Chapter six

"Aren't you a little dressed up for a family dinner?"

George said to her as she took her seat next to him.

"You should focus on your son, tell him to change his wardrobe, all I see is suits, suits, suits"

She replied. With the way she replied, my guess, she's the third wife, she looks so young, did she marry him because of his money or are they really in love?

"Whatever"

She ended her argument with George and faced Carlton who was seated with me on the other side of the table.

"Carlton, don't you want to say hi? You are making look like an evil stepmother"

He smiled, fake smile, it didn't reach his eyes, his body language was tense.

"Samantha, meet Laura Williams, my father's wife, Laura, meet my fiancée, Samantha Jones"

I smiled at her, waiting for her to say something.

"When is the food going to get here? George, you need to replace them, they are always slow"

She didn't look at me and ignored the introduction making it look like I was completely invisible. That went well

"Uncle!"

A little kid ran over to Carlton and hugged him while he was still seated.

"How is my favourite niece doing?"

He stood up to hug her.

"Daddy! Uncle is here"

My head turned to the direction the adorable girl faced.

A man and a woman entered. The man was wearing a pair of dark jeans, which were slightly ripped at the knees. His white t-shirt was tight against his muscular frame, and I could see the outlines of his abs through the fabric. On his feet, he wore a pair of black sneakers, which were scuffed and well-worn. His casual clothes were in sharp contrast to his wife's dress, which was long and flowing, made of a light, gauzy fabric. Her hair was done up in an elegant bun, and she wore minimal makeup. She looked radiant. My guess, Alexander Williams and his family.

"I guess we are late again"

He said as Elizabeth, his wife took her seat next to me and signalled her daughter to come and seat next to her. She looked at me and smiled.

"You look stunning" she whispered.

"Thank you, you look stunning too" I whispered too.

"Look who we have here"

He went ahead to put his hands on Carlton's shoulders.

"Been a while, brother"

He smiled, still not reaching his eyes.

"Yes, how is the business doing?"

Alex left Carlton to seat next to Laura.

"Business is going great, I'm guessing it's your fiancée seating next to you, if you are not going to introduce me, I will do the honours. I'm Alexander Williams, his older brother"

He smiled at me, at the point I was already tired of talking, I simply nodded.

"It's so nice to see all the family together after such a long time"

George added.

After what felt like an eternity, the food arrived. I felt relief wash over me as the waiters began to deliver the plates, one by one. Everyone around the table began to dig in. As I looked down at my plate, I saw a dish that looked like it had come from another planet. It was some kind of seafood casserole, with vegetables and spices that I'd never seen before. I picked up my fork and took a tentative bite. It tasted okay, but it wasn't the kind of food I was used to. I'd grown up in Miami, where we ate street food - hot dogs, burgers, Cuban sandwiches. This food was fancy and foreign to me, but I forced myself to eat it anyway. I could feel the eyes of the other guests on me. Such a drag

"So, Samantha, how did you meet Carlton? I know he's not the kind of person to interact with ladies"

Laura stopped eating and paid her attention to me. 

"Um... We met through a friend"

Beth once told me if I was asked, I should just tell them that. Phew

"A friend, Huh? Is that right, Carlton?"

"Yes"

He replied, holding my hands, smiling with so much love in his eyes. He should be given best actor award

As I sat at the dinner table, I could feel the tension building. Laura and George kept asking me questions about myself and my relationship with Carlton, my family, my school, I tried to answer as best I could, I answered the way Beth told me to answer the questions, Carlton answered the ones I couldn't.  Meanwhile, Alexander was staring daggers at him from across the table. I could tell that there was some bad blood between them, but I didn't know the details, Beth didn't tell me there was something between the brothers. 

I could feel the pressure mounting, and I just wanted to get out of there. But I had to keep a polite facade.  Dinner ended.

"Carlton, see me in my study room"

He kissed my forehead and left with his father. Alexander followed almost immediately. Laura left and Lord knows where the fuck she went, I'm starting to dislike her, I felt attacks in the questions she asked me. Olivia was sound asleep on her mum's arms.

"I'm sorry I can't get to know you, maybe another time"

Elizabeth politely said. Elizabeth and George are the only ones I like.

"No problem"

"Good night"

"Night"

She carried Olivia and they left.

I decided to go for a stroll while waiting for my husband.

As I walked down the long, winding hallways of the mansion, I realized I was completely turned around. I tried to retrace my steps, but everything looked the same. The walls were adorned with paintings and sculptures, and the floors were covered in plush carpets. I must have looked like a tourist, wandering aimlessly around the house.

I felt a firm hand on my shoulder, spinning me around to face its owner. I found myself mere inches from Carlton's face, his blue eyes boring into mine. I could feel the heat radiating off his body, and my heart was pounding in my chest. I was confused by his actions - why was he still trying to put on an act when there was nobody around?

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He leaned in close, his breath warm on my face. "I'm just making sure you don't disappear on me again," he said.

My mind was reeling, trying to process what was happening. I was frozen in place, unable to move or speak. I felt Carlton's hand on my waist, his grip firm but not forceful. His other hand cupped my face, his thumb caressing my cheek. My heart was racing, my skin tingling with anticipation. And then his lips were on mine.

I was stunned at first, but then I found myself responding to his kiss. His lips were soft and warm, and I could feel my heart beating fast. I tried to protest,  his arms encircling my waist. The kiss was getting more passionate, more insistent. I could feel my body responding, even as my mind was screaming at me to stop. I was trembling, unable to control my reactions. I was in uncharted territory, and I didn't know what to do.

One second, he's cold, another, he's friendly. I can't just read him. Who is this man?

"Aren't you a little dressed up for a family dinner?"

George asked as she sat down next to him.

She shot back with a smirk, "Maybe I should be giving fashion advice to your son instead? All I see is a sea of suits - it's like he's trying to audition for a job at a funeral home."

She's gotta be the third wife - she looks way too young to be married to George. Was she in love with him or his bank account? 

"Whatever." She said, tossing a dismissive glance at George before turning to Carlton, who was seated with me on the other side of the table. "Carlton, don't you want to say hi? You're making me look like an evil stepmother." He smiled, but it was fake - it didn't reach his eyes, and his body language was tense.

"Samantha, meet Laura Williams, my father's wife," Carlton said, his tone a bit forced. "Laura, meet my fiancée, Samantha Jones." I smiled at her, waiting for her to say something, but she completely ignored me. 

"When is the food going to get here? George, you need to replace them, they're always slow," she said, not even looking in my direction. It was like I was invisible. That went well. 

"Uncle!" a tiny voice squealed, as a little girl hurtled towards Carlton, throwing her arms around his neck. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a gentle squeeze. "How is my favorite niece doing?" He ruffled her hair, and she giggled. "Daddy, Uncle is here!" she exclaimed, tugging on Carlton's hand. I turned to follow her gaze, and my eyes landed on a man and woman walking in.  He wore ripped jeans and a tight white tee that showcased his muscular frame - I could see the outlines of his abs through the fabric. His casual vibe was a stark contrast to the lady next to him, who stunned in an elegant dress made of a light, gauzy fabric that flowed behind her. Her hair was styled in a chic bun, and she wore minimal makeup, yet still looked absolutely radiant. My guess, Alexander Williams and his family.

"I guess we're late again," Alexander said, as his wife Elizabeth took her seat beside me and motioned for their daughter to join her. Elizabeth smiled at me and whispered, "You look stunning." I returned the compliment, and she took her seat. Alexander moved closer to Carlton, "Look who we have here!" and clapped Carlton on the shoulders. "Been a while, brother." Carlton's smile didn't quite reach his eyes as he replied, "Yes, how's the business doing?" Alexander left Carlton to sit beside Laura, then turned to me and said, "I'm guessing this is your fiancée? If you won't introduce us, I will. I'm Alexander Williams, Carlton's older brother. I'm guessing you are Samantha." He smiled at me, a bit too widely. I just nodded, feeling a bit underwhelmed. George chimed in, "It's great to see the whole family together again after so long." 

After what felt like an eternity, the food arrived. I felt relief wash over me as the waiters began to deliver the plates, one by one. Everyone around the table began to dig in. As I looked down at my plate, I saw a dish that looked like it had come from another planet. It was some kind of seafood casserole, with vegetables and spices that I'd never seen before. I picked up my fork and took a tentative bite. It tasted okay, but it wasn't the kind of food I was used to. I'd grown up in Miami, where we ate street food - hot dogs, burgers, Cuban sandwiches. This food was fancy and foreign to me, but I forced myself to eat it anyway. I sensed that everyone else was staring at me. 

"So, Samantha, how did you meet Carlton? I know he's not exactly the type to mingle with the ladies." Laura stopped eating and focused on me, awaiting my response. I hesitated, remembering Beth's words. 'Just say you met through a friend.' "Um... We met through a friend," I replied, trying to sound casual. Carlton squeezed my hand, his eyes shining with a loving gaze that made me feel like the only person in the room. "Yes," he confirmed, his smile was so convincing, he should be given the best actor award!

As I sat at the dinner table, I could feel the tension building. Laura and George kept asking me questions about myself and my relationship with Carlton, my family, and my education, which I tried to answer as best I could, following Beth's instructions, and Carlton answered the ones I couldn't. Meanwhile, Alexander was staring daggers at Carlton from across the table. I could tell that there was some bad blood between them, but I didn't know the details, Beth didn't tell me there was something between the brothers. 

I was dying to get out of there, but I had to keep up the act. Finally, dinner was over, and Carlton's father called him into his study. Carlton gave me a quick kiss on the forehead and took off with his father, Alexander right behind them. Laura disappeared too, and I was left feeling frazzled and annoyed by her grilling. I was really starting to dislike her. Meanwhile, little Olivia was peacefully snoozing in her mom's arms. 

"I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to chat more," Elizabeth said with a friendly smile. "Maybe we can catch up another time?" I appreciated her warmth. "No worries at all," I replied. "Night!" "Night!" we said in unison, and Elizabeth headed out with a sleepy Olivia in tow.

I decided to go for a stroll while waiting for my husband.

As I walked down the long, winding hallways of the mansion, I realized I was completely turned around. I tried to retrace my steps, but everything looked the same. The walls were adorned with paintings and sculptures, and the floors were covered in plush carpets. I must have looked like a tourist, wandering aimlessly around the house.

I felt a firm hand on my shoulder, spinning me around to face its owner. I found myself mere inches from Carlton's face, his blue eyes boring into mine. I could feel the heat radiating off his body, and my heart was pounding in my chest. I was confused by his actions - why was he still trying to put on an act when there was nobody around?

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He leaned in close, his breath warm on my face. "I'm just making sure you don't disappear on me again," he said.

My mind was reeling, trying to process what was happening. I was frozen in place, unable to move or speak. I felt Carlton's hand on my waist, his grip firm but not forceful. His other hand cupped my face, his thumb caressing my cheek. My heart was racing, my skin tingling with anticipation. And then his lips were on mine.

I was stunned at first, but then I found myself responding to his kiss. His lips were soft and warm, and I could feel my heart beating fast. I tried to protest,  his arms encircling my waist. The kiss was getting more passionate, more insistent. I could feel my body responding, even as my mind was screaming at me to stop. I was trembling, unable to control my reactions. I was in uncharted territory, and I didn't know what to do.

One second, he's cold, another, he's friendly. I can't just read him. Who is this man?