Chapter 27: Meeting the family

Hot.

Initially, I had absolutely no plans of attending Danielle's baby shower. I despised attending social gatherings that involved my family-most especially, my parents.

They wouldn't let me breathe… they'd repeatedly pester me about getting married…to Anna.

But tonight was different. Hell yeah, it was. I wouldn't be attending the baby shower alone. Now, I have Spitfire.

I got in the shower, had a quick hot bath, and got dressed up in a navy blue tux. Nodding satisfactorily at my reflection in the mirror, I headed downstairs.

Yeah, Spitfire wasn't ready yet. You know women… Anyways, I sat, patiently waiting for her to get done-we weren't too late yet.

After about thirty minutes, I started to hear the clacking sounds of heels from the stairway. As the clacks drew closer, I raised my head in the direction of the stairs, and the sight I beheld… My mouth opened ajar.

She looked so mesmerising-in that short, shape burgundy satin wrap dress that wrapped fittedly around her curves that left out a little bit of her cleavage.

She had a light makeup on, and on her feet were a pair of black high heels. Her midnight black hair was long and curly, bouncing down her shoulders. And she had a black purse clutched in her hand. Hell.

I swear, it drove me completely crazy-her look. The whole of her. I felt a bulge around my lower region and I swallowed loudly.

Breathtaking. That was all I could think of, 'cos she indeed took my breath away.

"Ready?" When I finally spoke, my voice was low and hoarse. In fact, the word came out as a whisper.

Hell. That was to show how much of an effect she had on me, looking like that.

"Obviously." Her bossom heaved as she spoke.

"Don't do that." I blurted out without thinking.

Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Sorry?"

"It's nothing." Saying that, I rose from the chair.

"All set?"

"I still don't know where we're headed though." Her frown deepened.

"Hum," I pursed my lips, "you'll know when we get there."

Having said that, I grinned and led the way outside.

A Maybach had already been prepared upfront and Carl was already seated in the driver's seat.

A guard wanted to open the backseat's door but I immediately stopped him with a wave of my hand.

Instead, I stepped forward and opened it myself.

"My love," I grinned sheepishly at Spitfire and she almost rolled her eyes out of their socket.

But she stepped in anyway. I chuckled deeply and also got in the car.

"Drive, Carl." I ordered as soon as I'd settled down beside Spitfire.

And out he drove. The drive to the Georges' residence took approximately forty minutes.

By the time we arrived at the venue, it was already crowded.

"Now, all you need to do is smile, Spitfire." I placed my hand on the small of her back as we stepped out of the car.

She glanced around quickly and turned to face me. "I don't even know these people-I don't know where we are…"

"We're at my sister's." I led her through the noisy crowd, into the house, "it's her babyshower."

"What?! And we're just coming-you didn't even tell me-we didn't bring any gifts, what would she think of me?!" She glared at me accusingly.

"Easy now, Spitfire. Save the lecture for later."

***

ELIZABETH

"Save the lecture for later."

My eyes snapped up at him. Nah. I think I was starting to regret signing that contract. This guy's a stupid controlling, arrogant freak. Was he arrogant though?… Oh, whatever.

To begin with, he didn't even tell me where we were coming?

And stupid me, I dressed up anyway… well, yeah, with the help of Moana and Alexa-those two beautiful souls.

And then I asked again…and he still didn't tell me. Only for us to arrive at this really noisy house. And the next thing he said was 'all you need to do now is smile-spitfire.' Dammit! I really wanna spit fire at him right now… burn his whole existence to the ground.

Why didn't he tell me before now?… and I asked him severally-I really did. Damn! What would his sister think of me when she saw my empty hands?

I exhaled loudly. To be honest, I was feeling extremely nervous and angry at the same time.

I knew why he brought me here… I mean, he'd introduce me to his family, right?

"You're scum." I whispered beneath my breath as he continued leading me to only God knew where.

"I know, baby." I shot me his stupid signature grin and I scowled.

Not only did we come empty handed, we even came late. Wouldn't his sister think that I was the reason…?

First impression, dammit!

Even though we were only a fake couple, I still wanted to leave a nice impression on…

"Look who we have here! Ouuuu!" A round faced lady with a protruding round belly shuffled across the floor to us.

"Hey, doll." Ethan grinned at her.

The instant his hand left my back to hug her, cold rushed down my spine.

Huh? Why did I feel like I didn't like that his hand left my back?

I stood awkwardly as the two of them embraced each other.

"Dad! Mum! Come look who's here." The lady quickly called out.

I assessed the lady, from head to toes; she was wearing a lilac long sleeve sweetheart maternity flare gown that was sweeping the floor around her.

Hmm, must be the sister. Fuck it, she shared a striking resemblance with Ethan. Definitely the sister.

Her eyes then landed on me, "oh my, I'm so sorry-I just didn't expect that he'd come, so I got carried away." She waved her hands in the air as she spoke. "Hello."

Hmm, she seemed nice. I liked her already. "Hi, I'm-"

Right about then, a deep yet authortative voice came from behind her. "Where is he?"

"Here." Ethan's sister linked hands with him and hopped as she beckoned two elderly ones coming our way.

Must be the parents.

Ethan pressed his lips into a thin line when they reached us, "dad, mum."

"Is this the time you're supposed to be arriving?" His father asked angrily.

Oh oh.

"Dad, please. It's good enough that he came, I'm content with that." His sister took his side immediately.

Phew.

The older man grunted at his daughter.

"Plus, he didn't come alone… he came with…" the pretty lady grinned at me.

I opened my mouth to introduce myself but before I could speak, Ethan, that pervert, spoke first. "Guys, meet Elizabeth. She's my fiancée." I shut my mouth right back.

Wait, what?! He dropped the bomb just like that. My eyes blinked rapidly.

Three pairs of eyes landed on me in an assessing manner.

What was this? Continuous assessment? Damn. I broke into hot sweat at once.

"Good evening, sir, ma…" I lowered my head, more from embarrassment than politeness.

No one spoke a word until about a minute later.

And it was the father. "Who are you?"

Wait, what? Who was I…? I didn't quite get that…

You know, for a couple of seconds, I literally forgot about who I was.

Not until a few moment later. "I'm Elizabelth. Elizabeth Claire."

"Young lady, when I ask you 'who are you?' I expect you to tell me about your parents. Who are your parents? What do they do?"

My parents…

"Dad…" Ethan wanted to speak but a look from the man rendered him speechless. "Let her speak."

But that was a tacky question.

See? Ethan was a stupid fool. The worst I've ever met in my entire life. I mean, what was I supposed to say now?

The truth. The truth, I guessed.

The truth? Oh. Nothing but the goddamn truth.