Forty-four

Forty-four
Eve

The day I was supposed to meet Charles's family has finally arrived. And I guess it's safe to say that I'm terrified as fuck right now.

Not because Katy said that I'm in danger, no, Charles has already assured me that I wasn't, and so far, I haven't received any threat of any kind.

Even though Charles is manipulative and conniving, I don't think he would deliberately put me in danger.

Either Katy is paranoid, or she just hates Charles so much that she cooked up a lie about Charles's brother tailing her.

The reason I'm terrified is that I'm meeting Charles' family in a few hours. I have no idea how the dinner would go, and honestly, I don't wanna find out.

I don't want to be the tool of judgment for everyone in that family.

Right now, I am standing on our front porch, my sweaty hands holding my handbag in front of me, my hair elegantly done in an updo, with two curly strands on either side of my face.

I had already done my makeup, and was wearing a simple yet chic dress Charles had picked out girl me.

Obviously, he wanted to impress his uncle, who he said believes that simplicity is elegant.

My heartbeat quickened as the familiar dark, sleek car pulled up in front of the house. Lopez stepped out and opened the door for me.

I exhaled, taking slow steps towards the car, each step I made heavier than the last.

I got in the car, and the next thing, Lopez was already driving me to the Herman estate. Even though the window was rolled down, I was pretty much sweating like a guinea pig.

“Don't be nervous, Miss Dawson.” Lopez voiced suddenly, making me pull my eyes away from the road to the rearview mirror, where I met his eyes.

How can he tell me not to be nervous?

I know he's trying to help, but telling me not to be nervous in this situation isn't helping.

“Remember what Charles said,” Lopez reminded me, “Just be your irrational, unapologetic self. Talk the way you talk, and everything else.”

Okay. Well, I guess I can try.

About an hour later, Lopez pulled into the Herman estate. I'm afraid that I have to say that its lush and majestic beauty was lost on me, because, hello, I'm trying not to break down right here.

Lopez pulled the car to a halt, and we alighted.

He led me into the tall, luxurious building which screamed wealth, down the foyer, into the dining hall.

There they were, the whole Herman family seated at the same table. They felt my presence and turned their heads to me, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe.

It was all overwhelming.

“Babe!” Charles exclaimed boisterously, rising to his feet, a broad smile plastered across his face, arms wide as he walked towards me. He gave me a hug and planted a soft kiss on my lips. “You made it.”

Yeah, right. He had told me that we would be kissing in front of his family, but I have been so terrified of meeting his family that I didn't get the luxury to think about the kiss.

He put his hand on my waist as we stepped closer to the table.

“Everyone,” He began, his cheerful voice telling me that this was all an act, “This is Eve, my girlfriend, the girl I've been telling you all about.”

I let out an inaudible sigh.

Be your irrational, unapologetic self, Eve.

Okay. I can do that.

“Hi, everyone!” I greeted cheerfully, my loud voice echoing all across the hall, “My name is Eve, and it's such a pleasure to meet you all. Charles has told me all about you guys.”

I have seen photographs of every member of the Herman family and know what they look like. But seeing them up close was a whole different thing.

Emma Herman, Charles' mom, had long, silky blonde hair with flawless skin, full lips, and a gorgeous face. Seriously, they say she's in her early fifties, but damn, she definitely doesn't look a day older than thirty.

Adam Herman, Charles’s dad, is allegedly in his late fifties, handsome, sharp jaw with dark hair that has some streaks of grey in it. He looked extremely surprised to see me.

Ian Herman, Charles's uncle. He's the one Charles is trying to impress. He looked younger and good-looking, with zero beard or stubble, probably in his early fifties.

And then…

Finn Herman, Charles’s big brother. I've seen him before… and threw my shoes at him. He still had that chilling aura around him that gave me the creeps.

I hope he doesn't remember me.

The only person absent here is their grandfather. Charles told her he'd be here.

They all took in every little detail of me, their eyes evidently reeking with judgment and disbelief.

“Oh, hi there, Eve!” Ian was the first to welcome me as he slowly rose to his feet. “Charles told me all about you.”

He embraced me warmly and gave me a soft kiss on my cheeks, then offered me a chair beside where Charles sat, before sitting back down on his seat.

Charles, a smug smile on his face, came and sat beside me, then took my hand in his.

Now getting nervous again, I glanced at Emma only to see that she had a deep frown on her face, her eyes glinting with unavowed hatred as she stared at me. Charles had clearly told me she would act this way, and seeing her now just confirmed his words.

I dare not look at Finn.

“Girlfriend?” Adam finally spoke for the first time, surprise still written all over his face, “Since when did you start having a girlfriend? And who did you tell?”

“Oh? Father, didn't Mother tell you?” Charles enquired, his voice laced with surprise as he tilted his head towards Emma.

Something told me Charles wasn't surprised at all.

“No, she didn't.” Adam replied, turning to Emma, “Did you know that Charles had a girlfriend?”

“Of course she does.” Charles answered before Emma could get the chance to speak, “She and Finn know all about Eve, and the fact that she would be coming over for dinner. Isn't that right... Mother?”

Hold on a second…

The way he called her ‘Mother’ twice just now… his voice was dripping with sarcasm… as thought he was mocking his own mother.

He isn't… is he?

I whipped my head to have a look at both Charles' and Emma’s faces. The gleam in Charles' eyes told me my assumptions were right…

He's mocking his own mother?

And Emma…

Oh, my God!

Does she… is that… is that hatred in her eyes? She hates her own son?

Still trying to wrap my head around all this, my eyes unconsciously drifted off to Finn... only to have my soul instantly abandon my body.

I literally jumped out of my skin.

The murderous intent in his eyes as he glowered at me was nothing like I've ever seen before. It terrified the hell out of me.

I think Katy was right after all.

Finn indeed had her tailed.

I think I might be in danger.

And I think Charles is indeed using me to get at him.

So, this was the reason he's been doing this all along? No, my gut feeling tells me he's not just using me to get at his brother.

It's way more than that.

Oh, my God, what on earth is going on here? This family...

I want no part of this.