The Brother of My Boyfriend: A Love for Two
Chapter 34

Mandy came out of the bathroom visibly embarrassed, as the voices of the people at the table started to become more audible in her direction. "Wow, you took your time," someone muttered.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't feeling very well," she replied with her hand on her stomach, revealing a certain discomfort. "I was a bit nauseous, but I'm better now."

The woman in front of her apologized and went into the bathroom. Mandy walked back towards the table, feeling a thin layer of sweat on her forehead. When Dylan looked at her worriedly, he asked, "Has something happened to you? You're pale and sweating."

She stared at him nervously, afraid that someone might have noticed something. "No, I just felt a bit sick, but I'm better now," she said, trying to sound convincing.

Her mother-in-law cast a strange glance in her direction and realized that Jason still hadn't returned her call. After three minutes, he returned to the table and sat down. Megan scolded him with a look. "Wow, you took your time." "Yeah, I had a little problem with a friend. I'll tell you about it later," Jason replied, looking away.

They resumed their meal, now enjoying dessert. Then Raquelle, Dylan's ex-girlfriend, entered the restaurant.

Raquelle walked toward the table, surprising everyone. Dylan and Jason's gazes reflected bewilderment, while Mandy and her parents looked on without fully understanding the situation. Morgana, for her part, smiled warmly at Raquelle and invited her to join them.

The waiter quickly brought a chair, and Morgana asked everyone to say a warm "good evening". Dylan still looked surprised, while Jason, with his typical debauchery, asked, "Raquelle, what are you doing here? Since no one decided to ask, what brought you here?"

Raquelle smiled embarrassedly and replied, "I was in town and called Aunt Morgana. She said you'd be here celebrating a special occasion. So I decided to drop by and say hello." Jason didn't miss the opportunity to tease again: "Looks like you've said hello enough."

Morgana interrupted Jason and asked him to be more polite. She considered Raquelle to be part of the family. Jason replied wryly, "Yes, she's almost become part of the family." Morgana asked Raquelle to sit down and offered her some wine. Dylan, intrigued, asked his mother if that was the surprise she had mentioned. Morgana explained that she thought he would be happy to see Raquelle again, as she missed everyone.

Mandy's mother, confused, asked if Raquelle was a relative or a cousin. Raquelle then clarified, "I'm Dylan's ex-fiancée." Mandy looked at Dylan, a little upset by the situation, while her parents and her friend Megan were shocked. Raquelle turned to Mandy, ironically congratulating her on her engagement. She then praised the restaurant, sincerely wishing the couple happiness. "Dylan is a very amazing man; we've known each other since we were kids; in fact, I know him like nobody else," she added, teasing Mandy.

Mandy, looking straight into Raquelle's eyes, replied confidently, "Thank you. We're going to be very happy, yes. And Dylan is an incredible person. No wonder he chose me to be his fiancée. An incredible person couldn't let another incredible person get away," she says, trying to pin Raquelle down

Raquelle, somewhat embarrassed, agrees with a smile and takes a sip of wine. At this point, Mandy's mother, Judith, notices the tension in the air and suggests that they continue dessert at home to preserve the pleasant atmosphere of the evening.

Raquelle, wanting to dispel the discomfort, turns to Judith and asks gently, "What's your name, ma'am?" When she learns that it's Judith, Raquelle explains that she insisted on being present on this special day for Dylan since they were practically raised as cousins. She stresses that she doesn't want anyone to feel embarrassed by her unexpected presence.

Jason, in a whisper of disapproval, mutters, "Wow, what a prick." Raquelle, looking at Jason, asks if he's said anything. Jason quickly disguises it: "I said we're very happy you're here."

Morgana intervenes with a touch of sarcasm: "Then I think it's a good idea for us to finish our dinner in peace, this wonderful day of my son and my dear Nora." She looks at Mandy and laughs, realizing Mandy's dissatisfaction with the situation

The tension at the table is palpable, and the evening that began as a joyous celebration now seems to be in a moment of discomfort.

After a tense and uncomfortable dinner, Dylan signals to the waiter and asks for the bill. Everyone says goodbye, and Raquelle also says goodbye to everyone, trying to maintain a polite smile despite the heavy atmosphere. As Dylan walks with his in-laws and Mandy to the car, the tension is still palpable. They quickly get in and drive off, leaving the charged atmosphere behind.

Jason, meanwhile, is waiting for his mother, Megan, who is talking to Raquelle. He finally gets into the car and asks Megan to wait a moment.

After saying goodbye to Raquelle, Morgana asks her to come to Dylan's apartment the next day. With a happy look on his face, he ironically thanks her for having managed to spoil his happy dinner.

"It was so good to see you, my dear, and thank you again for coming, just seeing the face of that dead fly of a daughter-in-law made my day," she laughs.

"My aunt, how mean you are (she ironizes); she's such an unsavory girl for Dylan; he deserves even more with his social position, but don't worry, aunt, I'll be there tomorrow, yes."

"I'll wait for you, I'll do my best for you to spend a few days with us. I want to get that girl out of my son's life. The only person capable of doing that is you, and you know I've always wanted you to be my daughter-in-law"

"I know, auntie, but it's not just up to me if you don't remember; it was Dylan who dumped me, but come on tomorrow, I promise I'll go to the apartment; Jason's always looking, gesturing for you to go soon, kisses," she says goodbye.

Morgana gets into the car, Jason and Megan are waiting for her, and they set off for Dylan's apartment. The way back is dominated by silence, with everyone still trying to understand what happened in the restaurant.