159

BRANDON

“Brandon invited me. Of course, I’ll come. Isn’t that right, Brandon?” Pauline says, and her fucking remark added to my exasperation.

“Is that right, my boy?” my grandfather asks as if amused.

His endearment always gives a sour taste to my tongue.

“Petros.” Sebastianos acknowledges my grandfather’s presence with a handshake. The family tree is vast, but everyone in the family circle is his friend. Sebastianos Leandros’ great-grandmother is a Dragoumis.

“Ah! Sebastianos, come, come.”

I roll my eyes. I glance in the direction Alayna went earlier, but I still don’t see her.

What are you doing there, love?

She’s been in the restroom for over fifteen minutes now. I am beginning to worry. After everything my grandfather had said, of course, she’d feel unwelcomed. It’s not a good sight. I regret ever inviting him here. I’m entirely mortified in front of her mother, and I know I have to apologize to her family later.

“Elizabeth,” I call Alayna’s mother’s attention because I can’t prol