Chapter 23

Hussain POV

"You know my brother's date?" I whispered down in Allison's ear,

"Yes... This is the guy I was telling you that dated but he... We broke up, seven months ago,"

This is not good, I thought, because if my brother is aware of this, then the drama begins with me tonight,

"So, you're Allison?" Malique leaned his head, staring at us, he knows. Shit.

"You know Gary speaks highly of you, and you look ok... I guess but... I understand why he dumped you though, I would too, but Hussain will, isn't that right big brother?"

"Cut it out Malique," the guy behind him muttered, I guess it's safe to say that's Gary,

Lifting his hand, Malique looked over his shoulder, glaring at him, poor dude seems like a nice guy, I don't what he was doing with my evil sibling,

"Stay out of its Gary, let the girl speak for herself,"

"How can she, just look at her," my sister, Alex snickered, "Who forced you in that dress sweetheart? No wonder you were dumped... You dress like trash anyway," they burst into laughter, I could tell by the looks on the guest faces, that they were. uncomfortable. Clutching onto Allison's hand, I caressed her fold fist with my thumb, feeling it relaxing from my touch,

"Children..." My mother made her way into the room, "And guest's, it's a pleasure to have you here in my home, the table is set, please join us for dinner,"

Seeing Allison and me, she walked over to us, as the group chuckled away,

"Hussain," she cupped my cheeks, "You made it,"

"Mom, this is Allison,"

"Welcome, Allison," my mother, smiled at her,

"Thank you, Mrs. Myers,"

"Come," she walked ahead of us, "Let's get this over and done,"

"Hey," I whispered down at Allison,

"I am sorry about my siblings, that's how they are at times,"

"It's ok, I'll try to get through the night, I know what they are trying to do,"

"You do?"

"Yes, and it won't work,"

Stepping into the dining room, everyone was already seated, waiting for us. Pulling out a chair, I made Allison sat next to me, on the right side of my mother who sat at the one end of the table, while I sat next to my sister, across from my brother and Gary. Sitting at the other end of the was my Father, a man with who I share no bond, but only DNA, he didn't acknowledge me, so I didn't acknowledge him. Walking around the table, Jimmy, the butler poured champagne into our glasses, almost filling it to the brim, and it got me thinking, what was so important that requires so much booze. Pushing a trolley, the chef approached the table, I could smell the aroma from where I sat, I was suddenly hungry. While we sat, waiting in silence, he placed plates of steak, mashed potatoes mixed with beans, and stirred fried vegetables on the side, in front of all of us, each plate containing the same proportion.

Looking over her shoulders, my mother waited for the chef to disappear before she spoke,

"First of all, I just want to say welcome again to everyone and a special welcome to the guests, I am Mrs. Myers, and ahead of me is my husband, Mr. Myers," she announced but I said nothing, and the rest of the table was quiet as well,

"Right," she smiled, "Please... Eat, I know you guys must be starving," she chuckled nervously,

Digging into their foods, everyone was occupying their selves in conversation, but Allison sat beside me, quiet.

"You're not hungry?"

"I am... But I eat anything in this dress, I will be leaving here looking like a pregnant goat, and I think I have enough teasing for the night,"

"Again, I am really sorry about that, they can be assholes you know," I chuckled, staring at her dancing eyes, is it strange at how compelling I found them, it made me want to rip off her clothes and take her on the table in front of everyone.

"So, Allison," Malique set down his knife and fork, "isn't this a little weird for you, to have your ex sitting across from you and your new-found love right next to you, tell me your secrets, teach me your ways,"

"Say what now?" My mother glared at Allison,

"Oh... My bad, you didn't know, Gary and Allison here use to date, but now she's dating the richest man in the room, how strange, what an interesting upgrade,"

Folding my fist under the table, I felt Allison's warm hands over mine, soothing away my anger,

"Yes, that's the purpose of dating, isn't it?" She muttered, "I don't know if you've noticed but some of don't go around swiping left on dating apps, you would know one and two things about that wouldn't you?" Allison retaliated,

"That's funny," Gary leaned back in his chair, glaring at me, "It was just yesterday she was telling me she was single,"

"Oh right," Malique backed him up, "You two did meet up some diner you say,"

"What?" I mumbled,

"Oh my, this mouth of mine, I tell you, works wonders, but it can say things out loud at times, oops," my brother cackled.

She met up with him yesterday, that must be the reason her friend thought Gary was in her apartment and not me, yanking my hand from her grip, I excused myself from the table. Marching to the bathroom, I slammed the door behind me, staring at my reflection as my grip tightens around the sink,

"This is what they want, those evil little mother fuckers want to see you lose your temper," I coached myself, and I won't give it to them. Rinsing my face with water, I pat dry it with a sheet of paper towel.

"You got this Hussain,"

Stepping out of the bathroom, I took a deep breath before heading back to the dining room, but entering I noticed something was different, everyone eyes were fixed in the direction I came from, glaring at me with disdain,

"Is... Something wrong?"

"One word for you, big brother," Alex giggled. "Scandal," she grinned.

Allison's eyes were glistening with tears, her eyes clenching together,

"What—"

"An article was released a few moments ago," my mother's face was emotionless, "Check your cellphone sweetheart,"

Not breaking the stare from Allison, I dipped into my pocket for my phone. swiping up the unlocking icon, my heart ached when I saw the article posted online about me,

"Is it true?" Allison's voice cracked, "About you and Maria? Did you get your maid pregnant?"