Dinner at the Lawleys'

Natalie's pov

“Must I be there?” I muttered, my voice coming out small.

True to her word, before the end of the day, I was roaming the halls of a building fit to be called a palace by the sheer ridiculousness of its size.

My mother was also nowhere to be seen, and I was led into a room by a man who introduced himself as Butler Jeffrey.

He was quiet, then his expression softened into a pitiful one.

I hid my disgust, not wanting to ruin my chances of making him an ally.

“Yes. Mr Lawley demands it.” He responded shortly then he was gone as well.

So I wandered.

The house was too quiet.

I felt like an intruder, my feet making scuffling sounds on the rugs that I was certain cost more than I would ever earn.

I hated it.

Everything gleamed, polished floors, paintings that probably cost more than my college tuition.

Fresh flowers arranged in crystal vases.

Every corner screamed money.

I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans as I wandered aimlessly.

At some point, I realized I was lost.

How perfect.

I stared down another endless corridor before I turned around, hoping to bump into the Butler again, and that was when I heard it.

The sharp crack of a cue ball.

I paused.

Another crack followed.

The sound came from behind a pair of dark wooden doors at the end of the hall.

I followed the sound, stopping just at the door.

My heart made erratic beats against my chest.

I pushed the door open, just enough to be able to peek my head in.

The room looked more like a private club than anything else. Dark wood, leather couches and a fully stocked bar.

The pool table sat at the center. And standing beside it was him.

Kian Lawley.

My hand froze on the door, my head still in the room.

For a second, neither of us moved.

He leaned casually against the table, holding the cue stick in his hand, easily, like it was an extension of himself.

He was in a white shirt, with his sleeves rolled to his elbows. His dark hair was messy as usual.

One of the balls rolled into a pocket.

The ‘clack’ sound snapped me out of my thoughts, and just then, his eyes lifted, and landed on me instantly.

Recognition flashed in his eyes. Not so much, but it was enough.

A smirk grew on his face, as he seemed to be making the connection. Then it was gone, replaced by a faint glint of curiosity.

The lazy amusement disappeared, but he didn't seem surprised.

He looked at me calmly, but the arrogance still lingered in the air.

My jaw clenched, the anger was brimming steadily to the surface again.

I knew I was going to bump into him, but I didn't expect it to be this soon.

His gaze dropped briefly, like he was putting two and two together, then he lifted his eyes to my face again.

Understanding settled over his features.

He knew exactly why I was here.

The realization sent fresh anger surging through me.

The corner of his mouth twitched, maybe in a smile, or maybe he wanted to speak.

Before he could, I made up my mind, shutting the door with a satisfying bang.

Feeling very proud of myself, I turned, putting considerable distance between me and that room.

My heart pounded the entire length of the hallway, and I didn't look back, but somehow I couldn't push back the anger I felt.

A few minutes later, Butler Jeffrey found me near the staircase.

"Miss Natalie."

I looked up.

"Dinner is ready."

Of course it was.

Because apparently getting framed by your future stepbrother before moving into his mansion wasn't enough excitement for one day.

Now we had to sit at the same table, and act as a family.

The Butler led me to the dining hall, where my nose was assaulted by the most pleasant aromas.

It was empty, so I sat down at the far end of the table, dreadfully anticipating the arrival of everyone.

My mother showed up first, and she was soon followed by the man I'd heard about.

Joey Lawley.

He was tall, with a calculative hint in his eyes. His hair was graying at the edges, but his face still seemed smooth, devoid of wrinkles.

His gaze fell on me, as he sat at the head of the table and I noticed a small shift in his countenance.

He nodded his head at me, like I was just another employee of his.

The whole rushed marriage still baffled me, but I was certain, there was something else in play.

“Natalie. Pleased to meet you.” His voice was curt, and laced with formality.

“Nice to meet you too, sir.”

“Please, you can call me Dad.”

Shivers went down my spine at his words. I tried it out in my head, yet it felt wrong. I looked at my mother, who was still avoiding my eyes, as she ate.

“Do you hear me, Natalie?” Joey spoke again, his tone sounded decisive.

“I want you to call me Dad now.”

“Absolutely not..” A voice I knew too well drawled from the halls.

Kian entered the room, his eyes falling on me first.

Gone was the amusement, in its place was only a faint disgust. He sat at the chair across mine, then looked at his father.

“She is quite infamous in school, dad. You won't want your name tarnished by taking a drug peddler as a daughter, now would you?”