CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

AMELIA' POV

Eliot was at my door at exactly 5 o' clock.

I got back to my apartment half an hour ago. Thank goodness for my cousin who's always there to help me whenever I need her and today was just one of those days.

Tisha picked out my outfit and helped me get ready in under a half an hour, just in time for Eliot's arrival.

"Babe you look beautiful, as always" Eliot approached me and kissed my cheeks.

"Thank you baby at least that makes one of us" I joked, then I pecked his lips, "I'm just messing with you, you make anything look sexy."

"So Eliot should I wait up tonight or nah" Tish said with a slight grin on her face.

"Goodnight Tish" I responded while taking Eliot by the hand and leading him to the door before Tisha could utter another word.

"Have fun Melz" I heard Tisha laughing from the other side of our apartment door.

We got inside Eliot's car and was on our way to Eliot's parents' home, which is like an hour away from campus. During our long hour drive to our destination Eliot and I shared slight conversations about our day and how frustrated he was with one of his business lecturers today but we mostly enjoyed the jazz music that was playing through the radio while Eliot held my right hand in his left hand and his right hand on the staring wheel.

We enter a suburban area, you can tell by the way the pavement looks that the people who live here are extremely WEALTHY.

"Where are we?" I asked, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"Greenwich Connecticut, why?"

"Just wanted to know where I am, I am a Trini remember, everything is new to me in the US"

We pull up to what seems to be the biggest house in the street, they got security booths on each side of the gate and is that guns on the security guards waist belt, wtf.

The guards instantly opened the gates to let Eliot in, nodding their heads at him as he passes the booths. I'm in awe already, but I try not to show it.

We park at the entrance of the house and there's a valet waiting to open our doors and park Eliot's car.

"Okay, so we're here, are you nervous?" Eliot asked, not letting go of my hands.

"Do I look composed to you, of course I'm nervous" I flipped out on him, but he laughed it out, smh.

"Don't be babe, look whether my parents like you or not, I'm not going anywhere, I love you" Eliot reassured me.

I think that that's what I needed to hear because when he said that I felt like my worries about his parents liking me immediately left my body and I was free to be myself.

"Okay, I'm ready" I say and opened the door, to which the valet helped me out and found Eliot on the other side of the vehicle, he cupped my hand in his and we enter the doors of this intimidatingly huge house.

"Good but let me warn you, my mom's a huger"

WOW, I said in my mind as we entered the house. My eyes drifted everywhere. My grandfather would love this house. He usually take ideas from looking at really nice homes and try to interpret it into our home. I do live in a big home back in Trinidad, one would say a mansion but for me it's just home, but this house takes the cake.

A woman in her late forties came running towards us. Eliot let go of my hand and embraced the woman in a heartwarming hug.

"My son" she said then kissed him on both cheeks.

"Hey mom, how are you"

"I'm wonderful, you look far better than the last time I saw you, your father can't wait to see you" she said, a hint of tears in her eyes.

"Mom, this is Amelia, she's the reason I'm better" her eyes finally lands on me, but my mind strays for a moment. Did something happen to my Eliot in the past?

"Personally I would like to thank you for bringing back my son, it's a pleasure to meet you Amelia," she smiled at me and shook my hand. hmn...

"The pleasure's all mine, Mrs. Winchester"

"Come", she gestured for us to follow her, "dinner's ready".

We enter the dining room and Kelsey instantly embraced me in a hug, to which I accepted. I saw a look of bother on Eliot's mother's face, maybe I was wrong.

Eliot left my side to greet a man whom I believe is the man of the house, his father, who bears resemblance to Eliot.

"I'm so glad you guys got here, I wanna introduce you to my boyfriend Cam, he's a model," she whispered that part for only I to hear.

"Nice to finally meet you Cam" I shook his hand. Kelsey's boyfriend is beautiful, you can tell by how tight his shirt is that he's fit and he has a cute smile. But Eliot is way better.

"Eliot, come meet my boyfriend" Kelsey said as Eliot approached us.

Eliot gave Cam a firm hand shake and nod at him then took me over to meet his dad.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Winchester"

"Wonderful to meet you too my dear, but I would prefer you call me Mathew, Mr. Winchester is my father and he's alive and well"

"Oh cool, Mathew is my grandfather's name"

I couldn't help but laugh with Mathew. Meeting him felt warmer than meeting Eliot's mother. Then Kelsey and Cam joined us and we were all enjoying each other's company until the waiter announced that dinner is ready to be served.

Mathew and I was in deep conversation in the middle of dinner, talking and laughing hysterically on his part. He asked me about my family and I got to the telling him about my grandfather and how he had to sell his company to the government. He seemed quite impressed with my grandfather's line of work and I answered his questions as best as I possibly can.

"Mr. Winchester, I mean Mathew, sorry, I think you and my grandfather would enjoy each other's company very much" I say in between giggles.

"I believe we would Amelia" Mathew responded.

I couldn't help but notice the stares I got from Eliot's mother and I can't put meaning to them but hopefully I don't get too uncomfortable.

"What about your parents, you speak about your grandparents so much I'm beginning to think your parents are dead" Mrs. Winchester smirked at me, brushing it off with a laugh,

"They are" I say and the entire table went quiet. I felt Eliot intertwined his fingers in mines from under the table but I looked at him with insurance in my eyes that I was okay with discussing the topic.

"Actually, my mother died during labor..."

"oh Melz, did the baby live "Kelsey interrupted,

"No" I responded, "my baby sister died with her, "after that the man who fathered me got out of control and drank a lot. I haven't seen him in years so I hope you understand why I consider him dead to me".

"So your grandparents took care of you after your mother's passing?" Mathew asked, empathy evident in his eyes.

"Yes, plus with the help of my aunt and uncle who spoils the daylights out of my cousin and me" I joked, trying to lighten up the mood.

"And what do your aunt and uncle do for a living" Eliot's mother asked, she's going ham on me with all these questions.

"My uncle is a lawyer and my aunt is a hair dresser"

"Your aunt isn't just a hairdresser Amelia, she's D hairstylist, you're looking at two certified clients of hers," Kelsey said, pointing to her mother and herself. Hmn, small world.

"So your aunt is responsible for having my darling wife look as beautiful as ever" Mathew jokes while leaning in to kiss his wife's cheeks. "And your uncle, what's his name, may I ask?"

"Herbert Williams"

"Ah, a well-respected lawyer"

The dinner turned out pretty good. After my interrogation and personal attack from Mrs. Winchester it was then Cam's turn in the hot seat and Eliot and Mathew were ruthless with those questions but I was quite impressed with the way he handled himself. Cam is a male supermodel and an aspiring actor. He met Kelsey two months ago and have been inseparable ever since. I could tell that Kelsey's in good hands.

It was now time for us to go. Mathew gave me a tight hug and made me promise to come visit him soon. I was about to say goodnight to Mrs. Winchester but she asked that I have a word with her before I go, to which I agreed too.