I didn't want to go back to Pierce's, and Jordyn said I was welcome, so I decided to spend another night at her place. As far as I know, Gray is her younger brother, and they both lost their parents when they were kids. I told them about the mystery man at my house the other day, and Gray offered to give me a ride home to pick up a few things I needed while Jordyn went to work.
"Isn't fate unbelievable?" Gray marveled as we rode to my house in the taxi.
"How old are you, kid?" The thought of him calling me a wildcat again made my blood boil. He didn't look like he was up to twenty.
"This guy's been to prison before," he boasted, and I almost punched him in the face.
"There's nothing to be proud of."
I saw the driver glance at us in the rearview mirror and glared at Gray.
"It's best not to say anything else."
The rest of the journey was silent, and soon the taxi arrived at my house.
"I'll pay for it," Gray grabbed my wallet, and I shot lasers at him. This guy really has no manners.
My look was enough to make him freeze, and I paid the driver, and he left. Gray and I walked in. When I got to my door, I saw someone leaning against it.
"Pierce?" I called out unsure. For a moment, he was happy to see me, but his attitude quickly changed when he saw the boy next to me.
"It's the same boy, isn't it?" he asked.
"Yes," I admitted, "He's a friend's brother." I added in defense.
Pierce didn't seem to believe me. "Which friend exactly?"
Gray stood behind me with his hands folded, amused, I could tell he was enjoying it. "You haven't known me that long, Pierce, you don't know any of my friends." Which is true.
He was about to argue when Gray interrupted him.
"Relax, man, your girl is telling the truth."
Pierce looked him up and down as if he couldn't believe his eyes. "How old are you, boy?"
I rolled my eyes, same thing I asked.
Gray smiled back, and I knew he wouldn't answer. But how old is the boy anyway, I would like to know.
"Settle your lovers' quarrel, I'll take my leave now." He turned and left without waiting for a response.
As soon as he left, Pierce looked at me, "Who is that rude boy?"
"He's really a friend's brother, Pierce, I swear, and I stayed at her house last night." I said, hoping he'd believe me this time.
"With the boy?"
"No," I rolled my eyes, "he's just a kid, by the way."
This seemed to help as his expression relaxed a little.
"I'm sorry about last night, Aurora," he said.
I looked away, not wanting to forgive him, angry at everything, how he could even accuse me of cheating with a child. He held out his hand but I moved away. "I've been frustrated because I couldn't find a clue about the bag thief, so when I found out that you were deliberately withholding information from me, I was furious, but that doesn't excuse my actions. I accused you of cheating, and it was wrong on my part, and I'm sorry, it won't happen again, I promise."
He finished her speech and took my hand again, and this time I didn't push him away. "Do you forgive me?"
I felt all my anger melt away at his words, and I couldn't help but nod. He pulled me into a tight hug and didn't let go for a while. When he finally did, I saw the dark circles under his eyes and cupped his face.
"I couldn't sleep last night because I was worried," he said as he noticed where my attention was focused.
Meanwhile, I had fun, got drunk, and talked to Jordyn all night. I didn't know whether or not to tell Pierce about the intruder; he already had sleepless nights because of the pickpocket, and it wouldn't be nice of me to add more problems to his plate, so I decided to keep quiet.
We were in his car driving home when he said, "My family wants to meet you."
It was time anyway, but I wasn't prepared.
His palm moved towards mine. "It's okay if you're not ready to meet them yet." But judging by his appearance, I could tell he had expectations too. It was probably one of the many things that bothered him. I don't want to make his problems worse, I want to help him the best I can.
"No, it's okay," I smile. "When do we leave or will they come?" While I was shaking inside, I tried to keep my composure. "Tonight," he said.
His eyes were glued to the road, and I was glad he couldn't see my shocked face. It was so soon; tonight, it seemed like everything had been arranged in advance, but I had agreed, and I couldn't back out now.
A dinner had been arranged at his family home. When we arrived, my jaw almost fell off the floor, but I managed to pull myself together. I didn't want to embarrass Pierce, but I can't deny that the house was damn big and beautiful and looked like a palace. I was so nervous when I walked in that I was almost shaking. Pierce shook my hand lightly, and I smiled back. "Nice to see you, brother," a harsh tone greeted him as he entered the mansion.
There was so much tension in the air, and the atmosphere was not welcoming. I wonder if Pierce felt it or if it was just me.
"Barbara." Pierce said to the blonde woman blocking our path.
I could tell they were siblings from their similar features, but Barbara looked like she wanted him dead.
Barbara let her gaze wander over me, her displeasure written clearly on her face: "Really?" She said incredibly, "You really left Johanna for this thing."
"Her name is Aurora," Pierce said. "Don't disrespect her, go away now before I tell father about your frequent visits to the casino and make him cut your allowance."
Her expression turned horrified, she quickly walked away without saying a word, and Pierce and I walked past her.
"I'm sorry," he turned to me, "My little sister can be annoying sometimes, but she's easy to take care of."
Apparently, since she kept silent after being threatened with the withdrawal of her allowance.
I smiled, not taking her words to heart, "It's okay."
He led the way, and I followed. After walking through seemingly endless hallways, we arrived in a fancy room. There was a huge table in the middle with empty seats crowded around it.
"I see you made it"
said an old gray-haired man sitting at the top of the table. From the look on his face, I could tell he was Pierce's father. Even though I couldn't read his look, he didn't seem impressed, but he wasn't offended either. The man seemed neutral, which was a relief because everyone in Pierce's family I've met so far all looked like they wanted me dead.
"Father, this is my fiancée Aurora," he introduced, "Aurora, this is my father."
I didn't know what to do, so I just smiled, the whole meeting was awkward. We sat down, and Pierce's mother soon came in with Barbara at her side. You could tell they were best friends by the way they were glued to each other, which isn't surprising at all.
"It's nice to see you again, Aurora," Pierce's mother said, sounding friendlier than usual.
"I could say the same thing." I beamed; two can play this game.
She abandoned the act and turned to her husband. "Dear, what do you think?"
The man groaned, "I think we should pause any discussions until we've finished eating."
He seemed to be a man of principle.
Even though she wasn't happy, she remained silent, and I could tell she respected her husband.
After dinner, which consisted of a combination of foods I had never seen in my life, Pierce's mother was the first to speak. "Can we discuss this now?"
"State your grievances," Pierce's father said.
"Do I really have to say it out loud?" She is an orphan without a solid background, we cannot allow such a woman to take advantage of our son."
Her words sliced through me, but this was one of the many things I had to endure if I wanted to be with Pierce, so I endured it.
I felt Pierce tense beside me and placed my palm on his. "It's okay."
"Being an orphan is not a sin, and you shouldn't blame her," the man said.
I found it surprising that the old man supported me, I was also grateful.
He turned to me with a stern
look. "I don't agree with my wife's harsh words, but if you want to be part of this family, you have to prove yourself first."