 p.m. meeting with TSG tomorrow is confirmed.” 

“Good.” I looked to my parents. “My days are full. This dinner was… a courtesy.” 

When dinner ended, I stood calmly. “Sam.” 

She nodded and stepped outside briefly. Mom looked confused. 

Then the doors opened, and two of my security men walked in carrying large velvet boxes, leather cases, and gift–wrapped packages. 

They placed them on the table. 

Mom and Dad stared. “What is this?” Dad asked. 

“Gifts,” I said calmly. “For inviting me to dinner.” 

Sam began opening them one by one. 

A Patek Philippe Grand Complications watch for Dad. Limited edition. One of twelve in the world. 

A Hermès Himalayan Birkin for Mom. Real crocodile. Diamond clasp. 

A Van Cleef & Arpels high jewelry necklace. 

A Cartier diamond bracelet. 

An original Monet painting, authenticated and framed. 

A rare vintage Dom Pérignon Rosé Gold Methuselah champagne, still sealed. 

Delia gasped. Mom’s hands trembled. 

And then Sam handed Dad a final envelope. 

He opened it and read it. Then read it again as if trying to confirm what he was reading was real. 

“What is this?” he whispered. 

“The title deed,” I said calmly. “To a brand new Rolls Royce Boat Tail. Custom built. Yours.” 

No one spoke. They couldn’t. 

The room felt too small for what just happened. 

“I… I don’t even know what to say,” Dad stammered. 

Mom was still staring at the Birkin like it might vanish. 

Then she spoke. 

“I took a picture of your ring and sent it to one of my jeweler friends. Katia… he said that ring is worth five hundred billion.” There it was. The mask finally slid off. “Don’t you think you should give it to your father 

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and me to keep? As something we will forever cherish?” 

I looked at her long and hard. “Do you think what I just gave you isn’t enough, Mother?” I asked coldly. She had no answer. 

Delia looked uncomfortable now, fiddling with her napkin. 

Dad stood quickly. “My daughter, don’t mind your mother. Please. Just come again. Bring Aiden. Let us get to know him.” 

I nodded once, and then we left. 

Back in the Bentley, Aiden buckled himself in and looked at me seriously. 

“Mom,” he said, “why does your family behave like starved animals?” 

I froze. 

Sam burst out laughing. “He’s right though. Look how they wanted your ring.” 

“I didn’t want to believe it,” Aiden continued. “But they seemed more excited about the presents than about you.” 

I leaned back into the seat and exhaled slowly. Because Aiden didn’t know. 

Sam didn’t know. 

Only I knew. Six years ago, when I was pregnant and terrified, I had the ring appraised quietly. 

And the number they told me? 

It was enough to buy cities. Enough to own companies. Enough to make kings kneel. I looked down at it now as the city lights blurred past us. 

One day, I would meet my husband. 

And when I did? The world would make sense. Until then…I would let them wonder. 

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