Lunch Lunch

Gianna paced the garden instead of admiring the blooming rose bushes. Emma was the one who told Ezra about Armand Price being Natalie’s boyfriend and she spoke about him at the store. Why would she be sleeping with him on her family’s estate?

Did she want Ezra to break up with Natalie?

Were the rumours about Natalie and Armand even true? She believed they were talking about another woman and who else could it be than Natalie? It was too much of a coincidence. What would Armand do when he saw her and assumed she was Natalie?

“This is getting out of hand,” she said to herself.

“Natalie!” Someone yelled but Gianna continued to pace.

“Hey!” Came another shout.

It was out of neglect that she didn’t answer. In the moment she was herself and didn’t think to answer if someone called her Natalie.

“What are you doing here? Didn’t you hear me, you airhead!”

Gianna stumbled back and gasped. Emma was polished and proper as if she wasn’t screwing around in the pool house.

“I didn’t hear you Emma. I’m here with Ezra you know that.”

“Ugh, are you here to spy on us as well? Are you going to sell a story to the press? Any story of the Warren family would fetch thousands of dollars.”

Gianna frowned. “Why would I need to sell a story?”

“Don’t play dumb—”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Emma.”

Emma stepped forward menacingly. “Listen, Dan told me you were in the pool house. It’s good too now you know—”

“Ladies!” Keegan laughed as he approached. “Isn’t it early to bring out the claws?”

Emma stepped back and forced a smile for her cousin. “Hmm, we were just talking.”

“I know your version of talking but you can’t do it now. Lunch is ready and Aunt Elouise wants everyone there immediately.”

“Ugh, who else is here?” Emma asked.

Keegan laughed. Their voices faded as they walked off leaving Gianna behind. Emma was about to confess before Keegan interrupted. Where was Armand now? She watched as Keegan and Emma veered off into the house. She walked back to the driveway all the cars she found where still here. Armand either parked somewhere else or he’s going to be at lunch.

“Miss Bentley, there you are. Everyone’s waiting!” Dan called her from the front door.

“Right, I’m sorry,” she said, rushing to the house.

Everyone was seated when she arrived. Hanah glared at her for being tardy. She found an empty seat beside Ezra who seemed unbothered.

“You have a lovely daughter, Eliot,” Mr Warren commented.

Eliot beamed and Hanah frowned. “Thank you, I’m very proud of Gi- of Natalie.”

Gianna thought she imagined the mispronunciation no one else noticed it. She looked around the table. She recognized the same people who attended the wedding and a few men who resembled Ezra’s dad. She assumed they were uncles but Armand wasn’t there. So Emma had snuck him in, but why?

Dinner was filled with talk of business. When the plates were taken away the conversation moved to Natalie and Ezra’s relationship.

“The wedding’s the talk of the town,” Ezra’s mother, Esther smiled. “It’s going to be the wedding of the year.”

“Of course, it’ll be the talk of the town for decades with the plans we have,” Hanah added.

“We have to start the arrangements, Ezra, when’s the date?” Esther asked.

“Next week Saturday,” Ezra replied.

Gianna’s heart slammed forward. “Ezra… we didn’t talk about this.” She whispered.

“I told you we needed to move it up. We’ve been engaged long enough don’t you think?”

“That’s great! We have to do. I won’t have anything less than marvellous,” Hanah said.

Gianna hoped Natalie would reappear by then. Emma pushed her chair back and picked up her glass. Keegan followed her actions.

“We’ll leave you to all the wedding talk.” Emma smiled. As she walked passed Gianna she faked a trip and poured red wine on Gianna’s shirt.

“Oh my goodness! I’m so clumsy!” Emma shouted.

“Oh…” Gianna stood and stared at her stained shirt.

“Emma,” Ezra growled, handing Gianna napkins.

“I’m sorry cousin. It was a total accident,” Emma said with a smile.

Gianna didn’t believe that one second it was pay back for discovering her and her lover.

“Excuse me,” Gianna left the table, feeling the wine seep down her shirt and meet the waistband of her pants.

“Natalie,” Ezra called as she searched for a bathroom.

She didn’t respond but kept looking. Emma might be scared she’ll tell Ezra about her affair with Armand. That was just a taste of Emma’s threats.

“Hey,” Ezra caught up to her and grabbed her arm, spinning her so she faced him. “The bathroom’s this way.” He led her upstairs. However, expecting to come to a large bathroom with tiles that gleamed and wonderful fragrances she entered a dim and dark room with a king size bed in the centre.

“This isn’t the bathroom,” Gianna said.

“It’s that way.” He pointed at the door leading to a walk-in closet then opened up to a bathroom.

“You know she did it on purpose right?” Gianna asked when they were in the bathroom.

Ezra pulled her shirt over her head before she realized what he was doing.

“No!” She snatched it back to hide the love bites.

“What’s wrong?”

“You can’t see me like this. Not now.”

“Why not? Are you shy now?”

“Shy and mad at your cousin.”

Ezra groaned. “Why would Emma do it on purpose?”

“Because she hates me and she’s spiteful.”

“Please don’t be dramatic Natalie. Are you accusing her because she brought Armand Price to my attention?”

“I don’t even know who he is.”

Ezra took a step forward. “Don’t lie to me Natalie. It takes a second for me to learn everything.”

“Then you won’t have a problem finding out what Emma’s involvement with Armand is if you’re so powerful.”

Ezra’s brows dipped. “What?”

“Yes, do some digging and we’ll see who the real snake is.”

“What do you know Natalie?”

Gianna shook her head. This wasn’t a fight she wanted to be in. “Nothing. My shirt’s ruined I can’t stay anymore.”

“You can't. We still have dinner to survive."