The reunion

Adrain's POV

By evening the house had a different feel.

My mother was more energetic than that morning. She demanded putting on one of her dinner gowns instead of a comfortable dress. She even had the stylist come up to her and make her hair.

“You do not have to impress anybody,” I said to her and adjusted my cufflinks.

“I am not impressing anybody,“ she replied. "I am trying to make a good impression on my future in laws.”

I didn't argue.

“You are making too big a fuss of it,” I said, observing the staff put the gift boxes into the car.

“It is good manners,” I replied. "We are discussing marriage. These things matter."

The ride to the Whitmore house was a thirty-minute one. Their home was in an aged and affluent area of the city. Large gates. Long driveway. Perfectly trimmed hedges.

Upon arrival, the door was opened by a staff in the house.

Margaret Whitmore came to us smiling broadly.

“Eleanor,” my mother to her,"You look wonderful."

"So do you," my mother replied.

Margaret turned to me. "Adrian, it's been too long."

"Mrs. Whitmore," I said politely, as I took her hand and placed a kiss on it.

"Please, call me Margaret. Come in.” She said, leading the way.

We moved into the living room. Traditional furniture. The wall has framed family photographs.

A few minutes later Cassandra descended the stairs.

She looked composed. Calm. That same soft smile.

"Adrian," she said.

"Cassandra."

Our parents at once began to talk.

Margaret listened attentively whilst my mother started her speech.

“You know,” my mother said with a smile, “Margaret and I have been friends more than thirty years.”

The smile on Cassandra grew tight. I kept my expression neutral.

Margaret added, "We used to jokingly say that we were going to be family.”

“Now we think the moment has come,” my mother went on.

She did not wait further to add that this union would not only make us happy as individuals but also make the businesses of our families stronger.

There it was. The practical side.

Margaret nodded. “Our companies would be able to help one another. It would stabilize some of the projects.”

I noticed Cassandra attentively.

She looked relaxed. Too relaxed.

My mother looked satisfied.

A few additional minutes of pleasant talk saw Margaret give a slight clap. “Why not leave them speak a little alone?”

My mother assented at once.

Cassandra pointed to a smaller sitting area which was close to the window. I followed her.

There was a heavy silence between us.

“You look good,” she said at length.

"So do you."

Another silence.

“You’re bi?” She asked.

“Yes,” I replied calmly even though the question caught me off guard.

“Hm.” She said and we went into another round of silence.

I studied her face carefully. She didn't look nervous. Neither did she look excited.

She looked... detached.

My eyes went to her hand, it was still there.

“It is a pretty ring,” I said carelessly.

Her face looked extremely pale, like she had been caught doing something wrong. “A gift.”

She didn't elaborate. I didn't push.

“My stepbrother will be coming to dine with us,” she said, changing the topic . "He just got back into town."

“I was not aware that you had a stepbrother.” I replied.

"He's not around much." Came her short reply.

There was another embarrassing silence between us.

This was unbearable.

"We should head inside," I said. "No need to keep them waiting."

She smiled and nodded almost in relief. "Yes, let's."

Together, we walked into the living room.

“Done already?” My mother asked and Cassandra replied.

"Thats good, Julian will be back soon.” Margaret said. “Let’s head to the dinning room, he will meet us there.”

Julian.

I was struck oddly by the name, but I disregarded it.

I held my mom’s hand as we walked to the dinning room.

There were footsteps along the corridor behind us.

“Future uncle coming through,” said a voice and immediately I heard Cassandra groan.

I felt my chest tightening against the sound of it.

I turned slowly.

And then I saw him.

Messy black hair. Grey eyes. The very same face that was there in the hotel room a few hours back.

Julian.

The young man I had left in bed that morning.

Looking directly at me.

That was when I realized--

The stranger which I had a one-night stand with...

Was her stepbrother.