Chapter 5: Meeting the Cawthorns

I stared at the face in the mirror, I hadn’t done my makeup in a while, I looked at myself once again, I took a deep breath and just then, I heard a subtle knock on the door.

“That must be my ride” I said to myself as I walked to the door.

“Thought you might need an outfit” his voice was calm, yet it scared me.

“What’s this?” I asked, watching him pull what seemed like a box of clothes.

“Oh and ladies” he called out and immediately a group of ladies walked into my apartment “She’s the one” he added as I stood there in shock.

They took me by my arms, “Let’s get into it” one of the ladies said.

“Wha..what’s happening?” I asked while being whisked away.

“Just a little touch up” another lady said smiling as she wiped off the little make up I had already done.

After hours of their mincing and mixing, I looked at myself at the mirror ‘wow, they know their work’ I thought to myself.

The ladies quickly walked out after having my face and body glimmering.

“You done?” I heard Julian ask from outside my apartment.

I slowly walked out of the house, my dark Prada shoes, the brown silky jacket felt soft on my skin.

I looked at him as he watched me, “Do I look silly right now?” I asked, feeling insecure around him “N..no, why would you say that?” He asked, his eyes following me.

“You’ve been staring at me quite weirdly” I answered, taking careful steps as I’d have to return them, they seem too precious for me to keep.

“Come on then” he said, helping me with my door.

Immediately I got inside his car, I felt my chest tighten as his cologne had even more presence in a closed space.

“What was that about?” I asked, after settling down.

“What was whar?” He asked, starting the car.

“Yesterday, I thought we agreed not to be partners, not to the public” I said as he paused to look at me, a hand on the steering wheel.

“You wore my ring Amelia, how would you explain that to him” he answered calmly.

“I could have lied, okay” I answered, staring at him, his eyes watching me.

“Yeah, you got a thirty four karat ring off the supermart” he said smiling “Don’t be hilarious” he added as he started the car once more.

“Aren’t we going to be late?” I asked watching his hand as he drove.

“It doesn’t matter, we’re the main event” he said with a smirk on his face.

On getting to our destination, I could see the house up ahead “That’s your home?” I asked, looking at the trees that stood side by side, giving the place a special grandeur.

“My late father’s home” he said.

“Once you get there, don’t answer any questions, just follow my lead” he said as he drove.

“We’re here” he said smiling “Oh and darling, don’t forget to smile” he added, before opening his car door.

He quickly turned to the passenger side of the car, slowly opening the car door for me.

“My darling” he said, I could hear the insincerity in his voice, I calmly joined him, smiling as I noticed the people that stood in front of the house.

“Careful now” he said holding my hand, not watching my step, I missed a step on the stairs, I felt his hand around my back, my fall being stopped, his hand holding me firmly, his eyes watching me, his face getting closer to mine.

“We’re being watched” Julian said, his hand moving up my back.

“Doesn’t mean you need to enter my skin” I whispered with a smile on my face, taking his hands into mine and way from my back.

“We’re here” Julian announced putting his hand behind my back.

I noticed an older woman who seemed poised, I assumed immediately she had to be his stepmother and then there was a man sitting at the end of the room.

“Julian, you’re here” the man in a suit said, smiling, he was the only one who seemed welcoming, I felt the stares of the others.

I followed him calmly, I looked at the resentment on their faces and I felt a surge of sadness, they seemed to hate him yet he smiled, although it looked mischievous ‘so that’s where he gets his insincerity from’ I thought to myself as I stood.

“She’s so beautiful” the man exclaimed.

“Darling, this is our family lawyer, Betru” Julian said, smiling at me as I extended my hand to shake him.

“It’s a pleasure sir, I’m Amelia” I said with a smile on my face, I noticed amidst our exchange, the others in the room looked unsupportive, disappointed.

“Please sit, I’m just here to visit, it’s a pleasure to meet you Amelia” he answered before bolting out of the room.

“I’ll show you to our room love” Julian said smiling

‘What? Our room?’ I asked myself just as he took my hand.

“You must be tired, it was a long drive” he added before whisking me away

“What do you mean our room?!” I asked almost yelling

“What about my dresses? Huh, school too and my mum?” I asked almost angrily.

“Shhh” Julian responded, I could hear footsteps coming from the hall

“Don’t shush me!” I yelled and almost immediately his face was close to mine, his eyes had become subtle, his lips locked on mine, my face flushed red, trying my best to push him away, his hands wrapped around me, holding my hand steadily, I could feel his tongue making its way deep inside my mouth.

‘What’s he doing?’ I asked myself trying to pull away, it was futile, his lips on mine, my heart racing, so confused, I stopped fighting him, the kiss and his eyes ‘His tongue’ I thought to myself before letting the myself to be engulfed in the flame of his kiss.