Leading Elaine into the tastefully decorated living room, my jaw went slack at how sizzling the atmosphere was. The entire room was set into a lovely Amazon theme, and I was really impressed with the decoration company. We caught sight of Jessy and Samson making their way over slowly, due to Jessy’s pregnancy. She looked radiant in a long, silver gown with no make-up and her hair cascading down her shoulders. Elaine took her arm from Samson and looped hers through it. They both smiled at each other and giggled.
Seemed like they’d hit it off quite better than I imagined.
“Attaboy,” Samson patted my back fondly as he leaned against the bar counter. “Your girl looks stunning tonight. I’m surprised that she bodied that dress quite well.”
“Yeah,” I mumbled, distracted by the way Elaine threw her head back as she laughed. So tender and gracious.
“Quit staring now and tell me what you’d like to drink. Hey, John,” he waved at the waiter, snapping his finger for him to come forward. “I’ll have a glass of Moscato, and my nephew here will have a…” he trailed off for me to decide.
“A scotch. Thank you.”
A thought crossed my mind, and I gripped Samson’s wrist, hard. He looked up from his phone screen, his brows knitted together. “What’s wrong?”
“Fuck. I forgot about Father,” I frowned. I needed to find that man before he got to Elaine.
Samson recognized my drift and turned to scan the crowd. “I don’t think he’s in here. Probably still at the entrance.”
“In that case, I have to go find him. Keep my scotch for me,” I strode towards Elaine to whisper, “I’ll be back in a minute. I have to sort out something.”
She beamed and squeezed my hand. “Alright. I’ll be with Jess in case you don’t find me when you return.”
Samson caught up with me at the doorway. “Do you think it’s a good idea to introduce Elaine to them tonight? Remember you’ve never done this before. They might -”
“Judge Elaine and make her uncomfortable, I get it,” I ran a hand through my hair, down the nape of my neck. “But I don’t care. I want them to meet her tonight. I just want to counsel Father to try and be civil to her and not cause a scene. Mother won’t have any problems.”
We both stopped as we neared the entrance, Samson’s eyes holding mine in silent acknowledgment. “Fine. I’ll be beside you in case you need help.”
“Thanks, man,”
“Max?” we both whirled around to see Mother making her way toward us, Father trailing slightly behind. I laughed as she pulled me into a hug first, her short height causing me to stoop a bit so she could wrap her arms around my neck. I loved my mother. She smelt of the finest roses which reminded me a lot of my childhood. Since Samson began hosting these family get-togethers long before he even met Jess and got married to her, Mother never missed anyone. She always ensured she dragged Father along too.
“It’s been a long time since I saw you, sweetheart,” she pinched my cheeks. “You look all bubbly and different. What’s the secret?”
“Well, Mom,” I winked, excited like a schoolboy. “I’m just happy. You’d get to know why soon, though.”
“Ah,” she snorted, swatting my arm. “Stop being so cryptic, now. It’s become a habit. Hello there, Sam. Where’s Jessica?” Samson bent forward to hug her as well, gesturing inside.
“She’s inside. We were wondering what kept you and Brother for so long,”
We both held her hand and led her in. Father had disappeared, and frankly, I wasn’t surprised anymore. It was quite typical of him. Perhaps, he’d met a couple of his old friends and they were conversing. Still, I knew I needed to find him soon before he popped out of nowhere and demanded to know who Elaine was.
“Mother, I’d like you to meet someone,” I smiled proudly as I took Elaine’s hand in mine and pulled her closer. Mother’s eyes brightened with surprise, then ecstasy. This was the first time I was doing this. “Elaine, this is my mother, Josephina. Mom, I’d like you to meet the most beautiful girl in the world. My girlfriend, Elaine.”
“Oh, heavens. Finally!” she laughed, kissing Elaine on each cheek then turned her around to inspect. “She’s stunning, Max. I’m impressed. You made the right choice, love. Lucky girl.”
“Thanks, Mother,” Elaine and I said at once. We all burst into laughter.
While Mother and Elaine tried to warm up to each other, I glanced around once more in apprehension. It wasn’t his nature to leave Mother’s side for even two seconds.
Suddenly I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder. “Hello, son.”
I swiveled around in relief. “Hey, Dad. Where have you been?” I frowned.
He shrugged. “I went to see the kids, upstairs. They were delighted,” he shook my hand warmly. “How have you been? Good, I suppose?” His eyes strayed toward Elaine and my mother. “Who’s the dark-haired beauty?”
I squeezed my eyes shut. He brushed past me to stand beside Mother, looking Elaine over as though she was some sort of lab experiment. She bowed curtly in greeting, turning dark, frightened eyes towards me.
She mouthed.
“Who’s she?” Father said to no one in particular, but I knew that the question was being directed toward me. “I’ve never seen her here before.”
Sighing, I wrapped a hand loosely around Elaine’s waist for support. She relaxed the back of her head against my chest, exhaling. “Father. I’ll like you to meet Elaine Matthews. My girlfriend.”
“Your what?” Father snapped sharply, angry and surprised. “Since when did you decide this? When did you meet her?”
“William,” Mother called softly, reaching out to hold his arm. He glanced at her hand on his briefly, then shrugged it off.
“Answer me, Max.”
“We met five years ago but started dating two weeks ago. I could have told you yesterday, but I figured it’d be better if I told you in person.”
His eyes riveted back to Elaine’s appearance, distaste flaring in his eyes. “Interesting.”
Elaine shriveled under his scathing glare, and I felt my protective instincts kick in. She didn’t deserve his scrutiny.
“Nice to meet you, S-Sir,” she muttered, boldly extending a hand toward him. He scoffed, recoiling away from it. Elaine dropped it, her cheeks flaming up in embarrassment while Mother pulled her away after winking at me to talk to Father.
“I’m disappointed,” he hissed when they’d gone out of earshot. “She looks like someone you just picked up from the roadside. No class. No manners. Too much makeup and isn’t that Jessica’s dress she has on? What a church rat for a girlfriend you’ve got yourself, son.”
My hackles rose. “You will not speak of my girlfriend like that. Honestly, it’s quite ironic that you’ve only met her for, like, two seconds and you already have a lot of opinions about her.”
His jaw ticked. “I’m older and wiser. I want the best for you, and she’s not it. She looks like a gold digger and I’m ashamed that you don’t see her for what she truly is. From now on, I want to know every little thing that goes on with you. You’re my son. My heir.”
“That doesn’t still give you the right to be trashy to someone I care about. Elaine is my whole world and if you can’t accept her, try and be nice to her. It won’t remove a single hair from your body.”
He smiled cynically. “Well, you don’t have the right to tell me how to behave around her. Let’s just see how long she lasts, shall we?” he shook his head, walking through the crowd toward the entrance. Samson waltzed over. “Whoa, man. That was intense. I’ve never seen your father look so angry.”
“Make that two,” I gritted out. “I’m pissed as well. How dare he say mean things about Elaine. He doesn’t even know her for fuck’s sake.”
Samson chuckled. “Wow. Look at you, getting all protective. Forget about your dad, he’ll come around.”
“He’d better,” I snorted as we walked back to the bar where our drinks were waiting for us. “I’m so sick of him.”
“It’s his nature. Don’t let it get to you. And oh, never quit standing up for Elaine. She’s the one. I can feel it.”
We lapsed into silence as I contemplated his words. I could feel it too. I felt it first five years ago when she snagged my arm in the passing and introduced me to that creep as her husband.
Maybe it was high time I became her husband for real.