Chapter 36: Chapter:36

**Taylor's POV**

It is time for dinner and Dimitri and I are busy getting ready. We're going to some high end restaurant and I had to pull out a fancy evening dress that I packed as a precaution.

I hope that there are no more fancy events because I do not have the waredrobe for it.

*Higly unlikely.*

"You look beautiful." Dimitri says looking at me as I put my shoes on. I'm wearing a long-sleeved, off the shoulder dress. It is plain black and reaches just below the knees. The dress is classy and formal but not boring.

"You haven't worn your ring since we got here." He says and I turn around before nodding. "Yeah, I wasn't sure whether you told your family or not." I tell him and he nods pulling me closer to him by my waist. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him in for a kiss.

His lips pull into a smile against mine and I can't stop mine. "I want to tell them tonight. I don't want them to hear it from one of their friends. We've told many people already." He say and I nod in agreement.

"Yeah. Let's just hope Miranda doesn't beat us to the punch." I say and he chuckles. "Knowing her, she probably already has." He says and I roll my eyes.

I pull away and turn back to the mirror. Grabbing the comb, I make a middle part in my hair and brush it back. Taking a silver clip, I pin my hair up and sooth out any stray hairs.

I pick my gold necklace up from the dresser before putting it around my neck but Dimitri immediately stops me. "Wear the diamonds. They go better with you shoes." He says and I give him a smirk through the mirror before turning around and getting the matching set out of the box.

He helps me put it on before giving me a kiss on the cheeks. "Perfect." He whispers into my ear before giving my hips a little squeeze.

"And you mister, look just as handsome." I tell him and he smirks. "We need to leave this room before I pull this dress off of you." He says and I let out a laugh before grabbing my clutch and following him out of the room.

We make our way down the stairs to find everybody already there. "Are we all ready?" Mrs. Alfonso asks and I nod. "Good, we should get going then." She says before grabbing her purse and walking to the front door.

I grab Dimitri's hand and we walk out of the house. There are two cars are already waiting for us and we just hop in. Mr. Alfonso, his wife and Miranda take the first one and Elina rides with Dimitri and I.

"I can feel the hangover from over here." I say as I see Elina rubbing her temples. "I'm never day drinking again." She says and I giggle. "I honestly don't know how my mother is not laying on the ground right now. She drank more then I did." She continues.

"You know mom has always been a champion drinker. The woman could drink all night and there would be no trace of it the next morning." Dimitri says and Elina nods.

"How have things been going with Mikayla?" Dimitri asks and Elina shrugs. "She doing better. Dan decided that he would stay and take care of her so that I could be here. He wanted me to relax a little bit but I can't do that no matter how hard I try." She says and Dimitri nods. "My niece has been sick for the past two weeks." Is all Dimitri says and I just nod, knowing that I shouldn't ask anymore questions.

Elina looks very stressed about it and that could explain why she was drink at ten in the morning.

The car comes to a stop after a few minutes of Elina and I getting to know one another and Dimitri gets out first. He helps me out and the give his hand to Elina. She smooths her cream coloured dress down before walking into the restaurant.

"Are you ready?' Dimitri asks and I furrow my brows at him. "Ready for what?" I ask and he chuckles. 'For the many mixed reactions that we're about to get from my family." He says and my heart starts pounding in my chest. "Jeez, are they really that bad?" I ask as we walk through the door.

The different aromas hit my nose and my stomach almost immediately starts grumbling.

*Damn, this place smells good."

"They can be. I just want you to be ready for whatever. Especially from my father. That man acts like he shits gold and when you don't fit his standard, then you're as good as the dirt of his shoe." Dimitri says and I frown.

This sure is alot of pressure for a fake marriage but I said I'd do it so I just have to see it through. We all get to the table and everybody takes their seats. Two servers are standing there almost immediatey, ready to take our drink orders.

I get a glass of orange and mango blend and the rest get something alcoholic. "So, Taylor. You're not much of a drinker I take it?" Mrs. Alfonso asks and I shake my head. "No ma'am. I'm not." I tell her and she nods.

"Are the two of you going to be back for your father's birthday, Dimitrius?" She asks him and he looks up from the menu. "I can't say for sure." He says before refocusing his attention back on the menu.

"Dimitri, you've missed two birthdays already. A third time would mean that you just don't want to be around us." She says and I can see tears spring to her eyes.

"Mom, you know it's not that. I have alot of work and we are going to pitch the construction of the new hotel that I want to open to the investors once I get back." He says but it all just sounds like an excuse to not come to the party.

"That is why you are going to make time. We aren't just some friends that you try to blow off on a friday night. We are your family and you are going to be at the party. End of discussion." rs. Alfonso says in a sickly sweet manner. The whole table is silent, listening the two of them talking and nobody dares to speak fearing that they would feel her wrath next.

I want to disappear from this awkwardness but I'm stuck.

*Sheesh, scary lady, this one."

"So, who's ready to order." Elina asks breaking the awkward atmosphere and I want look up at her to see her smirking. "That sounds like a good idea." Dimitri's father says, raising his hand.

The servers appear at the table with a quickness and everybody gives their order. I get the chicken pesto pasta with some lemon parmesan lettuce salad.

"Are you okay?" I softly ask Dimitri once I'm sure nobody is paying attention to us. "Yeah. She wouldn't have stopped if I argued." He tells me and I smile. "I realised as much."

"I'm going to tell them now. You ready?" He asks and I take a deep breath before nodding.

"Guys, I have an announcement." He starts off and everybody's attention is on us again.

"What is it?" His mother asks and he looks at me with a small smile.

"I have asked Taylor to marry me." He says and everybody is quiet.

"Oh my goodness, that is wonderful news." Mrs. Alfonso says and Elina grins at us.

We hear mister Alfonso scoff and we look at him. He has a scowl on his face as he sets his napkin on the table.

"Absolutely not."