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After they cleaned up and freshen themselves, Sam and Mercedes went down. They went into the kitchen, where everyone has gathered. Noticing that Mary and Stacy were busy cooking, Mercedes immediately went to help them.
"Anything I can help?" Mercedes asked.
"Oh, thank you, darling! You can help set the table. We're almost done here!" Mary said. Mercedes did as she was told. She brought all the cutlery and plates that were set on the kitchen cabinet to the dining table. Noticing Mercedes, Sam immediately helped her setting up the table. The doorbell rang and a moment later, Stevie walked in with two older couple.
"Nana! Gramps!" Sam exclaimed and went to hug them. He then reached for Mercedes' hand. "Nana, gramps, I would like you guys to meet my girlfriend, Mercedes" Sam said. "Mercedes, these are my grandparents, Eloise and Henry Evans"
Mercedes shook their hands and introduce herself. "Nice to meet you"
"Nice to meet you too, dear. It's good to finally see you. Sam has been talking about you and those pictures did not do you any justice" Eloise said.
"Thank you, ma'am" Mercedes said, shyly.
"I've put your bags in your room, gramps!" Stevie said. Henry and Eloise nodded and thanked him. Henry went to sit with Dwight while Eloise went to the kitchen. By the time the table was set and lunch was ready, everyone had arrived. Sam had introduced Mercedes to his aunties, uncles, nieces and nephews, but honestly, she was having trouble remembering everyone's names. He laughed when she told him about it.
"Don't worry. You'll learn their name eventually. Even I, have trouble remembering my nieces and nephews' name" he said.
During lunch, Mercedes sat next to Sam and quietly eating her lunch, listening to the chattering around the table. She wanted to join the conversation, making herself known, but she didn't know how. The Evans clan, she observed, is less friendly than her father's sisters. Even when Sam introduced her to them, she only received a smile and a short hello. If it was her family, her aunties would surely ask million of questions and talked her ears off - like what they did to Sam when he met them. Maybe being overbearing and too friendly wasn't bad at all.
"So, Mercedes! Sammy told us that you went for an interview? How did it go?" Stacie asked. She's been watching Mercedes and she noticed that everyone was chattering among themselves while Mercedes looked bored. But, judging by the deer in the headlight looks that Mercedes was currently having, maybe Stacie should just keep quiet.
"It went well. I hope I'll get the job" Mercedes said. Few of the relatives asked some questions and Mercedes politely answered them. Sam immediately diverted the attention that Mercedes had received when he noticed she was uncomfortable.
Mercedes took a deep breath when everyone had finished eating and retreated to the living room. She was cleaning up the table when Stacie approached her.
"I'm sorry" Stacie said as she helped picking the dirty plates. Mercedes looked at her, confused.
"I noticed that everyone was talking among themselves, sort of ignoring you. That's why I asked the question. I'm not making you feeling uncomfortable on purpose!"
Mercedes smiled. "It's okay. I don't mind" she said. They brought all the dirty dishes to the kitchen. Mary smiled when she saw Mercedes and Stacie together. A few of Sam's aunts and Eloise were also in the kitchen.
"Just leave the dishes in the sink" Eloise said to them. Mercedes and Stacie put the dishes into the sink. Mercedes started to wash them when she noticed that everyone else was busy. In the end, it was only Mercedes and Stacie who remained in the kitchen. Stacie was helping Mercedes dried all the plates that she had washed.
"Just leave these to me" Stacie once she noticed that Mercedes had finished washing. Mercedes nodded and walked out the kitchen. She was on her way to Sam's room when she heard some of the aunts, cousins and uncles talked and somehow, her feet stuck there.
"I don't know what did Sam see in her? He could do better. Much better, I may say" one aunt said.
"She was so awkward!" a young blonde, Sandy said. Mercedes remembered her because she seemed so clingy with Sam.
"I like his previous one better. What's her name? Dana? She's so beautiful and they were like match made in heaven. Pity that it didn't end well" another aunt said.
"She doesn't even have a job. Do you think Sam supports her?" one uncle said.
"She's no match for Sam. Look at him! He's so handsome, well-mannered. That fat girl is not even a comparison to his previous girlfriend. I don't think they can last" Aunt Joan said in disgust. Mercedes remembered her name because she had given her a look of loath when Sam introduced them. Tears started to form and it trickled down her face. Mercedes turned away and walked out through the back door. She walked aimlessly until she reached a meadow. She sat on the grass and looked at the blue sky. All those hurtful remarks kept on repeating themselves in her mind. Throughout her relationship with Sam, she didn't really pay much attention to the outside world. She knew that they are different, but somehow, being with him, Mercedes never really notices it. Sam made her feels beautiful and confidence. Whenever they are together, he always gives her full attention and vice versa. Hearing all those remarks was like a reality check for Mercedes. She finally realised that she and Sam are different. They made such remarks because of her appearance. What would happen if they know about her mother?
Sam was talking with his Uncle Bern and some of his male cousins when he noticed that Mercedes was nowhere to be seen. He went to the kitchen and it was empty. He rushed upstairs, to his room and to no avail, she wasn't there too. His heart started to beat faster. His hunch was telling him something was wrong when he couldn't find her around the house. Sam cursed. He had offered to help her cleaning up the table after lunch, but Mercedes was being stubborn, telling him to go and mingle with his family. Sam was too lost in his thoughts when he bumped into Stacie who just came out from her room.
"Sammy!" Stacie yelped. She frowned when she noticed the distraught look on her brother. "What happened?" she asked.
"I couldn't find Mercedes"
"She's not in the room? She said she's going there after washing the dishes just now"
Sam shook his head. "I've looked around and there's not even a sight of her" he said worriedly. "I'm going to look for her outside. Hopefully she hasn't gone far. All of her things are still in my room" Sam continue as he rushed to the door. He looked around the farm, at the stable but still no sight of Mercedes. He was about to give up when he remembered the grassland nearby.
"She might be there!" Sam exclaimed as he started running toward it. When he reached the grassland, he started looking for any sign of his girlfriend. Sam let out a relieved sigh when he saw her sitting among the wildflower, throwing pebbles into the stream. He approached her, sitting down behind her and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her back closer to his chest.
"You scared me" he said as he rested his face on her back.
Mercedes tensed when she felt someone approaching her from behind. Soon, the tension melt down when she felt the familiar touch. The dried tears started to well down again when she heard him. She didn't deserve him. The words kept on playing in her mind as she pulled his arms tighter.
"Mercedes? Baby?" Sam said when he felt tears on his arm. He quickly release her from his hold and when to sit in front of her. Sam started to panic. The only time he saw Mercedes cried was during his father's death. To have her crying right now, meant that something bad had happened.
"Darlin'? If you don't tell me, I cannot help you" he said as he lifted her face and wiped the tears. Mercedes stared at Sam's concern face.
"They were right. I don't deserve you. We're not suitable" she said. Sam was confused.
"Mercedes, what are you talking about?" he asked.
"Look at you! Then, look at me! We're different! We don't belong together! You should be with someone who looks more like you! Someone who looks like one of those Victoria Secret models. Not someone -,"
"Okay, I'm gonna stop you right there!" Sam said. His anger was rising.
"Did somebody say something to you?" he asked. Mercedes kept quiet, but she was avoiding his eyes. "Mercedes!" he said, louder and more stern.
"I heard some of your family talking" she mumbled. Sam wiped his face and sighed. He touched her temple with his own.
"Baby, we talked about this. I don't care how thinner or how beautiful other women are. I just want you! You are the most beautiful, the prettiest woman in my eyes. Nobody can beat you. You are beautiful, inside and outside. Screw what people said. They are not me. They don't know what I want of need. Besides, mom, dad, Stevie and Stacie like you. So do my grandparents. We don't need the others approval. The only reason I brought you here is to introduce you them - and well, because mom invited you, but the main purpose is to let them know that I've found my only one. Hell, as far as I'm concern, we are a match made in heaven! So, what say you?" Sam asked.
"I love you! I want to be with you" Mercedes said earnestly. Sam smiled as he wiped the fresh tears and then kissed her.
When Sam and Mercedes walked into the house, everyone was gathering in the living room. As soon as they stepped their feet in the living room, all eyes were on them. Mary was relieved when she saw Sam was with Mercedes. She and Stacie immediately went to her.
"Are you okay, dear?" Mary asked. She noticed the swollen eyes and wanted to ask more, but the stare that she was getting from her son stopped her. Mercedes gave a smile to Mary and assured the older woman that she's fine. She noticed some sinister looks from Sam's family, but she ignored them. Instead, Mercedes kept her gaze on the floor.
"May I have everyone attention, please!" Sam said. He also noticed the sinister looks from his Aunt Joan, Aunt Grace, Aunt Becky, Uncle Harold and Sandy. When everyone was looking and paying attention to him, Sam continued. "Mercedes is my girlfriend and I love her. I would to remind you that none of your opinions matter. I don't know what did you say to her, but your words had hurt her and it made me sad and angry that are some narrow-minded people in my family. She's the best thing that had happened to me and hurting her, meant that you hurt me too. So, if there's any comment that you want to make about us, please, say it to our face. Talking behind our backs is a coward move" Sam said. He pulled Mercedes to follow him and they went upstairs. Mary and Dwight exchanged looks as they watched Sam and Mercedes' retreating figure.
"Joan, Grace, Becky, Harold and Sandy. Pack your bags and leave!" Eloise said.
"Mom!"
"Nana!"
"I know it was you guys. I heard you. You've hurt that sweet Mercedes and my Sammy. So, I don't want you guys here!" Eloise said.
"Dad, are you going to let this?" Harold asked.
"You've heard the missus!" Henry simply said.
"I agree with mom. This is my house and I ask you to leave. We don't want bad vibe around here. You've been hostile toward Mercedes and whatever words that came out of your mouth hurt her. The main reason for this gathering is to spend time together and to strengthen our family bond. Mercedes is a family, our family! Unless you can accept that, then you need to go" Dwight said.