Chapter Thirty-Four

"Woah. Whip lash." I joked, fanning my face with my hand. He chuckled lowly at me and grabbed my hand, stopping it. He pulled me into his chest and entwined his fingers with mine. "Did you enjoy it?"

"Yeah." I said lowly, starring down at our entwined hands.

"I was thinking...we could go back, have dinner at mine and have my parents join us?" He said hesitantly, looking down at me with his dark brown, seductive eyes. I smile and slowly nod, "Sounds good."

"It's just that...I want you to meet my family."

"Why?" He made it sound as if I was his girlfriend.

He sighs and wraps his free arm round my waist, holding me close to him. "They won't take no for an answer. They’re really anxious to meet you. I told them you are my favourite student."

"What? Why?"

He grins almost mischievously, "Because you are."

"But...I thought-" He hushes me by putting his index finger over my lips. "Now, hush. They're turning up at nine o'clock. We've only got half hour to get sorted before they turn up." He lets go of my waist and pulls me towards his black Mercedes. "Jump in." He instructs and opens the passenger door open for me. I step in quickly and he walks round to the driver's side.

He turns the key and the car roars to life.

Once we're back, he quickly darts back into the house, leaving me to shut the door behind us. He vanishes off into the dining room and turns towards the kitchen. "I've just got to get this meal on!" He calls out from in the kitchen. I stand still in the hallway, looking into the dining room. "What are we having?"

"Curry!" He calls back and I hear the sizzling sound of a frying pan.

"I've never had that before."

He laughs, "I think you'll like it!"

I smile happily to myself and slowly slip my black leather jacket off. I turn and hang it up on the coat hangers beside the front door. The black leather jacket belonged to his dead sister, everything I was wearing and had worn belonged to her. Did he like that? Did he like that I was wearing his dead sister's clothing? The thought made me feel uncomfortable.

I slowly turned and walked into the dining room, heading towards the kitchen doorway where Ian busied with the curry.

"How can you be OK with me wearing your sister's clothes?"

Suddenly, he froze. His bod tensed and his shoulders slowly heaved as he breathed out deeply. I couldn't tell whether it was that I caught him off guard or that he was suddenly angry with me. He turned his head slightly, until I could see one side of his face. He didn't look me in the eyes, just looked down at my body. Maybe he was absorbing how her clothes looked on me and that angered me all the more. "What?" He played dumb. That's it, play your game! I'll play mine.

"You heard."

He sighs and turns fully towards me, leaning his body against the counter. "What's all this about all of a sudden?"

"I'm asking you a question. The least you can do is answer it." I'm almost fuming! Why can't he just answer!?

Nevertheless, he does. "Your freely welcome to borrowing stuff of hers. I don't mind."

"But...she's...dead. Wearing her clothes, makes me feel like I'm offending you." I say lowly, looking down at my hands.

"It doesn't. I take comfort in the fact their being used. Majority of her clothing is still brand new, never been worn." He says softly, turning his back to me and returning to the task at hand. He seems so calm! How can he be so casual in this conversation?

"Besides...it looks good on you."

I open my mouth to say something but there's a knock at the door. I press my lips in a thin line, looking towards the hallway. Ian let's out a loud huff and walks quickly towards the hallway. I turn and walk towards the frying pan. I wish I could help cook but I'd totally mess it up.

When my eyes trail around the kitchen I notice a photo frame on the window self It's of him and his Father. He's a lot younger, about seventeen or eighteen I'd say. They look so alike, even his Father looks pretty young.

"Oh, darling! The weather was absolutely horrendous!" A woman's voice cries out in astonishment.

Then I hear a man's voice speak up, "I told Craig he had to come along. He's just on the phone outside."

"Business...I see." Ian's voice mumbles. I can tell he's not enjoying this. The woman laughs and I hear footsteps coming closer and closer. Their walking into the house. Oh god! Do I hide? What do I do?

"So, this is the famous Alice!!" I jump and whip round instantly. A woman with long brown hair is smiling widely as me. She looks excited...ecstatic even. Her eyes are a bright light brown, and her pale hands are clasped tightly together.

Who is this?