"You have to give me the details!," exclaimed Peter with a scowl on his face. He was sitting across from Selene in a coffee shop near his Townhouse.
Selene had told Peter what happened at UniTech over the phone, but he insisted that Selene meet with him the next morning before he had to go to work to talk about it some more.
"I already told you pretty much everything," said Selene with a sigh.
Peter leaned over the small table and said, "Yes, but what you didn't tell me is what he looked like when he mentioned the conditions. What did his body language look like? What was the tone? Could you tell what his motives were? Was he looking at only you or Yakov too? Those kinds of details. You can tell a lot by these details. But first, refresh my memory and tell me the story from beginning to end because I was a little tired last night, and I may have missed something important."
Selene nodded her head and re-told the story. When she was done, she said, "Now that you mention it though, I did notice that he seemed to only be looking at me the whole time."
"Uh-huh. See. I told you!," said Peter as he slapped his thigh.
"Told me what?," asked Selene exasperated.
"He's focused on you for some reason," replied Peter.
Selene gave him a look and said, "Way to go Sherlock! You figured that out did ya?"
Peter rolled his eyes and said, "Ok, go on."
Selene continued, "Hmmm. I don't know. Right before he mentioned the conditions, he was kind of looking at me like, I don't know, like, you know, that look."
"What look?," asked Peter.
Selene blushed and said, "You know, that look. Like when you want to kiss someone, or…do more."
"Ohhhhh," said Peter, nodding in understanding. "Wait, what?" The scowl returned to his face. "I knew it, I just knew it," he said. "I told you he had some ulterior motives. I think he either wants to get back together with you, which by the way you better not be thinking about, or he just wants to have sex with you, which again, you better not be thinking about."
Selene's lips formed a thin line as her eyes looked down. Peter said, "What?...Don't tell me you guys already did it? Oh my God, Selene!"
"Are you crazy? No!," exclaimed Selene. "I would have told you, geeze" she continued. "And can you please keep your voice down?"
Peter gave a sigh of relief and said, "Oh thank God." When he saw the conflicted look on Selene's face, he reached over to rub her back and said, "Look, I'm not trying to make you more upset. It's just that I don't want you to get hurt again, you know?"
"I know," said Selene. She was quiet for a few seconds, then she looked at Peter and said, "I'm sorry, I think I just want to sit here alone for a little bit."
Peter gave her a hug and said, "I understand." He broke the hug and said, "Call me if you need anything." He stood up, gathered his belongings, and gave her one more hug before leaving.
Selene picked up her coffee, took a drink, and thought, "I don't want to get hurt again." Then her thoughts drifted to the day Ben first introduced her to his parents. That's when it had all started to fall apart.
He had driven her to his family's mansion and even though she had been nervous the whole car ride, it was nothing to how anxious she felt when she saw the gates. They were beautiful iron-wrought gates with an art-nouveau design. The fact that they were huge was also very daunting. The car pulled up to the front of the house and a man with white gloves opened her door to let her out. Another man took the keys from Ben and drove the car…somewhere.
The mansion was gigantic. Selene knew Ben's family was rich but she had no comprehension of just how rich. She didn't know how she was going to make it through the night.
Ben held her hand as they walked up to the entry way. They had to pass through what looked like Greek columns on each side before they got to these huge doors that were made of a dark wood. Once inside, there was a large foyer. The floor was made of a material that Selene guessed to be marble. It was white with grey veins. Selene's shoes made a click-clack noise as she walked on them. She can still hear that noise to this day. It is as if it is etched in her memory.
She was wearing closed-toed heels with ankle straps that Ben had helped her pick out. In fact, Ben had helped pick out her entire outfit, which was a modest burgundy chiffon dress with short butterfly sleeves and a matching thin belt. Selene was grateful for the help because she really wanted to impress his parents. The dress matched the shoes, which were also the same burgundy color. She was wearing her lucky locket, a bracelet that Ben had bought for her that had garnets on it, and a ring with garnets as well. Her hair was shorter at the time, just down to her shoulders, with no bangs. It was parted to one side and looked lovely.
Ben was wearing a black blazer, a white button-up shirt, grey slacks, and black dress shoes. His hair was shorter and parted to the side. He looked amazing. Selene hoped that his family would be happy with how they presented themselves.
They were greeted by the butler, who Selene knew from Ben was named Giverson. The butler let them know where they could take off their shoes and they were given slippers to wear. Selene was a little sad she couldn't show off her new shoes.
Giverson escorted them to the parlor room. Selene had to stop her jaw from dropping. She felt like she had stepped into a Jane Austen novel looking at the décor and furnishings. The butler led them to a small couch were they both sat. Selene sat demurely with her hands folded on her lap, still incredibly nervous, while Ben leaned back and put one arm over the back of the couch. Selene gave him a stern look and he shrugged his shoulders as if to say "What?"
After about 10 minutes, Ben's parents walked into the room. Selene and Ben immediately stood up. While Selene was smiling, she noticed that neither of Ben's parents were. Ben's father seemed calm, but his face was unreadable. He had thick salt and pepper hair that was kept short and was parted at the side. It matched his beard, which was also kept short but came down to a point below his chin. His facial features looked very similar to Ben's but not as striking, and he wore glasses with no rims. He was dressed in a grey suit with a white dress shirt.
Ben's mother on the other hand was very readable, and the look on her face clearly indicated that she was not happy to be there. She looked very imposing, and Selene's heart started racing. Her medium-length hair was dark brown with grey streaks. It was tied back in a severe low ponytail that left no wayward hair escape. Her brows looked like Ben's with the arch shape, but her eyes were so dark brown that they almost looked black. Her nose was not large, but it was pointed like Ben's. She had a small mouth that currently had red lipstick that matched the red designer dress that she was wearing by Cici Cinel.
When his parents entered, Ben took Selene's hand and moved them closer. He said, "Mom, Dad, this is Selene Serian. Selene, as you know, these are my parents, Anson Liu and Margaret Liu." They all shook hands awkwardly.
"Please sit," said Margaret.
Once they were all seated, Margaret turned her head to the side and said, "Jenny, please bring in the refreshments."
Selene turned to see where Margaret was looking and was surprised to see a servant walking away. She hadn't even noticed that there was someone there because she had been so nervous.
"Now dear, Ben tells us that you are somewhat of a prodigy," Margaret said, with a smile that looked fake.
Selene looked at Ben and saw him smile in encouragement. Then she looked at Margaret and said, "Well, I don't know if I'd use that word." She blushed and looked down before continuing, "I am currently in two PhD programs at California University."
Ben added, "Those programs are number one in the nation in their respective fields, and, of course, you know the high reputation of our school." Beaming with pride, he reached over and put one hand over her clasped hands. After seeing the look of disapproval on his mother's face, he retracted his hand reluctantly.
Selene looked at Ben with a tilt of her head, confused at first, but then understood quickly. She covered the sudden stabbing pain she felt in her heart, by putting on her best demure smile. All this took only a few seconds as she looked back at the Lius.
Margaret said, "That is indeed quite an accomplishment."
Selene didn't know if the woman was referring to her education or the fact that she was able to hide the pain in her heart, or maybe both. The refreshments arrived just in time to give Selene a breather. Unfortunately, she was taken aback by the fancy desserts and elegantly styled fruits and was afraid to touch them. Ben helped make a little plate for her, but she was too nervous to eat.
Anson asked, "So Ben, how are your studies coming along?"
"Same as usual. Once I graduate with this MBA, I'll be ready to start work for you old man," said Ben smiling.
Anson chuckled.
It was Selene's turn to beam with pride.
"Yes, it's important that we keep the family traditions," said Margaret, staring pointedly at Selene.
Selene replied back with a bit of a shaky voice, "I agree. I personally love traditions, especially family traditions. My parents and I have several of them in fact."
"Those would be your foster parents, correct?," asked Margaret, taking a small bite of a macaroon, while not looking directly at Selene.
Selene was caught off guard and Ben said, "Mom!"
"Um, well, actually, they're my adoptive parents," said Selene. She tilted her chin upward slightly at the last part.
Margaret still didn't look at Selene and said, "I see." She took another bite of the macaroon, chewed it slowly, and swallowed it. Then she looked at Selene and said, "And what do they do for a living?"
"Mom!," exclaimed Ben, giving his mother an angry look. "I've already told you what they do. Is this a get together or an interrogation?"
Margaret turned to her son and said in a calm voice, "I'm just making small talk, son. Aren't these types of questions parents are supposed to ask?"
"Not really. Why don't we talk about plans for the future or what hobbies are of interest," said Ben in an equally calm voice.
Margaret gave a little sardonic laugh and said, "Ok, what are your plans for the future? How is she going to help you with your career, Ben?"
"She doesn't need to help me with my career, mom. Selene will have an amazing career of her own."
Selene felt like she was invisible, and she did not like that feeling.
Margaret rose from her chair and exclaimed, "That is not good enough for my son!"
Ben also stood up, but before he could say anything, Selene took his arm, looked up at him pleadingly, and said, "Ben, it's ok, why don't we just talk it out? I'm sure we can work through it." He nodded and sat down. Once he did that, Margaret also sat down. Selene was holding Ben's had as she turned to his parents and said, "Mr. Liu, Mrs. Liu, I know I don't have the same background as you, but I love your son very much and I can promise you that that won't change. I will support him in every way that I can, and I will always be there for him. I know you know my background, but I can't help that. I didn't ask to be in the foster care system. But I'd like to think that I'm making something out of myself and I'm going to help people with my work. I hope that means something."
It was quiet for a few moments and then Margaret said, "Look, dear, you may be a nice young lady with a bright future, but you are simply not worthy or qualified to by our daughter-in-law and nothing will ever change that."
Ben shot up from the couch and his eyes flashed fury. He was still holding onto Selene's hand, and she got up as well. She was holding back her tears. Ben said, "I can't believe what I'm hearing!"
Margaret said, "I tried telling you when we talked last week but you insisted meeting her would change our minds. But you know this…this…union can't happen. You have to marry someone like Natalia from Devons Global and there is just no getting around it."
"That is never going to happen so just stop dreaming. I'm going to marry Selene and that is final," said Ben and he stormed out of the room, taking Selene with him.
Selene was roused from her thoughts when she heard Peter's voice say, "Earth to Selene, are you there? Hellooo?"
She shook her head and looked up at him confused. "Huh? What are you doing back here?"
"I forgot my phone," said Peter, rolling his eyes at himself. He sat down and said, "But are you ok? You were totally spaced out just now."
Selene smiled sheepishly, "Yah, I'm fine. Just thinking about stuff, you know."
Peter nodded, and said, "Ok, I'm going to totally get yelled at when I get in, but I think the universe made me forget my phone on purpose because this is more important." He sat down and said, "Tell me."
Selene sighed and said, "You're the best." She took a deep breath and really quickly said, "How do I not kiss him back if he tries to kiss me again when I want to kiss him again too even though I know nothing has really changed?"