Amanda
“Amanda? we didn’t know that you’ll be here. We missed you, honey…” mom approached me and gave me her warmest hug, she had mastered the art of appearance long before I realized that it was all for show.
Since I was a kid, I had discovered that this was what rich people do as they mingle with their acquaintances. It was all about perceptive, about how you would like them to see you as.
“Mom, dad… I’m sorry I’ve been rather busy, I’m here with Dale… my boyfriend and his daughter Mable.” I decided to throw it out there, and see how they take it.
But I was mistaken thinking that it would rattle them the slightest, knowing that they’re a pro at this for the longest time. Mom flinched for a second, while dad just raised his eyebrow at me.
I knew they would want to talk to me once we were in private, but for now, they would calmly and hold their tongue and act all normal as Dale shook their hand and I introduced little Mable to them.
Natalie and her parents were surprised seeing my parents, knowing exactly who they were. But I remained calm as we head out to the dining room for our dinner after my parents arrived.
Dinner went as expected, Natalie’s parents didn’t talk down to me again in regards to my parents. Two hours later Mable was already sleepy.
Dale decided it was time to go back, so we said our goodbyes. Dad was asking to talk to me in private, Dale showed us to the study and mom joined us.
“Dale, thank you… we won’t be long…” my mom said smiling at him, Dale smile back and close the door from the other side.
“Amanda, why are you playing house with him? You still have Troy issues, did he know? I don’t want his parents to find out later on, he’s a very important business partner.” Dad was asking me, demanding an answer from me.
I should be disappointed by his questions, but I had known already before he asked. It hurts knowing that they would turn out as I expected them to. Sometimes, I wish that I was born into a different family, a more loving one. I blinked a couple of times and pushed my tears back.
“Dale had taken care of Troy’s problem together with Angelica’s boyfriend. He’s in custody, Aiden should follow up with you. I thought you’d be out of the country this weekend?”
“He’s in custody? Good… very good then. So, when are you coming back home? We still have to keep our appearance, you’re not staying at his right? Gina said you’re at Angelica’s…”
“I am dad, look I still need to paint for my exhibition…” I made up an excuse, though I hadn’t been painting in days.
I certainly didn’t want to get back to their house, it had always been an empty shell. My parents and brother were rarely there, if it wasn’t for Gina I would probably die of boredom there.
“Amanda, why don’t you work for your dad? I thought this painting thing is just a phase…” mom still pushed me to work at dad’s office relentlessly.
“Look, I still need to have a business conversation with Alan before we get back. Why don’t you come to the house on Monday? Our business trip had been postponed to next week. I think we need to have a discussion with Aiden regarding Troy, I need this to be over with.”
Knowing dad, I understood that he needs my issues to be dealt with. He had enough already with my brother’s problem, he didn’t need mine to deter his business associates in dealing with his company. It so silly how personal matter, would be tangled up in business ventures. I sighed and just nodded to him in agreement. We hugged out of customary and parted for the door.
*****
We reached Dale’s just before midnight. He carried Mable who was sleeping soundly to her room while I stayed behind in the kitchen checking my text messages.
I was replying to my messages when he comes from behind me and kissed the nape of my neck.
“Hey, how are you? You’re a bit off after meeting your parents… is everything okay?” Dale’s arms wrapped my waist as he pulled me in his embrace.
“They wanted to talk on Monday, they didn’t want me to stay at yours. Appearance they said. They want me back at theirs. Oh Dale… I’m so tired today, meeting them is always exhausting.” I turned to face him and rest my cheek to his chest.
“Come on let’s get you to bed, and I’ll whip you up some hot decaf coffee milk.”
He was pampering me with a cup of delicious coffee milk, while he stripped himself to his pajama pants and nothing else. I was already in my lace nighty ready for bed, but his face was telling me sleep would come later.
“Come here my love…” he took me to his chest as he rests his back to the headboard and enjoys his coffee. We hadn’t talked much after his family dinner, meeting his family and mine in one same night was a lot to take in. We had been quiet on our way back to his place.
“… I didn’t know you’re that Rowley… damn, you were married to Troy Robinson, he’s that Robinson isn’t he?” He said while he took another sip of his coffee.
Troy was truly that Robinson, he was one of the two heirs to his family name. His parents were killed in a tragic accident when he was in high school, leaving him and his younger sister behind. He was quickly taking on the grown-up role and took the position in the company. That was the part that made me fall for him, his independence, his drive, his spirit. But along the line, he changed, though maybe he had always been that way I could only guess.
My scandalous marriage was the talk of the society back then since troy was arrested while he was golfing with his business associates. Rumors and wild guesses sparks, that was when my parents fled the country taking me with them until it all fades away.
He hugged me instantly knowing the real and awful truth about who Troy really was, and what a fucked up life a was having to deal with. “I’m so sorry baby, I’m sorry that you have to go through all of that…”
I rest my head to his chest, momentarily take comfort in his affection. We stayed in silence for a couple of more minutes, until Dale took my cup and set it down beside his.
“My hands had been wanting to touch you all afternoon. Your lips had been begging me to kiss…” he stopped his words, as he lowered his lips down to mine and gave me his deep moan worthy kiss. My hand trailed up his naked chest up to his neck, caressing his hair while his hand rests on my ass.
“Damn Amanda, I’ve missed kissing you, I’ve missed fucking you…” He voiced his needs huskily, making me moaned in between his kisses.