by BWWM Club
“I’ve seen some of those parties on TV. Those are some fancy parties,” Matt said as he looked down at his tablet. “We already have a few retweets about Alicia Voss.”
“Hey Matt, I need a minute,” she said in a soft voice. “I need to make a call to someone.” Matt got up and smiled.
“By someone you mean Adrian, right?” he asked as he began walking to the door.
“By someone, I mean none of your business,” she called out as he flashed her a smile and walked out of the office. She looked at the closed door and then looked at her computer screen.
She had not seen Adrian since that day they talked about their feelings. Adrian had gone on a work trip almost immediately after that and it had been almost five days now. She pushed back a strand of her hair and launched her Skype. There was a big possibility he would be in a meeting but that thought never crossed her mind. She dialed him and leaned back in her chair.
“Angie, hi,” Adrian said when he answered the call.
“Hey Adrian,” she started. “How is New York?”
“Cold,” he said. “Thankfully I am almost wrapping things out here.”
“Thankfully,” she said with a smile.
“So, how is everything out there? How are you?”
“I got something today.” She raised the envelope and smiled. “White party in the Hamptons?”
“You got it, huh?”
“Yes and I have never been to one of these…why the formality anyway?”
“I don’t understand,” he said.
“You never give invites. All you do is just ask me to go somewhere. “
“Well, this is different. You brought it up before I had a chance to say it,” he said.
“I brought what up?”
“The family thing. I was going to tell you but after you said it I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to start the conversation.”
“Adrian, will you just spit it out already?” she asked looking at her computer screen.
“I have a property out in the Hamptons. And ever since photos of us started making rounds on the internet, my family has been asking about you. They wanted me to take you back to England to meet them but I thought it would be better if you were on familiar ground.”
“The Hamptons is not exactly familiar ground,” she muttered. “Wait, did you just say that they live in England?” Adrian nodded. “Sophia mentioned the whole carpooling…or plane pooling but I thought that…” she sighed. There was no polite way of asking this. “Adrian, are you an American?” she asked and Adrian smiled.
“Yes, I was born in Massachusetts,” he said. “But my father is English. He took my mother out to England and my sister and I are the only ones who got sucked into the American culture.”
“So, you are part English,” she echoed as she looked at him. He nodded. “Is it weird that we have never talked about our families before?”
“I never press someone to talk about something. I wait until they are ready.” She looked at him and smiled. “So, I didn’t want to press you into talking about something unless you were ready for it.”
“You didn’t want to press me into talking about it?” she asked as she looked at him.
“Baby, all I know about you is that you love art and that Olivia and Alex are the closest thing you have to family. I have never heard you say that you have to go visit family or something.” He leaned forward. “So, you understand my position right?”
“I was an only child and the woman who was supposed to be my mother didn’t feel much like one so she dropped me off at some fire station. I was raised by nuns and at some point, I got adopted by a woman…a nice woman and that was where I met Olivia,” she explained. “It is not exactly the best story but it is my own sad story.”
“I don’t care. No one has a perfect story.”
She shook her head.
“Says the billionaire,” she said.
‘Would you believe it if I told you that I was not always a billionaire?” he asked.
She forced out a smile. “Yeah, I guess all billionaires were millionaires at some point.”
“Tell me you are coming to the party. You are the only reason I am holding the damn party,” he said in a pleading voice.
“What do you mean I am the only reason you are holding the party?”
“I mean exactly that,” he said. She looked at him and she could have sworn that if he was there with her, he would have held her tightly. “Please baby.”
“I have never been to such a party. I don’t know what to wear.”
“It’s a white party baby. Just put on something white.”
“When are you coming back?” she asked.
“Tomorrow morning.”
“Can’t wait to see you,” she said in a soft voice.
“I can’t wait either.” He looked at something on his left and then looked back at the screen. “Baby, I have to go. I’ll call you tonight.”
“Sure,” she said with a smile before she hung up. She looked at her pale reflection on the screen and sighed.
“White party,” she thought as she looked at the screen.
*****
“So, missy,” Olivia started when Angelina walked in. “Alex and I just made dinner. Are you going to join us?” she asked.
Angelina dumped her bag and frowned.
“Alex is here? Why didn’t you mention it?” she asked as she looked at Olivia.
“Well, I couldn’t just turn you away honey. You are a little too fragile and everything,” Olivia said with a smile. Angelina looked at her and rolled her eyes.
“I am not some widow, Liv,” she said as she looked at the bowl she was stirring. “Peach cobbler? Awesome!”
“Alex came in a week early, not that I’m complaining,” Olivia said. Just then, Alex walked into the room and smiled at Angelina.
“Hey, Angie,” he said with a smile.
“Hey Alex,” she said as he kissed her cheek.
“You didn’t miss me as much as I missed you, I gather,” he said.
“I miss you alright but I never miss how lovey dovey the two of you act when you are around each other,” she said.
He looked at her and then at Olivia.
“Come on, Angie. Look at her. You cannot help but...” he was slowly moving towards Olivia when Angelina grabbed his hand and pulled him to her side.
“Don’t even think about it,” she said.
Olivia looked up and smiled.
“Cut it out you two. The cobbler should be done by the time we are done for dinner,” she said.
“I’ll just go freshen up. I’ll be down in a few minutes,” Angelina said before she walked out of the kitchen.
She made her way to Olivia’s guest bedroom as she thought of Adrian’s white party. She had a million and one thoughts in her head as she pictured the different scenarios. Adrian meant the world to her and she was scared she was not going to impress the most important people in the world to him. She kicked off her shoes and sat on the edge of the bed as she rubbed her sore feet.
“Jimmy Choo, you will be the death of me,” she thought as she rubbed her feet gently. She then rubbed her other foot before she stood up and took off her jacket. She walked to the bathroom and looked at her reflection as she took off her clothes. She then splashed her face with cold water before she leaned over the sink. At that moment, something new dawned on her. It was the reality of her relationship with Adrian. She was about to meet his family. They were taking everything to the next level. “Why the hell am I panicking? I love Adrian,” she thought as she looked at her reflection. “I really love him.”
She walked out of the bathroom and held her hair up before she pulled on a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. She was just about to walk out of the room when she heard her Skype calling tone. She rushed over to the bed and picked up her iPad.
“Hey,” she said when she answered the call. “Thought you would be calling much later in the evening.”
“I am having an early
night,” Adrian said smiling looking exhausted.
“Are you overworking yourself?”
“Kind of.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “It was either overexert myself or push my homecoming. And I really, really want to come back home.”
“Home?” she was smiling. As far as she knew him, she had never known him to refer to anywhere as home since he was always traveling.
“Yeah, home. They say that it is where the heart is and my heart is out there with you,” he said with a smile.
“Well, I can’t wait for tomorrow morning.” She took a long deep breath. “So, what are you having for dinner?”
“I had a fillet mignon at the dinner meeting. I’ll just have a cup of tea and rest up.”
“I just got to Olivia’s. I’m about to go down for dinner,” she said.
“Am I being replaced, Angie?” Adrian asked as he rested his head on the headboard of his bed.
“Jealous, Mr. Corday?” she was smiling.
“You could call it that. I mean I am out here alone and you are having family time,” he said.
“I thought you said you were not much for family,” she pointed out.
“Well I’m not. At least not for my family,” he said in a low voice.
“By the way, I had something to ask about the whole white party. Can Alex and Olivia come too?”
‘Yeah, sure. I don’t see why not.” He stifled a yawn.
“Go to sleep baby,” Angelina said with a smile. “I will talk to you tomorrow.”
“I love you Angie,” he said in a soft voice.
“I love you too, Adrian,” she said before she hung up. She looked at the iPad for a long time before she began browsing her social media pages. She typed in Adrian’s name and smiled when she noticed that he almost had no digital footprint. All the news feeds about him were all about his work and not much else. She forced out a laugh.
“So he is actually lost to the world too,” she thought as she looked at her screen. She was still scrolling when she heard Olivia calling out.
“Angie. Your food is getting cold.”
“Coming,” Angelina called out. She tossed the iPad over and then made her way down to the kitchen.
“So the two of you talk like an old married couple now,” Olivia said as Angelina sat down.
“Yeah we do.” Angelina looked at her. “And so do you two.”
“Come on Liv. Don’t give her a hard time,” Alex said as Angelina took a bite of her food.
“So anyway, Alex, how is business?” Angelina asked in a bid to change the subject.
“It’s good. Can’t complain,” he said.
“So when are you going back on the road again?” she asked as Olivia sat down in between them.
“In a couple of weeks.”
“Awesome!” Angelina said as she put her fork down. “So, you guys are going to be around next weekend, right?”
“Why? What’s so important about next weekend?” Olivia asked shrugging.
“Nothing except the fact that we are heading down to The Hamptons,” Angelina said in a soft voice.
“I’m sorry, what?” Olivia asked.
“Yeah, took the words right out of my mouth,” Alex started as he turned his attention to Angelina. “It sounded like you said we are going to The Hamptons.”
“Yeah, that is exactly what I said. Adrian is throwing a party and his family…” Angelina started to say before Olivia held a hand up.
“Whoa. You are meeting his family?” she asked, her eyes wide.
“He’s already met my family so…yeah. I guess it’s about time I met his,” Angelina said.
“Aww, we are your family?” Alex asked as he looked at Angelina who was smiling back at him.
“If you have to ask then I am probably not being a very good family member,” Angelina said. Olivia was grinning widely.
“The Hamptons, huh?” she took a bite of her food. “I knew there was a reason I made peach cobbler,” she added with a smile.
Chapter 12
Angelina had almost given up on finding the perfect dress when she saw what she thought was the ideal dress. When she tried it on, she was surer than ever that she had made the right choice. The dress not only flattered her curvy body but it was also a perfect blend of sophistication and comfort.
For some reason, seven days seemed like forever to Angelina. She had decided that even though she was not looking forward to meeting Adrian’s family, it would be easier to just get it over with. Kind of like ripping off a band aid.
Angelina was twiddling her thumbs in Adrian’s office and he was talking on the phone. By the way he was talking, she knew he was talking to his pilot. He looked at her when he hung up.
“We’re good to go,” he said as he walked up to her. Angelina never moved. “Honey.” He held her face in his hands.
“Huh?” she asked in a soft voice.
“Are you alright?” he asked, looking into her eyes. She nodded. “Still nervous?” She nodded.
“I think…I think I’m just scared,” she finally said.
‘What about?”
“What if your family doesn’t like me?”
A smile formed on Adrian’s lips.
“It doesn’t matter. I like you. ” He gently caressed her cheek and then ran his thumb on her pouty lips. “I love you,” he said before he kissed her softly.
“It’s just that the last time I met someone’s parents…I did not exactly set a very good precedent,” she said.
“Don’t worry about that,” he said as he caressed her cheek gently. “It’s all about us. The two of us.”
She looked at him and nodded.
“It means a lot to hear you say that,” she said in a soft voice.
“Now, we really have to go. The party starts in four hours and we need to get us all settled in before it begins, okay?” he asked as he grabbed her bag.
“Olivia and Alex?”
“Already waiting on the roof,” he said as they walked to the elevator.
Her heart was beating hard as they rode to the roof. All she could think about was how everything was going to pan out once they got to The Hamptons.
*****
When Adrian said that he had a house in The Hamptons, Angelina thought he should have mentioned it was a six million dollar property. She was in awe when they finally got to his white seven bedroom bungalow. It was drenched in natural light and had a beautiful open floor plan and chic furniture. The property was abuzz with caterers setting up. If she didn’t know any better, Angelina could have sworn they were setting up for a celebrity wedding or something.
“How many guests are you expecting exactly?” she asked in a whisper.
“Maybe around a hundred…hundred and fifty give or take,” he said.
“Mr. Corday,” a short stout woman said when the four of them walked in. “Welcome,” she said with a smile.
“Rosalia, nice to see you,” Adrian said looking at her. “This is Angelina, Olivia and Alex.”
“You are welcome. I made the bedrooms,” Rosalia said humbly. “Your parents and sister are already here. They said to tell you that they went into the city but they will be back in time for your party.”
Angelina felt a chill go down her spine and Adrian squeezed her shoulder.
“Will you show Alex and Olivia to their room, please?” he asked with a smile.
Angelina noticed a twinkle in Rosalia’s eyes.
“But...” she started and Adrian shook his head.
“I will show Angelina to our room,” he said quickly.
“You and Miss Angelina share a room?” Rosalia asked and Adrian nodded. She smiled.
“Dios mio. This is the one, si?” she asked as she took a step towards Angelina. She took her hand and smiled at her. “You make an old lady very happy to be alive.”
Angelina looked at Olivia and Alex and then at Adrian.
“What is happening?” she asked in a whisper.
“Go on Rosalia. I’ve got
this,” Adrian said dismissively.
Rosalia had a cheeky smile as she began walking away leading Olivia and Alex to their room.
“Is there something I should know, Adrian?” Angelina asked as they walked in opposite direction towards the master bedroom. “Adrian,” she said in a warning tone when he didn’t answer her.
“I might have mentioned you when I made the call for Rosalia to get the place organized for the party,” he started as they walked into the master bedroom which was almost as big as her entire apartment. “We only talked for a few minutes but she said I have never talked of anyone as much as I talked about you.”
He put the bags down and looked at her. He touched the side of her face and smiled.
“Why do I feel like you are trying to butter me up for something?” she asked.
“I’m always trying to butter you up plus there is also the fact that I have never really brought anyone to my place at The Hamptons.”
“That’s what you said about your penthouse,” she said.
“I know. I made it a habit never to bring women to my place of comfort.” He took her hand and smiled. “We have a little over an hour before the party begins. Would you like to join me in the bath? I had Rosalia set it up for me.”
“What do you have in mind, Mr. Corday?” Angelina asked as he helped her out of her jacket.
“Just come with me,” he said taking her hand in his. He led her to the bathroom and when they got there, she raised an eyebrow in awe. The bathroom was good enough to be an upmarket spa. “Strip,” he commanded as he sat on the edge of the tub. He was looking at her as she slowly took off her jeans and long t-shirt. Adrian followed suit and climbed into the tub as she took off her bra.
“What are you trying to pull, Adrian?” she asked as she climbed into the tub.
“Nothing. I am just trying to be close to the woman I love. That’s all,” Adrian said as he wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her neck softly. “You know I love you more than anything, Angie?” he said in a low voice. He was almost whispering.
“Is everything alright?” she asked.
"Why wouldn't anything be?" he asked as he brought his hand up from under the soapy water. Angelina gasped when she saw a small black velvet case in his hand. She suddenly felt a panic go through her. "Go ahead, open it." Adrian urged.