Alexandra
"I think we should meet with the parents firstly after you stop calling each other casually" Jeremy said as we sat down on the couches in the living room, looking so exhausted.
It was expected since we had been on this issue for hours, deliberating on what next to do.
"I still don't think that calling ourselves by pet names is going to do anything for us" Christopher said
"I couldn't agree more" I said
"Of course you will agree to it. That's the only thing you guys see eye on" Jeremy said.
"isn't that a good sign?" Christopher said.
"How is that a good sign?" he asked
"Well we are seeing things eye to eye isn't that a sign of healthy living? At least we can peacefully see eye to eye" I said and he just face palmed himself.
"Look Alex or should I say Agent Snow, you are not the romantic one I take, so I understand why you are not on board. NO offence. But you are Mr Baxter. Look you can't appear in the public and not look romantic and head over heels in love with each other and given the fact that both of you can't stand each other having a pet name or a sweet name to call each other will help your public image" he rambled. "Um… what was that name you called her again, you've said twice now. Um… yeah, sugar pie. Keep calling her sugar pie" he said and I looked at him angrily.
"You have to do this and also PDA's" Jeremy said and I glared at him.
"Okay I do not agree to that" I seethed.
"You never agree to any thing, Agent" he said brining his tone down at the end of the sentence when he said Agent.
"Not that I wouldn't love to be captured in a romantic PDA moment for the camera, but with her? Hell no!"
"Thank you. You see, another mutual agreement. I don't ever want to kiss him" I said firmly then I heard him laugh.
"Look at the way she says it like she's worth it. Sugar believe me, I wouldn't want to waste my charms on you or be ever found kissing you. And yes it will be a total waste cause you are too stiff" Christopher said.
I sat quietly and looked at him for a moment.
"Okay. So we have come to a conclusion that even though men that can kiss are being called out you won't be on the list, even after the first 1000 are called, yeah? Yeah. So Ross…" I said for Jeremy to continue after my reply.
Ross was Jeremy's last name.
Jeremy laughed as I assumed there was an undeniable angry look on Christopher's face, courtesy of my come back. I decided not to look at him and leave him to burn in his anger as Jeremy cleared his throat and continued.
"So yeah about the PDA's you guys need it. I have checked the stats and PDA's really boost public image, helps with the publicity a lot. So with pet name check, PDA check, the next is the main event. Meeting the family.
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After so much deliberations we decided on the date of the family meet and how it was going. We both called our parents in front of each other, not that after the call he was going to leave my house. But we just did that to ensure that everyone was on the same page.
After that we got ready for the party, made sure all the family members were available. Now standing in front of the Baxter's home I feel nervous.
Firstly, this place looked like a fortress or a big ass hotel, I have to confirm that.
Secondly, I wasn't this family kind of person and I really didn't know what to expect from his family. Christopher didn't give me much to go on with. Just told me that his parents were cool and that they would not give me a hard time.
Thirdly, these were not my kind of events, I mean like I'm a fed and not really digging the gowns and stuff. And my sister had me put on this really tight one. Yeah my little sister did this to me, though it looks good, as everyone said. But it wasn't that bad.
And also his brother was going to be there too.
Another of him! Urgh!
We already had our cover story of how we meet in place. Practically, we had everything down, but for some reason I had this anxiousness in me that I just couldn't shake off. I just don't…
"Snow, Snow" I heard Christopher call binging me out of my thoughts.
More like yell.
"Don't yell at me Baxter" I said back.
"I wouldn't if you had answered me the first time I called you. What the hell were you thinking about? It better be important that you even ignored me for it" he seethed.
"You are not that special Baxter, so I can ignore you at any time of the day" I fired.
"Well if you are going to ignore me at least don't ignore my parents. They are waiting and where are your parents and sister"
"They are on their way, besides it's not yet time. And Baxter I will not tell you this again watch the way you talk to me. Now get out of my face" I said and walked out heading to God knows where.
I just had enough of that boy. He is such an ass. I was lucky to find the restroom on my way so I just went in there for a few seconds and took deep breaths instead of standing outside and having a million people asking me what's wrong.
I came out after a few seconds and as I was still trying to bring down my anger, someone bumped into me causing me to fall to the ground.
Can I not just stay not angry, at least for 30 seconds!
This person only made the situation worst as he kept apologising as I kept silent and he was stretching his hand out to raise me up. I was just silently thanking God that nothing happened to this dress.
Natalie would so kill me if anything happened to her dress.
"I'm sorry. I'm so, so, so sorry, I…" he was saying then I cut in while I took his hand.
"It's okay. I'm alive aren't I" I said as I stood on my feet. "Tha…" I was saying before I stopped as I looked up and saw the face of the person that helped me up.
It was him. In the flesh.
I took a few steps backward as I couldn't stand being close to him.
"You" I said and it looked like he hadn't remembered yet. And the seconds later I saw a flash of recognition on his face.
"A… Alexan…"
"Please don't say my name" I cut in. He began to advance towards me and I kept moving back.
"Don't come any closer" I said as I began to lose my balance. He attempted to help me stand but I stopped him.
"I said don't come any closer! Don't touch me, just…" I said trying to get the words but I couldn't, I just stormed out of there while trying to hold the tears back. As I approached the entrance again, I saw my parents and sister highlighting from the car as George held the door for them.
They seemed excited and if they got closer and saw the look on my face and my mood it would kill theirs and raise questions. I needed to put on my game face.
"Alex sweet heart" my mom called as she reached at the stairs and we hugged tightly then with my dad and sister as she squealed.
"You look nice my dear" my dad said and I gave my best polite smile possible.
"Thank you, courtesy of me" Natalie said as she curtsied and we chuckled.
"Please can we go in now, it's already time" I said checking my watch and they all nodded and we began to ascend the stairs. As we were going up my dad stopped me.
"Hey Alex…"
"Don't worry dad. Every smile and all other kind gestures towards you from me are all fake" I said and walked up as the guy at the entrance led us into the living room.
I got to admit, the house looked pretty good.
And yeah I confirmed it, it is a house. Not a hotel.
"Good evening" I greeted getting all their attention.
"Evening. I take it that you must be Alexandra" the man who looked like he was in his mid to late 40's said. And I take that, that is his dad.
"Yes Sir, Mr Baxter" I replied as we shook hands.
"And these are my parents" I said as my parents stretched their hands and both parents exchanged pleasantries while Baxter walked up to my sister and they introduced themselves too.
"I'm Jacob Baxter, and this is my wife Katherine" I heard Mr Baxter say as they shook hands.
"Stanley and Caroline Snow" my dad said also. They said a few things to themselves and they laughed.
It was probably politics. Old people and politics.
Then I turned my head to the direction of Natalie as I heard her laugh and Mr Baxter called us to move to the table.
We all responded with an okay as we all turned to leave. I still heard them laugh again.
"It's the first time you guys are meeting can you not fill her with lies" I yelled and I heard everyone laugh then I felt Natalie's hand on my shoulder, giggling.
"So what are the lies" I said with a smile.
"Well depends. Do you think that I'm the prettier sister?" she asked and I nodded.
"Well then" she said as she left me and went ahead still giggling. Then I felt someone next to me.
"Where is your brother?"
"He's around" he said with a smug smile then he held my hand and I pulled it out.
"PDA's remember?" he said and I just rolled my eyes.
"Hold yourself. And don't worry I will pull my sit out myself"
"Yeah, not like I was going to do for you anyways" he said and was about to go sit when his mother called him back.
"Christopher my baby boy, you guys don't have to pretend like you don't know what to do. We know the sex is good so you can sit next to her and also pull out her chair. PDA's is a thing in this generation, don't let us old folks stop you" she said and it took everything in me not to laugh, I just smiled broadly.
Hmm, an open and funny family, this dinner should be fun.
Christopher growled a little then came to my side and sat next to me. My sister opposite him, both parents opposite each other, and there was one empty sit in front of me. And I'm guessing that's for the big brother, who is yet to come.
As we sat we began to chat. I noticed that Natalie looked at me for a while then I looked back at her and she looked away.
Maybe she could see that I was sad. But not about the dinner.
Maybe.
Baxter's parents were quite fun. I didn't expect that, they looked very rich but very modest at the same time. It was a nice combination, I wished a certain man had.
As we were eating and laughing, we heard a voice from behind us.
"I'm sorry I'm late. I got caught up with some stuff. Believe it when I say there are crazy people who are not in the psych ward.
He said as he took his sit.
But his voice sounded awfully familiar.
"No problem dear, we haven't gone far yet but you have missed the most romantic love story ever of how I met my wife" his mother said and we laughed but that of my parents, sister and I died down quickly as we all shot our heads up and saw his face.
"Snow's, meet my brother Eric Baxter. Eric meet my fiancé, Alexander Snow and her family" Baxter said and he smiled alongside his parents. Their smiles died down as they saw the look on Eric's face and that he was avoiding to look me in the eyes.
They stared at my face and that of my parents and sister and they were cold dead looks. Well that was for me and my dad but for my mom and sister it was anger mixed with pity.
"Hello… is everything alright here?" Baxter asked as he looked between me and Eric.
"Eric" Mr Baxter called.
I was about to speak up when Eric. "Umm nothing. She just looked familiar. So where were we" he asked so nonchalantly.
I wanted to protest and he gave me pleading eyes. I wanted to ignore them and speak up but I realised that this will only mess up my plan. I was doing this for Danny.
Danny is the main focus.
I looked at my dad and saw my mom holding his hand. Truth is no one can be angrier than me in this room.
The Baxter's tried get the conversation going again but I was not really interested anymore, I remained silent. But my parents and sister tried to chip in one or two things.
15 minutes later and the diner seemed to be getting colder than it started. I could tell that the Baxter's eventually remembered me when recognition flashed on Mrs Baxter's face then she called her husband's attention then whispered something to his ears then he had the same look and they both looked at me.
How wouldn't they forget me. All this rich people thinking they can always get away with anything with their money.
I just couldn't take it anymore. Look at how they were all so comfortable and enjoying themselves, laughing. Especially hm.
I couldn't…
"I'm sorry. I'm deeply sorry but I can't do this. I thought I could cope and… so sorry" I said as I dropped the cutleries with my head down all through.
"A…" he called. I looked up at him and glared at him and then to his parents, I was utterly speechless. I just swallowed my tears hard and dropped my napkin on the table and left. Then from the corner of my eyes I saw my father slam his napkin on the table, hard as my mother soothed him by pathing his back.
As I began walking out I couldn't help it but run and run faster as I heard my heels click hard on the floor and tried so much to hold the tears back. I heard Baxter call my name.
As I stood at the entrance waiting for my coat, I felt someone grab my arm roughly.
"Snow!"
I looked at him. "As you can see, I'm not interested in talking to you" I said as calmly as possible as the door man brought my coat. I couldn't let this tears drop especially in front of him.
"I can no longer go through with this" I said still calmly.
"What the hell can't you go through with?" he asked.
"I can't… I can't marry you. I'm sorry" I said and turned to leave. He stood there frozen.
"I take it that you've had a lot to drink and you are not thinking straight. Snow, Snow" he called but I kept walking. I also heard my parents and sister call my name but I ignored them.
I ran out quickly and got a cab and once I was in, I began to cry.