12

After what felt like hours, Chris drove inside a huge black gate but after that, there was nothing. I was about to ask, but he beat me to it “This is the family entrance to the house when we have parties like this” he paused and continued driving the announced; “This is the Edwards mansion”

I looked up to see the extremely large house which was a series of rectangles constructed of steel and glass. It was unapologetically modern. The house was white with concrete sides, the building stretched along the overly huge compound which was capable of housing close to a hundred cars. The windows were taller than a man and more reflective somehow, like if you went right up to them and pressed your face to the glass you still wouldn't see a thing. In the middle of the compound stood a huge fountain surrounded by different colors of light, adding more beauty to the house.

I finally stopped gaping and turned to Chris who was quite amused by me “You like it?”

I couldn’t lie even if I wanted to “Heck yeah”

“Let’s go” he said as he got out at from the car to open mine but I was a lot quicker.

“Once again, I have hands” I said after closing the door. He stretched out his hand as an invitation to walk with him so I took it. I don’t want to misplace myself here.

Whilst the guest was being led to the main entrance, Chris led me to what I could tell was a backdoor for some reason.

“I don’t want anybody to talk to me” he said, answering my question.

I just nodded and allowed him to lead me into a series of doors till we got into the hall then he released my hand from his hold.

The interior was just as beautiful as the exterior. It was a long white hall which Chandeliers hung at almost every corner of the room as well as flowers. I heard a gasp which caused me to turn to see Steph and the guys looking all dolled up. It was very new to me but I resisted to urge to stare so I focused my attention on Stephanie who was smiling excessively at me, precisely my outfit.

“Oh my God, you look so good girl” she chirped as she gave me a once over which made me feel self-conscious.

I gave her a small smile “You look gorgeous as well” I replied as she immediately did a twirl for me. Not that I asked.

I couldn’t miss the eyes that were on me from the guys but thankfully, Chris excused me from the group even though I didn’t know what for.

“We are going to see my parents” he whispered in my ears and almost immediately, my heart began to race but I maintained my composure just as we stopped and two figures came our way.

Luckily for me, I had the opportunity of looking them up.

The Edwards. Top tier business elites and CEO’s of big tech companies. They were both born and raised in the United Kingdom where they met and married. They started their first technological company thirty five years ago and since then, they ventured in various other sectors like business and their biggest company “Edwards international” has continued to boom like never before. In summary, the grew an empire.

“Mother, Father” Chris announced, his British accent think as he interrupted my analysis.

He kissed his mother on the cheek and hugged her lightly and did a slight nod to his father and who didn’t reciprocate it.

Weird.

They both turned their gaze to me so I gathered the energy to look at them. Chris was definitely a spitting image of his mother, I thought as I looked at her. There was nothing different from them, except gender of course. She was a tall, blonde woman with a great posture and a small smile etched on her face. I didn’t even get to say hi when she immediately asked “What schools did you attend. Harvard? Stanford?”

Obviously offended, I stepped back to avoid getting rude to her while Chris reprimanded her and sent an apologetic look my way.

I smiled back at him and faced his father who had been quiet only to see him staring at me already.

Sweet Jesus.

I silently nodded my head and walked off to the direction of the group when Chris caught up to me and started apologizing frantically to me “I’m super sorry. I can’t believe she did that. I’m really sorry Wren. I really am”

The group caught up to us and looked over to Chris as he continued apologizing on behalf of his mother. To be honest, I don’t really need the sorry, I didn’t even care anymore. I already pictured them like that.

“Your parents?” Matt asked knowingly. Are they always like this?

Chris nodded and they shrugged it off like it was nothing.

Chris then led me to a smaller room with very few people lingering around as well as chairs scattered about and I was kind of thankful for that.

“Let me get you a drink. You know as a compensation” Chris smiled sincerely.

I wasn’t going to give him a hard time as I normally would so I just said “Wine please” and he walked off to get it and was back in no time.

I took the glass with a small smile and sipped the wine, letting the flavor excite my tastebuds “Mhm, this is really nice” I pointed out which made him smile like he was used to being told that.

We looked on in a peaceful silence when he suddenly spoke up; “My parents have always been like that” I didn’t say anything, I just kept on drinking “You know, all judgmental and shit”

“I could tell” I replied in between drinks.

He went on anyways, “They have my life planned out like every other business guru like themselves. They have my career mapped out, my house and not forgetting my wife. Let’s just say I’m a walking life plan”

“Wait what?” I did a double take. “And you’re okay with that?”

He let out a humorless chuckle “I have to be okay with it and if I am not, I can as well be disowned”

“Well, that’s unlikely. You’re the only heir, they can’t get rid of you even if they tried. It’s going to be a backlash on them as well”

He analyzed my words, his eyes wide like this was his first time hearing this “That is so true!”

“But don’t go trying that yet” I quickly warned. I wasn’t about to be the reason for him being disowned.

My thoughts broke when Chris touched my hand slightly and said “I want to introduce you to someone”

Ugh, another human?

Chris then began frantically checking his phone and looking up as though in search for something. But in this case, I’m guessing someone.

He finally left my side and ran up to meet with the person he wanted me to meet, though I couldn’t see the person from where I was standing, so I decided to wait.

“Wren!” I heard Chris call so I looked up and beside me was one beautiful lady. She was tall, definitely model sized, pretty with brunette hair which waved across her perfect, well-shaped face.

After realized how creepy I looked just gaping at the stranger, I quickly shut my mouth in embarrassment whilst they watched me, clearly amused.

“Hi” I said, trying to maintain zero emotion. “So, Wren, meet Katherine or Kat like I call her and Kat meet Renee. Kat is a longtime friend and of course our dads are well acquainted with each other”

“Nice to meet to Renee and please, call me Kat” she said with a smile as she opened her arms and immediately crashed me into a hug, her perfume intoxicating me.

Personal privacy much?

I hug her back a little too awkwardly, patting her back before she pulled away “C has told me so much about you so I’m extremely happy to see you” she gushes a little too much.

Yeah. I could tell.

I just nod to avoid being sarcastic.

Chris then spoke up “I see you too will have no problem getting along so I’ll leave you to go check on the others. Bye!” and he ran off.

Once again, I hate people.

I turned back to Katherine and her pearly white smile from before was now a totally fake one which eventually turn to a frown.

“Uh..” I began to say

“What?” she snapped. Jeez, what got her panties in a twist.

“I don’t like you. Never have” she said, her voice laced in pure bitterness.

“We just met” I deadpanned.

Not that I care, but who is she to hate me.

She snatched my glass and emptied the contents in her mouth, shoved it back to me and leaned into me “Listen here, I don’t know what magic you used on C or what shit you possessed him with that is making him talk about you all day but watch it, I’ve known him forever and I’m his future wife as well so back the fuck off” she turned around and flung her hair at my face and said “Now now, where’s my lovely C” her fake smile back as she strutted away.

I scoffed as I watched her retreating figure in disbelief “The bitch didn’t even give me time to slap her” she really deserved one. Me? Like Chris? Hell no. I can’t even be begged to do so. No offence.

I got to give it to her though, she’s one heck of an actress.

I dropped the now empty glass on the nearest table as I walked out of the room to the direction of where the rest were. I finally saw them and caught up with them, trying not to let my anger get the best of me.

“Hey girl, where have you been” Stephanie asked as she gave me a quick hug but I didn’t return as my mind was fixed on the drink in Matt’s hand. So, I walked up to him, all of their eyes on me, took the glass midair and drank all its contents but immediately regretting it as the sharp taste of alcohol burned my throat.

“What’s with you?” Matt asked as he watched as I gulped down the alcohol like it was water.

You don’t want to know.

“I’m going home” I announced. I think it’s only best if I do, if not I’d end up a slobbering mess in front of these rich snubs and I’ve been embarrassed enough.

“Yeah not on my watch. I’m taking you home” Matt replied as he took my hand and dragged me with him till we reached his car.

“What’s with you and dragging me?” I asked when we got into the car even though, I didn’t really mind it. In fact, it made me warm.

What the fuck? I thought. Nah, it’s just the alcohol.

I didn’t even wait for his reply as I immediately let sleep fill me.